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/
Dirty Old Man
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a dirty old man
I do what I can
Tryin' to make a livin'
I'm a dirty old man
I like to get hammered
On Friday night
So Monday's alright
It's a battle with the bottle
I'll win it alright
But I lost another round
In the bar last night
I'm a dirty old man
I do what I can
Tryin' to make a livin'
I'm a dirty old man
Yeah, I'm gonna get fired
For drinkin' on the job
Got caught with the boss's wife
In the parking lot
I'm gonna get killed
For doin' this again
But I just can't help it
It's under my skin
I'm a dirty old man
I do what I can
I'm gonna get hammered
And do it again
I'm a dirty old man
I do what I can
Tryin' to make a livin'
I'm a dirty old man
Got a bag of frozen peas
I use on my knees
I injured from beggin'
And tryin' to please
If you believe that
I'm losing my fat
Got a workout program
And a new rubber mat
I'm a dirty old man
I do what I can
Tryin' to make a livin'
I'm a dirty old man
I'm a dirty old man
The song “Dirty Old Man” by Neil Young features a chorus that is repeated throughout the song. The chorus suggests that the singer is a “dirty old man” who engages in inappropriate behavior but is trying to make a living. In the first verse, the singer admits to getting drunk on Friday nights but is willing to do it on Mondays too if he can’t wait. He admits that he struggles with alcoholism but is determined to win the battle with the bottle. He lost a round in the bar last night, indicating that he hasn’t always been successful in curbing his addiction.
In the second verse, the singer suggests that he is engaged in some illicit activity at work. He got caught with the boss’s wife in the parking lot and fears that he will get fired. Despite the consequences, he admits that he can’t help himself, and it's under his skin. The singer also admits that he has injured his knees from begging and trying to please others. However, he reassures us that he has a workout program and a new rubber mat to address the issue.
Overall, the song portrays a man who is struggling with addiction and making poor decisions in his personal and professional life. Despite his actions, he seems determined to make a living and is willing to do what it takes to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a dirty old man
I am a man who is old and has bad habits or deeds that are considered morally wrong or unethical.
I do what I can
Despite these negative traits, I try my best to cope with life and its struggles in my own way.
Tryin' to make a livin'
I strive to earn a living for myself by doing what I can, even though it may not be the best way to do so.
I like to get hammered
Drinking alcohol is something I enjoy, and it has become a regular part of my life.
On Friday night
I usually drink heavily on Friday nights and make the most of my weekend.
Sometimes I can't wait
I have a strong urge to drink, which often leads me to consume alcohol before the weekend.
So Monday's alright
Even though weekends are the optimal time for drinking, I don't mind drinking on weekdays if necessary.
It's a battle with the bottle
My addiction to alcohol is a significant issue, and I struggle to control my consumption habit.
I'll win it alright
Despite the setbacks, I am hopeful that I will overcome my addiction and move past it.
But I lost another round
However, I have failed yet again to overcome my addiction and have succumbed to the temptation of alcohol.
In the bar last night
I spent the previous evening in a bar drinking, which led to me again losing control of my addiction.
Yeah, I'm gonna get fired
I am aware that my drinking habit is having negative consequences on my professional life, and I may lose my job as a result.
For drinkin' on the job
I have been caught drinking alcohol while on duty, which is strictly forbidden and can lead to severe consequences.
Got caught with the boss's wife
In addition to the problems at work, I have also been caught having an affair with my superior's spouse, which has further complicated my life and worsened my addiction.
In the parking lot
The affair took place in a public area, which made it more scandalous and added to my humiliation and shame.
I'm gonna get killed
I face significant danger for the mistakes I have made and the consequences of my addiction.
For doin' this again
I have repeated my mistakes many times, and the consequences of my actions are starting to catch up with me.
But I just can't help it
Despite knowing that my addiction is negatively impacting my life, I feel powerless to stop it and am helpless to its pull.
It's under my skin
My addiction is deeply rooted within me, and I am unable to shake it off or avoid it.
Got a bag of frozen peas
I have an injury that I am trying to heal, and I am using a bag of frozen peas as a remedy.
I use on my knees
The injury is on my knees, likely due to an unwanted posture while begging for money or favors.
I injured from beggin'
I may have resorted to begging as a way to sustain my addiction, which has led to my injury.
And tryin' to please
In addition to begging, I might have tried to please someone else or get their approval, leading to my injury.
If you believe that
If you think I am telling the truth about my injury, you might be foolish.
I'm losing my fat
I am trying to improve my physical condition by losing weight to look and feel better.
Got a workout program
I have a schedule for my exercise program, which is part of my efforts to get healthy and overcome my addiction.
And a new rubber mat
I have bought a new mat to exercise on, perhaps to help with kneeling or to make my workout sessions more comfortable.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind