Helpless
The Band w/ Neil Young Lyrics
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Dream comfort memory to spare
And in my mind I still need a place to go
All my changes were there
Blue, blue windows behind the stars
Yellow moon on the rise
Big birds flying across the sky
Leave us
Helpless, helpless, helpless, helpless
Babe, can you hear me now?
The chains are locked and tied across the door
Baby, sing with me somehow
Blue, blue windows behind the stars
Yellow moon on the rise
Big birds flying across the sky
Throwing shadows on our eyes
Leave us
Helpless, helpless, helpless, helpless
The song "Helpless" by The Band featuring Neil Young is a wistful, reflective work which expresses the longing for a simpler, more nostalgic time in one's life. The opening lines reflect the singer's sense of displacement, echoing the feeling of displacement and rootlessness that seems to permeate much of modern life. The 'town in North Ontario' is a metaphor for the singer's sense of home, security, and familiarity. The singer feels that, in spite of time and distance that have elapsed between the present and their memories of the past, they are still able to draw comfort from the 'dream comfort memory' of this place.
The second verse depicts a beautiful, haunting image of a moon rising behind blue windows and birds casting shadows on viewers' eyes. The singer again emphasizes the sense of being lost and helpless, expressing a deep vulnerability in the face of the changing, often unsettling world. The repeated refrain 'helpless' reinforces this theme, emphasizing the singer's feelings of isolation and vulnerability.
Line by Line Meaning
There is a town in North Ontario
Refers to a specific place that the singer remembers in North Ontario.
Dream comfort memory to spare
Suggests that the singer finds comfort and solace in his dreams and memories.
And in my mind I still need a place to go
Despite time passing, the singer still longs to return to this place in his mind.
All my changes were there
The singer has many memories of his past in the town, suggesting that it was a pivotal point in his life.
Blue, blue windows behind the stars
A beautiful image taken from the night sky.
Yellow moon on the rise
Another image from nature that the singer observes.
Big birds flying across the sky
More nature imagery, maybe symbolizing the freedom that the singer longs for.
Throwing shadows on our eyes
The birds' shadows possibly represent the darker nature of reality.
Leave us
A simple request for those shadows and darkness to go away.
Helpless, helpless, helpless, helpless
The singer feels helpless and unable to change his current situation.
Babe, can you hear me now?
The singer reaches out to someone, asking for help or just for someone to listen.
The chains are locked and tied across the door
The singer feels trapped, as if he has no way out.
Baby, sing with me somehow
The singer is still looking for that connection and seeks it in another person, hoping that they can share their thoughts and emotions together.
(Helpless, helpless) helpless, helpless
Repeats the state of helplessness that the singer feels.
Helpless, helpless, helpless, helpless
Ends with repeating the dominant motif of the song, the feeling of being helpless.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Oppothumbs M
They had to wipe out the snow from Neil's nose. Great song, great writer and singer. The best from 1966 - 1980. No one else is close.
Eddie Pirolli
Beautiful song
Chucky The G
@kcazzz Key of C, so the chords are C,G, and F. Its easy to play, but fun
Tony
Where's the coke on hims nose? 🤣