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/
Burned
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And with both feet on the ground
I've learned,
That it's painful comin' down
No use runnin' away
And there's no time left to stay
Now I'm finding out that it's so confusin'
No time left and I know I'm losin'
Flashed
And I think I'm fallin' down
Crashed
And my ears can't hear a sound
No use runnin' away
And there's no time left to stay
Now I'm finding out that it's so confusin'
No time left and I know I'm losin'
Now I'm finding out that it's so confusin'
No time left and I know I'm losin'
Burned
And with both feet on the ground
I've learned
That it's painful comin' down
No use runnin' away, and there's no time left to stay
Now I'm finding out that it's so confusin'
No time left and I know I'm losin'
The song "Burned" by Neil Young explores the painful experience of falling down from a high place, both literally and metaphorically, and realizing that there is no escape from the consequences of one's actions. The opening lines, "Been burned, and with both feet on the ground, I've learned, that it's painful comin' down," suggest that the singer has fallen from a high place and landed on the ground, which is where they must now confront the reality of their situation. The use of the words "burned" and "painful" convey the idea that this experience has left a deep emotional scar on the singer, and they are struggling to come to terms with what has happened.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "No use runnin' away, and there's no time left to stay," which suggests that the singer is feeling trapped and unable to escape from the consequences of their actions. The repetition of the line "Now I'm finding out that it's so confusin', no time left and I know I'm losin'" further emphasizes the confusion and despair the singer is feeling.
The second verse begins with the word "Flashed," which suggests that the singer has had a sudden realization or awakening about their situation. However, this is immediately followed by the word "Crashed," which suggests that they have fallen even further and are unable to regain their footing. The repetition of the chorus at the end of the song reinforces the theme of being trapped and unable to escape from the consequences of one's actions.
Overall, "Burned" is a powerful and emotional song that explores the pain and confusion of falling down from a high place and being unable to escape from the consequences of one's actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Been burned,
I have been hurt
And with both feet on the ground
Despite being grounded and stable
I've learned,
I have gained knowledge
That it's painful comin' down
It hurts to fall
No use runnin' away
Avoiding the situation won't help
And there's no time left to stay
Either act or move on
Now I'm finding out that it's so confusin'
I am realizing how confusing it is
No time left and I know I'm losin'
I'm running out of time and feel like I am losing
Flashed
Suddenly and quickly
And I think I'm fallin' down
I feel like I am losing control
Crashed
I failed or hit a low point
And my ears can't hear a sound
I feel disconnected
Now I'm finding out that it's so confusin'
I am realizing how confusing it is
No time left and I know I'm losin'
I'm running out of time and feel like I am losing
Now I'm finding out that it's so confusin'
I am realizing how confusing it is
No time left and I know I'm losin'
I'm running out of time and feel like I am losing
Burned
I have been hurt
And with both feet on the ground
Despite being grounded and stable
I've learned
I have gained knowledge
That it's painful comin' down
It hurts to fall
No use runnin' away, and there's no time left to stay
Avoiding the situation won't help and there's no time to waste
Now I'm finding out that it's so confusin'
I am realizing how confusing it is
No time left and I know I'm losin'
I'm running out of time and feel like I am losing
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind