In 1983 Young wanted to release an album called Old Ways with Geffen Records. They refused to release it, telling Young it was "too country". He had also recorded some rockabilly songs, which Geffen did like, so they asked him to explore that genre a bit more. Hence the album Everybody's Rockin' by Neil Young & The Shocking Pinks.
The International Harvesters are basically The Shocking Pinks, but with the addition of Rufus Thibodeaux and a few other country-style artists. The International Harvesters tour was actually more succesful than Young had maybe hoped for, but it didn't stop Geffen Records from suing Young for making "uncommercial and uncharacteristic albums".
In 1985 he released a reworked version of Old Ways with the International Harvesters. The album again leaned a lot towards country and even though it wasn't a bad album, it did manage to alienate Young from his audience even further at the time.
The (original) International Harvesters consisted of Neil Young (piano, guitar, harmonica, banjo, mandolin), Anthony Crawford (guitars, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, vocals), Spooner Oldham (piano, organ), Ben Keith (pedal steel), Karl 'Junkyard' Himmel (drums), Tim Drummond (bass) and Rufus Thibodeaux (fiddle).
Hillbilly Band
Neil Young & The International Harvesters Lyrics
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Through my hair last night
That froze me in my blue jeans.
I couldn't find a light
I know that something's coming
I can feel it in my bones
Thank God
for those old country boys,
My friends all tell me
I got daggers in my eyes
There's an anger in my heart
That they don't realize
I'm mad as hell at something
That I don't understand
Thank God
I'm on the road tonight
With this old hillbilly band.
Thank God
I'm on the road tonight
With this old hillbilly band.
We may not be good looking
But we sure get outta hand
Was that The Devil's stagecoach
Flying over the Rio Grande?
Thank God
I'm on the road tonight
With this old hillbilly band.
I swear that The Devil
Came visiting me last night
Surrounded my old stagecoach
With his eerie light
He was pounding on my windows
Rattling my wheels
I may not be The Devil
But I know just how he feels.
Thank God
I'm on the road tonight
With this old hillbilly band.
We may not be good looking
But we sure get outta hand
Was that The Devil's stagecoach
Flying over the Rio Grande?
Thank God
I'm on the road tonight
With this old hillbilly band.
The lyrics of "Hillbilly Band" by Neil Young & The International Harvesters depict a sense of uncertainty and unease, encapsulated by the ill wind the singer encounters. There is a feeling of being isolated and disconnected, symbolized by the inability to find a light and the anger simmering beneath the surface. However, the singer finds solace and relief in the presence of the "old country boys," the members of the hillbilly band. They provide a sense of camaraderie and support, making the singer feel less alone in their struggles.
The mention of daggers in the eyes and anger in the heart suggests a deeper frustration and resentment, possibly directed at something or someone specific that remains unclear. The road and the hillbilly band become a form of escape from this anger, offering a release and an opportunity to channel these emotions into the music they create together. The singer finds comfort in the chaos and wildness of their performances, even questioning if they have unknowingly crossed paths with the devil himself.
Overall, "Hillbilly Band" portrays a longing for connection, a search for meaning in the midst of confusion, and the transformative power of music as a source of catharsis and unity.
Line by Line Meaning
There was an ill wind blowing
There was a strong and unsettling force affecting me
Through my hair last night
Affecting me deeply and personally
That froze me in my blue jeans.
That left me paralyzed and unable to act
I couldn't find a light
I couldn't find guidance or clarity
I know that something's coming
I have a sense that something significant is about to happen
I can feel it in my bones
I can feel it deep within me
Thank God for those old country boys,
I am grateful for the support and camaraderie of the old country boys
I ain't out here alone.
I am not alone in this journey
My friends all tell me
My friends often mention to me
I got daggers in my eyes
I emit a strong and intense anger through my eyes
There's an anger in my heart
There is a deep-seated anger within me
That they don't realize
That they are unaware of
I'm mad as hell at something
I am extremely furious about something
That I don't understand
That I cannot fully comprehend
Thank God I'm on the road tonight
I express gratitude for being on the road with the hillbilly band
With this old hillbilly band.
Being part of this aging hillbilly band
We may not be good looking
We may not possess physical attractiveness
But we sure get outta hand
But we definitely become wild and unruly
Was that The Devil's stagecoach
Could that mysterious vehicle be associated with the Devil
Flying over the Rio Grande?
Moving swiftly across the Rio Grande river
Thank God I'm on the road tonight
I express gratitude for being on the road with the hillbilly band
With this old hillbilly band.
Being part of this aging hillbilly band
I swear that The Devil
I solemnly declare that the Devil
Came visiting me last night
Actively came to see me last night
Surrounded my old stagecoach
Encircled my traditional mode of transportation
With his eerie light
Using his unsettling and mysterious illuminance
He was pounding on my windows
He aggressively struck my windows
Rattling my wheels
Causing my wheels to shake uncontrollably
I may not be The Devil
I am not the Devil himself
But I know just how he feels.
However, I can empathize with his emotions
Thank God I'm on the road tonight
I express gratitude for being on the road with the hillbilly band
With this old hillbilly band.
Being part of this aging hillbilly band
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
somegirls 590
Hey there, great song, thx for uploading :) Could you add the songs the losing end and too far gone?