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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On The Road Again
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is making music with my friends
And I just can't wait to get on the road again
On the road again
Goin' places that I've never been
Seein' things that I may never see again
On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world keep turning our way and our way
Is on the road again
I just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is making music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again
On the road again
Going to places I've never been and I'll never see agian
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
I just can't wait to get on the road again
Neil Young's "On The Road Again" is a celebration of life on the open road, fueled by the love of making music with one's friends. The song is an expression of the thrill of adventure and the boundless possibilities that come with it. The opening lines set the tone for the song, establishing the insatiable desire to be on the move and to discover new things. The line “The life I love is making music with my friends” emphasizes the importance of camaraderie and the pursuit of shared passions.
The chorus is a repetitive chant that drives home the song's theme: the excitement of getting on the road again, exploring new places, and experiencing new things. The second verse furthers this theme, emphasizing the sense of excitement and wonder that comes with discovery. The line “Seein' things that I may never see again” underscores the fleeting nature of experience.
The third verse reveals that the singer is not alone, but part of a community of people on the move, enjoying life as a wandering band of gypsies. The line “Insisting that the world keep turning our way and our way” suggests a carefree and rebellious attitude, committed to living life on one's own terms.
Overall, “On The Road Again” is a lively and upbeat song, exuding a sense of carefree abandon and the thrill of adventure.
Line by Line Meaning
On the road again
Starting a new journey of traveling
Just can't wait to get on the road again
Excitement to continue discovering new places
The life I love is making music with my friends
The passion for creating music with close companions
And I just can't wait to get on the road again
Excitement to go on tour with fellow musicians
Goin' places that I've never been
Exploring new and unfamiliar locations
Seein' things that I may never see again
Experiencing sights that may be unique and unforgettable
And I just can't wait to get on the road again
Anticipation to continue traveling and discovering
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
Driving and moving like a free-spirited group
We're the best of friends
A close-knit group of friends who enjoy being together
Insisting that the world keeps turning our way and our way
Living life on their own terms and pursuing their goals without compromise
Going to places I've never been and I'll never see agian
Visiting unique destinations that may not be revisited
I just can't wait to get on the road again
Continuing the journey and eager to see what the future brings
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Willie Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind