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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Don’t Be Denied
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 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.
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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