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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Cryin' Eyes
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who's gonna wake you up to that big surprise?
Who's gonna dry your cryin' eyes?
You say that all your life you've been a free bird
There's been nobody over you
And you always have to have the last word
Because one feels better than two.
Who's gonna dry your cryin' eyes?
Who's gonna wake you up to that big surprise?
Who's gonna dry your cryin' eyes?
You say your life's like riding on a fast train
It's easy to see far away
But right up close it's just a blurry haze
Flyin' by from day to day.
Who's gonna dry your cryin' eyes?
The lyrics of Cryin' Eyes by Neil Young & Crazy Horse speak about someone who is a free spirit but also fiercely independent. The song raises the question of who will be there for this person when they need someone to wipe away their tears. The phrase 'cryin' eyes' refers to the sadness this person may experience in life and the need for someone to comfort them when they feel lost.
The first verse talks about how this person has always been a free bird, with no one to tell them what to do. They always want the last word in any argument, because being in control makes them feel better. The second verse paints a picture of their life as a fast train, moving too quickly for anyone to keep up with them. They can see far away and have big dreams, but up close, everything is hazy and confusing. The chorus repeats the question of who will be there for them when they need someone to dry their eyes.
The song suggests that even the most independent and free-spirited people still need someone to depend on when life gets tough. It emphasizes the importance of having someone to lean on, even if it goes against one's natural instincts.
Line by Line Meaning
Who's gonna dry your cryin' eyes?
Who will offer comfort and support when you are feeling sad and broken?
Who's gonna wake you up to that big surprise?
Who will awaken you to the harsh reality when things do not go as planned?
Who's gonna dry your cryin' eyes?
Who will be there to console you and help you heal when you are hurting?
You say that all your life you've been a free bird
You claim that you have always lived your life independently and without anyone to hold you back.
There's been nobody over you
You have not had to answer to or be controlled by anyone in your life so far.
And you always have to have the last word
You feel the need to always have the final say in a conversation or argument to assert your dominance.
Because one feels better than two.
You prefer to be alone and independent because you believe it is better than having to rely on or compromise with others.
You say your life's like riding on a fast train
You describe your life as fast-paced and constantly moving forward.
It's easy to see far away
When looking at your life from a distance, it seems clear and straightforward.
But right up close it's just a blurry haze
When you are in the midst of your life, it becomes confusing and unclear, making it hard to navigate.
Flyin' by from day to day.
Your life seems to move quickly, with each day passing by in a blur.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind