Everybody's Wrong. One of the two least interesting songs on the album. It's still pretty good but more on the level of some of those early demo's. 2/5
Hard to disagree. A solid album cut, one that is perhaps overshadowed by some of the more well-known tracks.
Ha! But it rhymes. "Crown" sounded kinda cool in 1966; a kind of homage to the British Invasion...since Springfield wanted to be the American Beatles, popularity-wise. Shuoudda been. They were, for me. The "crown" (a five shilling piece) was minted into the 1980's (albeit in small numbers, and often in later years, as a commemorative coin such as for coronations, and royal weddings), and we heard "crown" used in film etc, so it didn't seem weird to hear it then. But anyway....each to his own...I always like d"crown", even if only as a rhyming device. Still do.
I don’t take points off for it! I think it’s a pretty neat and (at the time) unusual use of the word.
And any US/Canadian visiting the UK at the time would have had plenty of opportunity to spend one or two of these, which were very much in circulation:
I think that one was one of the largest circulations with over 19,000,000 minted. So "crown" was not archaic at all...in 1965. It didn't seem strange to me in 1965;"crown" was a pretty common term we had all heard often in British films.It intrigued me that Stills chose to use "crown" in the lyrics. Beyond the rhyming aspect, it gave the song and band an international appeal. Coincidentally, an annual viewing and my favorite "Scrooge" film is the 1951 British classic in which Alistair Sim uttered that famous line, "Come back with him in less than five minutes and I'll give you half-a-crown!"...so yeah, a part of my teenaged consciousness.
"Everybody's Wrong"... the problem with rating these, as a Springfield fan, is even tracks that may not be considered "classics"... or even "important"... are still interesting and provide an enjoyable listen. Springfield was a band bursting with ideas, and even if not all of them worked, you have to admire their ambition and willingness to take artistic chances, even this early on. (By the 2nd album, they're already trying to make their own Sgt. Pepper! Tracks like "Expecting to Fly" and "Broken Arrow" are productions you'd expect on a band's 5th album, maybe.) Plus the fact that since they were such a distinct set of artistic personalities, it's hard to nail down a specific "Springfield" sound, (compared, say, to the Byrds of the same period.) I can't think of a single L.A. group in 1966, (or in S.F., come to think of it,) that boasted that level of talent in one unit. I never hit the skip button with "Everybody's Wrong," but there was even better to come... so I'll give it a solid 3/5.
YIKES!! Didn’t think my issue would illicit anything, much less all this numismatics. Too bad Stills didn’t try to rhyme with Buck.
Don’t remember which CSNY bio, but Neil wasn’t a Dewey fan. Apparently, Dewey wanted more stage time. I was surprised when I read it, Good Time Boy and all.
Regarding Dewey Martin and his desire for more stage time, the July 1, 1967 show at the Hullabaloo must have been something to behold. Apparently Stills and Dewey fronted the band, doing a Sam & Dave-like "soul review"-styled performance while Mike Clarke and Buddy Miles guested on drums. David Crosby also sat in, covering for Neil who unexpectedly joined in for a couple of numbers. Would've paid to see that.
Not surprised he wanted to leave. Dewey would be enough for me, but throw in the fact that in mid-1968 they are still playing Clancy and other old songs, and giving Neil one tune to sing, Mr. Soul. You can tell he can't even hear himself singing, I've heard him address in an interview.
Today’s song is “Flying On The Ground Is Wrong” Wow, what a song! One of my absolute favorites from this album and from the Springfield in general. It’s perfect! The harmonies, the instrumentation, and Richie’s vocals! Man, they’re so good. I love the part from 1:43-1:58 especially. Perfection! 5/5! Of course shoutout to Neil for writing this amazing tune.
Hot Dusty Roads is a very fine song under. Everybody's Wrong too. Neither is among their greatest songs, but the bar was pretty high.
What can one say? A stone-cold classic, with a melody that sticks in the head for days. I love the way Richie sings it, but Neil doing it solo acoustic is just as fine. 5/5
For Everybody's Wrong live, Dewey would start by himself....sorta like the Randy Scouse effect although EW was earlier. To me, the song fit well in the band's sets as it was uptempo, featured Rich...with Steve doubling, and was nice & driving. Not a fav album track for me, but..it fit live. I don't know Neil's opinion of Dewey in 1966-67. I had a really nice long dinner with Jim Fielder though and he said that Steve was the one at constant odds with Dewey. Aside from Steve punching Bruce, Steve took a swing at Dewey after some badgering one night. Jim said he had to jump out of the way. Jim...who spent more consistent time in the band compared even to Bruce....was pretty colorful in describing the chaos. Watch the very very very initial moments of the Springfield R&R Hall induction where they're assembling on stage. Dewey points to someone and then flashes the Dewey grin and points to Steve. Steve gives sort of an uggh look and moves away. In later years, Neil did have Dewey at the ranch to test out some playing together. He did have Dewey play on "I Am A Child" while Steve opted for Buddy Miles and most any other drummer he could find in town for third album stuff. So...I dunno. But as to Everybody's Wrong, it certainly worked in the context of the sets. For me anyway.
5/5 What you said, and the last verse... City lights at a country fair Never shine but always glare If I'm bright enough to see you, you're just to dark to care Love it!
This was another nice one in the 67 live sets. This and"Do I Have..." and their inclusion of the newly tracked "Pretty Girl Why" gave some nice contrast to the driving catch-your-breath feel of the sets. I also like the track.
"Flying"-- yeah, this is a real highlight of the first album... hell, any album at that time. Sublime and graceful. Love the way Neil was using all those 7th chords so early on in his career. It has a perfect melody that I equate with some of the great standards. Has to be a 5/5 for me.
Yes "Flying" is a 5/5. I like it when Richie and Neil sings it equally, both bring something to the song.
"Flying…" is another superlative song. I repeat what I said about "Clancy" — there just weren't all that many songs about in this era that were so finely crafted, both musically and lyrically. A song of true beauty in every regard.
"It's not a drrrug song... it's just vulgar to think so." --Bob Dylan in reference to "Visions of Johanna," live on stage in 1966.