Album: Crown of Creation (1968)

License This Song 

• You want to know how it will be
  Me and him OR you and me
  You both stand there your long hair flowing
  Your eyes alive your mind still growing
  
  Saying to me--"What can we do now that we both love you",
  I love you too-- I don't really see
  Why can't we go on as three
  You are afraid--embarrassed too
  
  No one has ever said such a thing to you
  Your mother's ghost stands at your shoulder
  Face like ice--a little bit colder
  Saying to you--"you can not do that, it breaks
  
  All the rules you learned in school"
  I don't really see
  Why can't we go on as three
  We love each other--it's plain to see
  
  There's just one answer comes to me
  --Sister--lovers--water brothers
  And in time--maybe others
  So you see--what we can do--is to try something new--
  
  If you're crazy too--
  I don't really see
  Why can't we go on as three. Writer/s: DAVID CROSBY
  Publisher: TuneCore Inc.
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 5

• George from Vancouver, CanadaIf I was a young adult back then jealousy for Crosby might've killed me. But when I heard this sung by Grace Slick, I'd've been in love for sure -- the way the silver notes just flow through her lips -- pure Heaven! I would've foresworn threeways forever to have Grace. . .
  
  David didn't write it for himself to sing, but for the Byrds, then when they said no, it made its way into Grace's hands & she sung it better than I can imagine any other doing it. I can picture myself pining for her as she's with the other leg of the triad, just from how she curls the notes as she sings. . .
• George from Vancouver, Canadamenage a trois is sex among three. Triad is polyamory(love/marriage among three); a beautifully sung song from the heyday of music conceptualizing life. Now this ("Triad" is the accepted common term for three-way marriage.
• Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScGrace Slick didn't write the song. David Crosby did. Imho David Crosby's version is better.
• George from Harmsway, MnThe term "water brothers" is from the book Stranger In A Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein, which explored (among other things) non-traditional marriage/family structures. The term originated on Mars, and it indicated the deepest relationship possible. Its literal meaning is "someone with whom you have shared water," a very selfless gesture on the water-parched planet.
• Em from Incheon, Korea - SouthGrace Slick was married to two guys at the same time when she was singing for Jefferson Airplane. This is probably one of the reasons she could write a song about this kind of thing.

More Songfacts:

The CaveMumford & Sons

"The Cave" by Mumford & Sons is based on the philosophy of Plato and his work called "Allegory of the Cave."

ShoutThe Isley Brothers

Otis Day And The Knights, the fictional band created to perform "Shout" in the movie Animal House, became a real band, performing the song at colleges and other venues.

Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'Journey

Journey lead singer Steve Perry wrote the rather dramatic "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" with the opening lyrics, "You make me weep, I wanna die," after seeing his girlfriend kissing another man.

Why Should I Love You?Kate Bush

The Kate Bush song "Why Should I Love You?" is a collaboration with Prince. He completely re-worked her demo, so Bush spent a lot of time piecing it back together to keep her imprint.

Forever Your GirlPaula Abdul

Paula Abdul's "Forever Your Girl" was written by Oliver Leiber, who despite being the son of Jerry Leiber from Leiber & Stoller, was an unknown songwriter.

Everything ZenBush

References to David Bowie, Tom Waits and Allan Ginsburg are peppered into the Bush song "Everything Zen."

Editor's Picks

Colbie CaillatSongwriter Interviews

Since emerging from MySpace with her hit "Bubbly," Colbie has become a top songwriter, even crafting a hit with Taylor Swift.

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?