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/
Old Man
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a lot like you were
Old man, look at my life
I'm a lot like you were
Old man, look at my life
Twenty-four and there's so much more
Live alone in a paradise
Love lost, such a cost
Give me things that don't get lost
Like a coin that won't get tossed
Rolling home to you
Old man, take a look at my life, I'm a lot like you
I need someone to love me the whole day through
Ah, one look in my eyes and you can tell that's true
Lullabies, look in your eyes
Run around the same old town
Doesn't mean that much to me
To mean that much to you
I've been first and last
Look at how the time goes past
But I'm all alone at last
Rolling home to you
Old man, take a look at my life, I'm a lot like you
I need someone to love me the whole day through
Ah, one look in my eyes and you can tell that's true
Old man, look at my life
I'm a lot like you were
Old man, look at my life
I'm a lot like you were
In Neil Young's song "Old Man," the lyrics describe a young man reflecting on his own life and how he sees himself in the older man who owns the property where the singer resides. The first verse sets the tone for the song, as the young man notes the similarities between himself and the old man, remarking that he has become like him. The second verse delves into the life of the young man, noting how he lives by himself in a wonderful place, yet he still feels incomplete. He wishes for something that cannot be lost, something genuine, like the love of another human being to complete him.
In the chorus, the young man asks the old man to take a look at his life, noting that he needs love to feel complete, just like the old man once did. He proclaims the truth in his eyes, indicating that his love is genuine and not just passing. In the third verse, the young man reflects on how he is not interested in the same things as others in his town, as he has already lived a full life. He notes the passage of time and how he is now alone. Yet in his loneliness, he has discovered the longing for unconditional love and acceptance, just like the old man.
Line by Line Meaning
Old man, look at my life
The singer is addressing an older man and asking him to observe their life.
I'm a lot like you were
The singer is acknowledging that they have similarities to the older man's past.
Twenty-four and there's so much more
The singer is young and feels there is a lot they still have to experience in life.
Live alone in a paradise
The artist enjoys living alone in a place that brings them happiness.
That makes me think of two
The artist briefly thinks about someone else who might enjoy their paradise.
Love lost, such a cost
The singer has experienced the pain of losing love and understands the consequence of it.
Give me things that don't get lost
The singer desires things that have permanent value and won't disappear like love.
Like a coin that won't get tossed
The artist uses a coin as a metaphor for a valuable and stable possession that won't be taken away.
Rolling home to you
The artist is coming back to someone who they care about deeply.
I need someone to love me the whole day through
The artist is seeking someone who will love them unconditionally.
Ah, one look in my eyes and you can tell that's true
The singer believes their desire for unconditional love is evident in their eyes.
Lullabies, look in your eyes
The artist references lullabies as something soothing and calming, and sees a similar quality in the other person's eyes.
Run around the same old town
The singer is bored with their surroundings and desires change.
Doesn't mean that much to me
The singer is not attached to the town and is willing to leave it behind.
To mean that much to you
The singer recognizes that the town may hold more significance for the other person.
I've been first and last
The artist has experienced both success and failure in life.
Look at how the time goes past
The artist reflects on how time has passed quickly throughout their life.
But I'm all alone at last
Despite their experiences, the singer is currently alone in life.
Old man, look at my life
The singer is again asking the older man to observe their life.
I'm a lot like you were
The artist is reminding the older man of their past and how it relates to their own life.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
1life1loveforyou
I am a father of a troubled, struggling son. I just heard from my daughter that he mentioned this song about his and my relationship. So I came here to listen to the lyrics. I have been crying a lot...
Shelia Hales
Hang in there brother, your love and support is what he needs. Pure Unconditional Love❣️
David Bauer
Not sure if u r still listening a decade later and in a different place but - Take heart the good news you can now do your very best to make inroads like never before pain in our life allows pleasure, but true joy comes from experiencing a full life and walking the best we can through both emotions with others
Brandon Maskell
As a struggling son that didn't understand his father's love because it wasn't vocal....this comment makes me think of him and how much I love him and his flaws as I'm sure they pale in comparison to my own
BrendanDH
God bless you friend. I know it's been a long time since you wrote this, but love has no expiration date. I wish my own father loved me like you do your beautiful child.
Johnny Bouldt
Kids are kids old man(;
Statimtek
This is the absolute best version. Just Neil and his guitar.
Surfer Mcgee
There is a longer version where he talks about it
Gregory Hickle
@Jakub Bielak **""
Jack Cappello
Statimtek agreed especially when he start strummin hard in the chorus