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/
Evening Coconut
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Atlantis is waiting down below.
Late at night, flashing lights are sighted in the air.
It's no secret, what everybody knows.
It really don't matter much, which way I go.
But remember to pull over in the storm.
Have you seen the evening coconut
Standing on the water's edge of stone
Someone there besides you
To hear the words you say
To show you things your eyes have never known.
Evening coconut, evening coconut
Evening coconut, evening coconut
Evening coconut, evening coconut
Evening coconut, evening coconut
Evening coconut, evening coconut
The Statue of Liberty is breathing in the air
While Atlantis is waiting down below.
Late at night, flashing lights are sighted in the air.
It's no secret, what everybody knows.
Evening coconut, evening coconut
Evening coconut, evening coconut
Evening coconut, evening coconut
Evening coconut, evening coconut
"Evening Coconut" by Neil Young is a song that is rich in symbolism and metaphor, inviting listeners to grapple with the deeper meaning of the lyrics. The opening lines refer to the Statue of Liberty breathing in the air and Atlantis waiting below. These two powerful images capture the tension between the past and present, tradition and progress, and the natural and man-made world. The flashing lights sighted in the air are likely a reference to a UFO sighting, a recurring theme in Neil Young's music.
The chorus introduces the titular "evening coconut," which is described as bobbing on the bay. The image of a coconut on the water's edge adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue in the song. The repeated refrain of "evening coconut" serves almost as a mantra, reminding us of the mystical forces at work in the world.
While the lyrics of "Evening Coconut" are enigmatic and highly interpretive, they ultimately invite us to contemplate the mysteries of the universe, to consider the interplay between nature and technology, and to embrace the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
The Statue of Liberty is breathing in the air
The symbol of American freedom is alive and well, soaking in her environment.
Atlantis is waiting down below.
A long-lost civilization still exists, waiting to be rediscovered just beneath the sea.
Late at night, flashing lights are sighted in the air.
Mysterious phenomena occur under the moon's watchful eye, signaling an otherworldly presence.
It's no secret, what everybody knows.
The truth is plain to see for all who wish to understand it, even if unspoken.
It really don't matter much, which way I go.
The destination may not be as significant as the journey itself, and either path will do.
But remember to pull over in the storm.
Always be prepared for the challenges that may arise, knowing that rest may be necessary as you weather the storm.
Have you seen the evening coconut
Have you experienced the unique beauty of an unassuming, yet captivating moment?
Bobbing on the bay?
A simple coconut, floating on the water, is sometimes all we need to appreciate the world's little wonders.
Standing on the water's edge of stone
One can find peace and tranquility at a place where land meets sea, where time slows down and clarity comes in.
Someone there besides you
You don't have to experience the beauty of the world alone, for there is always someone to share it with.
To hear the words you say
Communication is key to sharing experiences and deepening relationships, as we seek to learn from those around us.
To show you things your eyes have never known.
Those around us can open our eyes to new experiences and perspectives, broadening our horizons in ways we never thought possible.
Evening coconut, evening coconut
The beauty of a simple moment can be so profound that it bears repeating, as we savor the beauty of a slowly setting sun.
Evening coconut, evening coconut
In a world full of noise and chaos, sometimes the simple things can bring us the most joy, as we relish in the beauty of the evening coconut.
Evening coconut, evening coconut
Finding peace and calm within ourselves can sometimes come from something as uncomplicated as the evening coconut, as we appreciate the world's quiet beauty.
Evening coconut, evening coconut
May the reminder of the evening coconut follow us as we continue our journey, bringing us back to a simpler, more beautiful time when we need it most.
Evening coconut, evening coconut
Let the beauty of the evening coconut inspire you to keep searching for moments of quiet in a world full of noise and hurry, for they truly are there, waiting to be discovered.
Evening coconut, evening coconut
May the simple joy of the evening coconut bring you peace and calm as you journey through life's twists and turns, never forgetting the beauty of the world around you.
Contributed by Callie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Emperor of Wyoming
If somebody said to me. Ok you can only listen to one Neil song forever ... It'd be this one. Fucking PERFECT.
jordan
Sophia Desjardins that’s a very bold statement, Sophia. I can respect it though
thomas pühringer
would´ve fitted well on the "long may you run" album imo.
John Santamaria
Clearly live and clearly Stills' guitar is in the background. A version (this version?) appears on the Stills-Young live bootleg from Boston
jamjax
This song was turned into Thrasher I think...
TorkGirl8
Another song from the "archives be damned" lol...parts of the melody remind me of Thrasher..
Jaylen Damari
@Gannon Ben yup, I have been using Instaflixxer for since december myself =)
Gannon Ben
Dunno if you guys cares but if you guys are bored like me atm you can watch all the latest movies on Instaflixxer. I've been watching with my gf lately xD
Dick Put
TorkGirl8 Nice touch though, and typically Neil, rewriting a song to dump op CSN ("just deadweight to me") that was earlier written and performed with those guys (probably in Hawaii, 1974?)
Dick Put
TorkGirl8 Right, all the way through! Sounds like Neil threw this one away but kept the melody for Thrasher. Wise choice.