Living in the UK in 2025 can sometimes feel worlds away from the peace-and-love era of the late 1960s. But every now and then, a single song can transport you back in time more powerfully than any photograph or memory. For me, that song is “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” by Crosby, Stills & Nash.
The moment the track begins—with its bright, jangling acoustic guitar and warm three-part harmonies—you can almost picture the golden sunlight of California, the easy breezes, and the feeling that anything was possible. This song wasn’t just a strong opener for their debut album; it felt like a mission statement. It showed what made Crosby, Stills, and Nash special: three voices blending so naturally that it sounded effortless.
Fans fell in love instantly. And because the track was so captivating from start to finish, many listeners simply let the record play on. You didn’t want to get up. You didn’t want to break the spell.
But after such an iconic debut, one question lingered:
How do you follow up a masterpiece?
The Arrival of Neil Young
Before the band could make their second album, Stephen Stills invited Neil Young to join the group. Adding a fourth creative mind changed the balance and brought new energy—especially through Young’s rougher, rock-infused guitar style. With this new lineup, they began working on what would become their legendary album Deja Vu.
But something still felt missing.
Graham Nash later admitted that he went to Stephen Stills and said, “We don’t have another ‘Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.’ We don’t have the song that makes people stay with the record. We need that.”
Stills took that to heart.
“Carry On” — The Answer to the Challenge
The very next day, Stills came back with a new song. He sat down, played it for Nash, and that song was “Carry On.”
At first, it wasn’t even planned to be a major track. It came out as the B-side to “Teach Your Children.” But as fans heard it, the band quickly realised they needed it on the album.
And once you listen, you understand why.
“Carry On” has the uplifting energy, harmonies, and musical ambition that echo “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.” Yet it also carries the new flavor brought in by Neil Young. You can hear the shift in sound—still gentle and melodic, but with more of a rock edge. It’s a perfect example of how adding a new member can reshape a band without losing its heart.
Why These Songs Still Mean Something Today
What makes both songs special—even in 2025—is their emotional honesty. They were written at a time of change, love, heartbreak, and hope. Those feelings never go out of style.
The harmonies pull you in.
The lyrics feel personal and sincere.
And the music has a warm, human quality that you don’t always hear today.
So when you press play on “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” you’re not just listening to an old song. You’re stepping back into a moment when everything felt wide open. And when “Carry On” arrives, it feels like the perfect continuation—proof that great music doesn’t fade. It grows.