Are You Passionate
Neil Young Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Are you passionate?
Are you livin' like you talk?
Are you dreamin' now
That you're goin' to the top?
Are you negative,
In a world that never stops,
Turnin' on you?
Turnin' on me?
Turnin' on you?

Are you loving it?
Can you ever get enough of it?
Is it everything?
A love that never stops,
Comin' to you?
Comin' to me?
Comin' to you?

Once I was a soldier,
I was fighting in the sky,
And the gunfire kept
Comin' back on me.
So I dove into the darkness,
And I let my missles fly.
And they might be the ones,
That kept you free.

Once I was a prisoner,
I was riding in a truck,
Cleaned up for public display.
I looked at those around me,
And when they looked at me,
I let them see my soul that day.

Are you scared of it?
Do you wish that it would stop?
Does it bother you
When you hear your spirit talk?
Well I'm right with you,
Yes I'm right with you.
It's working on me,




It's working on you.
It's working on me.

Overall Meaning

In "Are You Passionate?", Neil Young asks if the listener is truly living out their passions and dreams, or if they are held back by negativity and fear. He questions whether they are truly experiencing and appreciating the love and beauty that surrounds them, or if they are scared of it. He shares his own experiences as a soldier, where he had to fight and sacrifice for his country, and as a prisoner where he was forced to confront his own soul and the souls of those around him. Through all this, he acknowledges that the same spiritual force is working on both him and the listener.


This song speaks to the universal struggles of living a fulfilling and authentic life, while also acknowledging the harsh realities of war and imprisonment. The repetition of the question "are you passionate?" emphasizes the importance of pursuing one's dreams and living with purpose. The juxtaposition of the romantic themes of love and spirituality with the harsh and violent realities of war and imprisonment creates a sense of tension that reflects the complex human experience.


Line by Line Meaning

Are you passionate?
Do you have a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something?


Are you livin' like you talk?
Are you actually living according to the things you say or promote?


Are you dreamin' now that you're goin' to the top?
Do you have big aspirations to achieve success or attain a high position?


Are you negative, In a world that never stops, Turnin' on you? Turnin' on me? Turnin' on you?
Do you have a pessimistic attitude in a constantly changing world that brings challenges to both me and you?


Are you loving it? Can you ever get enough of it? Is it everything? A love that never stops, Comin' to you? Comin' to me? Comin' to you?
Are you enjoying life to the fullest, and can you never get enough of the feelings that consistent love brings to you and me?


Once I was a soldier, I was fighting in the sky, And the gunfire kept comin' back on me. So I dove into the darkness, And I let my missles fly. And they might be the ones, That kept you free.
I used to be a soldier fighting in the air, but the constant attack from the enemy forced me to take cover and retaliate by employing weapons that could have possibly helped protect your freedom.


Once I was a prisoner, I was riding in a truck, Cleaned up for public display. I looked at those around me, And when they looked at me, I let them see my soul that day.
At one point, I was held captive in a truck, made presentable for others to view. During that time, I made eye contact with those around me, and I allowed them to see my genuine self that day.


Are you scared of it? Do you wish that it would stop? Does it bother you when you hear your spirit talk? Well I'm right with you, Yes I'm right with you. It's working on me, It's working on you. It's working on me.
Are you afraid of the constant changes or challenges that occur in life? Does it bother you when you reflect on your innermost thoughts and values? If so, know that I am with you and that these same challenges and changes are also impacting me in a substantial way.




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: NEIL YOUNG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Michael Watson

Are you passionate?
Are you livin' like you talk?
Are you dreamin' now
That you're goin' to the top?
Are you negative,
In a world that never stops,
Turnin' on you?
Turnin' on me?
Turnin' on you?

Are you loving it?
Can you ever get enough of it?
Is it everything?
A love that never stops,
Comin' to you?
Comin' to me?
Comin' to you?

Once I was a soldier,
I was fighting in the sky,
And the gunfire kept
Comin' back on me.
So I dove into the darkness,
And I let my missles fly.
And they might be the ones,
That kept you free.

Once I was a prisoner,
I was riding in a truck,
Cleaned up for public display.
I looked at those around me,
And when they looked at me,
I let them see my soul that day.

Are you scared of it?
Do you wish that it would stop?
Does it bother you
When you hear your spirit talk?
Well I'm right with you,
Yes I'm right with you.
It's working on me,
It's working on you.
It's working on me.



All comments from YouTube:

Martha Stromberg

No one take Neil's place. He is always deep in the heart.

Dougie Desgranges

Gorgeous riff. The first Neil Young record I ever bought. I was a freshman- it was right after the 9/11 attacks.

Dougie Desgranges

@Martha Stromberg I fell in love with a girl

Martha Stromberg

what made you buy it?

K T

still one of my favorite NY songs. In July joining my dad for the fourth time to a concert on NY in Amsterdam, looking forward to it. After all these years, myself a dad of 3 children, hope to pass this music to them if possible :).

SavanaG.

I am ashamed of my self for letting this song and albumb get by me, I am a huge fan since the early 70s, but hey I found it now and love it... Thanks Neil

Michael Watson

Are you passionate?
Are you livin' like you talk?
Are you dreamin' now
That you're goin' to the top?
Are you negative,
In a world that never stops,
Turnin' on you?
Turnin' on me?
Turnin' on you?

Are you loving it?
Can you ever get enough of it?
Is it everything?
A love that never stops,
Comin' to you?
Comin' to me?
Comin' to you?

Once I was a soldier,
I was fighting in the sky,
And the gunfire kept
Comin' back on me.
So I dove into the darkness,
And I let my missles fly.
And they might be the ones,
That kept you free.

Once I was a prisoner,
I was riding in a truck,
Cleaned up for public display.
I looked at those around me,
And when they looked at me,
I let them see my soul that day.

Are you scared of it?
Do you wish that it would stop?
Does it bother you
When you hear your spirit talk?
Well I'm right with you,
Yes I'm right with you.
It's working on me,
It's working on you.
It's working on me.

tx_gip

great song ...sorry i missed it when it came out...Long Live Neil Young

November Rains

The first time i heard this song, I fell on the floor and cried. man.

kustakka

Thank you for putting words to it.. back then it hit me hard aswell. Same now, but with the perspective of time y know =)

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