October 15, 2021 —– Chart #113
Hello Musical Friends,
Welcome to Friday and the 113th edition of Chart of the day. “Southern Cross” is a song written by Stephen Stills, Rick Curtis, and Michael Curtis and performed by the rock band Crosby, Stills & Nash. It was featured on the band’s Daylight Again album and was released as a single in September 1982. Stephen Stills sings lead throughout, with Graham Nash joining on the second verse. Because David Crosby did not reunite with Stills and Nash until the album was well underway, his vocals are not featured on the album version, although he did appear in the video and subsequently sang the song with the group in live performances. The single was a success on the charts, reaching No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks in late November and early December 1982.
I must admit, I first knew the song as a CSN tune, but later as a devout Parrothead I have enjoyed Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band magnificently perform this song in concert numerous times . . . and I never get tired of it.
“Southern Cross” is based on the song “Seven League Boots” by Rick and Michael Curtis. Stills explained, “The Curtis Brothers brought a wonderful song called ‘Seven League Boots,’ but it drifted around too much. I rewrote a new set of words and added a different chorus, a story about a long boat trip I took after my divorce. It’s about using the power of the universe to heal your wounds. Once again, I was given somebody’s gem and cut and polished it.” The song title and lyrics reference the Crux constellation, known as the Southern Cross.
Interesting to note that among the musicians on the original recorded version were vocalists Timothy B. Schmit (of Poco and the Eagles) and Art Garfunkel (Simon & Garfunkel).
A few references from the lyrics that you may find interesting:
- Southern islands – referring to Polynesia
- Papeete – the capital of French Polynesia on the island of Tahiti
- Marquesas – a group of volcanic islands in French Polynesia, northeast of Tahiti
- Avalon – Avalon, California, an island city on Santa Catalina Island, California.
Studio version:
Live performance: https://youtu.be/iuLBhxZUkmU
And of course Mr. Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer band: https://youtu.be/phekbJ5eV18
Keep rockin’ my friends,
Stan