Graham Nash delighted the audience at the Tabernacle on Tuesday, playing numerous hits from his long career and offering up poignant backstories about how the songs were inspired.

As befitting a musician who played at Woodstock with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, his message is still one of peace and love.

“The world’s in a pretty sad state right now,” Mr. Nash said to the crowd. “But with a love of your family, and a love of your friends, and a love of what you do, we’re going to make it through the next three and a half years.”

The show was part of the Martha’s Vineyard Concert Series, which has brought Mr. Nash to the Island for several summers. He was accompanied on stage by Adam Minkoff, Zach Djanikian and Todd Caldwell.

Sold out show was produced by the MV Concert Series.

Tim Johnson

Sold out show was produced by the MV Concert Series.

Tim Johnson

Many of his songs, he said, were taken from simple observations. For example, Our House was inspired by a quiet afternoon with Joni Mitchell. And Marrakesh Express was written while he was vacationing on the northern coast of Africa in 1966.

“I was sharing a compartment with two very short, older American ladies who had their gray hair dyed blued. It was really weird to me,” he said. “I didn’t quite understand it until I looked in the mirror this morning.”

Before playing Simple Man, Mr. Nash said that he liked to keep his music basic.

“Most of the songs that I write are pretty simple.... I don’t want to wait until the 15th verse before you know what I’m talking about,” he said. “I want your heart immediately.”

Mr. Nash told the audience that many songs were inspired by the ups and downs of relationships. Neil Young wrote Only Love Can Break Your Heart for Mr. Nash and Ms. Mitchell after the two had broken up. Similarly, Mr. Nash wrote Wounded Bird for Stephen Stills when he was going through relationship changes with Judy Collins.

“CSNY talk to each other through music more than sometimes we actually talk to each other personally,” he said.

Mr. Nash also told the crowd about his first experience sailing, which was with David Crosby. The two were in Fort Lauderdale and Mr. Crosby invited Mr. Nash onto his boat, the Mayan. Mr. Nash was expecting a day trip, but ended up on the water for nine weeks. While sailing, Mr. Nash saw a blue whale for the first time.

Then Tabernacle then went dark, the stage illuminated by candles, as Mr. Nash and his band launched into Wind on the Water, a song written by Mr. Crosby about whaling.

“I must admit that I will miss him every day until I die,” Mr. Nash said, referring to his old band mate.