In the annals of rock history, few songs capture the ephemeral nature of change and the melancholic reflection on innocence lost quite like “Expecting to Fly” by Buffalo Springfield. A product of the creative genius of Neil Young, this haunting track not only encapsulates a pivotal moment for the band but also reflects the broader societal shifts of the late 1960s.
Historical Context and Background
The late 1960s were a time of tumultuous change. The Vietnam War was escalating, civil rights protests were surging, and the counterculture movement was challenging societal norms. Amidst this backdrop, Buffalo Springfield — which included Stephen Stills, Richie Furay, Dewey Martin, Bruce Palmer, and Neil Young — was establishing itself as a seminal folk-rock band with a flair for social commentary in songs like “For What It’s Worth.”
“Expecting to Fly” featured on the group’s second album, “Buffalo Springfield Again,” released in 1967. This album showcased the band’s evolution and the distinct songwriting voices within it, with Young’s contributions hinting at the introspective and genre-bending work he would later become famous for as a solo artist.
Lyrics and Meaning
The song begins with a lush orchestral arrangement that sets a dreamlike atmosphere, a departure from the band’s usual guitar-driven sound:
There you stood on the edge of your feather,
Expecting to fly.
The opening lines evoke a poignant image of vulnerability and the anticipation of taking flight, perhaps a metaphor for the youthful hope and idealism that characterized the era. The feather, delicate and fragile, suggests that the subject of the song is on the precipice of a significant but uncertain transformation.
While I laughed, I wondered whether I could wave goodbye,
Knowin’ that you’d gone.
These lines evoke a sense of separation and personal loss. The laughter could either be a mask for pain or a bittersweet acknowledgment of the inevitability of change. The act of waving goodbye signifies a farewell to a former self or a loved one who has embarked on a different path.
By the summer it was healing,
We had said goodbye.
The mention of summer, often associated with warmth and growth, here implies a time of recovery. Yet, in the context of this farewell, it carries an undercurrent of sorrow for what was left behind.
All the years we’d spent with feeling
Ended with a cry,
Babe, ended with a cry.
The years “spent with feeling” suggest an intense, emotional connection — perhaps to a person or a time. The cry at the end marks a profound and painful break that signifies the end of an era or relationship.
I tried so hard to stand
As I stumbled and fell to the ground.
The effort to stay upright in the face of adversity is a universal human experience. Yet, the admission of stumbling and falling to the ground speaks to the humility and vulnerability that come with recognizing one’s limitations and failures.
So alone I’ll lie
And wait to meet the sky.
The song closes with a solitary figure lying down, possibly in defeat or resignation, yet there remains an expectation, a looking forward to a meeting with the sky — a metaphor for the afterlife, a new beginning, or a reunion with the lost.
Interpretation of the Song
“Expecting to Fly” is a tapestry woven with threads of introspection, loss, and the painful beauty of growth. Neil Young, as the architect of this sonic landscape, has never been explicit about the song’s meaning, allowing listeners to infuse their interpretations into its verses.
One could argue that the song is a commentary on the band’s own experience, with Young reflecting on the internal fractures and external pressures that ultimately led to Buffalo Springfield’s disbandment. Alternatively, it could be viewed through the prism of the broader social changes of the time — the loss of innocence as the harsh realities of the adult world come into focus, mirroring the end of the idealistic ’60s.
Neil Young’s sparse comments on the song have pointed to a more personal muse, a reflection on his own life and relationships at the time. It is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and love, and the ways in which we cope with their passing.
Legacy and Societal Impact
“Expecting to Fly” is often cited as one of Neil Young’s standout early works, a precursor to the introspective style he would later perfect. Its orchestral arrangement was a departure from the folk-rock sound of Buffalo Springfield, foreshadowing the varied textures Young would employ throughout his solo career.
The song resonated with listeners who were themselves experiencing the transitions and societal shifts of the late ’60s and early ’70s. Its themes of change, loss, and the passage of time are universal, granting the song a timeless quality that continues to captivate audiences.
In a cultural sense, “Expecting to Fly” stands as a poignant reminder of an era when youth culture was coming to terms with the reality that not all of their dreams would take flight. The song endures as a testament to the enduring power of music to reflect, articulate, and help us navigate the human experience.
Conclusion
“Expecting to Fly” is more than a mere song; it is an emotive journey through the landscape of change, reflection, and the human condition. Neil Young’s poetic mastery in encapsulating the zeitgeist of his time while creating something deeply personal is what cements this track as an enduring piece of musical artistry. Its legacy lies not only in its haunting melody and lyrics but in its ability to connect with listeners across generations, each finding their own meaning within its notes. Buffalo Springfield may have been expecting to fly, but with this song, they soared into the annals of music history, leaving a legacy that continues to resonate and inspire.