Top 10 David Crosby Songs

Photo: SolarScott [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

We pondered for some time how to approach the idea of writing a top 10 David Crosby songs list. David Crosby was one of the founding members of the iconic band The Byrds. David Crosby was also a founding member of the group Crosby Stills and Nash, which also morphed into Crosby Stills Nash & Young on occasion. Over the years David Crosby also recorded five albums with Graham Nash as Crosby & Nash. One cannot forget the great band CPR that David Crosby was also a founding member off. Along with all those magnificent bands that David Crosby has also released a large amount brilliant of solo albums. David Crosby’s musical career also included producing some of the most legendary rock artists of the classic rock era including Joni Mitchell.

Usually when we cover a solo artist who was in a famous band, we focus mainly on the solo material. However, David Crosby’s material is so impressive across the board we decided to do an essential David Crosby songs list that covers all aspects of his career. Of course, with a body of work so huge, we are going to leave out many many important songs. In the end, our Top 10 songs lists are always designed to serve as an introduction to an artist to those who are unfamiliar with so many rock and roll legends. We hope you enjoy this 10 Essential David Crosby songs list. This list is loosely in chronological order

# 10 – Eight Miles High

This incredible song by The Byrds was released in 1966 on the album Fifth Dimension. The song’s writing credits on this wonderful song were credited to Gene Clark, Jim McGuinn and David Crosby. The song opened up side two of the album. For many Byrds fans “Eight Miles High,” stands as the their favorite.

# 9 – Long Time Gone

This great moody songs was released on the Crosby Stills and Nash album that was released in 1969. It was the trio of David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash’s first album together. It would be the start of many years of collaborations between the three artists. The album served as a catalyst for a sound that would inspire countless artist in the early 1970’s. “Long Time Gone,” was written by David Crosby. It appeared as the next to last song on the album.

# 8 – Guinevere

David Crosby’s song “Guinevere,” also appeared on the Crosby Stills & Nash album released in 1969. The song appeared as the third track on the album. The song featured only the guitar work of David Crosby. The lead vocals was sung by both David Crosby and Graham Nash. In what may not have been understood at the time by Crosby, but eventually became clear, was the ultimate form of musical respect that was given to David Crosby by Miles Davis. The legendary jazz musician recorded a version of Guinevere in 1970 and eventually released it on the compilation album Circle In The Round in 1979.

The song was said to have been written about multiple women, including Joni Mitchell who David Crosby had a former relationship with from both a personal and musical point.

# 7 – “Déjà Vu”

The great track “Déjà Vu” was released on the album of the same name in 1970. It was the first studio album to feature David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and Neil Young together. David Crosby received solo songwriting credit on the song “Déjà Vu.” Every song on the album was credited to single songwriters except for the last track which was credited to Stephen Stills and Neil Young. The album also contained the classic version of Joni Mitchell’s Woodstock.

# 6 – Almost Cut My Hair

For many Crosby Stills Nash & Young fans, David Crosby’s “Almost Cut My Hair,” defined the band’s ode to the counterculture in the most personal way. Long hair symbolized everything 1960’s counterculture stood for. As the 1970s arrived, and everyone was getting older, the personal battles between staying true to one’s beliefs again and moving on raged in many. David Crosby’s “Almost Cut My Hair,” defined that issue so poetically.

# 5 – Music Is Love

David Crosby’s “Music Is Love,” was the opening song on his first solo album. The song was released as a single in 1971. The soulfulness of this song is to die for. A brilliant piece of music driven by a lovin guitar lick, finger snaps and a beautiful angelic vocal.

# 4 – Carry Me

David Crosby and Graham Nash released four albums together under the name Crosby & Nash. Their second album entitled Wind on the Water was released in 1976. David Crosby song “Carry Me,” was the album’s opening cut. The song was also released as the record’s first single.

# 3 – Drive My Car

David Crosby’s “Drive My Car,” was released on his second solo album entitled Yes I Can. The album was released in 1989. It was eighteen years between his first two solo album. David Crosby was a pretty busy man in between solo albums. It’s so interesting to hear that passionate David Crosby voice juxtaposed against that overblown 1980’s drum sound. Still, a great song.

# 2 – Morrison

David Crosby’s song “Morrison,” was co-written with his son pianist James Raymond. Along with guitarist Jeff Pevar, the three had formed the band CPR. The track “Morrison,” was released on the band’s debut album CPR. The album was released in 1998. The harmonies, the playing and the songs are all top notch. This is really good stuff that sadly went unnoticed by all but hardcore David Crosby fans. The song “Morrison,” was written about Jim Morrison and The Doors and comments on Oliver Stone’s Doors movie.

# 1 – Things We Do For Love

We close out our 10 Essential David Crosby songs with an incredible heartfelt song released on his 2016 album entitled Lighthouse. A song written by a man who has lived life, a man who speaks for so many, an adult song that hurts and resonates with all of us. It’s sheer beauty defines how wonderful it has been to live in a world with the pen and voice of David Crosby by our side.

Updated July 17, 2021