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"Marrakesh Express" is a folk song written by Graham Nash and performed by the band Crosby, Stills and Nash (CSN). It was first released in 1969 on the self-titled album, Crosby, Stills and Nash (album), and later released on 45 with another CSN song, "Helplessly Hoping." The album self-titled debut album, on which features "Marrakesh Express," gained much popularity when it was released. It was quick to reach the Billboard Top Pop Charts and came in at #6. The song, "Marrakesh Express," also gained recognition and was placed on the Billboard Top 40 charts- an honor shared by another song on the album, "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes." By August 23, 1969, the song peaked at #28.

Composition
"Marrakesh Express" was written by Graham Nash during his final years as a member of the English rock band, The Hollies, of which he was a member from its formation in 1962 until 1968. The song was rejected by the band as not commercial enough, but found a home with Nash's new band Crosby, Stills and Nash. Nash recalls his inspiration for the song occurring during a Moroccan vacation he took in 1966. On this trip, Nash traveled by train from Casablanca to Marrakesh. He began this journey in first-class, surrounded by people he found to be uninteresting, and, as he describe it, they were all "ladies with blue hair." Upon this observation, he decided the compartment was "completely fucking boring," and left his seat to explore the common carts of the train. He was fascinated by what he saw. The song mentions "ducks and pigs and chickens," and that, according to Nash, is actually what was there. He recalls the ride by commenting: "It's literally the song as it is — what happened to me."

Musical Structure
The instrumentation of the song seeks to embody Nash's lyrics through an Eastern vibe and a “buoyant” flow to resemble a train ride. Stephen Stills was responsible for much of the creative musicianship behind the song and adds a vital inclusion of electric guitar. Stills' guitar riff floats over the song in a way reminiscent of the sitar. He also included other “electric guitars, Hammond B3 organ, piano and bass overdubs.” Graham Nash's acoustic guitar, the addition of drums by Jim Gordon, and the three-part harmony accomplished by David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash culminate into the complex song heard today. For more information

First Concert Appearance
Although the song had been previously performed in the home of the friends of CSN during a get-together, the first public appearance, and second performance of “Marrakesh Express” was at the Woodstock Music Festival. The festival lasted for 3 days between August 15 and 18 of 1969. Legends of music played during this famous event, and David Crosby, Graham Nash, and Stephen Stills were present. Early in the morning on August 18, 1969 between 3am and 4am at the festival, Crosby, Stills and Nash came together as a band for the first time in public and preformed a new rendition of the Beatles' “Blackbird (song)” and their original “Marrakesh Express.” see video Only five days later, on August 23, 1969, the song peaked at #28 on the Billboard charts.

Reception and Current Appeal
The song has gained attention throughout the years and has remained popular since its release in 1969. Throughout the decades of touring done by Crosby, Stills and Nash, and the sometimes Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, “Marrakesh Express” is the 13th most played song by them, and has been performed over 150 times. The album, Crosby, Stills and Nash, on which featured “Marrakesh Express” was named #262 in the 2013 Rolling Stone article of the “500 Greatest Articles of All Time."  One of notable Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young tribute bands, possesses the name “Marrakesh Express: A Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Experience.” The song has also gained negative attention, most notably by the Stooges' singer, Iggy Pop. In a 2003 Rolling Stone article, Iggy Pop mentions the band in response to a discussion of the band's creation acting as a counter against the “hippie movement.”  He exclaims, “I mean, 'Marrakesh Express?' It may be the worst song ever written."