Crosby, who died on January 2023 at the age of 81, left behind a catalog of eight solo albums that often featured evocative lyrics and angelic vocals. He was also known for his work with The Byrds, Neil Young and Nash, and Stills.
[RELATED: David Crosby, from The Byrds and Crosby Stills & Nash, Deceased at 81].
Crosby was already an established icon, honored with inductions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on two occasions, initially as a part of The Byrds in 1991 and subsequently alongside Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1997.
Here’s a chronological look at just 10 memorable songs written and co-written by the legendary singer and songwriter Crosby throughout his career spanning over 55 years, including his time with The Byrds and his present band, Lighthouse.
1. “Why” (1966)Written by David Crosby and Jim McGuinn.
Yesterday, the band The Byrds, with frontman Jim McGuinn and Crosby, released their album “Younger Than Yesterday” and later re-recorded it. The song “Why,” written by Crosby, incorporated more Indian melodic tones, which came from his interest in Ravi Shankar’s music. The Byrds first released it as the b-side to their single “Eight Miles High” in 1966.
2. “Everybody’s Been Scorched” (1967) Penned by David Crosby.
Everyone should try to love, shouldn’t you know why? You can tell yourself to face the pain in this place, and everyone knows that.
3. “Lady Companion” (1967) Penned by David Crosby.
The song “Lady Friend” by the band No. 82 tells the story of the fleeting fear of love and being on one’s own, even though it crossed into the pop charts when released on Younger Than Yesterday.
The Byrds played the tune during their performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.
4. “Wooden Vessels,” Crosby, Stills & Nash (1969)Written by David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Paul Kantner.
One of Crosby’s all-time favorite tracks remained “Wooden Ships,” the debut song crafted by CSN, with its beautiful melody and rich harmonies and instrumentation. Written during the 1960s, a period when many people’s minds were focused on the heightened tensions between the United States, the USSR, and the crisis in Indochina, the song reflected the darker premise of a nuclear war threat. It was written by Paul Kantner, Crosby’s onetime roommate, and David Crosby, and Stephen Stills.
Crosby mentioned regarding composing the tune, “We were lounging around in the primary cabin of the vessel, and we started performing that series of variations and we composed that melody collectively.” “It’s certainly a sci-fi melody, without a doubt. I genuinely adore how extraordinary it is and I genuinely adore the harmonies. I genuinely adore what it expresses, it’s one of my most beloved Crosby, Stills & Nash melodies.”
Read the complete story of the American Songwriter Behind the Song, “Wooden Ships,” HERE.
5. “Already Seen,” Crosby, Stills & Nash (1970)Written by David Crosby.
Crosby penned and performed the smoldering “Déjà Vu,” the leading track of Crosby, Stills & Nash’s sophomore collaboration, and their inaugural endeavor as a quartet alongside Neil Young, while delving into the concepts of reincarnation and karma.
Crosby stated in 2008, “I am among those individuals who believe that we experience life in cycles.” “It’s akin to a wheel, where we embark and disembark. The Buddhists have grasped this concept correctly. I believe that life energy is regenerated. That is the reason behind my composition of ‘Déjà Vu’.”
Joni Mitchell’s rendition of “Woodstock” and Graham Nash’s “Our House” were both top singles, with three of Nash’s singles, including “Teach Your Children,” reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart.
6. “The Lee Shore,” Crosby, Stills & Nash (1971) was authored by David Crosby.
Here’s the reversed rendition of the given paragraph: “Lee Shore, a recurring theme in Crosby’s life, where he enjoyed spending more time sailing. Crosby, Stills & Nash’s first live release, “4 Way Street,” and their third album, “Crosby, Stills & Nash,” revisited the theme of life on the shore. In the same vein as Crosby’s references to open waters and free sailing, another eight-day escapade to Marie Sandra’s island is portrayed in the song “Wooden Ships.”
7. “What Are Their Names” (1971)Written by David Crosby, Jerry Garcia, Neil Young, Phil Lesh, Michael Shrieve.
I wonder what their names are and what streets they live on. I wonder why they run it with a thoughtless hand. I wonder who the men are that really run this land. If I could only remember the lyrics, I could name the questions of its real agenda and government. This is the debut solo off David Crosby.
8. “Music Is Love” (1971) composed by David Crosby, Graham Nash, and Neil Young.
Another selection from Crosby’s album If I Could Only Remember My Name, and the first song, “Music Is Love” sums it up.
Love is a melody that resonates with everyone, expressing their emotions and feelings. Love is like a symphony that speaks to everyone’s hearts, yes, love is like music. Love is a beautiful melody that echoes in everyone’s soul. Love is the harmonious rhythm that articulates the emotions of all, yes, love is like music. Love is a captivating melody that echoes in every heart. Love is a melodic expression that resonates with everyone, yes, love is like music. Love is a lyrical composition that speaks to the depths of everyone’s being.
9. “Actions We Take For Love” (2016) Penned by David Crosby and Michael League.
The opening ballad of Crosby’s fifth album, “Love for Do We Things,” is a tender song that Lighthouse co-wrote and co-produced. It also features Michael League, the bassist of Snarky Puppy, who penned the track.
10. “Ships In The Night” (2021)Authored by David Crosby.
Joan Baez’s friend, David Crosby, had his portrait painted by him for the album cover of “In Ships at Night.” In this album, Crosby returns to the sea with a more upbeat tempo, as seen in the earlier track “Free.” However, the ballad “Won’t I” is a somber tale written by Raymond James, Crosby’s son, and it serves as a fitting close to Crosby’s final and eighth album, symbolizing his rebirth.