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/
Interstate
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I count the voices one by one
But I'm not there to share the fun
I'm out on the interstate
I can hear a soft voice calling
Calling me to bring my guitar home.
I'm happy singing in a crowd
I like to look in every face
But out on the interstate
I can hear a soft voice calling
Calling me to bring my guitar home.
Out in the dusty desert wind
The fox goes looking for a friend
She sees a light around the bend
I'm out on the interstate
I can hear a soft voice calling
Calling me to bring my guitar home.
Neil Young's "Interstate" is a song that reflects upon the conflicts an artist faces between his passion for music and his other responsibilities. The lyrics speak about how the singer, while feeling the joy of music, also ponders intensely about the person he is leaving behind. The song turns out to be a powerfully moving expression of sorrow and guilt as he is not there to share little moments of happiness in life like children laughing outdoors. The artist misses his dear ones while he travels on the interstate. Young sings about how he is always being pulled back to his true love, music as it is not particularly the interstate that he desires. The song is an attempt by him to reconcile what he longs to do with his responsibilities to others.
The song features a soft, melancholic melody and is delivered with Young's gentle vocals. The lyrics intricately interweave little moments of happiness in nature with sadness and remorse, making "Interstate" a powerful ballad. The line where Young sings "Children are laughing in the sun" evokes a sense of nostalgia, taking the listener back to the moments where they witnessed such scenes, but it turns out to be a painful reminder of what he is missing in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Children are laughing in the sun
Despite the sunshine and joyous sounds of children playing, the singer is not able to join in and enjoy the moment.
I count the voices one by one
The singer is yearning to be part of the childlike wonder and community around him.
But I'm not there to share the fun
The singer is separated from the people and experiences he craves.
I'm out on the interstate
The artist is currently traveling along the highway, far from where he wants to be.
I can hear a soft voice calling
A voice, internal or external, is beckoning the artist to return to where he truly belongs.
Calling me to bring my guitar home.
The guitar represents a creative outlet and a sense of purpose for the singer, and he is being called back to that source of fulfillment.
I'm happy singing in a crowd
The singer enjoys performing for others and feeding off their energy and appreciation.
The lights are bright, the music's loud
The atmosphere at a performance is electric and exciting for the artist.
I like to look in every face
The artist finds fulfillment in connecting with others through his music and seeing their reactions and emotions.
Out on the interstate
However, the artist is not currently in his preferred environment of performing and connecting with others.
I can hear a soft voice calling
The same internal or external voice is still urging the singer to return to his true passion.
Calling me to bring my guitar home.
Again, the guitar serves as a symbol of the artist's passion and sense of purpose, and he is being called back to it.
Out in the dusty desert wind
The singer is in a barren, lonely location, far from the energy and life he craves.
The fox goes looking for a friend
The fox, like the singer, is searching for something to fill the void of loneliness and separation.
She sees a light around the bend
The light represents the hope of something better, a destination or purpose that is still out of reach for the singer.
I'm out on the interstate
Once again, the artist is stuck in a place that does not fulfill him, physically or spiritually.
I can hear a soft voice calling
But the voice of hope and purpose persists, urging him to keep going and stay true to his passions.
Calling me to bring my guitar home.
Ultimately, the singer's guitar is his home, his source of belonging and fulfillment, and he is being called back to it to find the joy and purpose he seeks.
Contributed by Vivian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gabriel Radwell
This may be the best song written?! And the best quality version I've heard. Should have more views.
burny burnsen
I'm into Neil Young and this is one of my favorite songs! Long may you run!
Powderthumb 59
This song just paints a mixture of feelings inside me. Haunting, sadness, desolation, tinge of hope. A longing.
Collin Allsup
This deserves to be on On The Beach
luc de Villars
broken arrow was the first album of neil young i've ever heard and...till today i've NEVER heard that song, which i believe to be the best of the album ...just one thing, why wasn'"t it on the cd album and just on the LP ? ...
luc de Villars
@Henry Capps sure, i don 't have 155 euros to buy the LP, so basicly it's not about those who choose, but those who can afford, which is not the most smartest move, :)
lyonslaforet
@Henry Capps Actually, this beauty was recorded at the Ragged Glory era and I found in Neil Young a common feature with Robert Smith by the Cure: they don't hesitate in hiding musical gems away that cry to be heard.
Henry Capps
All cause Neil is an analog man and he reserved the best song for those who choose the best way to listen.
Piero Maccaferri
High level technique. High spirit words. Infinite Neil
michael koller
One of my favourites for sure.