When it came time for a second single to be released in September 1969, Atlantic, their label, deemed it too long, and it was edited down to 4:35 in length. Stills started composing the various sections which became “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” before “Hey Jude” was released and before the trio formed. Of these, one of the fundamental ones was song length, a practical consideration as any song over three minutes was usually too long for radio. There in the bounty of amazing original songs from all three was undeniably inspired greatness, and also a delightfully flagrant breaking of once-conventional pop music strictures. Already it provided hope-even before we learned that the dream was over-that good music was still to come. The album was released in May 1969, months before the official break-up of The Beatles. Rich, soulful, heartfelt harmony.Īdd to that their expansively-inspired original songs, each empowered and inspired by the times, their friendship, and their liberation from their previous bands. Just three musicians making music, and singing harmony. Great musicians and songwriters united by great songs sung in harmony. CSN was a simple equation, not unlike that of The Band.