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/
Reason To Believe
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd find a way to believe that it's all true
Knowing that you lied straight-faced
While I cried
Still I'd look to find a reason to believe
Someone like you makes it hard to live
Without somebody else
Never thinking of myself
If I gave you time to change my mind
I'd find a way to leave the past behind
Knowing how you lied straight-faced
While I cried
Still I'd look to find a reason to believe
Someone like you makes it hard to live
Without somebody else
The lyrics of Neil Young's song "Reason to Believe" tell the story of someone who is struggling to reconcile their experiences with their beliefs. The subject of the song is attempting to find a way to believe that what they have been told is true, even though they know that they have been lied to. The lyrics describe the pain and confusion that come with this struggle, as well as the conflicting feelings of love and resentment towards the person responsible for the deception.
The opening lines, "If I listen long enough to you / I'd find a way to believe that it's all true," suggest that the subject of the song is willing to give the benefit of the doubt to the person who has misled them. However, the second line reveals that this trust has been betrayed, as the person "lied straight-faced / While I cried." Despite this, the subject of the song is still searching for "a reason to believe" - a justification for continuing to trust this person.
The chorus of the song, which repeats twice, expresses the difficulty of living with the knowledge that someone you care about has deceived you. The lines "Someone like you makes it hard to live / Without somebody else" suggest that the subject of the song feels that they need this person in their life, even though they know that they are not trustworthy. The final lines of the song, "If I gave you time to change my mind / I'd find a way to leave the past behind," suggest a willingness to forgive and move on, but only if the person can demonstrate that they are deserving of that forgiveness.
Line by Line Meaning
If I listen long enough to you
Despite my knowledge of your lies, I am willing to hear you out.
I'd find a way to believe that it's all true
I am willing to suspend my disbelief in hopes of finding something to hold onto.
Knowing that you lied straight-faced
I am aware of your deceit yet choose to listen anyway.
While I cried
I am in pain due to your actions but still seek a reason to believe.
Still I'd look to find a reason to believe
Despite your wrongdoings, I am searching for a justification to hold onto.
Someone like you makes it hard to live
Your presence in my life has made it difficult to find happiness.
Without somebody else
I am unable to thrive without having someone else to rely on.
Someone like you, makes it easy to give
Your toxic behavior has made it easy for me to give up on myself.
Never thinking of myself
I have failed to prioritize my own well-being while focusing on pleasing you.
If I gave you time to change my mind
I am open to the idea of giving you another chance despite everything.
I'd find a way to leave the past behind
I am willing to forgive and forget your past wrongdoings in hopes of moving forward together.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TIM HARDIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
batelem in game
If I listened long enough to you
I'd find a way to believe that it's all true
Knowing that you lied straight faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe
Someone like you makes it hard to live
Without somebody else
Someone like you makes it easy to give
Never thinking of myself
If I gave you time to change my mind
I'd find a way to leave the past behind
Knowing how you lied straight faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe
Someone like you makes it hard to live
Without somebody else
Stephen Nicks
Neil gives so much meaning to a song you've known forever, Beautifully done by The Carpenters too.
Ina von G
This is tears but great - WOW, love Neil's music
lightlyone
He makes it real. Thanks again, Neil!
John Mitchell
Some great songs makes artists timeless. Thank you.
S. Greasey
A legend covering another legend. Beautiful!
S. Greasey
William Martinec Yes sir!
William Martinec
you mean Tim Hardin?
Marcelo Fabricius Andreani
Neil. You're an amazing inspiration! One day, if God, finances and COVID19 allow, I intend to watch you LIVE again. A big Brazilian and patriot HUG !
William McNicol
I could never listen long enough to Neil. Effortlessly brilliant cover of a great song.
downhill2400
So many years bringing us thought-provoking lyrics and so much happiness!