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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Loose Change
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Built a house of rain
Built a house of love
It's hard to build again
Built a road to reason
Built a road to fate
Built a road to the promised land
Right up to the gate
Loose change in my pocket
Future in my hand
Too many distractions
For me to understand
Too many distractions
Got to get back home
Get into something solid
Get out of the zone
Some roads bring renewal
Some roads hide and wait
Some roads promise everything
And steal your fuel away
Loose change in my pocket
Future in my hand
Too many distractions
For me to understand
Some roads I been flyin'
Some roads I crashed
Some roads I been sleepin' on
Some roads I got back
Some roads I been runnin'
Some roads I was stopped
Some roads I been walkin down
Some roads I was lost
Loose Change by Neil Young & Crazy Horse is a song that speaks about the struggles that one faces in life amidst distractions and how it can be hard to stay focused and not get lost in the chaos. The lyrics are metaphorical, with the singer describing various things he has built in his life, such as a house of cards, rain, and love. However, despite all his efforts, he finds it challenging to build again and get back on track. He speaks of having built roads to reason, fate, and the promised land, but at times, a road can promise everything but end up stealing your fuel away.
Amidst all of this, the singer finds himself with loose change in his pocket and the future in his hand. However, there are too many distractions for him to understand what he needs to do. He realizes that he needs to get back home and get into something solid, to get out of the zone and find new roads that could bring renewal. While he has flown down some roads, he has also crashed along the way, slept on some roads, lost his way on others, and found himself stopped on others.
The song is an exploration of the complexities and difficulties of life and how it can be hard to navigate through the distractions and stay on course. It speaks of the need for renewal and the willingness to explore new roads while acknowledging the roadblocks and failures one might encounter along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
I built a house of cards
I tried to build something fragile and complex, which quickly fell apart.
Built a house of rain
I tried to build something ephemeral and unstable, which dissolved quickly.
Built a house of love
I tried to build something beautiful and powerful, which proved difficult to rebuild once lost.
It's hard to build again
It's difficult to recreate something once it's been destroyed or lost.
Built a road to reason
I sought a path of logic and rationality, which helped me understand the world.
Built a road to fate
I followed a predetermined path or destiny, which may have been uncertain or out of my control.
Built a road to the promised land
I headed towards a better, more prosperous future, which I believed was within reach.
Right up to the gate
I got close to my desired destination, but ultimately fell short of reaching it.
Loose change in my pocket
I have some money on me, but it's not significant or substantial.
Future in my hand
I have the power to shape my own future, but I am unsure of what direction to take.
Too many distractions
There are too many things vying for my attention and focus, preventing me from making progress.
For me to understand
These distractions are making it difficult for me to make sense of my surroundings or what I need to do next.
Got to get back home
I need to return to what I know and what is familiar in order to regain my bearings.
Get into something solid
I need to focus on something substantial and dependable in order to regain stability and a sense of direction.
Get out of the zone
I need to stop being complacent or stuck in my ways, and make a change in order to move forward.
Some roads bring renewal
Certain paths lead to a fresh start or a revitalized outlook on life.
Some roads hide and wait
Other paths are deceptive or unclear, hiding their true nature or purpose until it's too late.
Some roads promise everything
Some paths seem like they will lead to all of my hopes and dreams coming true, but ultimately fall short.
And steal your fuel away
These paths drain my energy and enthusiasm, leaving me feeling empty and directionless.
Some roads I been flyin'
There have been paths that I've sailed through with ease and confidence.
Some roads I crashed
Other paths have led to catastrophic failure or disappointment.
Some roads I been sleepin' on
There have been paths I've ignored or underestimated, not realizing their potential.
Some roads I got back
I've been able to recover from some failures or setbacks and get back on track.
Some roads I been runnin'
I've rushed headlong into some paths, not thinking about the consequences.
Some roads I was stopped
There have been times when I've been prevented from moving forward, either by external forces or my own doubts and fears.
Some roads I been walkin down
I've taken my time on certain paths, enjoying the scenery and taking it all in.
Some roads I was lost
There have been times when I've been unsure of where I'm going or what my purpose is.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: NEIL YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind