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/
Heart Of Gold
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to give
I've been a miner
For a heart of gold
It's these expressions
I never give
That keep me searching
For a heart of gold
Keep me searching
For a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
I've been to Hollywood
I've been to Redwood
I crossed the ocean
For a heart of gold
I've been in my mind
It's such a fine line
That keeps me searching
For a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
Keeps me searching
For a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
Keep me searching
For a heart of gold
You keep me searching
And I'm growing old
Keep me searching
For a heart of gold
I've been a miner
For a heart of gold
The song "Heart of Gold" by Neil Young is a reflection on the search for a deeper, more meaningful connection to life, love and spirituality. The repeated phrase "I've been a miner for a heart of gold" is a metaphor used to represent the human search for something precious and elusive, something that imbues life with a sense of purpose and joy. The miner is a symbol of the journey that each person must undertake in order to find their own heart of gold.
The lyrics of the song speak of the singer's movement through different places and experiences, including Hollywood and Redwood. Each of these experiences has left an impression on the singer, but none has quite satisfied the deep longing inside him. The fine line he speaks of is the fine line between hope and despair, between love and disillusionment. It is this line he walks and searches for his heart of gold. The singer is getting old, and the urgency of his search is heightened by this fact.
The song is often interpreted as a call to keep searching for the good in life, even when circumstances are difficult or disappointing. The message is one of hope and perseverance, even in the face of challenges. Young encourages listeners to never give up on the search for their own heart of gold, no matter how old they get or how many times they stumble.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to live
I have a desire to truly live my life to the fullest.
I want to give
I have a desire to be of service to others and make a positive impact on this world.
I've been a miner
I have spent a great deal of time searching for something very valuable, like a miner looking for gold.
For a heart of gold
I have been searching for something that is pure, rare, and precious, like a heart of gold.
It's these expressions
It's the way I choose to express myself and communicate with others.
I never give
I am always searching and striving to find what I am looking for, never giving up on this pursuit.
That keep me searching
It is the passion and drive within me that keeps me searching for my heart of gold.
And I'm getting old
I am aware that time is passing by and I need to find what I am looking for soon.
Keep me searching
I am pleading and hoping for something or someone to keep me motivated and energized in my pursuit.
I've been to Hollywood
I have experienced the glamour and excitement of fame and fortune in Hollywood.
I've been to Redwood
I have traveled to see the beauty and wonder of nature in the Redwood forests.
I crossed the ocean
I have traveled and explored far and wide.
I've been in my mind
I have been reflecting and introspecting deeply within myself, searching for answers.
It's such a fine line
It is a difficult and delicate balance to strike between searching for what I need and appreciating what I have.
That keeps me searching
It is this fine balance that keeps me striving, never giving up, and remaining determined in my search.
You keep me searching
I need someone or something outside of myself to motivate and inspire me to continue my pursuit.
And I'm growing old
I am aware that time is slipping away and I need to find what I am looking for soon.
I've been a miner
I have been mining for something valuable, something precious that I have yet to find - a heart of gold.
For a heart of gold
I am searching for something that is true, honest, and pure-hearted. Something that is as rare and precious as a heart of gold.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lmadsen7118
I want to live,
I want to give
I've been a miner
for a heart of gold
It's these expressions
I never give
That keep me searching
for a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
Keeps me searching
for a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
I've been to Hollywood
I've been to Redwood
I crossed the ocean
for a heart of gold
I've been in my mind,
it's such a fine line
That keeps me searching
for a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
Keeps me searching
for a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
Keep me searching
for a heart of gold
You keep me searching
And I'm growing old
Keep me searching
for a heart of gold
I've been a miner
for a heart of gold
@rickgureghian9901
As a UMass/Amherst student from Cape Cod in the 70's, I became friendly in the summer working with a MA developer who brought concerts to the Cape Cod Coliseum. He was from off-Cape in central MA, and when I went to UMass, he told me he was handling concerts in Boston, Worcester and in Springfield, as well as in New Hampshire and in Albany, NY, and since I was going to UMass/Amherst, but lived on the Cape each summer, if I chose to work on any of his concerts, to just give him a call.
I did, so when I went back to UMass/Amherst and, I called him and he gave me an easy job: providing security standing outside the dual rooms at Boston Garden for CSNY and staff and friends.
Great times, going in and out dealing with CSNY, attended their after-party, and ended up driving back to Hyannis at 4am.
I desperately wanted their autographs but, being in the after-party --- maybe 25 (including CSNY, other musicians, and friends) --- I wasn't going to call attention to myself by being a fan rather than being professional.
So I drank some beers and did my job. And the connect promoter kept me employed year-round whenever he needed help.
It was always cool whenever a student colleague or friend asked "what are you doing tonight or this weekend?" And I'd usually have to answer, "I have to 'work' a concert."
@benjaminsparks8144
So I was looking for Neil, and I came across "The Young". Days and Nights is game changing.
@johnmac4769
I am now 73 years old. Was young when this song came out. Would love to live my life over. Would love to fall in love with my wife all over again. I can say I would not change anything. What a wonderful life.
@ejhuffman9114
Awesome way of looking at life amigo. I admire that. I'm nearly 40, got me a wife that I love passionately and her me. Got us two terrific girls that make each day brand new and better than the day before. Got us a home where our family is healthy, happy and safe. Got us some farm animals, few ducks, chickens and goats. Got us a great view of the sunset too. Life is good if ya let it be. Bless you and yours buddy. Think most of us are more blessed than we even know, realize or acknowledge. Anyways, great song. Great story.
@MisterCube17
Beautiful. Love on you my friend ❤️
@capobilotti
You are getting old, .... but you had obviously found the heart of gold if you don't have regrets about your life choices.
My parents are about your age .... they visit me frequently ... whenever they can't stand each other.
Married men are like North Koreans .... they can't complain.
Jokes aside, just wish you many good days ahead.
@alisafehr4708
I'm 61yo and I remember when this song came out on the radio, I've loved it from the beginning and still do!
@wsteven54
You brought tears to my eyes brother..I'm 71. Its feels good to know there are still people like yourself out there.
@randycrager4074
Back in '71' my brother and I would drive over to the Oregon Coast and spend the night at the Dunes and cook Sausage Dogs and shish kebabs over an open fire and listen to Neil Young. 38 Special, Nazareth, Bread, Led Zeppelin, you name it my brother had it. Neil Youngs music always had a special place in my life with Harvest Moon probably being my favorite song. I attribute all my music knowledge to my brother. People used to call me up and ask a question about a song and I was the so called trivia master, lol. Loosing my memory now to old age, lol. Thanks Neil for being there for us all!
@huhnerhai
That was my dad's favorite song. He sang it to me when he carried me through the apartment as an infant. In the past 20 months, my son (4) and I have sung it for him on the nursing bed and it will be played at his funeral the day after tomorrow. This song has accompanied him throughout his life and it will not end with death. At that time he carried me on my first path into life, the day after tomorrow I will carry him on his last way.
@himynameismattomlin
You are a good son for putting in the effort and showing love to your dad. I'm sorry for your loss and I hope this song brings you peace.