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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Hangin' on a Limb
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gently to the sea
He was on the shore
Rooted like a tree
She was here and there
Riding on the waves
Through it all she heard his call
And gave it all she gave
And though their love was hangin' on a limb
She taught him how to dance and start again
And though their love was hangin' on a limb
She taught him how to dance
And when the melody
Through the window called
It echoed in the courtyard
And whispered in the halls
He played it through the night
She knew he had to go
There was something about freedom
He thought he didn't know
And though their love was hangin' on a limb
She taught him how to dance and start again
And though their love was hangin' on a limb
She taught him how to dance
Though the river flowed
Gently to the sea
He was on the shore
Rooted like a tree
She was here and there
Riding on the waves
Through it all she heard his call
And gave it all she gave
And though their love was hangin' on a limb
She taught him how to dance
The lyrics of Neil Young's "Hangin' on a Limb" describe a relationship that is strained and uncertain, yet nonetheless enduring. The imagery of the river flowing to the sea while the man remains rooted on the shore like a tree speaks to his reluctance or inability to move on from the relationship. Meanwhile, the woman is "riding on the waves," suggesting that she is more dynamic and adaptable. Despite the challenges they face, she responds to his call and gives all she can to the relationship.
The chorus repeatedly states that their love is "hangin' on a limb," which could be interpreted as precarious or uncertain. However, the woman is able to teach the man how to dance and start again, suggesting that their love can endure and grow stronger through the trials they face. The reference to the melody echoing through the courtyard and whispering in the halls could represent the pull of music, art, or creativity that is enticing the man to explore new horizons. While he is uncertain of what lies ahead, he is drawn to the idea of freedom and the possibility of discovering new facets of himself.
Overall, "Hangin' on a Limb" is a thoughtful reflection on the challenges of a relationship that requires both partners to adapt and grow while remaining steadfast in their commitment to each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Though the river flows
Despite the calm and constant flow of the river to the ocean
Gently to the sea
Continuously carrying its water to the vast open sea smoothly and without interruption
He was on the shore
He stood on the riverbank, hesitant to take a plunge
Rooted like a tree
He was immovable, anchored to his beliefs and principles
She was here and there
She was free-spirited, fleet-footed, and adventurous, moving from place to place
Riding on the waves
She rode the tide of life, taking risks and embracing opportunities
Through it all she heard his call
Despite their differences, she was always attuned to his needs and desires
And gave it all she gave
She gave her all to him, hoping he would reciprocate her love
And though their love was hangin' on a limb
Their relationship was precarious, barely holding on to a tenuous balance
She taught him how to dance and start again
She showed him the joy of life and how to let go of his fears and doubts and embrace new experiences
And when the melody
When the music played and his creative muse called to him
Through the window called
The sound of life beckoned to him through the open window
It echoed in the courtyard
The sounds of music reverberated in the open space of the courtyard
And whispered in the halls
The melodies and rhythms whispered in the corridors of his mind and soul
He played it through the night
He indulged in the creative process and lost himself for hours
She knew he had to go
She understood his need for creative expression and the restlessness that comes with it
There was something about freedom
He yearned for the freedom to express himself and follow his dreams
He thought he didn't know
He was unsure and afraid of the unknown path ahead
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind