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/
Life In The City
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On a rainy day
Families livin' under freeways
It's the American way
Starvin' in the city
While the farm goes to seed
Murder in the home
And crime on the streets
Don't that trouble you brother?
Don't that trouble you pal?
Don't that trouble you sister?
Well, that's life in the city
All our old hangouts
Are boarded up and closed
Or being sold to someone
Nobody knows
I got a woman that loves me
And I love her so
She's all dressed up now
With nowhere to go
Don't that trouble you brother?
Don't that trouble you pal?
Don't that trouble you sister?
Well, that's life in the city
That's life in the city
Listen to me people
Hear what I have to say
Ever since I was knee high
I rocked my blues away
But people
sleepin' on the sidewalks
And families in need
Murder in the home
And crime on the streets
Don't that trouble you brother?
Don't that trouble you pal?
Don't that kill you sister?
Well, that's life in the city
Neil Young's "Life In The City" paints a vivid picture of the harsh realities of living in the city. The opening lines set the tone, as he describes people sleeping on the sidewalks on a rainy day and families living under freeways, while contrasting the stark shortage with a vivid image of the abundance of the farm going to waste. Young then calls out the violence and crime that plague city streets, asking whether it doesn't trouble us as brothers, pals, and sisters. There's a sense of sadness and frustration throughout the song, as Young sings about how old hangouts and cultural landmarks are being closed down and sold to strangers.
Young's message throughout the song is that the city can be a difficult and sometimes cruel place to live, but there's also an implied suggestion that it doesn't have to be this way. The song asks us to open our eyes to the suffering and struggles of people around us, and to consider the value of the communities and landmarks that are being lost.
One interesting fact about "Life In The City" is that it was recorded in a one-day session in August 2019, featuring contributions from saxophonist Bob Mintzer, drummer Jim Keltner, and bassist Tal Wilkenfeld. The song is part of a full album, "Colorado," that Young recorded with his long-time backing band Crazy Horse. Another notable fact is that Young has described the song's inspiration as coming from a dream he had where his house was surrounded by high-rise buildings; he felt trapped and claustrophobic, which is reflected in the lyrics.
Chords: G, C, Em, D (standard tuning)
Line by Line Meaning
People sleepin' on the sidewalks
Homeless individuals sleeping on the streets due to their lack of resources.
On a rainy day
This is a common occurrence despite poor weather conditions.
Families livin' under freeways
Families experiencing homelessness resort to living in makeshift homes under bridges and freeways.
It's the American way
This is a societal issue that has become ingrained in American culture over time.
Starvin' in the city
Individuals are unable to access adequate nutrition despite living in a city with plentiful resources.
While the farm goes to seed
As people struggle in urban areas, the farms that provide their food are being neglected.
Murder in the home
Even within the private living spaces of individuals, violence and tragedy can occur.
And crime on the streets
In addition to personal safety being threatened in homes, there is also danger present when out and about in city streets.
Don't that trouble you brother?
Doesn't this cause you concern, fellow man?
Don't that trouble you pal?
Isn't this a troubling issue, my friend?
Don't that trouble you sister?
Doesn't this bother you, my female companion?
Well, that's life in the city
This is the unfortunate reality of what it means to live in an urban setting.
All our old hangouts
Places where people used to gather and socialize.
Are boarded up and closed
These social gathering spots have been shut down and are no longer accessible to the public.
Or being sold to someone
The ownership of these hangouts is being transferred to unknown parties.
Nobody knows
There is a lack of transparency associated with these transfers of ownership.
I got a woman that loves me
I am fortunate enough to have a loving partner.
And I love her so
This partner means a great deal to me.
She's all dressed up now
My partner is looking good today.
With nowhere to go
Despite looking good, there is no destination or activity for us to enjoy together.
Listen to me people
I implore you, fellow citizens, to hear me out.
Hear what I have to say
Please pay attention to the message I am trying to convey.
Ever since I was knee high
Since a very young age.
I rocked my blues away
Music has been a source of solace and comfort for me throughout my life.
And families in need
Families who are experiencing hardships and require aid.
Don't that kill you sister?
Doesn't this completely devastate and dishearten you, my female companion?
That's life in the city
This is the harsh reality of what it means to live in an urban area.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JASON BOWMAN, MICHAEL J. FRANTI, CARL YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind