Don’t let the past remind us of what we are not now.

“Suite Judy Blue Eyes” was primarily written by Stills about the ending of his relationship with Judy Collins. The song appears to be a last hail Mary to save the relationship. He expresses that without her he is no fun and he doesn’t recognize himself. He is lonely and suffering. He wants to speak plainly. Why can’t they go away and just be together, alone?

This song is unique because it sounds like three good songs could have been made from this one song. Instead, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young chose to combine the disparate pieces to make one great song. This has only happened a couple times in the history of rock. Two others that come to mind are A Day in the Life by The Beatles and Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. So, there are not many songs like this.

Like all CSNY songs, “Suite Judy Blue Eyes” delivers the great harmonies and great guitar work. This is perhaps their most intricate song. There is a lot of experimentation here: there is the combining of the three melodies into one song, the long song length, the Spanish Lyrics, the harmonics on guitar, long solo…Even with all this it was a radio hit.

Suite Judy Blue Eyes Lyrics
It’s getting to the point where I’m no fun anymore
I am sorry
Sometimes it hurts so badly, I must cry out loud
“I am lonely”

I am yours, you are mine
You are what you are
You make it hard

Remember what we’ve said and done and felt about each other
Oh babe, have mercy
Don’t let the past remind us of what we are not now
I am not dreaming

I am yours, you are mine
You are what you are
You make it hard

Tearing yourself away from me now–you are free
And I am crying
This does not mean I don’t love you–I do, that’s forever
Yes and for always

I am yours, you are mine
You are what you are
You make it hard

Something inside is telling me that I’ve got your secret
Are you still listening?
Fear is the lock and laughter the key to your heart
And I love you

I am yours, you are mine
You are what you are
And you make it hard
And you make it hard
And you make it hard
And you make it hard

Friday evening, Sunday in the afternoon
What have you got to lose?
Tuesday morning, please be gone, I’m tired of you
What have you got to lose?

Can I tell it like it is? (help me, I’m suffering)
Listen to me, baby
It’s my heart that’s suffering, it’s a-dying (help me, I’m suffering)
And that’s what I have to lose

I’ve got an answer
I’m going to fly away
What have I got to lose?
Will you come see me Thursdays and Saturdays?
What have you got to lose?

Chestnut brown canary
Ruby throated sparrow
Sing a song, don’t be long
Thrill me to the marrow
Voices of the angels
Ring around the moonlight
Asking me, said she’s so free
How can you catch the sparrow?
Lacy, lilting lyrics
Losing love, lamenting
Change my life, make it right
Be my lady
written by Stephen Stills