Canadian singer and songwriter Neil Young includes his personal garage band… Read Full Bio ↴Canadian singer and songwriter Neil Young includes his personal garage band Crazy Horse ("second best backing band in the world") to make raw and unpolished rock. Their gritty style of rock has influenced countless artists and music styles.

Crazy Horse is best known for its long association with Young, despite having released five albums of its own over a 19-year span. It has been co-credited with Young as Neil Young and Crazy Horse on 15 albums, "Americana" and "Psychedelic Pill" from 2012 being the latest.

The band recorded a concept album entitled "Greendale" (2003) that told the story using metaphors of murder and crime to represent the destruction of a small town community. The final song "Be The Rain" is one of Neil's classic epics, pleading for the world to be like the rain -- recycle and conserve to save our planet.

Discography: the studio albums "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" (1969), "Zuma" (1975), "Rust Never Sleeps" (1979), "Re-ac-tor" (1981), "Life" (1987), "Ragged Glory" (1990), "Sleeps With Angels" (1994), "Broken Arrow" (1996), Greendale (2003), "Americana" (2012), Psychedelic Pill (2012) and live albums "Live Rust" (1979), "Weld" (1991), "Year of the Horse" (1997), "Live at the Fillmore East" (2006)

Sail Away
Neil Young & Crazy Horse Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I could live inside a tepee
I could die in penthouse thirty-five
You could lose me on the freeway
But I would still make it back alive

As long as we can sail away
As long as we can sail away
There'll be wind in the canyon

Moon on the rise
As long as we can sail away

See the losers in the best bars
Meet the winners in the dives
Where the people are the real stars
All the rest of their lives

As long as we can sail away
As long as we can sail away
There'll be wind in the canyon
Moon on the rise
As long as we can sail away

There's a road stretched out between us
Like a ribbon on the high plain
Down from Phoenix through Salinas
'Round the bend and back again

As long as we can sail away
As long as we can sail away
There'll be wind in the canyon
Moon on the rise
As long as we can sail away

As long as we can sail away
As long as we can sail away

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Neil’s Young’s “Sail Away” appear to be about the singer’s desire for freedom and escape from societal constraints. The first stanza indicates his willingness to embrace any form of living, from a tepee to a penthouse, as long as he can escape at will. The second stanza expresses a desire to reject the societal divide between winners and losers, and instead revel in the company of others who seek to escape the mundane. The final stanza seems to point to a physical distance between the singer and another person, and the idea that they long to be together but only if they can maintain their freedom to escape.

The message of “Sail Away” is one that resonates with many who feel the pressure of societal expectations and the longing for freedom. Neil Young’s lyrics suggest that although the world may try to divide us into winners and losers, it is only in our shared desire for escape that we can truly connect with others. The mention of wind in the canyon and the moon on the rise add to the song’s sense of longing and romanticism, painting a picture of a world that is beautiful and full of possibilities for those who are willing to sail away.

Line by Line Meaning

I could live inside a tepee
Living a simple life would be just as fulfilling as living in luxury.

I could die in penthouse thirty-five
Material possessions and wealth do not define a person's life and happiness.

You could lose me on the freeway
No matter the distance or obstacles, I will always find my way back to what is important.

But I would still make it back alive
Even after facing challenges and hardships, I will always persevere and come out stronger.

As long as we can sail away
Freedom and escape from the constraints of society is necessary for true happiness.

There'll be wind in the canyon
The natural world is a source of beauty and inspiration.

Moon on the rise
The passing of time is inevitable and the night can bring both mystery and comfort.

See the losers in the best bars
Society's definition of success is flawed and can lead to empty, unfulfilled lives.

Meet the winners in the dives
Those who are deemed unsuccessful by society can often be more genuine and content.

Where the people are the real stars
Celebrity culture and idolizing individuals is misguided; true worth lies in those who contribute positively to the world around them.

All the rest of their lives
The pursuit of wealth and status can consume people's lives and ultimately leave them unfulfilled.

There's a road stretched out between us
Distance and separation can be difficult, but the journey to reconnect is worth it.

Like a ribbon on the high plain
The path to reunification may be long, winding, and beautiful, just like the landscape of the high plain.

Down from Phoenix through Salinas
The journey may take us through different places and experiences, but our ultimate destination is to be together.

'Round the bend and back again
The journey may have its twists and turns, but we will always find our way back to each other.

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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