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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I'm Glad I Found You
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What it's like to be like me
But I'm not different from anyone else
I'm glad I found you
It's not that we got anything new
It's not that it's any better or worse
The way life treats us is a blessing and a curse
When you're walking in a crowded place
I'll try to hide you and give you space
And I'll protect you from the things that come
I'm glad I found you
The other day when you took my hand
We walked away to the promised land
When I feel your soul in mine
I'm glad I found you
Glad I found you in this sad world
Where so many things have gone wrong
It took me so long just to find you
Right where we belong
I'm glad I found you in this mad world
You're a lifeline to me
And when I hold you I will shield you
From the things that we both see
So many people don't understand
What it's like to be like me
But I'm not different from anyone else
I'm glad I found you
In Neil Young's song "I'm Glad I Found You," the singer expresses his gratitude for finding someone who understands him and is there for him in a world that often feels isolating and confusing. He notes that many people don't understand what it's like to be like him, suggesting that he may feel like an outsider or have experiences or thoughts that are not easily understood by others. However, he also acknowledges that he is not really that different from anyone else, and that finding someone who can connect with him in a meaningful way has brought him a sense of comfort and joy.
Throughout the song, Young describes the ways in which he strives to be there for this special person in his life, whether by giving them space in a crowded place or protecting them from the harsh realities of the world. He also talks about the special connection they share, referring to it as a "promised land" and noting how he feels their "soul in mine."
Overall, "I'm Glad I Found You" is a touching tribute to the power of human connection, and the ways in which finding someone who truly understands us can make all the difference in a world that can often feel overwhelming and lonely.
Line by Line Meaning
So many people don't understand
The singer feels misunderstood by others.
What it's like to be like me
The singer feels that their experiences are unique and not easily understood by others.
But I'm not different from anyone else
Despite feeling misunderstood, the singer recognizes that their experiences are similar to those of others.
I'm glad I found you
The artist is grateful to have found someone who they can relate to and who understands them.
It's not that we got anything new
The relationship between the artist and the person they are grateful for is not necessarily unique or special.
It's not that it's any better or worse
The relationship between the singer and the person they are grateful for is not better or worse than other relationships.
The way life treats us is a blessing and a curse
The singer recognizes that life can be both positive and negative, and that relationships like the one they have are a mix of both.
When you're walking in a crowded place
The artist offers support to the person they are grateful for in difficult situations.
I'll try to hide you and give you space
The artist will do what they can to protect the person they are grateful for from overwhelming crowds or situations.
And I'll protect you from the things that come
The artist is committed to being a source of support and protection for the person they are grateful for.
The other day when you took my hand
The singer recalls a specific moment of connection with the person they are grateful for.
We walked away to the promised land
The artist uses language that suggests a romantic or idealized relationship between the them and the person they are grateful for.
When I feel your soul in mine
The singer feels a deep emotional connection and understanding with the person they are grateful for.
Glad I found you in this sad world
The singer recognizes the many challenges and difficulties in the world, and is grateful to have found someone to share them with.
Where so many things have gone wrong
The singer is describing the negative aspects of the world and the struggles they face.
It took me so long just to find you
The artist struggled to find the person they are grateful for, and recognizes the significance of finally having found them.
Right where we belong
The artist feels a sense of belonging and connection with the person they are grateful for.
I'm glad I found you in this mad world
The singer again references the challenges and difficulties of the world, and how finding someone to share them with is a source of comfort.
You're a lifeline to me
The singer relies on the person they are grateful for to provide stability and support.
And when I hold you I will shield you
The artist physically protects and supports the person they are grateful for.
From the things that we both see
The artist and the person they are grateful for share similar experiences or struggles.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: NEIL YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind