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/
It's a Dream
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of the birds outside on the roof
I try to ignore what the paper says
And I try not to read all the news
And I'll hold you if you had a bad dream
And I hope it never comes true
'Cause you and I been through so many things together
And the sun starts climbing the roof
It's a dream
Only a dream
And it's fading now
Fading away
It's only a dream
Just a memory without anywhere to stay
The Red River stills flows through my home town
Rollin' and tumblin' on its way
Swirling around the old bridge pylons
Where a boy fishes the morning away
His bicycle leans on an oak tree
While the cars rumble over his head
An aeroplane leaves a trail in an empty blue sky
And the young birds call out to be fed
It's a dream
Only a dream
And it's fading now
Fading away
It's only a dream
Just a memory without anywhere to stay
An old man walks along on the sidewalk
Sunglasses and an old Stetson hat
The four winds blow the back of his overcoat away
As he stops with the policeman to chat
And a train rolls out of the station
That was really somethin' in its day
Picking up speed on the straight prairie rails
As it carries the passengers away
It's gone
It's only a dream
And it's fading now
Fading away
Only a dream
Just a memory without anywhere to stay
It's a dream
Only a dream
And it's fading now
Fading away
It's only a dream
Just a memory without anywhere to stay
It's a dream
Only a dream
And it's fading now
Fading away
In Neil Young's "It's a Dream," he describes various moments in life that are fleeting and impermanent, comparing them to a dream that fades away. The song begins with Neil waking up in the morning to the sound of birds outside, trying to ignore the negative news of the day. He then focuses on the person he shares his life with, reassuring them that they will be there to comfort them through any bad dreams they may have. As the sun starts to rise, he reminds himself that he and his loved one have been through tough times together, and they will continue to make it through whatever comes their way.
The next two verses describe scenes from Neil's hometown, such as the Red River flowing and a boy fishing. He observes an old man walking along the sidewalk, with his overcoat flapping in the wind, and a train rolling out of the station. All these moments are fleeting and will soon disappear, much like a dream that fades away as you wake up.
The chorus repeats the line "it's a dream, only a dream" and emphasizes that these moments are simply memories without anywhere to stay. Neil captures the idea that life is constantly moving, and these small moments and memories are what make up our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
In the morning when I wake up and listen to the sound
Upon rising, I listen to the sound of the outside world
Of the birds outside on the roof
I hear birds chirping on the roof
I try to ignore what the paper says
I attempt to disregard the news
And I try not to read all the news
I make an effort not to read all the news
And I'll hold you if you had a bad dream
I will embrace you if you had a bad dream
And I hope it never comes true
I sincerely wish that your nightmare will never come to fruition
'Cause you and I been through so many things together
Because we have experienced a lot of things together
And the sun starts climbing the roof
The sun begins to rise and shine on the roof
It's a dream
This is just a dream
Only a dream
It is just a dream
And it's fading now
It is disappearing by now
Fading away
Slowly disappearing
It's only a dream
This is only a dream
Just a memory without anywhere to stay
It's just a memory without a permanent home
The Red River stills flows through my home town
The Red River stilll flows through my hometown
Rollin' and tumblin' on its way
It rolls and tumbles on its natural course
Swirling around the old bridge pylons
It flows around the old bridge pylons
Where a boy fishes the morning away
Where a boy angler spends his morning catching fish
His bicycle leans on an oak tree
His bike rests on an oak tree
While the cars rumble over his head
And cars thunder past his head
An aeroplane leaves a trail in an empty blue sky
A plane's exhaust leaves a trail in a clear blue sky
And the young birds call out to be fed
And the young birds cry out for nourishment
An old man walks along on the sidewalk
An elderly man walks on the pavement
Sunglasses and an old Stetson hat
He wears sunglasses and a vintage Stetson hat
The four winds blow the back of his overcoat away
The winds sweep the tail of his coat away
As he stops with the policeman to chat
He pauses to chat with the cop
And a train rolls out of the station
A train departs from the station
That was really somethin' in its day
That was a significant development in its prime
Picking up speed on the straight prairie rails
It increases in speed on the straight tracks across the grassland
As it carries the passengers away
As it transports the passengers away
It's gone
It has vanished
And it's fading now
It's disappearing by now
Only a dream
It is just a dream
Just a memory without anywhere to stay
It's just a memory without a permanent home
It's a dream
This is just a dream
Only a dream
It is just a dream
And it's fading now
It is disappearing now
Fading away
Slowly vanishing
It's only a dream
This is only a dream
Just a memory without anywhere to stay
It's just a memory without a permanent home
It's a dream
This is just a dream
Only a dream
It's just a dream
And it's fading now
It's fading away now
Fading away
Slowly disappearing
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: NEIL YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dammit.ashley
Im 16. Neil Young and other classics were a big part of my child hood thanks to my Mom and Dad. My mom passed away about a year ago and this song was played at her funeral. I miss her dearly but i'm very thankful I have this music to comfort me and help me through it.
@TheThoughtfulwolf
Ashley Thron Ashley, I hope you are healing from your loss. Your post touched me deeply. Blessings to you!
@noeloneill1998
Hi Ashley, you have memories of your mother and this song. Make the most.
@willaphillips5771
Ashley Thron I lost my mom at 15. I'm 37 now. In some ways it feels like yesterday. It's a long, lonely journey, I know. I hope you see her in the beautiful paradise to come my friend.
@deannpembrook1448
Ashley Thron My sincere condolences, Neil Young is timeless, true & so real, I hope you get much comfort in this wise mans words 💕
@jameswhite2800
She will always be there inside you, Buddy.
@dalegreenbear8475
This tune healed my soul after years of abusing it. It reminds me that life is precious and very delicate. Take advantage of your time here. Enjoy some classic & simple things. I don't know if Neil did but after reading his books and hearing his music I think he did. Either way he influenced me in that way. I gave my old car a name. Not becsuse Neil did but because he taught that's it's fun to do so. Live it man. Neil if you ever are reading these comments I want to thank you from the bottom of this old heart
@seymouro
Most heart-tugging, emotional song ever performed. He performed this on the Christmas Saturday Night Live and it moved me to tears. I'll never forget it. Thanks Neil. God bless you.
@theharvestangel2290
Same here. Love Neil and snl and that performance placed a mark on my heart, and life
@michaelparker2678
I remember that performance. Hey played some sort of table lute instrument.