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/
On the Beach
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hope it don't turn away
The world is turnin'
I hope it don't turn away
All my pictures are fallin'
From the wall where I placed them yesterday
World is turnin'
I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day
I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day
Though my problems are meaningless, that don't make them go away
I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day
I went to the radio interview, but I ended up alone at the microphone
I went to the radio interview, but I ended up alone at the microphone
Now I'm livin' out here on the beach, but those seagulls are still out of reach
Went to the radio interview, but I ended up alone at the microphone
Get out of town, think I'll get out of town
Get out of town, think I'll get out of town
I head for the sticks with my bus and friends
I follow the road, though I don't know where it ends
Get out of town, get out of town, think I'll get out of town
'Cause the world is turnin'
I don't want to see it turn away
The lyrics of Neil Young's song "On the Beach" portray the singer's struggle to find meaning in his life and to cope with his feelings of loneliness and hopelessness in a changing and unpredictable world. The repetition of the line "world is turnin', I hope it don't turn away" suggests the singer's fear that he is losing control over his own life, and that everything he once held dear and carefully constructed is now falling apart.
The imagery of falling pictures and the singer's inability to face a crowd of people illustrate his sense of isolation and disconnection from the world around him. He feels that his problems are meaningless and that he cannot escape the desperation that consumes him. Even a radio interview, which should have been a moment of validation and affirmation, leaves him feeling alone and abandoned.
As the song progresses, the singer resolves to leave town and seek solace in the unknown. He takes his bus and his friends and follows the road, hoping to find a new sense of purpose and direction. The final repetition of the line "world is turnin', I don't want to see it turn away" suggests that the singer is seeking to make peace with the changes happening around him and to find a way to move forward in his own life.
Overall, "On the Beach" is a poignant and deeply personal exploration of one man's struggle to find meaning and connection in a world that is rapidly changing and becoming more complex.
Line by Line Meaning
World is turnin'
Despite my own personal struggles, the world keeps moving forward.
I hope it don't turn away
I'm afraid the world will become something unrecognizable and unfamiliar to me.
All my pictures are fallin'
The things that previously brought me comfort and happiness are no longer providing the same sense of stability as before.
From the wall where I placed them yesterday
The passage of time has caused the things I rely on to shift and change without my permission.
I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day
Even though I crave the comfort of others, I can't bring myself to interact with them in my current state of mind.
Though my problems are meaningless, that don't make them go away
Even though I know in the grand scheme of things my issues are small, they are still affecting me deeply.
I went to the radio interview, but I ended up alone at the microphone
I thought I was seeking companionship or validation, but instead found myself in a solitary, lonely position.
Now I'm livin' out here on the beach, but those seagulls are still out of reach
Even though I have removed myself from my previous environment, I'm still struggling to find a sense of peace and contentment.
Get out of town, think I'll get out of town
I'm trying to escape my problems and find a new perspective by physically leaving the place where they originated.
I head for the sticks with my bus and friends
I'm pursuing a simpler, more natural way of life in the hopes that it will offer me clarity and comfort.
I follow the road, though I don't know where it ends
I'm embracing uncertainty and the possibility of the unknown in my search for peace.
'Cause the world is turnin'
The constant motion of the world around me is a reminder that time passes and things change, whether I want them to or not.
I don't want to see it turn away
Despite my reservations and fears, I still hope that the world will continue to exist as I know it and that I can find a place within it.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@OnlyAlhambra
I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day
I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day
I live "On The Beach' for real, in an apartment high above the Atlantic Ocean.
I posted the lyrics to this song and the album cover photo on my Facebook
wall back in mid May.
I listen every day to Neil Young, but this album and song is my favorite this time of year.
I want the crowds and tourists to "get out of town'.
Can't wait until September when I can go out "On The Beach" undisturbed
by rude, selfish people.
@zackzallie8735
This song captures the feeling of emptiness and numbness.
@benlotus2703
Wonderful
isn't it ?
@nealhall5997
I thought it was an ad for the beach umbrella, which apparently comes with a lounge chair and two "lawn chairs," which were sturdy in the sand. Yellow jacket optional.
@PM-mh6ri
Hey thanks for reminding me...
and for that reason I’m out!
@iampatuky
Motherfuckers this is a masterpiece.
@firstlasterson1213
I find it uplifting
@denniswinters2541
This is awesome.50 years later and it still blows my mind.The Ditch Trilogy is my favorite from Neil.This one goes out to Kate who not only knew who Neil was, but knew this album.44 years ago.I'll bet she's still sweet looking.
@danielanadj499
The magnificent Neil Young at his finest. " I need a crowd of people but I can't face them day to day" is such a powerful refrain.
@bendevine3438
Great freaking comment
@colepalinckx2302
"Get out of town, think ill get out of town" is my fav