Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing

About Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing

"Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing" is a song by the American folk rock band Buffalo Springfield, released as the group's debut single in 1966. Neil Young wrote the song in Yorkville in 1965 shortly after returning from a series of performances in Toronto, during a period when his bid at a solo career had been met with little positive response. The lyrics reflect metaphorically on Young's frustration toward his stalled career in music, and was inspired by Ross "Clancy" Smith, an aberrant classmate who incited awe in his school. Commentators recognize "Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing" as one of Buffalo Springfield's signature songs, as well as a milestone in Young's progression as a songwriter. The song was the lead single to Buffalo Springfield's self-titled debut album, bubbling under the Billboard Hot 100 at 110. Buffalo Springfield played "Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing" at many concerts during their stay in Los Angeles where it found regional success. Young's original demo recording for Elektra Records was included on the compilation album The Archives Vol. 1 1963–1972 (2009), and a live version, from his 1968 solo tour, appears on Sugar Mountain – Live at Canterbury House 1968 (2008). The band's rendition appears on Retrospective: The Best of Buffalo Springfield (1969) and Buffalo Springfield (1973). In 1968, Fever Tree arguably was the earliest artist to cover a Young song with their orchestrated pop interpretation of "Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing"; another version was recorded by the Carpenters. more »

Year:

1969

4:18

108 Views

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Sing, sing
 Who's that stompin' all over my face?
 Where's that silhouette I'm trying to trace?
 And who's putting sponge in the bells I once rung
 And taking my gypsy before she's begun

 Just singing and a dreaming of what's in my mind
 Before I can take home what's rightfully mine
 Joinin' and a listenin' and talkin' in rhymes
 Stoppin' the feeling to wait for the times

 (*) Who's saying maybe
 That don't mean a thing"
 'Cause nowadays Clancy can't even sing
 Sing, sing

 Who's all hung-up on that happiness thing?
 Who's trying to tune all the bells they ring?
 And who's in the corner and down on the floor
 With pencil and paper just counting the score

 Who's trying to act like he's just in-between?
 The night isn't black, if you know that it's green
 Don't bother looking, you're too blind to see
 Who's coming on like he wanted to be?

 Repeat (*)
 Who's coming home on the old nine to five?
 Who's got the feeling here to keep him alive?
 Though havin' it, sharin' it, ain't quite the same
 You painted it golden nugget, you can't lay claim

 Who's seeing eyes through the crack in the floor?
 There it is baby, don't you worry no more
 Who should be sleepin', but 's writing this song
 Wishin' and a-hopin' he weren't so damned wrong

 Repeat (*) twice

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Carpenters

The Carpenters were an American vocal and instrumental duo of Karen and Richard Carpenter. They produced a distinct soft musical style, combining Karen's contralto vocals with Richard's arranging and composition skills. more »

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