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In 1967, Neil Young walked into the studio early. Buffalo Springfield found their next song by accident
Richie Furay’s song “Sad Memory” ended up on Buffalo Springfield Again after Neil Young happened to hear Furay playing it in the studio and suggested they record it. The chance encounter marked Furay’s debut as a recorded songwriter and produced a notably spare track on an album shaped by the contrasting ideas of Young and Stephen Stills.
Furay recalled arriving before the rest of the band and playing the song when Young came in and called for a recording. Furay’s acoustic guitar leads, with Young’s electric guitar as the only other instrument, leaving the vocal exposed. The 1967 album also featured Furay’s “A Child’s Claim to Fame”, which he later said reflected his frustration with Young’s repeated departures from the group.
In short
- Neil Young heard Furay playing “Sad Memory” and called for it to be recorded.
- The song became Furay’s first recorded songwriting contribution.
- Young’s guitar was the only other instrument on the sparse track.