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/
Get Behind The Wheel
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So take her for a ride
(You gotta get behind the wheel) She loves to go around anywhere
(In the morning and drive) Anytime that you decide
(You gotta get behind the wheel) In the morning and drive
You gotta get behind the wheel
You know she loves those long slow curves
(You gotta get behind the wheel) She always wants to please you
(In the morning and drive) No matter what shape your in
(You gotta get behind the wheel) In the morning and drive
You gotta get behind the wheel
(You gotta get behind the wheel) (In the morning and drive)
(You gotta get behind the wheel) (In the morning and drive)
(You gotta get behind the wheel)
You know she takes a little care
She's always looking good
(You gotta get behind the wheel) Pull over and put the top down
(In the morning and drive) Check out what's under the hood
(You gotta get behind the wheel) In the morning and drive
You gotta get behind the wheel
(You gotta get behind the wheel) (In the morning and drive)
(You gotta get behind the wheel) (In the morning and drive)
(You gotta get behind the wheel)
The song "Get Behind The Wheel" by Neil Young is about taking one's significant other for a ride in a car to provide her with the attention that she needs. The lyrics encourage the listener to get behind the wheel and take her on a long drive, enjoying the curves and bends of the road. The car ride symbolizes the connection between the two people, with the pleasure of being together on the trip as well as ensuring the well-being of the car to show care and commitment in the relationship. Overall, the lyrics suggest the idea of finding ways to nurture relationships, even if it is something as simple as a car ride.
The song portrays a sense of independence and freedom associated with driving a car, and more generally the American culture of the open road. It was released in 1983 on the album "Trans" and was part of Neil Young's experimentations with electronic music. To create that sound, drum machines and synths were used with no live drummer, creating a unique style of music.
Line by Line Meaning
You know she needs attention
The car requires your attention and affection
So take her for a ride
Drive the car to satisfy its needs
(You gotta get behind the wheel) She loves to go around anywhere
You must drive the car because it enjoys going anywhere
(In the morning and drive) Anytime that you decide
You can take the car for a drive at any time
(You gotta get behind the wheel) In the morning and drive
The car needs to be driven in the morning
You gotta get behind the wheel
You have to drive the car
You know she loves those long slow curves
The car enjoys being taken on winding roads
So take her for a spin
Drive the car around to give it pleasure
(You gotta get behind the wheel) She always wants to please you
Driving the car will always bring you pleasure
(In the morning and drive) No matter what shape your in
Driving the car will make you happy regardless of your condition
(You gotta get behind the wheel) In the morning and drive
Driving the car is important to do in the morning
You gotta get behind the wheel
You need to drive the car
(You gotta get behind the wheel) (In the morning and drive)
Driving the car in the morning is necessary
(You gotta get behind the wheel) (In the morning and drive)
Driving the car in the morning is important
(You gotta get behind the wheel)
You must drive the car
You know she takes a little care
The car requires some maintenance
She's always looking good
The car always looks good and is well maintained
(You gotta get behind the wheel) Pull over and put the top down
Stop the car and enjoy the convertible top
(In the morning and drive) Check out what's under the hood
Look inside the engine to see what needs to be done
(You gotta get behind the wheel) In the morning and drive
Driving the car in the morning is crucial to maintaining it
You gotta get behind the wheel
You need to drive the car
(You gotta get behind the wheel) (In the morning and drive)
Driving the car in the morning is necessary
(You gotta get behind the wheel) (In the morning and drive)
Driving the car in the morning is important
(You gotta get behind the wheel)
You must drive the car
Lyrics © Silver Fiddle, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind