Don’t Be Denied
Neil Young Lyrics


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When I was a young boy,
My mama said to me
Your daddy's leavin' home today,
I think he's gone to stay.
We packed up all our bags
And drove out to Winnipeg.

When we got to Winnipeg
I checked in to school.
I wore white bucks on my feet,
When I learned the golden rule.
The punches came fast and hard
Lying on my back in the school yard.

Don't be denied, don't be denied.
Don't be denied, don't be denied.
Don't be denied, don't be denied.

Well pretty soon I met a friend,
He played guitar.
We used to sit on the steps at school
And dream of being stars.
We started a band,
We played all night.

Don't be denied, don't be denied.
Don't be denied, don't be denied.
Don't be denied, don't be denied.

Oh Canada
We played all night
I really hate to leave you now
But to stay just wouldn't be right.
Down in Hollywood
We played so good

The businessmen crowded around
They came to hear the golden sound
There we were on the Sunset Strip,
Playing our songs for the highest bid.
We played all night
The price was right.

Don't be denied, don't be denied.
Don't be denied, don't be denied.
Don't be denied, don't be denied.

Well, all that glitters isn't gold
I know you've heard that story told.
And I'm a pauper in a naked disguise
A millionaire through a business man's eyes.




Oh friend of mine
Don't be denied.

Overall Meaning

In the opening verse of Neil Young's "Don't Be Denied," the singer reflects on his childhood and how his parents' separation impacted his life. He recounts his mother's words as they left home and his family's move to Winnipeg. The singer describes his school experiences, where he learned the "golden rule" and experienced bullying from other students in the form of physical aggression. The chorus of the song urges the listener to persevere and not be denied, like how the singer's dreams were nearly dashed during his school years.


The next verse of the song shifts focus to the singer's musical aspirations. He meets a friend who plays guitar and the two of them form a band, practicing on the steps of their school. They dream of fame and success, and the band eventually gains traction and starts performing in Canada. The final verse reflects on the band's move to Hollywood, where they perform for businessmen and gain more attention. However, the singer also acknowledges that success, and the money that comes with it, doesn't necessarily equate to happiness or fulfillment. He embraces his own identity as a "pauper in a naked disguise" and urges his friend not to give up on their dreams.


Overall, "Don't Be Denied" encourages listeners to persevere through adversity and hold onto their aspirations. The song also touches on themes of identity and the pursuit of success.


Line by Line Meaning

When I was a young boy,
As a boy, I was ever so innocent and oblivious to the reality of my family.


My mama said to me
My mother told me with soberness what was happening.


Your daddy's leavin' home today,
My father has abandoned his family and is going away without intention of coming home.


I think he's gone to stay.
I'm suspecting that he's not coming back; he's moved on for good.


We packed up all our bags
We gathered all our belongings, preparing to move on past our present circumstances.


And drove out to Winnipeg.
We headed out completely towards an unpredictable future.


When we got to Winnipeg
We eventually arrived in Winnipeg, but things were hardly better.


I checked in to school.
I continued with my education despite the struggles in my family and social life.


I wore white bucks on my feet,
I dressed in a way to express my sense of self and individuality


When I learned the golden rule.
As I learned the important lessons about fairness, being responsible, and treating others respectfully.


The punches came fast and hard
I faced many confrontations at school, and the physical blows hurt deeply.


Lying on my back in the school yard.
The beatings often knocked me down and pinning me to the ground.


Don't be denied, don't be denied.
I resolve in my heart that I shall not be held back, nor prevent obstacles from my dreams.


Well pretty soon I met a friend,
Later on, I met someone who shared the same passion and interests as me; something special ignited between us.


He played guitar.
This new friend came as a musical genius, skilled in playing the guitar instrument.


We used to sit on the steps at school
During our free time, my friend and I enjoyed sitting together on school steps.


And dream of being stars.
We shared the same dream of becoming famous musicians, and creating something big.


We started a band,
Together, we formed a group, with all the necessary members and equipment we needed to pursue our dreams.


We played all night.
We would play, sing dances and make music all night long.


Oh Canada
We went to Canada to perform and share our music.


I really hate to leave you now
I loathed the idea of separating form such a beautiful place like Canada.


But to stay just wouldn't be right.
But we should move on from there, it's not the right place for us to stay and thrive.


Down in Hollywood
We believed that Hollywood was the best place for us to conquer and draw attention to ourselves.


We played so good
We performed splendidly well during our gigs.


The businessmen crowded around
People in the music industry and other businesses flocked around us, seeking to learn more about us.


They came to hear the golden sound
The crowd wanted to listen to our sound, and hoped to make profitable gains from associating with us.


There we were on the Sunset Strip,
I remember the good times we had performing in Sunset Strip, where people embraced us with enthusiasm.


Playing our songs for the highest bid.
We did put a price tag on our credibility and played for whomever paid the most.


The price was right.
It took several offers before we agreed to play. We valued our services and wouldn't compromise cheaply.


Well, all that glitters isn't gold.
I have come to the realization that good things can come from seemingly desperate situations.


I know you've heard that story told.
What I've just said is a common cliché that has been said over and over again.


And I'm a pauper in a naked disguise
The reality is that I'm just a regular average guy but with a talent people admire.


A millionaire through a business man's eyes.
However, to some people in the industry, I represent lucrative capital, and my music is just a tool to make huge profits.


Oh friend of mine
This is why I address you directly, my friend, as I need you to remember the passion as a musician pursuing our dreams.


Don't be denied.
Stay motivated, don't give up; we can make it out here in Hollywood.


Don't be denied.
I believe in you, and I know we have the talent to make it big.


Don't be denied.
Let's keep pushing hard, and we'll conquer the industry.




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