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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Soldier
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wonder why
Soldier, your eyes shine like the sun
I wonder why
Jesus, I saw you walkin' on the river
I don't believe you
You can't deliver right away
Jesus, your eyes shine like the sun
I wonder why
The opening verse of Neil Young's "Soldier" seems to be addressing an actual soldier, complimenting the brightness of his eyes. However, the second verse shifts and begins addressing Jesus, referencing the biblical anecdote of Jesus walking on water. The line "I don't believe you" indicates a sense of skepticism or questioning on the part of the singer. Both verses end with the repetition of the phrase "I wonder why," lending a contemplative and introspective quality to the lyrics.
One interpretation of the song is that it grapples with issues of faith and doubt. The singer seems to be questioning both the soldier and Jesus, perhaps trying to reconcile their own beliefs with the complexities of the world around them. The bright shine of the eyes in both verses could be interpreted as a symbol of clarity, insight, or even divine power, and the singer's questioning could represent a desire for a deeper understanding of the world.
Overall, "Soldier" is a haunting and introspective song that raises important questions about faith and doubt. Its lyrics suggest a sense of searching and a desire for deeper understanding, and its simple yet powerful melodies leave a lasting impression on the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Soldier, your eyes, they shine like the sun
Soldier, your eyes are bright and radiant like the sun
I wonder why
I am curious as to why your eyes are shining so brightly
Soldier, your eyes shine like the sun
Soldier, your eyes are bright and radiant like the sun (repeated line)
Jesus, I saw you walkin' on the river
Jesus, I witnessed you walking on water
I don't believe you
I am skeptical that you actually walked on water
You can't deliver right away
I do not expect immediate proof of your miraculous ability to walk on water
I wonder why
I am curious as to why you would choose to display such an extraordinary feat
Jesus, your eyes shine like the sun
Jesus, your eyes are bright and radiant like the sun
I wonder why
I am curious as to why your eyes are shining so brightly (repeated line)
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind