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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Mr. Soul
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For the thought that I caught that my head is the event of the season
Why in crowds just a trace of my face could seem so pleasin'
I'll cop out to the change, but a stranger is putting the tease on
I was down on a frown when the messenger brought me a letter
I was raised by the praise of a fan who said I upset her
Any girl in the world could have easily known me better
In a while, will the smile on my face turn to plaster?
Stick around while the clown who is sick does the trick of disaster
For the race of my head and my face is moving much faster
Is it strange I should change?
I don't know, why don't you ask her?
Is it strange I should change?
I don't know, why don't you ask her?
Is it strange I should change?
I don't know, why don't you ask her?
Is it strange I should change?
I don't know, why don't you ask her?
Neil Young's song Mr. Soul is an introspective reflection on personal identity and fame. The lyrics begin with a self-aware greeting to "Mr. Soul," which could be interpreted as Young's own soul or ego, as he discusses looking for a reason for his current train of thought. Young admits to feeling like the event of the season and enjoying the attention that comes with it, although it's just a trace of his face that pleases the crowds. He acknowledges changes in his personal life, but feels like a stranger is teasing him about it.
The second verse references a letter from a fan who gave him praise, which he was raised on. Young realizes that the girl who wrote the letter could have easily known him better than he knows himself. Her message to him was to stay strange and not change, which he heeded. However, he still wonders if the "smile on his face will turn to plaster" and if the "race of his head and face is moving too fast."
In the chorus, Young questions whether it's strange that he should change and suggests that his listeners ask the girl who wrote him the letter. The song's lyrics express Young's struggle with personal identity, fame, and the pressures that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, hello, Mr. Soul, I dropped by to pick up a reason
Neil addresses his inner self, who he refers to as Mr. Soul, and comes looking for a reason behind a thought he had.
For the thought that I caught that my head is the event of the season
Neil explains how his thoughts are taking over his life and how he feels like he's the center of attention.
Why in crowds just a trace of my face could seem so pleasin'
Neil reflects on how strange it is that even a small part of him can bring joy to so many people.
I'll cop out to the change, but a stranger is putting the tease on
Neil admits to going through a change but feels like he's being made fun of by someone he doesn't know.
I was down on a frown when the messenger brought me a letter
Neil was feeling sad when he received a letter from someone.
I was raised by the praise of a fan who said I upset her
Neil was brought up on the praises of a fan, who expressed their liking but said that he was strange and should not change.
Any girl in the world could have easily known me better
Despite their praise, Neil is still approachable and anyone can get to know him better.
She said, "you're strange, but don't change," and I let her
Neil listens to the woman's advice and takes it to heart, deciding not to change.
In a while, will the smile on my face turn to plaster?
Neil wonders if he'll be able to continue putting on a happy face and not break down.
Stick around while the clown who is sick does the trick of disaster
Neil sees himself as a clown putting on a show whilst struggling with his inner emotions which can be disastrous.
For the race of my head and my face is moving much faster
Neil's thoughts and emotions are moving faster than he can handle, and his face is starting to show the effects.
Is it strange I should change?
Neil questions whether it would be odd for him to take his own path and change.
I don't know, why don't you ask her?
Neil suggests for the listener to ask the same woman who advised him not to change instead of answering himself.
Is it strange I should change?
Neil repeats the same question, looking for an answer.
I don't know, why don't you ask her?
Neil once again suggests the listener ask the same woman for an answer.
Is it strange I should change?
Neil repeats the question for the third time.
I don't know, why don't you ask her?
Neil repeats the same answer again.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@neilyoungchannel
Hi, this is Neil. Link to the NYA info-card for this song with press, documents, manuscripts, photos, videos. Look around NYA for fun and listening! ALL my music in high resolution at https://neilyoungarchives.com/info-card?track=t1993_0207_02
@robertcronin6603
Neil - thank you, brother...for everything 🔥🔥🔥
@NormAppleton
Okay, madman
@NormAppleton
Hey Neilio, did you ever play Touch the Night after 1986? If not, shame on you
@julianodutradeaviz4577
Hey Neil . Are playing this song with G harp? I play with G harp but the lowest key in my harp doesn't get that song. I absolutely love this song. World on string songs very good with G harp but only this song gets me. Love You man .
@maricarroll9865
Thank you. For all the joy you’ve brought so many. But my 30 yr old daughter is as big a fan as me. I’m 65 and I’m sure you are the genius (along with Joni Mitchell)
But you are truly a gift to me!!
@maricarroll9865
I listen to Mr Soul and Tell Me Why almost every day. I’ve only been listening to Neil 50 years. Such complicated songs emotionally for me. Still hits like the first time I heard them.
@doughnutholer
Like a fucking truck.
@robertcronin6603
Yes I agree!
@ralphalessandra2604
Neil Young, please don't ever die