Having success on his own for a bit, he later joined the folk rock supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash as a fourth member in 1969, thus forming Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. He forged a successful and acclaimed solo career, releasing his first album in 1968. His career has since spanned over 40 years and 34 studio albums, with a continual and uncompromising exploration of musical styles; his musical vision is notably referred to by his autobiographical tune"The Loner". Music critics have often called him one of the best single artists of all time, and several tunes such as "Heart of Gold" and "Rockin' in the Free World" remain popular on rock radio.
According to the Don't Be Denied Songfacts, the 16-year-old Neil was raising chickens and selling the eggs, with plans to go to Ontario Agricultural College and be a farmer. Only his leisure activities foretold his future, when he would hide from his family problems in his room with his transistor radio playing local station CHUM. From this, Young experienced a growing admiration for rock n roll originators such as Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and, of course, Elvis Presley. In 1958, his father bought Neil his first music instrument, a plastic ukulele. His father would later recall, "He would close the door of his room... and we would hear plunk, pause while he moved his fingers to the next chord, plunk, pause while he moved again, plunk."
In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Neil started his professional music career in the mid-60s with a number of bands in Canada, including the Squires and later the Mynah Birds, which also included fellow future Buffalo Springfield bassist Bruce Palmer and future funk star Rick James. When the Mynah Birds broke up, Young and Palmer headed to California to meet Stephen Stills, whom he had met in Thunder Bay, and the result was Buffalo Springfield. That band split up after releasing three critically acclaimed albums, particularly achieving international fame for their tune "For What It's Worth".
Showing his strengths as a cynical yet experimental songwriter in the group, he also sung prominently in some of the band's songs such as the biting satire of 'rock star' life "Mr. Soul". Neil soon started his solo career with the release of 'Neil Young' on November 12, 1968. The album did not do very well commercially, but it included several strong tracks, including "The Loner", said to be a portrait of Stephen Stills but also being deeply auto-biographical.
On May 14, 1969, he recruited members of Crazy Horse and made the critically acclaimed 'Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere'. This was a much more consistent album, being the first to introduce longstanding collaborators Crazy Horse and beingbuilt around the balanced interplay between the guitar playing of Young and the talented Danny Whitten. The album also featured two lengthy classics, "Down by the River" and "Cowgirl in the Sand". The critically acclaimed solo album "After the Gold Rush" came out in 1971, featuring such classic songs as "Southern Man'", "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" and "Don't Let it Bring You Down". Harvest followed in 1972 with the hit"Heart of Gold".
During this time he also enjoyed considerable success as a quarter of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Neil's subsequent work has zig-zagged across genres - dabbling in country rock on "Old Ways"; electronics on "Trans"; hooking up with the Shocking Pinks in a homage to old-time Rock 'n' Roll on "Everybody's Rockin'"; creating a wall of feedback on the live Arc-Weld; and cementing his status as Godfather of Grunge when collaborating with Pearl Jam on Mirror Ball.
His idiosyncratic approach to genre even led to him being sued by his record company (Geffen) in the 80s for making "uncharacteristic" music.
Young has also dabbled in film, most recently on the album/concert series/dvd Greendale.
Young is often known by the nickname "Shakey." According to his biographer Jimmy McDonough, the name was given by his friends after noticing very unsteady results holding a camera for home movies.
Young founded Pono Music, whose mission was to bring a digital player, download store, and streaming service devoted to hi-res music. It was a commercial flop and was shut down in 2016. Young has stated that the labels would not agree that "All songs should cost the same, regardless of digital resolution."
The film Canadian Bacon includes the line "Canadians are always trying to figure out a lot of ways to ruin our lives. The metric system, for the love of God! Celsius! Neil Young!"
For recent news see: http://www.neilyoung.com/
08 The Old Laughing Lady
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't leave no message 'round her back door
They say the old laughin' lady been here before
She don't keep time, she don't count score
You can't have a cupboard if there ain't no wall
You got to move, there's no time left to stall
They say the old laughing lady dropped by to call
See the drunkard of the village falling on the street
Can't tell his ankles from the rest of his feet
He loves his old laughing lady 'cause her taste is so sweet
But his laughing lady's loving ain't the kind he can keep
There's a fever on the freeway, blacks out the night
There's a slipping on the stairway, just don't feel right
And there's a rumbling in the bedroom and a flashing of light
There's the old laughing lady, everything is alright
Neil Young's "The Old Laughing Lady" is a song about an elusive, mysterious elderly woman who enters the lives of those around her, leaving a mark and then disappearing without any trace. The song warns against calling out to her, as she cannot hear you anymore. The lyrics suggest that the old laughing lady has been here before, and that she doesn't keep track of time or count score. The song progresses with the drunkard of the village being in love with her, and though he loves her, her love isn't the kind he can keep. As the song continues, the ominous feeling of unease grips the listener with fever on the freeway rocking the night, something not feeling right on the stairway, flashes of light in the bedroom, and finally, the appearance of the old laughing lady, who reassures with her presence that everything is alright.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't call pretty Peggy, she can't hear you no more
Peggy has passed away and cannot hear you anymore. Do not try to contact her.
Don't leave no message 'round her back door
Do not leave any messages or notes at Peggy's house as she will not receive them.
They say the old laughin' lady been here before
There are rumors that a woman known for her laugh has visited this place previously.
She don't keep time, she don't count score
This woman known as the old laughing lady does not keep track of time or keep score of things.
You can't have a cupboard if there ain't no wall
You cannot have a cupboard without a wall to support it.
You got to move, there's no time left to stall
You need to take action and make a move as there is no time to waste.
They say the old laughing lady dropped by to call
It is rumored that the old laughing lady came to visit.
And when she leaves, she leaves nothing at all
When the old laughing lady departs, she does not leave anything behind.
See the drunkard of the village falling on the street
There is a man who is a drunkard in this village who has fallen on the street.
Can't tell his ankles from the rest of his feet
The drunkard is so inebriated that he cannot distinguish between his ankles and the rest of his feet.
He loves his old laughing lady 'cause her taste is so sweet
The man is infatuated with the old laughing lady because he finds her charming.
But his laughing lady's loving ain't the kind he can keep
The man's infatuation with the old laughing lady is not sustainable or lasting.
There's a fever on the freeway, blacks out the night
There is a sense of extreme activity or chaos on the freeway, which is causing a blackness or darkness to fall over the night.
There's a slipping on the stairway, just don't feel right
Something is wrong or not normal, as there is a slippery sensation on the stairway which feels uneasy.
And there's a rumbling in the bedroom and a flashing of light
There are strange and unsettling noises coming from the bedroom and sporadic flashes of light.
There's the old laughing lady, everything is alright
Despite all the strange and unsettling events happening, the old laughing lady's presence reassures the artist and brings a sense of normalcy to the situation.
Lyrics ยฉ Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
daniele ventura
I've listened to this hundreds and hundreds of times and I still can't get enough. There's something inexplicably mystical in this performance, like a perfect balance coming from a hard fight of opposites, in every note he touches with guitar, harmonica and voice...such a nervous beauty and a tender anger. And all the concert continues with many many wonders...but this, this is a true miracle.
George Tebbens
It's the song. The song itself is just genius. What Neil is doing is trying to keep up with the song -- trying to channel the mystical force. Neil isn't driving the song. The song is driving Neil.
hansen james
This man is a miracle
Joshua Breland
YESSSS. You get it. Top 5 greatest live albums in history of music. The album is that good.
Sadie Innes-Smith
These days, my wonderful doggie is the only being who listens to my terrible renditions of this song and i'm convinced she cringes when i even try to emulate Neil Young's voice. Like if you can't imagine your life without Neil Young. Neil Young we love the way you deliver powerful messages in a peaceful way
BMO JO
I agree sir. Neil Young is far from a technical master, but his instruments are plugged into his soul.
John Grunwell
I have friends who are classical virtuosos, and I find it profoundly sad that something in their minds blocks them from appreciating the forlorn beauty in music like Neil's. To them, "simple" means "dumb." I would give my left nut to be able to create music this effective.
Robert Cronin
Yes...they may be virtuosos while playing other people's sheet music but a true artist creates their own.
Jimi Hendrixx
His music speaks to your soul
Soxruleyanksdrool
Why do people always bet there left nut? What's wrong with the right one that folks won't bet with it?