Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing

Neil Young

Appears On:

This is a cover of The Buffalo Springfield's debut single from July, 1966. Later that year this song appeared on their debut album Buffalo Springfield (December, 1966).

Lyrics (unofficial)

[rev. Mar. 22, 2020]

Who's that stomping all over my face?
Where's that silhouette I'm trying to trace?
Who's putting sponge in the bells I once rung?
Taking my gypsy before she's begun?

Just singing the meaning of what's in my mind
Before I can take home what's rightfully mine
Joinin' and listenin' and talkin' in rhymes
Stoppin' the feeling to wait for the time

Who said baby that don't mean a thing?
'Cause nowadays Clancy can't even sing

Who's all hung-up on that happiness thing?
Who's trying to tune all the bells that he rings?
Who's in the corner and down on the floor?
With pencil and paper just counting the score?

Who's trying to act like he's just in-between?
The night isn't black if you know that it's green
Don't bother looking, you're too blind to see
Who's coming on like he wanted to be?

Who's saying baby that don't mean a thing?
'Cause nowadays Clancy can't even sing

And who's coming home on old 95?
Who's got the feeling here to keep him alive?
Though havin' it, sharin' it, ain't quite the same
It ain't a gold nugget, you can't lay a claim

Who's seeing eyes through the crack in the floor?
There it is baby, don't you worry no more
Who should be sleepin' but is writing this song?
Wishin' and a-hopin' he weren't so damned wrong

Who's saying baby that don't mean a thing?
'Cause nowadays Clancy can't even sing
Who's saying baby that don't mean a thing?
'Cause nowadays Clancy can't even sing