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/
Don't Cry
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't cry no tears around me
'Cause when all the water's gone
The feeling lingers on
Old true love ain't too hard to see
Don't cry no tears around me
Well, I wonder, who's with her tonight?
But there's nothing I can say
To make him go away
Old true love ain't too hard to see
Don't cry no tears around me
But there's nothing I can say
To make him go away
Old true love ain't too hard to see
Don't cry no tears around me
Don't cry no tears around me
Neil Young's "Don't Cry" is a track about heartbreak and, quite possibly, the lasting effects that come when a love affair ends abruptly, inexplicably, or even when it is supposed to end. The song is quite minimalist in its execution, with Young's prominent vocals being played over a simple guitar riff. The song is written in a way that is open to interpretation, and can be seen as a rallying cry against heartbreak.
The lyrics of the song make it clear that Young is addressing an individual who is still caught up in a previous relationship, as he tells them not to "cry no tears around me" because "old true love ain't too hard to see." Additionally, Young expresses his curiosity about the person's current state, wondering who they might be with and who could be holding them at night. However, he acknowledges that there is nothing he can do to stop this person from feeling whatever it is they feel, nor can he change the fact that they still have lingering love towards someone else.
This song can also be interpreted as being a reflection of Young's life experiences, particularly his relationship challenges, which have been well-documented. The track's stripped-down production, along with its melancholy tone, definitely helps it to carry this emotional weight.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't cry no tears around me
Please do not show your tears around me, because even when the pain seems to disappear, it still lingers inside.
'Cause when all the water's gone
The feeling lingers on
The sadness remains even after all the tears have been shed.
Old true love ain't too hard to see
It is clear that the love between us was genuine and strong, but unfortunately, it did not last forever.
Well, I wonder, who's with her tonight?
I am curious to know who is keeping her company tonight, as I cannot be there for her.
And I wonder, who's holding her tight?
I also wonder who is comforting her during this difficult time, and holding her close.
But there's nothing I can say
To make him go away
Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do or say that will make the other person leave her and come back to me.
Don't cry no tears around me
I cannot bear to see her cry, but I also cannot change the situation we are in. Please try to be strong around me.
Lyrics © Silver Fiddle, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fujicator
This is an amazing and powerfull version of this song with this unique chord progression. I love it so muich ! Thanks for "upgrading" it giving it its real dimension and strenght ! Much love from France to all the Neil Young enthousiasts all over the world.
Michelle Dudley
Really enjoyed the word LOVE coming out of those lungs. To hear one say "I'll help pack your things and walk you to the car" makes me believe the door was held like a real gentleman ❣️ Fantastic song...
2003Cpayne
This is so unbelievably heavy. Much better than the edited Freedom version!
Andyface79
When that first blast of feedback kicks in it sounds like a bomb going off. Fantastic
John Crowe
Sounds like a song from the lucky 13 album. Neil's awesome.
billenplum
Another gem I love so much ! It's really great we have a release after all those years missing it ! Thank you !!
Mikey McRae
That dirty distortion is very punk. I like it! 👌🏼
Ric Miller
Love, love LOVE this song and it's wall of thrashing guitar! Old Black bleeds on this one!!
L7
Neil rips-up the carpet with a hard-on like I haven't heard since Hendrix--so refreshing!
Xplorer
LOOOOOOOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!