10 best Stephen Stills songs

Stephen Arthur Stills (January 3, 1945) is an American musician, singer and songwriter, best known for his work in Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills & Nash and Manassas. As a solo artist and a member of three successful bands, Stills has sold more than 35 million albums.

"In 2003," Singers Room writes, "he was ranked 28th on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time and 47th on the list in 2011." Stills became the first person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice on the same night. According to Neil Young, "Steven is a genius."

Having started his professional career in the Buffalo Springfield band, he wrote the song "For What It's Worth", which became one of the most famous compositions of the 1960s. Among other famous songs he wrote for the band were "Sit Down, I Think I Love You," "Bluebird" and "Rock & Roll Woman." According to his bandmate Richie Furay, Stills was "the heart and soul of Buffalo Springfield".

After the band's breakup, Stills began working with David Crosby and Graham Nash in a trio called Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN). Here, in addition to writing songs, Steven played bass, guitar, and keyboards.

The band's debut album has sold over four million copies and earned the trio a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.

Stills' first solo album, Stephen Stills, was certified gold and is the only album to feature Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. The single "Love the One You're With" became his best solo hit and peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100.

After that, Stills released several more "solo" albums, and in 1972, together with Chris Hillman, he formed the band Manassas. In the summer of 1974, Young reunited with CSN after a four-year hiatus for a concert tour that was recorded and released in 2014 under the title CSNY 1974. It was one of the first stadium tours and the band's biggest tour to date.

"Word Game"

"Word Game" is the 4th song (side 2) from Stephen Stills' second solo album Stephen Stills 2, released by Atlantic Records in 1971.

The album peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the RIAA.

"My Favorite Changes"

My Favorite Changes is the 2nd song from the 1975 studio album. It was his third solo album and first release on Columbia Records. Upon its release, the album was a commercial success and reached number 19 on the US charts but was also received with mixed reviews.

"The Lee Shore"

The song "The Lee Shore" was written by David Crosby and recorded with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash at Stills' home in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles, on December 28, 1969.

"Love the One You're With"

"Love the One You're With" was released as the lead single from Stephen Stills' debut studio album in November 1970. The song was inspired by a line he heard from musician Billy Preston and became his biggest hit, peaking at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1971.

"Love the One You're With" has also been performed by bands The Isley Brothers, The Meters, Bucks Fizz, Luther Vandross, Bob Seger, Richard Clapton and others.

"For What It's Worth"

"For What It's Worth" (Stop, Hey What's That Sound) is a song written by Stephen Stills and recorded by Buffalo Springfield on December 5, 1966. It was released as a single on Atco Records in December 1966 and peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the spring of 1967.

In March 1967, it was added to the second edition of Buffalo Springfield's first album.

In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine included the song in its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time at number 63.

"Southern Cross"

"Southern Cross" is a song written by Stephen Stills, Rick and Michael Curtis and performed by Crosby, Stills & Nash. It appeared on the album Daylight Again and was released as a single in September 1982.

Stephen Stills sings the lead vocals and Graham Nash joins in on the second verse.

Since David Crosby reunited with Stills and Nash only after the album was completed. His vocals are not heard on the album version, although he appeared in the video and later performed the song with the band in concert.

The single was a chart success, reaching No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100. As of 2022, it was the band's last hit in the Billboard Top 40.

"Bluebird"

"Bluebird" is a song by Stephen Stills, recorded by Buffalo Springfield. In June 1967, Atco Records released it as a follow-up single to the hit "For What It's Worth" (1966).

"Bluebird" reflects a variety of influences and musical approaches. Stills conceived it as a multi-part composition. The key feature of "Bluebird" is the contrasting solos, which alternate between Stills' acoustic guitar and Neil Young's electric guitar.

"Change Partners"

"Change Partners" is a song by Stephen Stills that appeared on his 1971 album Stephen Stills 2. It was also released as the debut single from the album and peaked at number 43 on the Billboard Charts in July 1971.

"Jet Set (Sigh) / Rocky Mountain Way"

"Jet Set" is the 3rd song from Stephen Stills' live album Stephen Stills Live, released on Atlantic Records in 1975. It was recorded during the first solo tour since 1971 and released after the musician signed a contract with Columbia Records. The album reached number 42 on the American charts.

"4+20"

"4+20" is the fourth track from side 2 of the live album Stephen Stills Live (1974), released by Atlantic Records after Stills left for Columbia Records.

Stephen Stills Live was recorded during the musician's first solo tour, 3 years after the breakup of Manassas.