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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Jellyroll Man
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've got to have it right now
Well, if you've got the craving for some jellyroll
You've got to have it right now
I'm your jellyroll man
I've got to have it right now.
I'm your jellyroll man
I'm your jellyroll man
I'm your jellyroll man
I'm your jellyroll man
I've got to have it right now.
Well, if you've got the craving for some rock 'n' roll
You've got to have it right now
Well, if you've got the craving for some rock 'n' roll
You've got to have it right now
I'm your jellyroll man
I've got to have it right now.
I'm your jellyroll man
I'm your jellyroll man
I'm your jellyroll man
I'm your jellyroll man
I'm your jellyroll man
I've got to have it right now.
Neil Young's song "Jellyroll Man" is a catchy, upbeat song that features the singer declaring that he is the "jellyroll man" and that if anyone has a craving for some jellyroll or rock 'n' roll, they need to have it right now. The title "jellyroll" refers to a type of dessert, but it is also a slang term which was used to refer to women who were considered to be sexually promiscuous.
In the context of the song, however, the meaning of "jellyroll" is more ambiguous. It could be interpreted as a sexual metaphor, signifying the intense desire that the singer feels for his partner. At the same time, the lyrics sound playful and suggest that the song is meant to be lighthearted and fun.
Furthermore, the repetition of the phrase "I'm your jellyroll man" emphasizes that the singer is the one who can satisfy the listener's cravings. This creates a sense of intimacy and connection between the singer and the audience, who are all united in their desire for the same thing.
Overall, "Jellyroll Man" is a fun, upbeat song that explores themes of desire and intimacy in a playful and catchy way. It is a great example of Neil Young's ability to craft memorable and engaging songs that speak to a wide range of listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, if you've got the craving for some jellyroll
If you have a strong desire for something delicious or pleasurable
You've got to have it right now
You need to have it immediately without delay
I'm your jellyroll man
I am the person who can provide it to you
I've got to have it right now
I also need it right now, as much as you do
Well, if you've got the craving for some rock 'n' roll
If you have a strong desire for the lively and energetic genre of music known as rock 'n' roll
I'm your jellyroll man
I am still the go-to person for providing that fulfilling experience
I've got to have it right now
I am also craving the excitement and energy of rock 'n' roll just as much as you are
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: NEIL YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind