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/
The Ballad Of Peggy Grover
Neil Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Young Pegi just died today
And I guess nobody even knows the case
But the way the story goes
She just ran out of clothes
No will this world
Just for the peg down
Last words, can't talk
Some people can't stand no rain
Some people can't stand no rain
When it's cloudy outside
You can't see the sun
But on a bright and sunny day
The people all go away
Except one
Oh no don't pity me babe
I know I'm alright
O yeah, I'm alright.
Don't see no tears around me
Don't see no tears around me
I don't take too much stock
In the things people say
I'm not saying that they're wrong
They've just been standing around too long
Gone bad,
Oh no, don't pity me babe
I know I'm alright
O yeah, I'm alright.
Can't ride my broom no more
Can't ride my broom no more
'Cause the landlady's taken
To sweeping the floor
I guess I'll go back to my place
And occupy a little space
John Doe,
Oh no, don't pity me babe
I know I'm alright
O yeah, I'm alright.
The streets are crammed, can't walk
Might find somebody and talk
I can't find nobody who
Say boo, guess who
'Cause that street is paved with aires
And everybody is putting on theirs
Can't breathe
Oh no, don't pity me babe
I know I'm alright
O yeah, I'm alright.
He's standing outside my door
He's standing outside my door
But he won't ring the bell
And he's just to scared to knock
And he's puzzled
And he's young
And he's doing what's already been done
One more
Oh no, don't pity me babe
I know I'm alright
O yeah, I'm alright.
Oh no, don't pity me babe
I know I'm alright.
The lyrics of "Don't Pity Me Babe" by Neil Young are filled with a sense of loneliness and isolation. The song starts with the announcement of the death of "Young Pegi" without any clear cause. The singer then expresses his or her own dilemma of feeling alright despite the struggles and hardships that he or she experiences daily. There is a sense of detachment as the singer observes the people around him or her, unable to find someone to talk to. The final verse introduces a young man who is hesitant to approach the singer, indicating the difficulty of interpersonal connections.
The song is characterized by its nostalgic and melancholic energy, evoked by Young's tender voice and the simple acoustic guitar accompaniment. The apparent randomness of the details in the lyrics contributes to the sense of disorientation and confusion that the singer experiences.
Overall, "Don't Pity Me Babe" seems to be a reflection on the human condition of disconnection and struggle. Despite the pain and isolation, the singer suggests that he or she is okay and doesn't need anyone's pity.
Line by Line Meaning
Young Pegi just died today
Neil Young's ex-wife Pegi has recently passed away
And I guess nobody even knows the case
The cause of Pegi's death is unknown or not yet public knowledge
But the way the story goes
Based on hearsay or rumors
She just ran out of clothes
Possible allusion to financial or personal struggles
No will this world
Nobody controls the world or has a say in who passes away
Just for the peg down
Pegi died just like any other human being, without special treatment or attention
Last words, can't talk
Pegi was unable to communicate any last words or thoughts
And then she wrote.
Possibly referring to any final written messages or notes left behind by Pegi
Some people can't stand no rain
Some individuals struggle to cope with adversity or difficult situations
When it's cloudy outside
When life is not going well or is full of challenges
You can't see the sun
It can be hard to find hope or positivity when things are tough
But on a bright and sunny day
Good times or happiness can be fleeting or temporary
The people all go away
People tend to abandon those who are down or struggling
Except one
Someone may still be there for you, even if everyone else has left
Oh no don't pity me babe
Neil is telling the listener not to feel sorry for him or show him sympathy
I know I'm alright
Neil is implying that he's capable of handling things on his own and doesn't need anyone's help
Don't see no tears around me
Neil isn't outwardly showing any emotions or vulnerability
I don't take too much stock
Neil doesn't give much weight or consideration to what others say or think about him
In the things people say
Others' opinions or criticisms
I'm not saying that they're wrong
Neil acknowledges the validity of others' perspectives
They've just been standing around too long
Perhaps implying that others are stagnant or unchanging in their views
Gone bad,
Possibly commenting on society or the state of the world
Can't ride my broom no more
Can no longer do something that used to be easy or enjoyable
'Cause the landlady's taken
Neil's living situation has changed or become more difficult
To sweeping the floor
Possibly implying that Neil's living conditions have become more basic or uncomfortable
I guess I'll go back to my place
Neil will retreat to his own space, which may not be ideal but is still his own
And occupy a little space
Neil will make do with what he has and try to be content
John Doe,
Possibly referring to someone who is nameless or anonymous
The streets are crammed, can't walk
The world is full of people, noise, or chaos
Might find somebody and talk
Neil is open to connecting with others, even if it's difficult
I can't find nobody who
Neil is having trouble finding someone to talk to or relate to
Say boo, guess who
People are putting on a facade or pretending to be someone they're not
'Cause that street is paved with aires
Neil sees through people's facades or illusions
And everybody is putting on theirs
People are trying to present themselves as better or more put-together than they really are
Can't breathe
Perhaps implying that Neil feels suffocated or trapped in society
He's standing outside my door
Someone is trying to connect with Neil but is hesitant or uncertain how to do so
But he won't ring the bell
The person is afraid or unwilling to take action
And he's just to scared to knock
The person is too afraid or uncertain to make a move
And he's puzzled
The person is unsure how to proceed or what to do next
And he's young
The person may lack experience or confidence
And he's doing what's already been done
The person may be following in others' footsteps rather than forging their own path
One more
Perhaps indicating that this type of situation has happened before and will likely happen again
Oh no, don't pity me babe
Neil repeats his earlier plea not to show him sympathy
I know I'm alright
Neil is reassuring the listener that he's handling things just fine on his own
O yeah, I'm alright.
Neil ends the song on a positive note, implying that he's content and capable of handling what comes his way
Contributed by Molly Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.