Helplessly Hoping

1969 single by Crosby, Stills, and Nash

"Helplessly Hoping"

Single by Crosby, Stills, and Nash

from the album Crosby, Stills & Nash

A-side

"Marrakesh Express"

Released

June 1969 (1969-06)

Recorded

December 1968

Studio

Wally Heider's Studio 3

Genre

Folk rock

Label

Atlantic

Songwriter(s)

Stephen Stills

Producer(s)

Paul Rothchild

Crosby, Stills, and Nash singles chronology

"Helplessly Hoping"
(1969)

"Suite: Judy Blue Eyes"
(1969)

"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]

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

Stephen Stills – lead vocals, harmony vocals, acoustic guitar
David Crosby – lead vocals, harmony vocals
Graham Nash – lead vocals, harmony vocals

In popular culture

The song was prominently featured in the 2018 Alex Garland film Annihilation.^[5]
The song was also featured briefly in the 2020 Naughty Dog game The Last of Us Part II, with Joel playing the song on guitar.
The song was also featured briefly in the 2019 film The Art of Racing in the Rain.

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] An additional bluegrass cover by Dré Anders featuring the Gibson Brothers (bluegrass) was released as a single in October 2023.^[7]
The song was also covered by the American a cappella group Home Free in 2017.^[8]
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.^[9]
The song was also covered by the American band Foxes and Fossils in 2013.^[10]
This song was also covered by the American singer songwriter Richie Havens.^[11]

References

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