The story of the Crosby, Stills & Nash hit " Southern Cross " is divided into three phases and is told by Michael Curtis (Curtis Brothers) as follows: "It was around 1974 when we (The Curtis Brothers) were putting together songs for a new album. At some point we came up with a song that we called " Seven League Boots ". It's about 'seven-league boots' that you can use to cross oceans and mountains in search of your true love. A mystical theme!"
The song is recorded with the help of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks (both later with Fleetwood Mac) at Sound City Studios in Los Angeles, but for some reason does not end up on the final album.
Phase 2: 1978/1979. Stephen Stills tours Europe with Crosby, Stills & Nash. Between gigs, Stephen drives through and over the Alps in a Mercedes with his friend, producer Ken Wise. Ken Wise plays a few songs by the Curtis Brothers on the cassette recorder in the car, including » Seven League Boots « . Stephen likes the song and asks if he can work on it. Michael Curtis had no objections.
Phase 3: Stephen Stills is going through a depressive phase. His marriage of over five years to the French chansonnière Véronique Sanson has just broken down. He is not particularly productive at the time. So he accepts an invitation from some friends who want to sail to the South Pacific on a ship. On the trip, Stephen writes the lyrics and after his return he adds the text to the song » Seven League Boots «. The origin of the text also explains the sailing jargon that runs through the entire song. The song eventually ends up on the 1982 Crosby, Stills & Nash album »Daylight Again« under the title »Southern Cross«.
The cover version presented here comes from one of the best semi-professional bands in the USA: Foxes & Fossils from Atlanta, who have now had more than 50 million YouTube views. The group was founded by Tim Purcell ; the female vocals are provided by his daughter Amie Purcell and two friends. The lead vocals on »Southern Cross« are provided by Darwin Conort .