Stephen Stills - Treetop Flyer Lyrics

I could be a rambler from the seven dials
I don't pay taxes 'cause I never file
I don't do business that don't make me smile
I love my aeroplane 'cause she's got style
I'm a treetop flyer
I will fly any cargo you can pay to run
These bush league pilots just can't get the job done
Got to fly down into the canyons, never see the sun
There's no such thing as an easy run
For a treetop flyer
I'm flyin' low, I'm in high demand
Fly fifteen feet off the Rio Grande
I'll blow the mesquite right up off the sand
Seldom seen, especially when I land
I'm a treetop flyer
Born Survivor
People been asking me, "Where'd you learn to fly that way?"
Was over in Vietnam, chasin' NVA
The government taught me, and they taught me right,
Stay under the treeline, and you might be alright
I'm a treetop flyer
So I'm comin' home, I'm runnin' low and fast
I promised my woman this is gonna be my last
I get the ship down, I tie her fast
Then some old boy walks up, says "Hey son, you wanna make some fast cash?"
I'm a treetop flyer
Well there's things I am, and there's things I'm not
I am a smuggler and I could get shot
Aint going to die, I ain't goin' to get caught,
'Cause I'm a flyin' fool and my aeroplane is just too hot
I'm a treetop flyer
Born survivor
Usually work alone

Yes, fascinated!!!

10 foot tall and bulletproof..

. . .lived this life , got 2 greedy, tho. U.S lawmen took my "toy".An put ME away 4 awhile. Been a good boy since. ya live n ya learn. MrStills n Mr Frey keepit ,um, "REAL" ta balance it all out .This song is THE BEST! ! ! Know it. Accept it. an TELL YER KIDS ! ! !

Move it Winkle

Mr amazing!!!

“Treetop Flyer” is from 1991's Stills Alone album, a recording of nearly all unaccompanied mostly-original acoustic songs. The album got mixed reviews, many from people who took issue with the processed sound of Stills’ Martin guitar. But a great song is a great song, and “Treetop Flyer” is one of Stills’ finest. It’s the story of a Vietnam vet who came home from the war with a marketable new skill: the ability to fly under the radar. When these pilots returned from combat to a public that often shunned them, and wouldn’t give them a job or help them deal with what they’d been through, they found a way to make money with this skill in running drugs, guns, and whatever other contraband someone would pay them to deliver.


Stills sings in the first person for this song’s six verses – no chorus, no bridge – and really sounds like he is the “Treetop Flyer,” or as if he definitely knows someone who was. This song has conflict, greed, danger, and a romantic relationship – all the pieces that make a song important and memorable. At least one troubadour of the current generation was so influenced by this song that he decided to make music his career. Ray LaMontagne credits Stills’ song with prompting him to make the decision that his life would be music and nothing else. “It was ‘Treetop Flyer’ off a solo record that Stills had done, which really knocked me out,” LaMontagne told NPR.


“Treetop Flyer” stands out as one of Stills’ best pieces of work. He still sometimes performs this song live with his band The Rides, with guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd.


A word of caution if you decide you want to learn how to play this song. Before you drive yourself nuts trying to figure it out: Stills’ guitar is tuned to the DADGAD tuning, sometimes known as Celtic tuning or Bensusan (as in Pierre Bensusan) tuning. And beware of lyric sites that say the words in the fifth verse are “I get the shit down, I tie it fast” – Stills is really singing “ship,” not “shit.”

Love this mans music but hate his politics.

The most important question is how does America recuperate and merge into being an actual democracy! After a coup d'etat! My President Johnson the CIA and other freaks? Please release the unredacted transcripts pertaining to blowing Kennedy's brains out!

Who killed Bobby Kennedy? Martin Luther King? Who tried to assassinate Reagan? Who's trying to kill your ass right now? The CIA! Do the research and see!!!!

You kids should learn the truth! Who blew Kennedy's brains out? Right Lyndon b Johnson and mr. Hoover! Hoover was gay by the way!

Someone said that the Vietnam vets were never spit on! I was born in San Francisco! Raised in Berkeley! Soldiers were spent on! I can send you a film! But don't be repugnant!

Here I am at 33. 27 years after hearing this song for the first time, playing it at the dinner table for my 6 and 2 yr old.

One afternoon,my boss came up to me,knowing I've studied CSN &Y religiously,and handed a cassette tape of this track. He said "I flew in Vietnam over the treeline. My job was to flush out the V.C for the Cobra boys above to blow to hell" Steve was and is one hell of a guy and he loved this song because it brought back alot of memories.I never ask a Vet about their time in war,as I'm sure we all know not to. But he said his hitch in Nam was his duty to his country And that's all right by me. Love to all you Tree Top boys...and to your brothers who made the ultimate sacrifice. MIA/POW🇺🇸❤💪🇺🇸 We love you and respect you always.

Fucking awesome! His Best version!

O2 Sky Master

dedicated my late step father Waynesie dropping shit on the dinks in his 105

@2:00 - He just lets ‘er go.. Here goes a solid musician.

What a shame it is to be a winner. You must destroy everything in your wake. Never would I consider. I come to understand if you wanna be on top you must roll like a tank. Ignorance is your best Allie. Not by nature. That's what brought me here. Nature's a bitch. Truth. Only the strong survive. Take it from the weak.

For the love of death and money

Really appreciate your love for loving and serving my country!

I learned in Vietnam came home and then you guys spit on us!

Never happened. Not one documented case.

I always run below the radar!!!!!! I was a treetop flyer!

Hand on your shoulder. "Just stay under the treeline. Ya might just be alright" a parting pat on the ass. Thank you for your service soldier. Side note we don't usually work alone.

Pure adrenaline makes me feel like God like metallic does

Are you?

I was lucky enough to discover Stephen Stills when I was 18 in Israel and he has been my life life long musical hero ❤️❤️

Shout out to pale horse flying them supply runs in the pesch river valley Afghanistan

Taco fan -a True Hero

Absolutely Awesome,Oh My God.....
Thank You For Sharing Quality Music.God Bless You!

Southern Cross Boss

One mean song

I don't say "thank-you"...it sounds cheap and hollow. I think if you really want to thank a veteran...give him a job with dignity and respect.

This song inspired Ray Montagne to start his career as a musical artist

Whoa! Didn’t know this at all. Love Ray, love Stills. Especially the Manassas years.

You can tell who the Justin Bieber fans are - the ones with the thumbs down.

I love music too dude but the man is telling you the truth diluted making into a happymeal size soundbite for the filicidal to feed his child to the beast haha i hate children too but listen to me i want your soul hahaha

Gotta love drug smugglers and the cia iran contra freeway rick ross Air America barry seal and drums of dope coming outta Afghanistan the game never changes just dollar bills and guess what we bring the drugs in fentanyl and death scripts baby

Was this written for Barry Seals?

Love a laid back sound like this....such a raw and rich sound that just makes it even more enjoyable...

great singer. brings back memories of a bygone era.

Stills Dad was prime Military. Look it up.

I could be a rambler from the seven dials, I don't pay TAXES cause I NEVER file...Q- 0101010100110 SHOE PROGRAM N**** !!!!!

Awesome Steve Again Bravo !

Awesome.....No one plays like this today

I want to thank all you vets for your service!!! Im praying for you!!!!!

He needs a mustache.

eat your heart out, neil young!

Who else would think to write a song about flying an airplane as low as possible?

Steel ball run anyone?

Taught me right.
Love to all.
.
" bush league pilots " hmmm@!!
Ya might be alright....Hhmmmm❓
Thx 4 all of the luv.
Repay cumin......
Follow ,not leaders.......
American.

Lyrics to live by

Master Jedi first class

This song was dedicated to Barry Seal. RIP Mr. Seal too bad our government is a piece of shit sellouts. 🚁🚁

Steve"s a triple threat: he can sing, write and play, and he's good at all three.

Low and fast!

Enjoy..KICK ASS!! Proud

Should've been in GTA5

Marsh Donald true

So, cool fact.

This song inspired Ray Lamontagne to quit his job and become a singer/songwriter.

Corey Schaedig another cool fact this song Encourage me to go outside and smoke a joint

@Aaron Martinez Well said!

Frank Zappa wanna be

This sounds like I'd be in red dead redemption

Aaron Martinez holy shit dude you read my mind.

Such a badass song, love his solo stuff!

great jam......dont get caught....

I'm a flying fool, with a aeroplane that's just too hot...

Roll with it !

Tree top flyer... awesome toon

When I was oh 15 (I'm 19 now) I was listening to this song and I got the idea to join the Air Force, ride out my contract and become a smuggler. But now I'm a fleet mechanic. Where did I fuck up

Incredible!

Stephen, you still HAVE A STRONG HOLD on my heart....I was in Vietnam as a nurse back in 1967...made it back in time to sit up in Woodstock to see you and your group CSNY... breaks my heart you all broke up and are unhappy with David C....you are all better than THAT...step up, forgive...and revisit that lovely woven cloth that made ALL OF YOU the strong representation of music you shared....I survived 'Nam.... surely you can survive your differences and be friends again... David would love for you all to come back together as friends...I would relish that thought... hugs to you, Stephen...

Fuck yeah

Shake the hand of the mango man when he greets you at the border ''' secondary inspection ? But sir !

Wish I had a copy of this. Phenomenal! What a voice. What a player. Surely Stephen Stills should be up there with Clapton and Hendrix - well, he’s high above them in my book!

Born survivor. FU Navy medicine. I didn't die before I was 20.

Drawing enemy fire staying above the tree line rip Vietnam Huey pilots

I was a nurse back then...and know the heartbreak, hurt, blood...and horror...to this DAY I still jump when I hear a loud sound....pile...hope you are safe and well...and life is blessing you...


I live in a senior home opened in 2014 over here in Tacoma. Washington...just under flight line for Mchord air base...i am up on the 4th floor...the top...and I hope I can afford to live here till they take me out feet first... keep running into folks who were part of that awefulness... just happy I am here now and can sing...and listen to the music here on YouTube....mmmmmm woodstock comes to mind....GRIN....I was born in Woodstock, Illinois...fitting there is a song that celebrated ....not that horror of a war...but the peeps who had the guts to go over there....and get thru it.... unless you have been there...at that time...those years...you will NEVER understand the lifelong indention that era had on your life... so... to all the men and ladies I watched over, bandaged, held hands with....gave shots...THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE....and thank you for letting me be a nurse to cover your wounds...write your family letters...pray with you...sit with you when you were frightened out of your wits...I know your pain.... even today...some of you who went thru that horror are still grapling with that pain... I'm here today.... just wish I could help you....love you all...stay strong and positive...know you did a good thing back then...please??? know that....I LOVE YOU ALL.....

My theme song. 😉 🙉🙈🙊

What the fuck is wrong with people that thumb down this song??

It went both ways. In the early 80's old USAF guys used to load TV's, cases of Dove soap, and expensive tape players outta Laredo in Cessna 206's souithbound in the same hangars Border Patrol maintained and refueled their Piper Cubs in.

I always wondered what my dad thought....he was a naval aviator flying off the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier during WW two... hmmm

A unique Brotherhood....lot of folks dreamed about...a few actually did it.

Just pure excellence.

i have been looking for this song for years!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i never new who wrote or sang it so it was a hard song to find!!!!!! 7/3/19

Like no body's business.

I feel like a tree top flyer when I'm running across town to pick up a bag o' weed.

I bet you don't want legal weed, what fun would that be?

@Jim Peluso No ... I dont like it legal.

Backbone of csny

Genius, the most undervalued artist of the 60's IMO.

Born In Shithole Country probably the most truthful thing anyone has ever said.

390 dislikes, I don't think they understand the words to this beautiful written song.

Clapton is God....Stills too....

Still not paying taxes in 2019, come get me, dickbags.

Someone you know and trust is one of US.

A guy did a meme about filling a cropduster plane with ammonia and chlorine and chasing down the uhhh alphabet fed boys if they entered his property. Gold. Soundtrack of the Big Luau.

It's " I may be a rambler from the seven isles" a section of Ft. Lauderdale.

Treetop Flyer Lone Survivor

It ain’t new ya’ll. One cut is demo, pretty cool, starts over the beginning couple, 3 times, mebbe. Think ‘67/68. Anyhoo, he did, certainly did, get AirPlay, at least down here in the Dirty South, N.O., La.,so y’all musta got it before us, up North, West Coast etc...in the 90’s, “Stills..Alone”. Did not play it at Jazz Fest that year, but he’s spectacular and so is the song. PS. Why would y’all think he’s underrated? CHes super acknowledged musically by any and all great musicians and, dare I say it, fairly well known🤔🤔🤔🤔.

Good looking, good voice, writing, playing. What's not to like?
Well, he used to have a hellatious temper & a type A personality, but he appears to have mellowed a bit with age & marriage.
I love his music.

ThanXOXOlover

Every American truck driver who is old school can identify with this song and its sentiment.
I am talking veterans of the highway... Not trucking school grads... People who have been on the line for this nation for decades.... I know that Stephen Stills references airplanes or aircraft in the song but it can be applied to 18 wheelers quite nicely.

Usually work alone

I'm going to learn this on my new red guitar

Can't be a tree top flyer anymore, tracking systems are too powerful now. Today this would be called 'Tunnel Digger' or 'Butt Smuggler'.

Just discovered Mr Stills by chance and I'm blown away!
Love the simplicity and authenticity of this song.

Lucy Star yay new fans. How did you discover him ?

@- XxJimmyPagexX - I watch a lot of different music on YouTube and it makes suggestions based on what I'm into, at that moment I was enjoying a nostalgia trip with some 60's songs and Treetop Flyer popped up. I really enjoy discovering any songs that instantly go on my list of favourites, this is one of them. It took me a while to make the Crosby, Stills and Nash connection LOL 😁 I'm a big Zeppelin fan by the way Mr Page 💜🎸🎵

I so totally forgot this song!! Now I remember why I loved it.

This songs goes deep.. real shit.. I have loved this all my life..

Forever a classic

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