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/
Change Your Mind
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When life's complete, but there's something missing still
Distracting you from this must be the one you love
Must be the one whose magic touch can change your mind
Don't let another day go by without the magic touch
Distracting you (change your mind)
Supporting you (change your mind)
Convincing you (change your mind)
When you're confused and the world has got you down
When you feel used and you just can't play the clown
Protecting you from this must be the one you love
Must be the one whose magic touch can change your mind
Don't let another day go by without the magic touch
Protecting you (change your mind)
Restoring you (change your mind)
Revealing you (change your mind)
Soothing you (change your mind)
You hear the sound, you wait around and get the word
You see the picture changing everything you've heard
Destroying you with this must be the one you love
Must be the one whose magic touch can change your mind
Don't let another day go by without the magic touch
Destroying you (change your mind)
Embracing you (change your mind)
Protecting you (change your mind)
Confining you (change your mind)
Distracting you (change your mind)
Supporting you (change your mind)
Distorting you (change your mind)
Controlling you (change your mind)
Change your mind (change your mind)
Change your mind, change your mind (change your mind)
Change your mind (change your mind)
The morning comes and there's an odor in the room
The scent of love, more than a million roses bloom
Embracing you with this must be the one you love
Must be the one whose magic touch can change your mind
Don't let another day go by without the magic touch
Embracing you (change your mind)
Concealing you (change your mind)
Protecting you (change your mind)
Revealing you (change your mind)
Change your mind, change your mind (change your mind)
Change your mind (change your mind)
Change your mind, change your mind (change your mind)
Change your mind (change your mind)
Change your mind, change your mind
Change your mind
Change your mind, change your mind
Change your mind
Change your mind, change your mind
Change your mind, change your mind
The lyrics of Neil Young's song "Change Your Mind" explore the idea of the transformative power of love. The singer addresses someone who is struggling and incomplete, urging them not to let another day go by without seeking the love and support of someone who can "change your mind." The verses describe different scenarios in which the person might feel lost or overwhelmed, ranging from feeling weak and distracted to feeling confused and used. In each case, the singer suggests that being with the right person can make a significant difference in how one feels and thinks about the world.
The repeated refrain of "change your mind" underscores the idea that the answer to the person's problems lies in their perspective and how they choose to approach the world. The final verse offers a glimpse of hope, as the scent of love fills the room and the singer suggests that being embraced by the right person can reveal and conceal parts of oneself in a positive way. Overall, the song offers a message of optimism and encourages listeners to seek out the transformative power of love in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
When you get weak, and you need to test your will
Challenging your strength and desire in moments of weakness
When life's complete, but there's something missing still
Feeling that despite having everything, something vital is lacking
Distracting you from this must be the one you love
Being diverted from one's goals by the influence of a cherished person
Must be the one whose magic touch can change your mind
Believing that the special power of one's beloved can alter one's perspective
Don't let another day go by without the magic touch
Advising against wasting time without the guidance of one's love
When you're confused and the world has got you down
Feeling perplexed and overwhelmed by the challenges of life
When you feel used and you just can't play the clown
Sense of being exploited and incapable of pretending anymore
Protecting you from this must be the one you love
Being shielded from negative emotions by one's significant other
Restoring you
Bringing one's sense of wholeness and self-worth back
Revealing you
Uncovering one's true self and innermost desires
Soothing you
Calming and comforting one's troubled mind and soul
You hear the sound, you wait around and get the word
Being alerted to important information and eagerly anticipating it
You see the picture changing everything you've heard
Having one's perspective transformed by a new realization
Destroying you with this must be the one you love
Being devastated by the actions of one's cherished one
Confining you
Keeping one restricted and limiting one's choices
Distorting you
Misrepresenting reality and altering one's perception
Controlling you
Exerting power over one's decisions and actions
Change your mind
Encouraging one to rethink one's beliefs and decisions
Change your mind, change your mind
Repeated emphasis on the importance of altering one's mindset
The morning comes and there's an odor in the room
Waking up to the fresh aroma of love and its benefits
The scent of love, more than a million roses bloom
Experiencing the overwhelming beauty and intensity of love
Concealing you
Protecting one's privacy and secrets from the world
Change your mind, change your mind
Urging one to modify their viewpoint and way of thinking
Change your mind
Stressing the importance of altering one's perspective
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: NEIL YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@neilyoungchannel
Hi, this is Neil. Link to the NYA info-card for this song with press, documents, manuscripts, photos, videos. Look around NYA for fun and listening! ALL my music in high resolution at https://neilyoungarchives.com/info-card?track=t1993_1206_01
@pamelachekelelee8979
I had a little trouble with these links but it could be my phone.
❤️ you guys! TY for everything.
@coopsawright7225
Thankyou Neil. From the very first moment I heard your voice I couldn't stop listening to your music. 23 years after listening to Harvest for the 1st time from beginning to end I reckon everything you have made never gets old, only better and better. You help me through the tough times and I cry tears of joy and get tingles and goosebumps when I listen to your songs. You will always be my favourite singer/ songwriter/ guitarist. I hope and pray all is well with you and your loved ones. God willing, God bless.
@LinDeeSixtiesRock_LSR-Channel
I had trouble with the link NEIL- Couldnt find that page error popped up and bummed me out.
@artvallejos1460
neilyoungchannel
Long Live Crazy Horse.
@mrlfhill
Are they in FLAC format?
@maryanderson9191
I suffer from Hero worship. Neil Young has dealt with polio, type 1 diabetes, epilepsy, back surgery, brain aneurysm surgery. Yet he has created and continues to create the music of my life. He has done this with courage of conviction and tireless passion for his music. I have no doubt he is a flawed hero, I have no doubt he wrestles with his own demons. But when I hear his music, I am carried away to another world and I feel renewed. He has saved my life. I am grateful for Neil Young.
@jonwolynies7465
I did know that about Neil. I’ve always loved and respected his music, but this adds so much more to the dimension of the man. Thanks!
@paulnamaste9422
And.. 2 sons born with cerebral palsy! Not easy for any man, musician ..
@strangerthankindness3573
Thank you! These are exactly my thoughts, I heard the song first when my father got cancer at the end of the 90s, and it brought me to the point to learn guitar myself. Until today I love this song. My two parents are dead now, I myself got an organ transplantation in 2012 (kidney & pancreas) and I live, but I still hear it for the maybe 500th time and get thrilled, because it´s the best, and Neil, whom I saw 2 times live, ist the one and only. He's about feelings and music, not about fame. Rare thing today. I adore him in every way. Thank you for your comment :-)