Songfacts says the following about the song: Neil Young wrote this after breaking up with the group (Buffalo Springfield) because of what he called “An identity crisis.” He quickly returned to the band and recorded this song. In a Rolling Stone interview about what broke up Buffalo Springfield; Young said, “I was going crazy, you know, joining and quitting and joining again. I began to feel like I didn’t have to answer or obey anyone. I needed more space.” This track took over 100 hours to record, which was an eternity by 1967 standards. “Broken Arrow” sometimes draws raised eyebrows for being so oddly arranged – rather like the Beatles' psychedelic period such as “Revolution 9.”