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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Just Singin' a Song
Neil Young Lyrics
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See it where it'll go
Send this song to a distant star
While the rhythm explodes
Just singing a song won't change the world
You can ride in my car
See how it rolls
As it quietly rolls
Just singing a song won't change the world
Just singing a song won't change the world
Just singing a song won't change the world
You can sing about change
While you're making your own
You can be what you try to say
While the big wheel rolls
Just singing a song won't change the world
You could play my guitar
Go where it goes
Send this song to a distant star
While the rhythm explodes
Just singing the song won't change the world
Neil Young's "Just Singin' a Song" encourages individuals to strive to move beyond just singing a song, but to embrace their voice in a bigger and bolder way. The first two lines of the song, "You can play my guitar, See it where it'll go," alludes to an open mind towards the future and a willingness to see how far your passion can take you. Similarly, the next two lines "Send this song to a distant star, While the rhythm explodes" suggests a yearning to reach out and connect with others through music, and that the song has the power to reverberate beyond its initial audience.
However, the chorus acutely reminds the listener that "Just singing a song won't change the world." Despite the optimistic and hopeful tone in the verses, there is an underlying recognition that meaningful change requires more than just words, even when set to a beautiful melody. The third verse epitomizes the message of the song by acknowledging that while you may sing about change, it is crucial to take action and be the change that you hope to see, and not just wait for others to do it for you.
Overall, "Just Singin' a Song" is a powerful reminder that music has the power to bring people together and create a sense of hope, but it ultimately requires collective action to enact meaningful change.
Line by Line Meaning
You can play my guitar
I offer you my resources and skills to help you create your own music and express yourself.
See it where it'll go
Explore your creativity and let your music take you places you've never been before.
Send this song to a distant star
Use music as a medium to communicate with the universe and beyond, hoping to connect with others from different worlds.
While the rhythm explodes
Experience the power and energy of music as it sets the tone for your creative process, giving it a heartbeat that beats in sync with your own.
Just singing a song won't change the world
Don't underestimate the power of music to heal and inspire, but by itself, it's not enough to make a significant difference in the world.
You can ride in my car
I offer you a ride on this journey of life, with all its ups and downs, and the rhythm of the music as the soundtrack.
See how it rolls
Experience the momentum and forward motion of life, and how it carries us forward despite the obstacles and challenges we face.
Feel the new energy
Tap into the power of music to rejuvenate and revitalize your spirit, filling you with positivity and hope.
As it quietly rolls
Despite the noise and chaos of the world, music provides a calm and peaceful space where we can reflect and find solace.
You can sing about change
Use your music to express your beliefs and opinions, inspiring others to do the same and take action to create change.
While you're making your own
Sing about the changes you want to see in the world while also actively making those changes a reality in your own life.
You can be what you try to say
Live by the values and principles you advocate for through your music, leading by example and setting the tone for others to follow.
While the big wheel rolls
Despite the enormity of the world's problems, life goes on, and we must keep moving forward, fueled by the power of music and our own determination.
Just singing the song won't change the world
Music alone is not enough to change the world, but it can serve as a catalyst for change and inspire people to take action.
Just singing a song won't change the world
Reiterating the fact that while music is a powerful and transformative force, it cannot single-handedly change the world.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind