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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Fork In The Road
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not too big
Gets in my way
When I'm driving my rig
Driving this country
In a big old rig
Things I've seen
Friend has a pickup
Drives his kid to school
Then he takes his wife
To beauty school
Now she's doin' nails
Gonna get a job
Got a good teacher
There's a fork in the road ahead
I don't which way I'm gonna turn
There's a fork in the road ahead
About this year
We salute the troops
They're all still there
In a fucking war
It's no good
Whose idea was that?
I've got hope
But you can't eat hope
I'm not done
Not giving up
Not cashing in
Too late
There's a bailout coming but it's not for me
It's for all those creeps watching tickers on TV
There's a bailout coming but it's not for me
I'm a big rock star
My sales have tanked
But I still got you
Thanks
Download this
Sounds like shit
Keep on bloggin'
'Til the power goes out
Your battery's dead
Twist and shout
On the radio
Those were the days
Bring 'em back
There's a bailout coming but it's not for you
It's for all those creeps hiding what they do
There's a bailout coming but it's not for you
Bailout coming but it's not for you
Got my flat screen
Got it repo'd now
They picked it up
Left a hole in the wall
Last Saturday
Missed the Raiders game
There's a bailout coming but it's not for you
There's a bailout coming but it's not for you
It's for all those creeps hiding what they do
Neil Young's "Fork in the Road" is a commentary on the state of affairs in America, expressing his frustration with the government's decisions and the struggles of the average person. The song is essentially a series of observations, interwoven with Young's own experiences. The lyrics are peppered with references to current events, from the ongoing war in Iraq to the economic recession and government bailouts.
Young paints a vivid picture of life on the road as a trucker, highlighting the struggles of those who work tirelessly to keep the country moving. He describes his own pot belly getting in the way as he drives his rig, and the various experiences he's had as he travels from state to state. He then goes on to describe a friend who takes his wife to beauty school, highlighting the hopes and dreams of those who are trying to improve their lives despite the challenges they face.
The song takes a decidedly political turn in the final verses, as Young expresses his frustration with the government's handling of the war in Iraq and the economic recession. He expresses his hope that things will get better, but acknowledges that hope alone won't solve the problems that America faces.
Overall, "Fork in the Road" is a powerful commentary on the state of America, offering insight into the struggles and concerns of ordinary people and expressing Young's own frustrations with the government.
Line by Line Meaning
Got a pot belly,
It's not too big
Gets in my way
When I'm driving my rig
I have a small belly that still bothers me when I'm driving my truck.
Driving this country
In a big old rig
Things I've seen
Mean a lot
Traveling the country in my truck has allowed me to see and experience a lot of things that are important to me.
Friend has a pickup
Drives his kid to school
Then he takes his wife
To beauty school
My friend drives his family to school and beauty school in a pickup truck.
Now she's doin' nails
Gonna get a job
Got a good teacher
My friend's wife is now doing nails and is learning from a good teacher so she can get a job.
There's a fork in the road ahead
I don't know which way I'm gonna turn
There's a fork in the road ahead
I have come across a decision point in my life and I am unsure which direction to choose.
About this year
We salute the troops
They're all still there
In a fucking war
It's no good
Whose idea was that?
This year we still have troops fighting in a senseless war and it makes me question who started it in the first place.
I've got hope
But you can't eat hope
I'm not done
Not giving up
Not cashing in
Too late
I am hopeful for the future, but hope won't provide me with sustenance. Although the situation may seem dire, I am not giving up or throwing in the towel, even if it may seem too late for some people.
There's a bailout coming but it's not for me
It's for all those creeps watching tickers on TV
There's a bailout coming but it's not for me
Although there is a bailout on the horizon, I know it won't help me or anyone who sits around watching the TV ticker. It seems like it's only these people who will benefit.
I'm a big rock star
My sales have tanked
But I still got you
Thanks
Download this
Sounds like shit
I may be a popular musician, but my sales have gone down. Regardless, I still appreciate my fans. You can download my new album, but be warned that the sound quality may not be great.
Keep on bloggin'
'Til the power goes out
Your battery's dead
Twist and shout
As long as you have access to the internet, keep blogging away. Eventually, the power will go out or your battery will die, but for now, keep expressing yourself.
On the radio
Those were the days
Bring 'em back
When I listen to the radio, it reminds me of how good things used to be. I wish we could go back to that time.
There's a bailout coming but it's not for you
It's for all those creeps hiding what they do
There's a bailout coming but it's not for you
Bailout coming but it's not for you
Just like before, there is a bailout coming, but, again, it won't help anyone who is intentionally hiding their deeds. It's important to remember that it's not for you, and it's not for you.
Got my flat screen
Got it repo'd now
They picked it up
Left a hole in the wall
Last Saturday
Missed the Raiders game
Although I had a flat screen TV, it was repo'd and caused significant damage to my home in the process, even while I was trying to watch my favorite team.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NEIL YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
neilyoungchannel
Hi, this is Neil. Link to the NYA info-card for this song with press, documents, manuscripts, photos, videos. Look around NYA for fun and listening! ALL my music in high resolution at https://neilyoungarchives.com/info-card?track=t2008_1221_01
Mark McCabe
Neil, when I was going through hour long radiation treatments for stage 4 throat cancer my daughters made me a "mix tape" that I could have the staff play as loud as I wanted it since there's no one else in the room and it's basically a huge, lead lined vault. Brother, you were there for me for 7 weeks straight, five days a week. Couldn't move a muscle during those treatments but you had me rocking in the free world inside! Can't thank you enough for helping me through it!
FYI, 7 yeas post treatment and cancer free....still rocking in the free world and still loving not just your music but everything you bring to this great big spinning ball!
Petr Řehák
I am reeding your book, and now I have dreems, full of pictures and black and white paintings. I did not was waiting for this. My dog run when is he asleep.
Leeze Array
This is beyond a fantastic piece of musical art!~
Neil young
You have such a profound impact on my career that even the biggest thank you text would fall shout to express my gratitude. Thanks for your support and the love shown stay safe ❤️❤️❤️
ksol1460tv
When he took a bite out of the apple I lost it completely. Laughed myself sick. Oh God, Neil, don't ever change.
Theresa Luchsinger
Love this Neil, looks like you had allot of fun with this:) Keep, keepin on!
Jeaneeto
2008, or 2020, rings really true now in these times..Thanks, Neil Young.
Andrew Golden
Awesome song Neil! Glad to see you're still having fun!!
Roberto Perugini
Monstruo Maravilloso, la gente como vos, no muere...sos Inmortal Genio...ojala, regreses a la Argentina..