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!"
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Changing Highways
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In heavy traffic
See the lights turn
To something graphic
With my suitcase and my brew
I come in your room
Hello hello
Is this our music
Up in you manger?
And is this your exit too?
We're changing highways
The lyrics to "Changing Highways" by Neil Young and Crazy Horse describe a journey, both physical and emotional. The references to heavy traffic and the changing lights suggest that the trip is taking place in a busy urban area, perhaps Los Angeles or New York City. The singer, carrying his suitcase and brew, arrives at the destination--it's unclear who he is visiting or why. He calls out a greeting, asking if the person he sees is a stranger, and if the music he hears is his or hers. The lyrics suggest that the singer is in a transitional phase, perhaps searching for something that he has yet to find.
While the lyrics are somewhat ambiguous, the song's theme of change and upheaval is clear. The imagery evokes feelings of nostalgia (the suitcase, the manger), as well as a sense of dislocation and uncertainty. The singer is on a journey that may lead him to a new place or a new understanding of himself. Musically, "Changing Highways" is a simple, folk-influenced song, featuring Neil Young's distinctive guitar work and vocals.
Line by Line Meaning
We're changing highways
We're embarking on a new journey in our lives.
In heavy traffic
In the midst of chaos and busyness.
See the lights turn
The environment around us is changing.
To something graphic
It is becoming more intense and vivid.
With my suitcase and my brew
I bring my possessions and my drink with me.
I come in your room
I enter your life and your world.
Hello hello
I greet you.
Is that you stranger
I may not recognize you.
Is this our music
Is this something we both enjoy or relate to?
Up in you manger?
Is it something that you hold dear or close to your heart?
And is this your exit too?
Are you also ready to move on and leave this behind?
We're changing highways
We're embarking on a new journey in our lives.
Lyrics © Silver Fiddle, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: NEIL YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind