Teach Your Children

Last updated
"Teach Your Children"
Teach Your Children - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.jpg
Single by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
from the album Déjà Vu
B-side "Carry On"
ReleasedMay 1970 (1970-05)
RecordedOctober 24, 1969
Genre
Length2:53
Label Atlantic
Songwriter(s) Graham Nash
Producer(s) Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young singles chronology
"Woodstock"
(1970)
"Teach Your Children"
(1970)
"Ohio"
(1970)

"Teach Your Children" is a song written by Graham Nash in 1968 when he was a member of the Hollies. Although it was never recorded by that group in a studio, the Hollies did record it live in 1983. After the song was initially recorded for the album Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1969, a much more enhanced version of the song was recorded for the album Déjà Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, released in 1970. As a single, the song peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts that year. [2] On the Easy Listening chart, it peaked at No. 28. [3] In Canada, "Teach Your Children" reached No. 8. [4] Reviewing the song, Cash Box commented on the "incredible soft harmony luster" and "delicately composed material." [5] Billboard called it "a smooth country-flavored ballad that should prove an even bigger hit on the charts [than 'Woodstock']." [6] Stephen Stills gave the song its "country swing", replacing the "Henry VIII" style of Nash's original demo. [7]

Contents

Nash, who is also an accomplished photographer and collector of photographs, associated the song's message with a famous 1962 photo by Diane Arbus, Child with Toy Hand Grenade in Central Park, shortly after writing the song. The image, which depicts a child with an angry expression holding the toy weapon, prompted Nash to reflect on the societal implications of messages given to children about war and other issues. [8] [9] [10]

The recording features Jerry Garcia on pedal steel guitar. Garcia taught himself how to play the instrument during his tenure with the New Riders of the Purple Sage. [11] He told Lon Goddard of the British music newspaper Record Mirror in an interview that he recorded a series of pieces on the steel guitar and spliced them together in the studio to create the backing and solo. Garcia had made a deal that in return for his playing steel guitar on "Teach Your Children," CSNY would help members of the Grateful Dead improve their vocal harmony for their upcoming albums, Workingman's Dead and American Beauty .

Personnel

CSN

Additional Personnel

Chart history

"The Red Hots" (1994)

In 1994, Crosby, Stills & Nash re-recorded the song with guest vocals from country music artists Suzy Bogguss, Alison Krauss and Kathy Mattea, crediting the recording to "The Red Hots". This version was included on the album Red Hot + Country , a release by the Red Hot Organization benefiting AIDS awareness. The Red Hots' version of the song spent one week on the Hot Country Songs chart in October 1994, at No. 75. [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young</span> American and British folk rock supergroup

Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN) was a folk-rock supergroup made up of the American singer-songwriters David Crosby and Stephen Stills and the English singer-songwriter Graham Nash. When joined by the Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young, they were called Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY). They are noted for their intricate vocal harmonies and lasting influence on American music and culture, their political activism and their tumultuous relationships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woodstock (song)</span> 1970 single by Joni Mitchell

"Woodstock" is a song written by Canadian-American singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. At least four notable versions of the song were released in the same year, 1970. Mitchell's own version was first performed live in 1969 and appeared in April 1970 on her album Ladies of the Canyon and as the B-side to her single "Big Yellow Taxi". This publication was preceded by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's version, which appeared on their March 1970 album Déjà Vu and became a staple of classic rock radio and the best-known version in the United States. A third version, by the British band Matthews Southern Comfort became the best known version in the United Kingdom, and was the highest charting version of the song, reaching the top of the UK Singles Chart in 1970. A fourth version by studio project the Assembled Multitude also became a chart hit.

<i>Déjà Vu</i> (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young album) 1970 studio album by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Déjà Vu, is the second studio album by American folk rock group Crosby, Stills & Nash, and their first as a quartet with Neil Young. Released in March 1970 by Atlantic Records, it topped the pop album chart for one week and generated three Top 40 singles: "Woodstock", "Teach Your Children", and "Our House". It was re-released in 1977 and an expanded edition was released in 2021 to mark its fiftieth anniversary.

<i>CSN</i> (album) 1977 studio album by Crosby, Stills & Nash

CSN is the third studio album by Crosby, Stills & Nash, released on Atlantic Records on June 17, 1977. It is the group's second studio release in the trio configuration. It peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart; two singles taken from the album, Nash's "Just a Song Before I Go" and Stills' "Fair Game" charted on the Billboard Hot 100. It is currently the trio configuration's best selling record, outselling 1969's Crosby, Stills & Nash by 200,000 copies. It has been certified quadruple platinum by RIAA.

<i>Daylight Again</i> 1982 studio album by Crosby, Stills & Nash

Daylight Again is the fourth studio album by Crosby, Stills & Nash, and their third studio album in the trio configuration. It peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, the final time the band made the top ten before the death of David Crosby in 2023. Three singles were released from the album, all making the Billboard Hot 100: "Wasted on the Way" peaked at No. 9, "Southern Cross" at No. 18, and "Too Much Love to Hide" at No. 69. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA with sales of 1,850,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marrakesh Express</span> 1969 single by Crosby, Stills & Nash

"Marrakesh Express" is a song written by Graham Nash and performed by the band Crosby, Stills and Nash (CSN). It was first released in May 1969 on the self-titled album, Crosby, Stills and Nash, and released on a 45-RPM single in July of the same year, with another CSN song, "Helplessly Hoping", as its backing side. The single reached No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 on August 23, 1969. It reached the same position on the Easy Listening chart. The song was best received in the UK and Canada, reaching No. 17 in both nations. As a trio or quartet, this remains their only single to make the UK top 40 chart.

"Helpless" is a song written by Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young, recorded by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY) on their 1970 album Déjà Vu. Young played the song with The Band in the group's final concert with its original lineup, on American Thanksgiving Day 1976 at San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom, with Joni Mitchell providing backing vocals offstage.

<i>So Far</i> (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young album) 1974 compilation album by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

So Far is a 1974 compilation album by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Shipping as a gold record and peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart, it was the band's third chart-topping album in a row. It has been certified six times platinum by the RIAA, and is the second best-selling album by any configuration of the quartet in tandem after their 1970 studio album, Déjà Vu.

<i>If I Could Only Remember My Name</i> 1971 studio album by David Crosby

If I Could Only Remember My Name is the debut solo album by American singer-songwriter David Crosby, released on February 22, 1971, by Atlantic Records. It was one of four high-profile albums released by each member of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in the wake of their chart-topping 1970 album Déjà Vu. Guests on the album include Jerry Garcia, Graham Nash, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, and other prominent West Coast musicians of the era.

<i>Songs for Beginners</i> 1971 studio album by Graham Nash

Songs for Beginners is the debut solo studio album by English singer-songwriter Graham Nash. Released in May 1971, it was one of four high-profile albums released by each member of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in the wake of their chart-topping Déjà Vu album of 1970, along with After the Gold Rush, Stephen Stills and If I Could Only Remember My Name. Songs for Beginners peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart, and the single "Chicago" made it to No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. It has been certified a gold record by the RIAA.

<i>Graham Nash David Crosby</i> 1972 studio album by Crosby & Nash

Graham Nash David Crosby is the first album by Crosby & Nash, the partnership of David Crosby and Graham Nash, released on Atlantic Records in 1972, catalog SD 7220. It peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and a single taken from the album, "Immigration Man", peaked at No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 on June 17 and 24, 1972. It was certified gold by the RIAA, and it was dedicated to Joni Mitchell, as "to Miss Mitchell".

<i>Replay</i> (Crosby, Stills & Nash album) 1980 compilation album by Crosby, Stills & Nash

Replay is a compilation album by Crosby, Stills & Nash, appearing in 1980 on the Atlantic Records label. It contains no material with Neil Young, but does include CSN solo projects. It peaked at No. 122 on the Billboard 200, their first album not to chart in the top ten.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crosby & Nash</span> Musical duo

Crosby & Nash were a musical duo that maintained a separate career in addition to the solo endeavors of David Crosby and Graham Nash, and separate from the larger aggregate of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Crosby and Nash performed and recorded regularly during the 1970s, issuing five albums including three of original studio material. After the more or less permanent reformation of Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1976, the duo continued to play sporadic concerts from the 1980s through the second decade of the 21st century, issuing another studio album in 2004 and going on an extended concert tour in 2011.

<i>American Dream</i> (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young album) 1988 studio album by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

American Dream is the fifth studio album by Crosby, Stills & Nash, and their second with Neil Young. Released in 1988 on Atlantic Records, it peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. To date, it is their final album of original material to receive either a gold or platinum citation by the RIAA. It is the highest-selling album by Neil Young in the 1980s. The album is dedicated to Jan Crosby, Anne Stills, Susan Nash and Pegi Young.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Crosby, Stills & Nash album) 2005 compilation album by Crosby, Stills & Nash

Greatest Hits is a compilation album by Crosby, Stills & Nash, released by Rhino Records in 2005. It peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard 200, debuting at that position on April 2, 2005 with first week sales of 33,000 copies, and spending eight weeks on the chart. Its current sales sit at over 640,000. The album was dedicated to Cass Elliot with great thanks to Neil Young.

<i>Allies</i> (Crosby, Stills & Nash album) 1983 live album by Crosby, Stills, & Nash

Allies is a live album by Crosby, Stills & Nash, released on Atlantic Records in 1983. A live concert clip for "Wasted on the Way" received some rotation on MTV at the time, as did the single "War Games". It peaked at No. 43 on the Billboard 200.

"Wasted on the Way" is a 1982 song by American folk rock band Crosby, Stills & Nash, featuring harmony vocals by Timothy B. Schmit. It was their first top 10 hit in five years, and peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts in August 1982. On the Adult Contemporary chart, "Wasted on the Way" was the group's biggest hit on the chart, peaking at number two for five weeks. It appeared on the band's 1982 album Daylight Again. The B-side was the David Crosby composition "Delta".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Our House (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young song)</span> 1970 single by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

"Our House" is a song written by British singer-songwriter Graham Nash and recorded by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young on their album Déjà Vu (1970). The single reached No. 30 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 20 on the Cash Box Top 100. The song, "an ode to countercultural domestic bliss", was written while Nash was living with Joni Mitchell, recording both Crosby, Stills & Nash and Déjà Vu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ohio (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young song)</span> Protest song performed by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

"Ohio" is a protest song and counterculture anthem written and composed by Neil Young in reaction to the Kent State shootings of May 4, 1970, and performed by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. It was released as a single, backed with Stephen Stills's "Find the Cost of Freedom", peaking at number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 16 in Canada. Although live versions of "Ohio" and "Find the Cost of Freedom" were included on the group's 1971 double album 4 Way Street, the studio versions of both songs did not appear on an LP until the group's compilation So Far was released in 1974. The song also appeared on the Neil Young compilation albums Decade, released in 1977, and Greatest Hits, released in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carry On (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young song)</span> 1970 single by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

"Carry On" is a song by American folk rock band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Written by Stephen Stills, it is the opening track to their second album Déjà Vu (1970). It was released as the B-side of "Teach Your Children", but went on to receive steady airplay of its own from AOR radio stations.

References

  1. Roberts, David (2015). "Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - "Ohio". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die. New York: Universe. p. 272.
  2. "Déjà Vu: Billboard Singles". Allmusic . Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–2001. Record Research. p. 67.
  4. RPM Weekly 100, August 1, 1970
  5. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. May 30, 1970. p. 42. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  6. "Spotlight Singles" (PDF). Billboard. May 30, 1970. p. 76. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  7. Allen, Jim (December 6, 2018). "Making 'Déjà Vu' and the Early Days of CSN: An Interview with Graham Nash". Reverb. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  8. Nash, Graham (Fall 2009). "Graham Nash on Diane Arbus's Child With a Toy Hand Grenade in Central Park, N.Y.C., 1962". Aperture . No. 196. p. 88. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  9. Varga, George (January 5, 2006). "Listening Post: As a Photographer, Graham Nash Still Hears the Music". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011.
  10. Nash, Graham (September 18, 2017). Song Stories: "Teach Your Children". Reverb. Retrieved September 15, 2022 via YouTube (official channel).
  11. "Jerry Garcia And The Pedal Steel Guitar". No Depression. Archived from the original on 2017-04-25.
  12. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  13. RPM Weekly 100, August 1, 1970
  14. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1970" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  15. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN   0-89820-089-X
  16. Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 61.
  17. Cash Box Top 100 Singles, August 1, 1970 Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  18. "RECORD WORLD MAGAZINE: 1942 to 1982". worldradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  19. "Forum - 1970 (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)". Australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 2016-06-02. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  20. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca. 17 July 2013.
  21. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1970" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  22. Whitburn, Joel (1999). Pop Annual. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. ISBN   0-89820-142-X.
  23. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 342. ISBN   978-0-89820-177-2.
  24. "WKRP in Cincinnati - I Want to Keep My Baby (TV Episode 1979) - Soundtracks". IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  25. Mondale ad
  26. "Teach Your Children by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young". Songfacts. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  27. "The Wonder Years - Road Trip (TV Episode 1991) - Soundtracks". IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  28. "The X-Files - Rm9sbG93ZXJz (TV Episode 2018) - Soundtracks". IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved 16 November 2018.