The video for the title track famously included a Michael Jackson look-alike whose hair catches fire. The video parodied corporate rock, the pretensions of advertising and Michael Jackson in particular. It was initially banned by MTV after legal threats from Michael Jackson's attorneys (although the Canadian music channel, MuchMusic ran it immediately). After becoming a hit on MuchMusic, MTV reconsidered their decision to yank the video and put it into heavy rotation, finally giving it the MTV Video Music Award for Best Video of the Year for 1989. The video was directed by Julien Temple and written by Charlie Coffey. It was nominated for a Grammy in the category of "Best Concept Video" of 1989 but lost to "Weird Al" Yankovic's Michael Jackson video spoof of "Bad", "Fat".
Since Harold Melvin, founder of the R&B group Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, took legal action against Young over use of the "Bluenotes" name, the album is now credited as a Neil Young solo recording. The backup band Young used for this album was renamed "Ten Men Workin'" (after the album's lead-off song). The cover of this album is reportedly a photo taken in the back lane of the 200 block of Main Street Winnipeg, which housed the Blue Note Cafe. Neil was known to play unannounced in the Blue Note Cafe while in Winnipeg.[citation needed] "Ordinary People", an epic 18 minute outtake described as "Cortez the Killer with horns", finally saw release in 2007 on Young's Chrome Dreams II.
Bad News
Neil Young & the Bluenotes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's walking three feet off the ground
He's ordering another round
Bound by his own ideas,
Lost, doesn't know where she is found
Bad news is fighting mad
He went and lost the biggest prize he ever had
When he smiles under golden lights and lamps
Taking daylight fights again and again
Bad news is come to town
He's walking three feet off the ground
He's ordering another round
Bound by his own ideas,
Lost, doesn't know where she is gone
Bad news is fighting mad
He went and lost the biggest prize he ever had
But a prizefighter can't be sad
When he smiles under golden lights and lamps
Taking daylight fights again and again
Bad news is come to town
The song "Bad News Comes to Town" by Neil Young and Bluenote Cafe is a bluesy rock ballad that showcases the singer's mastery of evocative language and imagery. The lyrics speak of a figure called Bad News, who has arrived in town and is causing quite a stir. The first verse describes him as walking three feet off the ground and ordering another round, suggesting a sense of confidence and perhaps even arrogance. However, he is also described as being bound by his own ideas and lost, not knowing where she is found. This suggests a sense of inner turmoil and uncertainty that contrasts with his outward bravado.
The second verse explores Bad News' past, revealing that he recently lost a major prize but is putting on a brave face and continuing to fight. The reference to "golden lights and lamps" suggests a sense of glory and success that Bad News is trying to recapture. However, the repetition of the line "a prizefighter can't be sad" suggests that he may be struggling with his emotions despite his outward show of strength. Overall, the song paints a complex portrait of a character who is both impressive and flawed, confident and lost, fighting and struggling.
Line by Line Meaning
Bad news is come to town
The arrival of bad news in the town is conveyed
He's walking three feet off the ground
The bad news is portrayed as being very excited or confident
He's ordering another round
He is consuming more alcohol to cope with his problems
Bound by his own ideas,
The bad news is stuck in his own beliefs and opinions
Lost, doesn't know where she is found
The bad news is feeling disoriented and unable to find his way
Bad news is fighting mad
The bad news is extremely angry
He went and lost the biggest prize he ever had
The bad news experienced a major loss in his life
But a prizefighter can't be sad
The bad news is attempting to maintain a brave facade despite his sadness
When he smiles under golden lights and lamps
He is putting on a cheerful front while in the presence of others
Taking daylight fights again and again
He is constantly battling his inner demons and struggles
Bad news is come to town
Reiteration of the arrival of bad news in the town
Bound by his own ideas,
The bad news is limited by his own beliefs and opinions
Lost, doesn't know where she is gone
Reiteration of how the bad news is feeling lost
Bad news is fighting mad
Reiteration of how the bad news is filled with rage
He went and lost the biggest prize he ever had
Reiteration of how the bad news has suffered a tremendous loss
But a prizefighter can't be sad
Reiteration of how the bad news is attempting to mask his sadness with a brave front
When he smiles under golden lights and lamps
Reiteration of how the bad news is putting up a cheerful facade
Taking daylight fights again and again
Reiteration of how the bad news is constantly battling his struggles
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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