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/
Grandpa
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said Edith, as she filled his cup.
"Nobody'll find you here,
And Earl is glad you guys showed up."
"The way things are downtown,
You might have to stay for awhile.
There was a helicopter hovering over your house
"Who the hell do they think they are,
Invading our home like that?
Grandma and I had to leave so fast,
We couldn't even catch the cat."
"The helicopter scared the shit out of him,
And it took off down a trail,
Down past the railroad tracks,
Towards the county jail."
"Jed, you really screwed up now!
What did you have to do that for?
Everybody wants to hang your ass,
And here's a note from Lenore."
Sun touched the cold steel bars
As she slipped the letter in.
Jed took it up and read it
And he couldn't hide a grin.
Outside the jail window
A crow flew across the sky,
Completely disappearing behind each bar.
Then a helicopter flew by.
"Say hi to Earl and Edith.
Tell'em I'm doing fine.
Tell'em you're old enough to leave home now,
And they ought to cut the line."
"Can Grandma come and see me?
I got a new song to sing
It's longer than all the others combined
And it doesn't mean a thing."
The noise was unfamiliar.
Walkie-talkies squealing,
Generators were running,
Vans parked outside in the field.
TV crews and cameras,
They wanted to interview Grandpa on the porch.
They came through the gate and up on the lawn,
Knocking down Edith's tiki torch.
And Grandpa saw them there,
Looking through the venetian blind.
"Those people don't have any respect,
So they won't get any of mine."
"I don't wanna talk about Jed.
I don't watch channel 2 or 6 or 9.
I don't have time to talk that fast,
And it ain't my crime."
"It ain't a privilage to be on TV.
And it ain't a duty either.
The only good thing about TV
Is shows like Leave it to Beaver."
"Shows with 'Love and Affection,'
Like Mama used to say.
A little Mayberry living
Could go a long long way."
Grandpa took Earl's shotgun down from the closet,
And he loaded up both barrels.
He went out on the porch and fired'em off,
And up walked a woman named Carol.
"Susan Carol from Early Magazine,
I got some questions to ask."
"Well you can stick'em where the sun don't shine!"
Grandpa said with a gasp.
Then he fell face first and let out a sigh,
And Edith ran out in shock.
Grandpa was looking at her from down on the floor,
He looked like he was trying to talk.
"That guy just keeps singin'!
Can somebody shut him up?
I don't know for the life of me
Where he comes up with that stuff."
They laid his head on a newspaper
With a picture of Carmichael on the front page,
Posing with the little league baseball team,
And a seedy shot of Jed on a motorcycle.
Grandpa died like a hero,
Fighting for freedom of silence.
Trying to stop the media,
Trying to be anonymous.
Share your lovin' and you live so long.
Share your lovin' and you live so long.
Share your lovin' and you live so long.
Live so long.
The song "Grandpa's Interview" by Neil Young & Crazy Horse tells the story of a family's encounter with the media after their family member, Jed, has gotten into serious trouble. The family, including Jed's Grandpa, is in hiding when the media shows up at their doorstep. Grandpa is clearly upset by the intrusion, which he views as disrespectful, and ultimately leads to his death from a heart attack. Throughout the song, Grandpa seems to be longing for a simpler, quieter life, and expressing frustration with the way society has become fixated on fame and media coverage.
The lyrics are a commentary on the nature of fame and its impact on families and individuals. It highlights the power that media has over people's lives and how it can intrude and destroy privacy. Grandpa's resistance to being interviewed or appearing on TV shows his disapproval of this intrusive culture. The song also touches on themes of loss, solitude and mortality, as Grandpa passes away in anonymity.
Line by Line Meaning
Grandpa, here's your coffee,
Edith handed Grandpa a cup of coffee.
Said Edith, as she filled his cup.
Edith spoke while pouring coffee into Grandpa's cup.
"Nobody'll find you here,
Edith assured Grandpa of his secrecy.
And Earl is glad you guys showed up."
Earl is happy Grandpa and Grandma came to visit.
"The way things are downtown,
Edith explained the recent activity in the city.
You might have to stay for awhile.
Grandpa may need to stay with Earl and Edith longer than planned.
There was a helicopter hovering over your house
A helicopter was flying over Grandpa's house.
When I talked to your neighbor, Kyle."
Edith heard the news about the helicopter from Grandpa's neighbor, Kyle.
"Who the hell do they think they are,
Grandpa expressed frustration about the invasion of privacy.
Invading our home like that?
Grandpa felt his home had been invaded.
Grandma and I had to leave so fast,
Grandpa and Grandma had to leave in a hurry.
We couldn't even catch the cat."
Grandpa couldn't catch the cat before leaving.
"The helicopter scared the shit out of him,
The helicopter scared the cat.
And it took off down a trail,
The cat ran away down a trail.
Down past the railroad tracks,
The cat ran past the railroad tracks.
Towards the county jail."
The cat ran towards the county jail.
"Jed, you really screwed up now!
Someone named Jed made a mistake.
What did you have to do that for?
Grandpa was questioning Jed's actions.
Everybody wants to hang your ass,
Jed is in trouble with many people.
And here's a note from Lenore."
Lenore left a note for Grandpa.
Sun touched the cold steel bars
Sunshine illuminated the bars on a window.
As she slipped the letter in.
A woman inserted the letter into the jail cell.
Jed took it up and read it
Jed picked up the letter and read it.
And he couldn't hide a grin."
Jed smiled after reading the letter.
Outside the jail window
People were outside the jail cell window.
A crow flew across the sky,
A bird flew across the sky.
Completely disappearing behind each bar.
The bird was being hidden by each bar on the window.
Then a helicopter flew by."
A helicopter passed by after the bird flew away.
"Say hi to Earl and Edith.
Grandpa hoped the person he was talking to would pass along his greetings.
Tell'em I'm doing fine.
Grandpa wanted Earl and Edith to know he was doing well.
Tell'em you're old enough to leave home now,
Grandpa joked that the person he was talking to was old enough to leave home.
And they ought to cut the line."
Grandpa used a metaphor to suggest that the person should become independent.
"Can Grandma come and see me?
Grandpa asked if his wife could visit him.
I got a new song to sing
Grandpa had written a new song.
It's longer than all the others combined
The new song was longer than any song Grandpa had written before.
And it doesn't mean a thing."
Grandpa's new song had no significance.
The noise was unfamiliar.
Unfamiliar noises could be heard.
Walkie-talkies squealing,
Walkie-talkies were emitting loud sounds.
Generators were running,
Generators were producing power.
Vans parked outside in the field.
Vans were parked outside in a field.
TV crews and cameras,
Crews and cameras from a TV station were present.
They wanted to interview Grandpa on the porch.
The TV crew wanted to interview Grandpa on the porch.
They came through the gate and up on the lawn,
The TV crew entered the property and walked onto the lawn.
Knocking down Edith's tiki torch.
The TV crew accidentally knocked over Edith's tiki torch.
And Grandpa saw them there,
Grandpa noticed the TV crew's presence.
Looking through the venetian blind.
Grandpa observed the TV crew through a venetian blind.
"Those people don't have any respect,
Grandpa felt the TV crew was disrespectful.
So they won't get any of mine."
Grandpa refused to give the TV crew his respect.
"I don't wanna talk about Jed.
Grandpa didn't want to talk about Jed again.
I don't watch channel 2 or 6 or 9.
Grandpa didn't watch any major TV channels.
I don't have time to talk that fast,
Grandpa didn't want to talk quickly.
And it ain't my crime."
Grandpa didn't want to be associated with Jed's wrongdoing.
"It ain't a privilage to be on TV.
Grandpa didn't consider being on TV a privilege.
And it ain't a duty either.
Grandpa didn't consider being on TV a responsibility.
The only good thing about TV
The only positive aspect of TV according to Grandpa.
Is shows like Leave it to Beaver."
Grandpa enjoyed shows like Leave it to Beaver.
"Shows with 'Love and Affection,'
Grandpa preferred shows with sentimental and loving themes.
Like Mama used to say.
Grandpa's mother also enjoyed sentimental shows.
A little Mayberry living
Grandpa referenced a show called The Andy Griffith Show which took place in Mayberry.
Could go a long long way."
Grandpa believed shows like The Andy Griffith Show could have a positive impact.
Grandpa took Earl's shotgun down from the closet,
Grandpa retrieved Earl's shotgun from a closet.
And he loaded up both barrels.
Grandpa loaded both barrels of the shotgun.
He went out on the porch and fired'em off,
Grandpa went onto the porch and fired the shotgun.
And up walked a woman named Carol.
Carol approached Grandpa after he fired the shotgun.
"Susan Carol from Early Magazine,
Carol introduced herself as a journalist from Early Magazine.
I got some questions to ask."
Carol wanted to interview Grandpa.
"Well you can stick'em where the sun don't shine!
Grandpa refused to be interviewed by Carol and rejected her questions.
Grandpa said with a gasp."
Grandpa spoke with difficulty.
Then he fell face first and let out a sigh,
Grandpa collapsed with a sigh.
And Edith ran out in shock.
Edith was shocked and ran outside.
Grandpa was looking at her from down on the floor,
Grandpa was on the floor and looking up at Edith.
He looked like he was trying to talk."
Grandpa seemed to be trying to tell Edith something.
"That guy just keeps singin'!
Grandpa heard someone singing.
Can somebody shut him up?
Grandpa wanted the singer to stop.
I don't know for the life of me
Grandpa was unsure.
Where he comes up with that stuff."
Grandpa was confused by the singer's content.
They laid his head on a newspaper
People placed Grandpa's head on a newspaper.
With a picture of Carmichael on the front page,
The newspaper had a picture of Carmichael on the front page.
Posing with the little league baseball team,
The picture was of Carmichael with a little league baseball team.
And a seedy shot of Jed on a motorcycle."
The picture also showed a seedy picture of Jed on a motorcycle.
Grandpa died like a hero,
Grandpa died bravely.
Fighting for freedom of silence.
Grandpa opposed the media's invasion of privacy.
Trying to stop the media,
Grandpa wanted to prevent the media's influence.
Trying to be anonymous."
Grandpa wanted to remain unknown by the public.
"Share your lovin' and you live so long.
The chorus of the song which echoes throughout the lyrics.
Live so long."
The final line of the song.
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