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/
Motion Pictures
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A home away from home, livin' in between
But I hear some people have got their dream
I've got mine
I hear the mountains are doin' fine
Mornin' glory is on the vine
And the dew is fallin', the ducks are callin'
All those people, they think they got it made
But I wouldn't buy, sell, borrow or trade
Anything I have to be like one of them
I'd rather start all over again
Well, all those headlines, they just bore me now
I'm deep inside myself, but I'll get out somehow
And I'll stand before you, and I'll bring a smile to your eyes
Motion pictures, motion pictures
Neil Young's song "Motion Pictures" paints an introspective image of someone who's content with their simple way of life while the world roars on by. The opening line is a metaphor, describing how watching motion pictures on the TV screen is like living between two worlds: reality and the dream world depicted on the screen. The second line is a nod to the desire for escapism - many people search for ways to feel at home in a world that can be uncertain and unfamiliar. The singer finds their own escape in motion pictures. The next few lines describe the beauty of the natural world - the mountains, the morning glory, the dew, and the ducks - showing that the singer has a deep appreciation for the simple things.
The singer then reflects on how the "fame and fortune" that others pursue don't interest him. He would rather start from the beginning than to be like one of those people. He's content with his own life, with the little things that make him happy. The last few lines seem to be a call to enjoy the moment, to focus on finding happiness in simple things, here and now, rather than getting stuck in the grandiosity and false promises of the world of motion pictures or the newspaper headlines.
Line by Line Meaning
Motion pictures on my TV screen
I find solace in watching movies on my television as it serves as an escape from my mundane life.
A home away from home, livin' in between
I feel comfortable and at peace while watching movies as it gives me a sense of being somewhere else.
But I hear some people have got their dream
Although I am content with my life, I am aware that there are people who have achieved their aspirations.
I've got mine
I am satisfied with what I have in life and don't feel the need to attain more.
I hear the mountains are doin' fine
Nature's beauty and serene atmosphere provides a sense of calmness that can't be experienced in the city.
Mornin' glory is on the vine
Even the smallest things, such as seeing the beauty of flowers, have the potential to bring joy to one's life.
And the dew is fallin', the ducks are callin'
The tranquility of nature is not disturbed by the commotion of everyday life.
Yes, I've got mine
I am happy with what I have and don't feel the need to change much.
All those people, they think they got it made
Many people believe they have achieved success in life, but that is often just a facade.
But I wouldn't buy, sell, borrow or trade
I will not compromise my contentment by trying to be like those who appear to have more than I do.
Anything I have to be like one of them
I will not change myself or my lifestyle to fit in with others who may not share my values.
I'd rather start all over again
I would rather start from scratch and build my own version of success than conform to societal expectations.
Well, all those headlines, they just bore me now
The constant news cycle and its negativity no longer amuse or entertain me.
I'm deep inside myself, but I'll get out somehow
I may have isolated myself from the world, but I know that I will find a way to reconnect.
And I'll stand before you, and I'll bring a smile to your eyes
Despite my personal struggles, I am still capable of bringing joy and happiness to others through my actions and words.
Motion pictures, motion pictures
Movies have become a source of comfort and relaxation for me, and I will continue to find solace in their escapism.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
stuartdavis
on Misfits
Not on this notes for you but "old Ways!