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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Misfits
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Living Kennedy's dream
There was an automatic camera
Shooting elephantine.
Well the crew was relaxing
Before the video screen
Watching old re-runs
The voice of Houston callin'
Brought them back to the scene
Except the sky is fallin'
Do you know what that means?
Out on that Texas sidewalk
Through the hotel mezzanine
There walked a see-through' hooker
To a suite with two TVs.
But by the elevator
She began to sneeze
With an attack so uncontrolled
It brought her to her knees.
And then the hotel doctor
With nurse and stethoscope
Announced the worst is over
But for her there is no hope.
Way down in South Dakota
On the Needles Highway
There's a lone red rider
On the road today.
And though his war is over
He's fightin' on anyway
Although he's seldom sober
He's drinking whiskey all day.
Down in that old box canyon
Where only misfits can go
He rides with no companion
But saloon and rodeo.
Up in that new space station
Living Kennedy's dream
There's an automatic camera
Shooting elephantine.
Well the crew is relaxing
Before the video screen
Watching old re-runs
Of Mohamed Ali.
The voice of Houston callin'
Brought them back to the scene
Except the sky is fallin'
Do you know what that means?
"Misfits" is a song by Neil Young, released on his 1988 album "This Note's for You". This song is a surreal commentary on contemporary American society, with references to space exploration, prostitution, alcoholism, and rodeos. In the first verse, Young sets the scene in a space station where the crew is watching Muhammad Ali on TV. Suddenly, they are interrupted by a call from Houston indicating trouble. This is contrasted with the imagery of a see-through hooker in a Texas hotel, languishing with a fatal illness. The second verse describes a lone rider in South Dakota who battles his own demons with alcohol as he travels across the highways. The final verse returns to the space station, suggesting that even in the midst of technological progress and aspirations towards greatness, humanity remains flawed and lost.
Young seems to be questioning the American Dream and its legitimacy in a society where everything seems to be falling apart. The role of technology in society is also a theme, as the space station represents the ultimate symbol of technological advancement, while the hooker represents society's failures. The references to Muhammad Ali and red riders evoke American nostalgia, but they are countered by dark, subversive undertones.
Overall, "Misfits" is a bleak yet reflective song that critiques American society by combining contrasting imagery to create a surreal, almost disturbing experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Up in that new space station
In a futuristic place that is supposed to represent the advancement of the world.
Living Kennedy's dream
Living in a world where there are a lot of prospects, particularly the dreams of John F. Kennedy, who promised to put a man on the moon.
There was an automatic camera
A mechanical device capable of capturing footage, without the need for manual intervention.
Shooting elephantine.
Taking a big shot, taking advantage of the advanced technology at hand to create something unique.
Well the crew was relaxing
The team was taking a break from work, trying to unwind and reduce stress levels.
Before the video screen
In front of a screen that displays moving images.
Watching old re-runs
Viewing recorded old footage, which is played again.
Of Mohammed Ali.
Watching old footage of the iconic boxer, Mohammed Ali.
The voice of Houston callin'
The Houston command center made contact, communicating important information.
Brought them back to the scene
The message from Houston forced them to focus on the task at hand.
Except the sky is fallin'
Something unexpected has happened, a situation that is likely very dangerous.
Do you know what that means?
Do you understand the gravity of the situation at hand?
Out on that Texas sidewalk
Outside the hotel, one of the many side streets in Texas.
Through the hotel mezzanine
After entering the building, the person passed through a common hotel space – the mezzanine.
There walked a see-through' hooker
A transparent prostitute.
To a suite with two TVs.
The woman went to a hotel room which had two TV sets.
But by the elevator
Close to the elevator, potentially indicating contact or encounter.
She began to sneeze
The woman started to suddenly exhibit allergic symptoms.
With an attack so uncontrolled
The sneezing fit was uncontrollable, making things worse for the woman.
It brought her to her knees.
It was so debilitating that the woman collapsed to the floor.
And then the hotel doctor
A medical practitioner at the hotel.
With nurse and stethoscope
Assisted by a nurse, and using a stethoscope to evaluate heart and lung function.
Announced the worst is over
The doctor declared that the worst has passed.
But for her there is no hope.
The prognosis is not good, and the woman was not expected to recover.
Way down in South Dakota
Located in a remote and sparsely populated region of South Dakota.
On the Needles Highway
Traveling on a section of road known as the Needles Highway.
There's a lone red rider
There's a solitary rider who is wearing red clothing.
On the road today.
Traveling on the highway in the present day.
And though his war is over
Even though the conflict has ended for this rider.
He's fightin' on anyway
He is still struggling, carrying on despite the odds being against him.
Although he's seldom sober
Despite frequently being inebriated.
He's drinking whiskey all day.
The rider is consuming alcohol throughout the day.
Down in that old box canyon
Located in an old and somewhat decrepit area with lots of narrow canyons.
Where only misfits can go
This is a place where those who don't fit into society are welcome.
He rides with no companion
This red-clad rider is traveling alone, with no one to join him.
But saloon and rodeo.
The nearest places where this man might find others. Places with drinking and late-night activities.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: NEIL YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind