Neil Young News: Cowboy Junkies cover Neil Young's "Powderfinger"

Friday, August 21, 2009

Cowboy Junkies cover Neil Young's "Powderfinger"

The Cowboy Junkies performing the Neil Young cover "Powderfinger" on April 11, 2009 in Dingle, Ireland on YouTube.

Which begs the question, what the hell is "Powderfinger" all about?

Of course, nobody seems to have a clue whatsoever. It's hard to say the meaning of this song.

But really. Isn't it totally obvious what the song "Powderfinger" is about?

Also, see Neil Young's influence on Cowboy Junkies' music.

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12 Comments:

At 8/21/2009 08:34:00 AM, Powderfinger said...: Very nice cover!

And as far as what PF is about, I dunno, but it always reminds me of the movie "Sometimes A Great Notion," based on the novel by Neil's one-time neighbor, Ken Kesey.

A coincidence?

It is absolutely my most favorite song to play and sing, so look out mama!
At 8/21/2009 10:06:00 AM, doc said...: Great rendition..So many great bands and singers come out of Ireland and correct me if I'm wrong, but Cowboy Junkies are another great product from this country it seems.
Neil seems to have an affinity with Irish singers and bands and a lot seem to do covers of Neil's songs and always seem to do them justice!
At 8/21/2009 12:31:00 PM, Anonymous said...: I think we need to distinguish "what the song is about" from what is the context of the song and what real or imagined event is described and in what era is it placed.

I believe the song is "about" a young man confronted with peril who had to make his choice whether to stand his ground at the ultimate risk or to surrender or flee. He had to make the choice alone due to circumstances, chose to stand his ground. As result he dies, and his posthumous voice tells us he felt unsure of his choice because of his lack of experience and regrets the cost even if it something he "had to do."

I don't know the context or the event to which Neil alludes or even if there was a secific one, but i suspect that may be intentional so that the real message of the song is more universal.
At 8/21/2009 12:52:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Gee, there must be 50 different interpretation of PF on that link?!

Can't everyone agree? ;)
At 8/21/2009 12:55:00 PM, Anonymous said...: @ Doc
The Cowboy Junkies come from ... Canada ! Members of the Cowboy Junkies play in the canadian band Lee Harvey Osmond now(great one).

Thunder and Lightning
At 8/21/2009 01:13:00 PM, eric said...: doc: Actually they are from Canada and it is a great cover!
At 8/21/2009 02:09:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Hi Doc,

I agree that there are a lot of great bands and singers who've come out of Ireland, but in the Junkies' case it's Canada.

Regards,
- Bill
At 8/21/2009 08:50:00 PM, Anonymous said...: The Cowboy Junkies have been doing the Powder Finger cover for many years. A nice slow burn. They are from Toronto - right out of the Queen Street scene from the 80's.
Margo is still looking good
At 8/21/2009 09:14:00 PM, doc said...: Whoa!, Just checked "youtube" links to other covers the "junkies" have done!..My new favourite band..how good is the lead singer's voice..she melts me!..and there from Canada!..how good is that!!!

Mesmorized Dip
At 8/21/2009 10:04:00 PM, Babbo said...: The Junkies do lots of swell Neil covers, including possibly the only "Tired Eyes" I've heard by anyone else.
At 8/28/2009 07:44:00 PM, dr dip said...: Look, this is probably not the right topic thread to put this under but after checkin out the "Junkies" on youtube and other great covers they do, I came across the fact that they do a cover of Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane" which got me searchin' for a great favourite of mine....Lou Reed's Rock'n roll Animal and namely The start..Intro/Sweet Jane played by Steve Hunter/Wagner..that opening riff into Sweet Jane is such a classic.. probably up there with the opening guitar riff to Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water"... which every guitarist worth his salt can play with their eyes shut.

Neil Young's opening riff into Cinnamon girl..my all time fav.

Which ultimately leads me to the question...What is your all time favourite opening guitar riff to a song, past or present that sticks and hovers in your mind like an earworm?
Boston's "more than a feeling?"..the riff in the chorus to that maybe?
Lets hear what you guys/gals think?

Inquisitive Dip
At 10/12/2009 10:59:00 PM, Tom Birkland said...: Love the Cowboy Junkies and their version of this song. It's appropriate they're from Canada--if I'm not mistaken, so's Neil Young. Ontario, if memory serves.

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