This song by Crosby, Stills, and Nash got my attention from the first moment I heard it. I remember my reaction at the end of the song to hearing the whales 'talk'. It grabbed my heart and never let go. Beautiful and plaintive at the same time; the lyrics are also memorable and heartbreaking, especially when they sing 'it's not that we don't know, it's just that we don't want to care'. So true. The song makes you feel for the whales, it inspires empathy, and that's a good thing. We need more of that in music nowadays. Rest in peace, David Crosby.
To the Last Whale...
Over the years you have been hunted
By the men who throw harpoons
And in the long run he will kill you
Just to feed the pets we raise
Put the flowers in your vase
And make the lipstick for your face
Over the years you swam the ocean
Following feelings of your own
Now you are washed up on the shoreline
I can see your body lie
It's a shame you have to die
To put the shadow on our eye
Maybe we’ll go
Maybe we'll disappear
It's not that we don’t know
It's just that we don't want to care
Under the bridge
Over the foam
Wind on the water
Carry me home
Written By
David Crosby & Graham Nash