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/
Dance Dance Dance
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Had a rainbow on it
Used to think a cloud
Was a nightmare
That was up until
I first met you
Now I go around
Hoping you care
Dance, dance
Feel it all around you
Dance, dance, dance
Never thought love
Had a rainbow on it
See the girl dance
See the girl dance
Mississippi mud
Never touched her fingers
California sand
Lies in her hand
Love her more than life
As the daylight lingers
Early in the morning
I'll be her man
Dance, dance
Feel it all around you
Dance, dance, dance
Mississippi mud
Never touched her fingers
See the girl dance
See the girl dance
The song "Dance, Dance, Dance" by Neil Young highlights the positive change that love can bring in a person's life. The opening lines of the song describe the singer's initial skepticism towards love, as he compares it to a nightmare and doesn't think there is anything special about it. However, when he meets the woman he loves, his perspective changes, and he starts to see love in a new light. The singer now hopes that the woman cares for him as much as he cares for her. The joy and optimism in the song's lyrics are further emphasized by the repeated refrain of "dance, dance, dance," encouraging the listener to embrace life and love.
The second stanza talks about the woman the singer loves, describing her in contrasting terms of Mississippi mud and California sand, suggesting a range of experiences and a restless spirit. However, despite these contrasts, the singer seems to love everything about her, from the dirt on her fingers to the sand in her hand. He pledges his love for her, saying he'll be with her in the morning, implying his dedication and loyalty to her. The second refrain of "see the girl dance" highlights the idea that love can ignite a passion in life that is joyful and exuberant, demonstrated by the act of dancing.
Overall, "Dance, Dance, Dance" is a song that expresses a deep appreciation for love and the positive changes it can bring about in a person's life. It is a celebration of love that is free-spirited, passionate, and full of joy.
Line by Line Meaning
Never thought love
I never previously believed that love was something so beautiful and colorful.
Had a rainbow on it
I didn't think that love could be associated with a rainbow - a symbol of vibrancy and hope.
Used to think a cloud
Previously, I used to believe that clouds represented dark, gloomy and dreaded feelings.
Was a nightmare
I was convinced that clouds were something that caused bad dreams.
That was up until
My thoughts changed when something significant happened to me.
I first met you
When I first met you, everything changed, including my perception of love.
Now I go around
Nowadays, I am living my life hoping for something more in my life.
Hoping you care
I am wishing that you feel the same way about me, and are willing to give our relationship a chance.
Dance, dance
Let yourself loose and feel the music.
Feel it all around you
Experience the music and let yourself be uplifted by the rhythm and beats.
Never thought love
I previously never imagined that love could be this beautiful.
Had a rainbow on it
Love can be compared to a rainbow which fills one's life with joy and optimism.
See the girl dance
Observe the girl who is enjoying herself while dancing.
Mississippi mud
The girl hasn't experienced hardship or emotional pain in her life.
Never touched her fingers
She has never had a single direct experience with the dark side of life.
California sand
She has only been exposed to the golden sunshine of California.
Lies in her hand
She possesses it with an innocent charm and grace.
Love her more than life
She is the center of my universe; she is the focus of my life.
As the daylight lingers
The day is not yet over, but I already long to be with her again.
Early in the morning
I will continue to love her even after the night has passed and a new day has dawned.
I'll be her man
I will remain a constant support in her life, ready to help and protect her whenever she needs me.
See the girl dance
Watch as the girl continues to dance, free and without a care in the world.
See the girl dance
Observe how the music has truly liberated her spirit, making her forget her troubles and worries and just enjoy the moment.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@facundogabriellopez8564
Never thought love
had a rainbow on it
Used to think a cloud
was a nightmare
That was up until
I first met you
Now I go around
hoping you care.
Dance, dance,
feel it all around you
Dance, dance, dance,
Never thought love
had a rainbow on it
See the girl dance
See the girl dance.
Mississippi mud
never touched her fingers
California sand
lies in her hand
Love her more than life
as the daylight lingers
Early in the morning
I'll be her man.
Dance, dance,
feel it all around you
Dance, dance, dance,
Mississippi mud
never touched her fingers
See the girl dance
See the girl dance.
@monmixer
I grew up playing and listening to Neil Young. Somewhere along the way I got lost. I'm 59 and coming home to my roots. Life sucked. I'm going to make the rest of it better for myself and everyone around me. Peace
@Frau.Z.
Agree! I feel the same....i am 59 now...back to the roots, love Neil for ever and a day . Greetings from germany
@FlowerPowerRockGirl
☮️✌️💪😊You will survive. I believe in you. With the music.
@FlowerPowerRockGirl
@Frau Z.Also greet from Germany.. 😂✌️🎶☯️
@Frau.Z.
@FlowerPowerRockGirl 3333 liebe Grüsse
@jamiesorrell5535
Just listen to Neil all better lol
@BarstoolBlues33
This was basically a throw-a-way for him at this time, but it's better than 90% of other musicians works.
@deadendstreet2484
this song is rlly cute - love neil sm
@jackiebrown5214
One of the best NY song. Just like "The losing end". Shriving
@Maxinator11-11
Looks so cool in that jacket, colored pants and laced up boots.