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.
Welcome to the Big Room
Neil Young & the Bluenotes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything's alright
People, welcome to the big room
'Cause everything's alright
It's alright,
It's alright, it's alright
Don't have no cameras in the big room
Don't allow no cameras in the big room
Too much for one lens to see
It's alright,
It's alright, it's alright
There's always tellers in the big room
Every day and every night
There's always tellers in the big room
Every day and every night
It's alright,
It's alright, it's alright
There's always dancing in the big room
Every day and every night
There's always dancing in the big room
Every day and every night
It's alright,
It's alright, it's alright
There's always tellin' in the big room
Every day and every night
There's always tellin' in the big room
Every day and every night
It's alright,
It's alright, it's alright
Yeah, people, welcome to the big room
Everything's alright
People, welcome to the big room
Everything's alright
It's alright,
It's alright, it's alright
Yeah, people, welcome to the big room
Leave your troubles at the door
People, welcome to the big room
Leave your troubles at the door
It's alright,
It's alright, it's alright
The song "Big Room" by Neil Young is a tribute to a place where everything is perfect and everything is alright. The big room is a metaphorical place where there is no judgment or anxiety, where people can come in and have a good time. Neil Young acknowledges that there are always things happening in this room, but everything is still alright. The big room is a sanctuary where people can let go of their worries and simply enjoy being in the moment.
The lyrics of the song urge people to leave their troubles behind and enter the big room. It's a place where cameras are forbidden because there is too much to see for one lens. The room is overflowing with activity and people, but it doesn't seem to be overwhelming. There are tellers who tell their stories, and there is always dancing going on. In the big room, there is freedom to express oneself, and everything is alright.
The song "Big Room" is ultimately about finding a place where you can feel free to be yourself and enjoy life without the burden of anxiety or worry. It's a place where everyone is welcomed and accepted for who they are. This song serves as a reminder that it's essential to take a break from life's stressors and enjoy the moments of pure joy and relaxation.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome to the big room
Come inside and join us in this grand space
Everything's alright
Don't worry, everything is just fine
People, welcome to the big room
Addressing the crowd, inviting them to enjoy the venue
'Cause everything's alright
No reason to fuss, the environment is comfortable and pleasant
Don't have no cameras in the big room
Taking photos is not necessary, because the atmosphere is worth experiencing firsthand
Too much for one lens to see
The grandiosity of the space and its happenings cannot be fully captured through a single lens
There's always tellers in the big room
Narrators are ever-present, describing the events taking place
Every day and every night
The venue is never empty, and always alive with activity
There's always dancing in the big room
A place where people come together to dance and move to the music
There's always tellin' in the big room
An environment where stories are shared and the experience is told and retold
Leave your troubles at the door
Come in without any stress or negativity, the big room is a place to relax
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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