Helplessly Hoping

"Helplessly Hoping" is a 1969 song by the American folk rock group Crosby, Stills, and Nash written by Stephen Stills, and using both alliteration and wordplay in its lyrics. They recorded the song at Wally Heider's Studio 3, Hollywood in December 1968 during their first recording session as a group, with producer Paul Rothchild.[1][2] The song was first released by Atlantic Records on Crosby, Stills, and Nash's eponymous debut album on May 29, 1969.[3] In June 1969, they released it as the B-side of their debut single "Marrakesh Express".[4][2]

"Helplessly Hoping"
Single by Crosby, Stills, and Nash
from the album Crosby, Stills & Nash
A-side"Marrakesh Express"
ReleasedJune 1969 (1969-06)
RecordedDecember 1968
StudioWally Heider's Studio 3
GenreFolk rock
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)Stephen Stills
Producer(s)Paul Rothchild
Crosby, Stills, and Nash singles chronology
"Helplessly Hoping"
(1969)		 "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes"
(1969)

Lyrics

The song is about two lovers who don't know what to do in a psychological setting. Alliteration is used throughout the song; "Helplessly Hoping", "Wordlessly Watching", and "Stand by the Stairway".

Wordplay is also employed — the chorus contains number words with dual meanings:

They are One Person,
They are Two Alone,
They are Three Together,
They are Four Each Other.

The play on three of the Chorus lines would go:

They are Too Alone,
They are Free Together,
They are For Each Other.

Personnel

Cover versions
  • The song was covered by the American bluegrass band J. D. Crowe & the New South in 1986. The cover was included in their seventh studio album Straight Ahead.[6]
  • The song was also covered by the American a cappella group Home Free in 2017.[7]
  • The song was also covered by the American rock band Of Mice & Men in 2021. The cover was included in their third EP Ad Infinitum and their seventh studio album Echo.[8]
  • The song was also covered by the American band Foxes and Fossils in 2013.[9]
  • This song was also covered by the American singer songwriter Richie Havens [10]

References
  1. Hopkins, Jerry (April 5, 1969). "Crosby-Stills-Nash Wind Up Album". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  2. Deriso, Nick (February 23, 2018). "The Story of Crosby, Stills and Nash's 'Annihilation' Song". Ultimate Classic Rock. Townsquare Media. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  3. "Crosby, Stills & Nash - Crosby, Stills & Nash Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  4. Planer, Lindsay. "Marrakesh Express - Crosby, Stills & Nash Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  5. "Annihilation Soundtrack". IMDb. IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  6. "J. D. Crowe & the New South Straight Ahead". Discogs. 1986. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  7. Hopelessly Hoping. Cover by Home Free. .
  8. "Of Mice & Men Get Atmospheric on 'Fighting Gravity,' Announce 'Echo Album' + Aaron Pauley Talks EP Trilogy". Loudwire. October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  9. Helplessly Hoping (Cover) - Crosby, Stills, and Nash by Foxes and Fossils, retrieved 2023-02-09
  10. Helplessly Hoping, retrieved 2023-09-14
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