Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – Déjà Vu (1970)
Released in March 1970, Déjà Vu marked the first studio album by the supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY), now including Neil Young alongside the original trio. Building on the vocal harmonies and folk-rock foundation of their debut, this album introduced a richer, more dynamic sound with elements of rock, country, and blues. Déjà Vu captured the spirit of its era while demonstrating the growing creative synergy—and occasional tensions—within the group.
Album Overview
Title: Déjà Vu
Release Date: March 11, 1970
Label: Atlantic Records
Producer: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, plus Bill Halverson
Genre: Folk rock, soft rock, country rock
Length: 42:36
Format: Vinyl, cassette, 8-track, CD
Sales: Over 3 million copies in the U.S., certified Platinum
The album blends introspective ballads, politically tinged songs, and vibrant rock arrangements. With Neil Young’s addition, the group achieved a broader sonic palette, including electric guitar textures and stronger rhythmic drive, without losing the delicate vocal harmonies that defined their sound.
Tracklist
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Carry On – 2:30
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Almost Cut My Hair – 4:30
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Woodstock – 3:51
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Helpless – 3:37
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Country Girl – 5:07
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Everybody I Love You – 3:42
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Our House – 2:33
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Teach Your Children – 2:55
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Songs for You, Oh My Friends – 2:11
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Déjà Vu – 4:28
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Everybody’s Talkin’ – 5:12 (note: CSNY version is original, not the Fred Neil cover)
Mini Review
Opening with Carry On, the album immediately showcases Neil Young’s influence, from driving guitar riffs to dynamic songwriting. Woodstock, written by Joni Mitchell but famously performed by CSNY, became an anthem for the counterculture movement. Ballads like Helpless and Our House reveal the group’s unmatched harmonic sophistication and lyrical introspection.
The interplay between Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young produces moments of soaring beauty, tension, and vulnerability, capturing both personal and societal reflection. Tracks like Teach Your Children show the group’s knack for blending social commentary with accessibility, while the title track Déjà Vu closes the album with a dreamy, reflective atmosphere.
Album Credits
David Crosby: vocals, rhythm guitar
Stephen Stills: vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass
Graham Nash: vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
Neil Young: vocals, guitars, piano
Guest Musicians:
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Greg Reeves – bass
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Dallas Taylor – drums
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Jerry Garcia – pedal steel guitar on Teach Your Children
Engineering: Bill Halverson
Photography: Henry Diltz
Album Design: Pacific Eye & Ear
Did You Know?
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Déjà Vu was recorded across multiple studios in Los Angeles and San Francisco, reflecting the group’s restless touring and creative energy.
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Neil Young’s presence introduced a rawer, more rock-oriented edge to the previously folk-focused trio.
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Woodstock was performed without Joni Mitchell but became her most widely recognized song in popular culture.
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Teach Your Children features pedal steel guitar by Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead, giving it a unique country-rock feel.
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The album won critical acclaim and commercial success despite internal tensions between Young and the rest of the band, who often disagreed over song selection and arrangements.
Cultural Impact
Déjà Vu reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and solidified CSNY as a supergroup capable of merging artistic ambition with mainstream appeal. Songs like Woodstock and Teach Your Children became generational anthems, inspiring countless artists in folk, rock, and country.
The album exemplifies the peak of 1970s harmony-driven rock, showing how a group of already successful musicians could collaborate to produce emotionally resonant, socially conscious music.
Conclusion
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – Déjà Vu is a defining statement of folk-rock and supergroup artistry. Its blend of soaring harmonies, introspective lyrics, and socially aware songwriting makes it timeless. From the epic Carry On to the reflective title track Déjà Vu, the album captures a moment of cultural, personal, and musical convergence. For anyone exploring the evolution of folk-rock or the legacy of CSNY, this record remains essential listening.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Full Discography
