Neil Young's "Canadianness"
Neil Young - Circa 1975
Photo by Henry Diltz
In a somewhat tongue in cheek analysis -- we think -- a case is made as to why Neil Young is not a Canadian.
While obviously Neil was born in Canada and will always be defined by his Canadian roots, The Walrus Blogs claims that ain't necessarily so, calling Neil a "Southern Man" aka "American":
The romance that Neil holds for American listeners is obvious; he’s always straddled the line between loner and consummate hipster. His charm seems accidental, as nothing about him seems to make sense: his lyrics consist of one-liners pieced together with nonsense, and they rarely seem as punchy on second thought as they do when he delivers them; his guitar technique is like that of a kid trying to emulate his heroes before he’s finished learning how to play. At his most interesting, Neil is a relative moderate embroiled in a world of excess, chronicling his friends’ downward spirals with insight but far from square himself. In short, he’s always been cool, but he’s never been a fuck-up or a ham.
Some people call this mystique; I call it Canadianness.
But we have to face the truth: the northerner in Neil went south with him.
More on The Walrus Blogs.
Also, see why a southern man does need Neil Young around anyhow.
by thrasher@PermaLink: 7/22/2009 08:36:00 AM
11 comments
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11 Comments:
Cool pic.Yeah I'd have to agree.I think Neil's personality is very American.
Rancho Relaxo
Must be why the most recent PBS show placed him in the "American Masters" series they produce.
We really aren't all that different ya know lol.
Being Canadian, Nationally has come to mean Polite, tolerant and self deprecating.
I think at times these things are true but like any Human we all fall short of even what becomes a stereo type ;o)
I think we can surely say Neil is "North American" with a hint of Canadian.
Your friendly Canadian neighbour
LIVE RUST
It doesn't really matter to me (as a Canadian); but I have always been curious - does neeil tarvel with a Canadian or American passport? Anyone know?
The main difference (as a Brit living in Ireland) has noticed between Americans and Canadians is that Americans say "Have a Nice Day" (a lot) whilst Canadians say "Have a Good Day" (a lot). :-)
if i remember correctly neil did not apply to become an american he is still canadian eh.
I read this article the other day, and I have to take issue with the statement, "his lyrics consist of one-liners pieced together with nonsense."
Which is itself nonsense.
To me this indicates that either the author doesn't have enough exposure to Neil's lyrics to make a realistic judgement, and is making a sweeping statement based on perhaps a few songs that fit that description.
The article I think rings true on a lot of levels, but I think he dismisses Young's talent and songwriting as accidental, arbitrary, and not nearly as good as it's made out to be, pretty much right off the bat.
I do agree with the description of Neil as 'relative moderate embroiled in a world of excess, chronicling his friends’ downward spirals with insight but far from square himself.'
But even that is such a small portion of the whole of Neil's personality and material, and again the author is turning one piece into the whole pie.
These bad observations about Young as a musician undermine an otherwise observant article, the premise of which (that Neil is more of an American than a Canadian) I can totally get behind.
But I don't understand why the author feels it necessary to dismiss and belittle his talent along the way.
After 40 years in the USA he has never taken American citizenship. He's what is termed a 'resident alien'. He remains a Canadian citizen.
You know this stuff in the post?
"he’s always straddled the line between loner and consummate hipster. His charm seems accidental, as nothing about him seems to make sense: his lyrics consist of one-liners pieced together with nonsense, and they rarely seem as punchy on second thought as they do when he delivers them; his guitar technique is like that of a kid trying to emulate his heroes before he’s finished learning how to play. At his most interesting, Neil is a relative moderate embroiled in a world of excess, chronicling his friends’ downward spirals with insight but far from square himself."
Actually sounds quintessentially Canadian.
I'm with anonymous who figures he's North American.
Sorry to be a critic but the post we're commenting on seems overly decadent and self indulgent ... which means it exists more for itself and its author than a purely sincere attempt to capture the essence of Neil ... so I approach it with suspicion and I think its a C- at best comment, with some backhanded Neil compliments. What bothers me most is that it doesn't respect Neil nearly to the level he deserves to be respected on. In terms of the core question, I think I once heard Neil say that music knows no borders ... but if forced to choose btw american or canadian I'd say he remains quintessentially Canadian which is a good thing (despite the fact that I'm American and proud to be) and that's probably a good part of why he remained grounded and outlasted everyone from and since his era. As a side comment, its hard to imagine how Neil, Bob and Joni coming from the same general region is a complete coincidence ...
I'm Australian, bord & bred and no matter how far I roam, or enbroiled in other cultures, pr get attached to other countries, or associate with cousins in Naaru, USA or friends all over the world, and no matter how long I stay away from Oz I will always be an Australian. Its the bringing up that does it,its the conditioning and legacy of your birth place that make you U and leave a blueprint within U for the rest of your life,so... in that respect, Neil, I believe will always be a Canadian but he has adapted to the way of American Living and Breathing. Its now where his family is and brings attachment to a new environment. But is he American.."Why don't you ask her".
"Its the bringing up that does it,its the conditioning and legacy of your birth place that make you U and leave a blueprint within U for the rest of your life,so..."
Well said!
As my folks always told me, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
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