Unknown Legend
Neil Young Lyrics
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Never saw a woman look finer
I used to order just to watch her float across the floor
She grew up in a small town
Never put her roots down
Daddy always kept movin', so she did too
Somewhere on a desert highway
She rides a Harley-Davidson
Her long blonde hair flyin' in the wind
She's been runnin' half her life
The chrome and steel she rides
Collidin' with the very air she breathes
The air she breathes
You know it ain't easy
You got to hold on
She was an unknown legend in her time
Now she's dressin' two kids
Lookin' for a magic kiss
She gets the far-away look in her eyes
Somewhere on a desert highway
She rides a Harley-Davidson
Her long blonde hair flyin' in the wind
She's been runnin' half her life
The chrome and steel she rides
Collidin' with the very air she breathes
The air she breathes
Somewhere on a desert highway
She rides a Harley-Davidson
Her long blonde hair flyin' in the wind
She's been runnin' half her life
The chrome and steel she rides
Collidin' with the very air she breathes
The air she breathes
The song "Unknown Legend" by Neil Young is a poignant reflection on the life of a woman who has gone through a lot of hardships in her life. The narrative begins with a description of a woman who used to work in a diner, catching the attention of the singer. The singer describes her beauty and grace as she went about her work. The story then delves deeper into her past, revealing that she had grown up in a small town, but her father had kept moving around. This lifestyle had made her restless too, and she had never been able to settle down.
The song then goes on to describe her present life. She is now riding a Harley-Davidson on a desert highway, her long blonde hair flying in the wind. The lyrics suggest that she has been running away from something for most of her life, and the motorcycle is her way of escape. However, she is not completely immune to the passing of time. She now has two kids and is longing for a sense of magic in her life.
The song ends with the repetition of the refrain, "Somewhere on a desert highway, she rides a Harley-Davidson." It is almost as if the song is saying that this woman is always on the move, always trying to escape something, always looking for something more. The song, therefore, presents a poignant and powerful message about the fleeting nature of our lives and the search for meaning and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
She used to work in a diner
She had a job at a diner once.
Never saw a woman look finer
In his opinion, he'd never seen a woman look better than her.
I used to order just to watch her float across the floor
He went to that diner just to watch her move gracefully.
She grew up in a small town
Her hometown was tiny.
Never put her roots down
She never felt attached to that small town.
Daddy always kept movin', so she did too
Her father had a habit of moving around a lot and she picked up that habit too.
Somewhere on a desert highway
At an unknown location on an empty road
She rides a Harley-Davidson
She travels on a powerful motorcycle brand named Harley-Davidson.
Her long blonde hair flyin' in the wind
Her hair flows freely in the wind.
She's been runnin' half her life
For about half of her life, she has been traveling and running away from something or someone.
The chrome and steel she rides
The motorcycle is made of shiny metal.
Collidin' with the very air she breathes
Moving forward at high speeds feels like crashing into the air she breathes.
The air she breathes
The element that keeps her alive, which she feels like she's fighting against on the road.
You know it ain't easy
The situation she's in is not easy.
You got to hold on
She needs to remain steadfast to overcome the challenges she faces in her life.
She was an unknown legend in her time
At the time, she was an exceptional and remarkable person, but her achievements didn't achieve prominence within society.
Now she's dressin' two kids
She has a responsibility to raise two children.
Lookin' for a magic kiss
Like most people, she is searching for love, affection and something unique.
She gets the far-away look in her eyes
Sometimes, she looks distant and lost in thought, wondering how her life could have been different.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rickmemmer5625
With Ronstadt belting out backing vocals like she’s from another world — and all the magic in this masterpiece: First time I ever heard this song, I was blown away — like every time since.
Somewhere on a desert highway
She rides a Harley-Davidson
Her long blonde hair flyin’ in the wind
She’s been runnin’ half her life
The chrome and steel she rides
Collidin’ with the very air she breathes
The air she breathes . . .
GOOD GOD!
@rickmemmer5625
@@shellybabyification What's also liberating is being asked a question that prompts you to think about something. Alas, so few share that spirit anymore. In thinking about your inquiry, I was watching the video again and I just saw something I'd never noticed before. At 1:04, at the same moment he sings, "Her long blonde hair flyin’ in the wind" -- on the window it reads "TO GO!!" (right before the bikers pull up and immediately after that she's looks out longingly as she pours the coffee and misses the cup). If I ever noticed "TO GO" before -- it was just about "to go" food for the diner, but there's no way that's not intentional for the song itself. So, after countless times of seeing that video over the years -- I just saw something I'd never seen before because of your question. Bravo!!
On that note: In the phrasing of your question, I'm not entirely sure I'll be answering exactly to what you have in mind, but please clarify if I don't. But I think the answer lies within your reply itself -- in that everything about this song is liberating. I take it to a whole other level though -- as that liberation applies to everything in my life (how I communicate, how I think, how I see things, and how I do things). When I wrote, "With Ronstadt belting out backing vocals like she’s from another world" -- she's taking you on a journey well beyond what this magnificent song could do on its own. But therein lies the magic -- the perfect blending of what different voices bring to the table.
And you beautifully spoke to this yourself: "I’m not sure if the youth of today speaks for us .. Storytelling leads us ALL to unprovoked emotional times.. A true Masterpiece." Indeed! :o)
She’s been runnin’ half her life
The chrome and steel she rides
Collidin’ with the very air she breathes
The air she breathes . . .
I know that feeling -- as I have lived that life in full. Which brings to mind another Neil Young classic:
We've been through some things together
With trunks of memories still to come
We found things to do in stormy weather
Long may you run . . .
Although these changes have come
With your chrome heart shining in the sun
Long may you run
Long May you Run: https://youtu.be/2EPido5xbL8
I absolutely love that line "We found things to do in stormy weather" -- the immeasurable value of riding it out and making the most of it. But nobody seems to want to do that anymore either -- which all fits into my quest for clarity in a nation having none of it. Liberated they are not:
All day I’ve faced a barren waste
Without the taste of water, cool water
Old Dan and I with throats burned dry
And souls that cry for water
Cool, clear water
The nights are cool and I’m a fool
Each star’s a pool of water
Cool water
And with the dawn I’ll wake and yawn
And carry on to water
Cool, clear water
https://youtu.be/JP7rsrjCOIM
Thanks for sharing your spirit!
. . .
@Singyourstyle
She used to work in a diner
Never saw a woman look finer
I used to order just to watch
Her float across the floor
She grew up in a small town
Never put her roots down
Daddy always kept movin',
So she did too.
Somewhere on a desert highway
She rides a Harley-Davidson
Her long blonde hair
Flyin' in the wind
She's been runnin' half her life
The chrome and steel she rides
Collidin' with
The very air she breathes
The air she breathes.
You know it ain't easy
You got to hold on
She was an unknown legend
In her time
Now she's dressin' two kids
Lookin' for a magic kiss
She gets the far-away look
In her eyes.
Somewhere on a desert highway
She rides a Harley-Davidson
Her long blonde hair
Flyin' in the wind
She's been runnin' half her life
The chrome and steel she rides
Collidin' with the very
Air she breathes
The air she breathes.
@nickshort2915
This song was my mother's song. She rode her Harley out sitting in that hospice bed that day, never forget it. Love you Mom
@LOVEHAS1JOYRAINS2
❤😂Mother Father of all creation are here in the physical flesh playing this to reach out to you! Phone 📱 home in these urgent moments! Care for our creators and they will live! Mom Dad love spinach ❤🎉 Luna
@lastcoyote2355
How is it that every Neil Young song evokes memories… past , present , good , bad , happy or not so happy ? Long may you run Neil…….. Thanks !
@hhenryf.8
Man, you nailed it! Long may he ride!
@alansnowdeal9845
Cause He's That Good.
@LOVEHAS1JOYRAINS2
❤😂Mother Father of all creation are here in the physical flesh playing this to reach out to you! Phone 📱 home in these urgent moments! Care for our creators and they will live! Mom Dad love spinach ❤🎉 Luna
@alexanderlupatsky2645
Pennsylvania. FOREVER young
@deeanna5814
Always makes me think of my Mom. She couldn’t be a mother to me....I don’t feel like telling the story, just hope shes somehow knows I love her.
@idahowild1a578
And we love you. I hope you know that. 💜
@frankboykin1383
She knows brother