“Expecting to Fly” is clearly a song written by Neil Young, and, for once, he (rather than Richie Furay) got to sing it—on the 1967 “Buffalo Springfield Again” album. Produced by the multitalented Jack Nitzsche (1937-2000), who played keyboard on the album, it features only Young, harmonizing with himself along with a full orchestral backing: the rest of the band simply wasn’t there. It was, according to Wikipedia, intended for solo release, one of two “experimental” songs on the album (the other, which we’ll hear soon, was “Broken Arrow.”)
Once again, the meaning, beyond that it’s about a waning romance, is a bit obscure, though not nearly as much as “Broken Arrow.” But the song is haunting, and do remember that Young was only 22 when he recorded it. Nitzsche’s orchestral arrangement (presumably in collaboration with Young) is superb, especially the plaintive ending.
There you stood
On the edge of your feather,
Expecting to fly.
While I laughed,
I wondered whether
I could wave goodbye,
Knowin’ that you’d gone.
By the summer it was healing,
We had said goodbye.
All the years
We’d spent with feeling
Ended with a cry,
Babe, ended with a cry,
Babe, ended with a cry.I tried so hard to stand
As I stumbled
And fell to the ground.
So hard to laugh as I fumbled
And reached for the love I found,
Knowin’ it was gone.
If I never lived without you,
Now you know I’d die.
If I never said I loved you,
Now you know I’d try,
Babe, now you know I’d try.
Babe, now you know I’d try,
Babe.
I’m very much appreciating this series and all the commentaries…
The definitive biography of Neil, “Shakey”, has some interesting stuff on this song.
When I asked Jack what he thought the secret of the record was, he said one word only: “Epilepsy.” I don’t think Nitzsche’s being a smart aleck — the out-of-kilter sense of time in the arrangement captured the je ne sais quoi of Young’s electrical system…
Young’s epilepsy at that time was somewhat troublesome – he’d had a seizure once on-stage and was constantly scared it would happen. He was apparently scared that his girlfriend at the time (Robin Lane) would see him having a seizure and dump him. (She eventually did leave, and possibly that was an influence in the song.)
“When it came time to sing, Neil was scared to death of the microphone”, said Nitzsche. “To the point of saying ‘Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.’ He didn’t have much confidence in his voice. I tried to encourage him any way I could. That strange thing in his voice — all that quivering and shaking, like you think the guy might have a nervous breakdown in front of your eyes? I told him it was appealing. I said, ‘You sound different! It isn’t a matter of singing like Stephen Stills — you’re a nonsinger. Look at Bob Dylan.'”
It’s defenitly his voice, making me a longtime superfan of Young (maybe SHAKEY comes from his former problems to produce clear photos and films, so far I have read).
I think Graham Nash gave him the nickname. Many of Neil’s films have the credit “Executive Producer – Bernard Shakey”, and “Shakey Pictures” – playing on both shakey camera idea and the shakey personality. He really seems to have been able to integrate his insecure personality with his alter ego, the insane rocker who once held the world record for loudest concert ever. I don’t know of any other artist who has integrated such extreme opposites, without alternately denying one of them. His wild electric guitar playing still retains an extraordinary level of sensitivity and emotional expression.
One of my favorites of his early stuff. Great song.
Love this song too. As far as I’m concerned, Neil turned in a beautiful vocal performance. He may not be what some snobs would call a “great singer” but it’s certainly distinctive and as with Dylan and Lennon, many of his songs fit his voice such that I actually prefer their “imperfect” song voices to those of technically better singers.
Thank You.
I love Neil Young, Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, and all their various incarnations. I’d be very interested to hear Jerry’s take on Young’s woo-ful views regarding organic farming, I’ve heard him rant about this at his shows, and his expensive Pono Player. Also, check out this song by Israel Nash: very reminiscent of NY.
https://youtu.be/0Q9ROTL2IDg
Whoops! I merely meant to post the link!