Broken Arrow
Neil Young
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The lights turned on and the curtain fell down And when it was over it felt like a dream They stood at the stage door and begged for a scream The agents had paid for the black limousine That waited outside in the rain Did you see them, did you see them? Did you see them in the river? They were there to wave to you Could you tell that the empty quivered Brown skinned Indian on the banks That were crowded and narrow Held a broken arrow? Eighteen years of American dream, He saw that his brother had sworn on the wall He hung up his eyelids and ran down the hall His mother had told him a trip was a fall And don't mention babies at all Did you see him, did you see him? Did you see him in the river? He was there to wave to you Could you tell that the empty quivered Brown skinned Indian on the banks That were crowded and narrow Held a broken arrow? The streets were lined for the wedding parade The Queen wore the white gloves, the county of song The black covered caisson her horses had drawn Protected her king from the sun rays of dawn They married for peace and were gone Did you see them, did you see them? Did you see them in the river? They were there to wave to you Could you tell that the empty quivered Brown skinned Indian on the banks That were crowded and narrow Held a broken arrow?
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics © Broken Arrow Music, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
14 facts about this song
Song History"Broken Arrow" is a song written by Neil Young and performed by Buffalo Springfield. It appeared on the band's second studio album, "Buffalo Springfield Again", released in 1967.
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Music LengthIt is one of the longest songs on the album with a runtime of approximately six minutes and 13 seconds.
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Song StructureThis iconic song is known for its innovative structure. It's divided into multiple sections featuring different melodies, varied lyrics, and differing rhythms, almost like several songs put together.
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MusiciansThe band Buffalo Springfield consisted of musical icons Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Richie Furay, Bruce Palmer, and Dewey Martin. Neil Young was the primary writer of "Broken Arrow".
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Live PerformancesAs of Neil Young's live performances, "Broken Arrow" is not often included in setlists. As such, seeing it live is considered a rare treat for fans.
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Ambiguous LyricsThe song's lyrics are ambiguous and have been speculated to be about Young's experiences and observations. Some interpretations suggest feelings of disillusionment and critique of commercialization.
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Impact/Influence"Broken Arrow" as a whole is considered a pioneering piece for its unique structuring and progressive experimentation, influencing many bands and songs that would come after.
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Recurring ThemeThe song mentions a character named "Mr. Soul" which is also the title of another song written by Neil Young for Buffalo Springfield, leading to speculation that the songs are connected somehow.
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Sound EffectsThe use of sound effects like crowd noises and merry-go-round music in "Broken Arrow" was groundbreaking at the time and is still highly regarded for its creativity.
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Commercial PerformanceDespite its critical acclaim and lasting influence, "Broken Arrow" did not perform especially well in terms of sales and chart performance when it was initially released.
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Cover VersionsThe song has been covered by several artists, including Rod Stewart who included it on his 1991 album "Vagabond Heart".
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Song OriginCompared to other songs on the Buffalo Springfield Again album, "Broken Arrow" stands out as being distinctly different, possibly because Young wrote the song before he joined Buffalo Springfield and originally intended it to be a solo project.
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Recording ChallengesThe song reportedly took the band 100 takes to record, reflecting the complexity of the piece.
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Critical ReceptionDespite its initial commercial underperformance, "Broken Arrow" has consistently been praised by critics and is often cited as one of Neil Young's best works.
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Citation
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"Broken Arrow Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/34041747/Neil+Young/Broken+Arrow>.
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