A Happy 4th of July To All of Our "Children of Destiny": Some Commentary on Neil Young's New Song
A very happy 4th of July to all of our "Children of Destiny" out there across the lands.
And on this Independence Day in America, as we celebrate freedom and eat hot dogs, once again Neil Young drops in on the festivities with his own special brand of fireworks with the new song and video "Children of Destiny".
Judging by the reaction over just the past few days, clearly once again Neil has managed to polarize his fan base. As if right on cue, some fans say "Right on Neil! Tell it to The Man!". Other fans say, "This is really dreadful hippie patriot jingoism."
Normally, over the past years here at Thrasher's Wheat, we blog on the 4th of July -- where we were born in the U.S.A. -- our hopes and dreams, such as 2015's Americana and The American Dream - This Land Is Our Land, This Land Is Your Land or Who's Really Going To Stand Up? But not this year, because thankfully Neil Young has done the job for us.
So without further ado, here's the latest backlash on Neil Young + Promise of the Real's song "Children of Destiny".
First up is this rather scathing attack on the song from What Is Neil Young Trying To Say In His Surreal 4th Of July Anthem? | Forbes by Contributor David Alm. Incidentally, David Alm has an "academic background in art history, literature, and film history, and taught journalism and film courses."
Forbes Contributor David Alm writes:
Neil Young has dropped a new track to commemorate the 4th of July, and it's as confounding as it is catchy. Marching drum beats, swelling refrains, a melody so epic and simple you'll be humming it in your head after one listen, whether you want to or not. Featuring a 56-piece orchestra and backed up by the band Promise of the Real, which includes Willie Nelson's sons Lukas and Michah, "Children of Destiny" was announced Friday by Young and Michah Nelson via Facebook Live.We'll stop there on the hatchet job. Got it. Thanks for helping us understand "What Is Neil Young Trying To Say In His Surreal 4th Of July Anthem?" Mr. Alm.
Stand up for what you believe/Resist the powers that be/Preserve the land and save the sea/For the children of destiny, chants Young between verses that convey an incoherent message that feels, by turns, patriotic and defiant. Sort of.
The video is no less confusing. It's a barrage of jingoism and protest, a political statement devoid of any actual statement, aside from a vague theme of "America rocks."
Images of fighter jets and American flags, many in the hands of children at 4th of July celebrations, are interspersed with aerial shots of the Women's March in Washington, D.C., tanks rolling through presumably foreign lands, and nature footage of America's mountains and rivers. Oh, and the Kremlin, and marches in other countries, and satellite images of planet Earth. The lyrics, meanwhile, are at once triumphant and trite, as well as lazy: The people feel the pain/They feel the pain/They walk the streets/While the bombs fall in the rain/The children hide/Somewhere inside/While the bombs fall in the rain.
Apparently it's tough to find a word to rhyme with "rain."
So what exactly is so surreal about this Mr. Alm? Is is not REAL? Do you not have the power of disCERNment to distinguish the wheat from the chaff? David Alm, if you're truly interested in trying to understand the surrealism of Neil Young than maybe try and go a bit deeper down the rabbit hole? It's dark and scary but maybe Neil's trying to tell you something you're not ready to appreciate and consider? What is so "incoherent" about the message, that it took 1,000+ words to deconstruct, de-legitmatize and re-frame? Busted.
Ain't that America, Mr Alm?
We completely understand how easy it is to rip apart Neil's latest work. In some ways, the attacks feel all to similar to the attacks on Young's 2006 album Living With War (which we're still living with...) Bombastic, preachy, political, weak, uninspiring, antagonistic, etc.
Probably the most perplexing reaction is the standard "Neil: Stay out of politics and focus on the music". Here's a comment on NEW Official Music Video: Neil Young + Promise of the Real - "Children of Destiny" by Buck Savage:
So I've been reading for years here and finally thought I'd post my thoughts.Uh, hello?! Remember that song about "Four Dead in Ohio"? A bit political and anti-war wouldn't you say? If the Internet existed in 1970, the reaction to "Ohio" would be the same. Half the country is outraged by attacking Nixon and insinuating the the President indirectly murdered 4 unarmed students. The other half is going "Right on!" Deja vu... all over again ...
I've been with Neil since Harvest. NOBODY has touched me like only Neil can. I have gone with him into the ditch more than a few times, as I'm sure we all have. I'll admit to a few head shakes when he was in the ditch, but that always made it all the sweeter when he hit the road that I love to travel on with him. However, albums like LWW and the latest Children of Destiny have become deal breakers for me. My life doesn't revolve around politics and all of the hate and negative emotions that comes with it. Neil is becoming so political and I often don't align with him. There are so many other emotions that he used to explore, but seems to have lost interest in. Peace Trail Protest? Which white multi millionaire's agenda is being promoted / protested this week? Two side of the same coin.I have found it a full time job to work on my own character flaws than to search out the faults of others.
If you enjoy the protest / political / save the planet stuff bully for you. I'd never criticize anyone who enjoys it. We are all different and I never am surprised when Neil takes a hard turn and losses me for a bit. That's who he is.
Neil lost a huge stabilizer when he and Pegi walked away from each other. So I get the absence of "love" songs and the negative themes of his latest work. He's taken up with a career protester, with all of her negative baggage. Neil has always gotten to make his choices, but this choice will have significant consequences, perhaps more than Neil bargained for I fear.
Lastly, these are just my thoughts, which doesn't make them right or wrong. I have no fear for the future with Neil. His body of work is so vast I won't live long enough to explore it all. For me, there are advantages of living in the past. I'm sure he will hit the highway again. When he does, I'll be there with a smile, like that from an old friend.
Neil Young really hasn't changed that much in the past 40 years. He is still singing truth to power and we love him for that alone.
Here's a response to Buck Savage's comment above on NEW Official Music Video: Neil Young + Promise of the Real - "Children of Destiny" by Ian:
Buck Savage,So many great comments. Thanks to all.
I will note that Storytone had no shortage of "love songs", accompanied by one protest number, so in that regard, I'm not sure he's only up for topical music these days--though he does seem increasingly drawn in such a direction. I say this not just in light of Ms. Hannah, but because he's working with the Nelson Boys. There's a pretty strong pedigree for rock activism there.
I don't think Neil's interest in Mother Earth is purely political. He seems to feel a deep spiritual connection to the natural world and living things, and I feel that passion is behind much of his latest work. Nonetheless there have recently been, for me, two good albums--Peace Trail and Storytone--that don't lose sight of the human story, even amid elements of broad topical commentary. Monsanto Years has less playback value (for me) because I don't feel it balances those aspects quite as effectively. The live Earth album should also be highlighted as a worthwhile experiment to give some of those songs a refreshed artistic context.
So, yes, I see your point about Neil's political frenzy of late, but I do think there's more to it. Regarding whether one's own views fit comfortably with Neil's, I don't see that that's his problem as an artist. I could mention varying previous songs that may make indviduals of any political persuasion less than reassured.
And we'll leave you with this final thought by on Comments of the Moment:"Children of Destiny" by Neil Young + Promise of the Real by Hounds That Howl:
I believe Neil is saying look, you can be part of the solution, saving Mother Earth, or part of the problem celebrating Nationalism to the exclusion of addressing the problems facing Humanity. The Nationalism is represented in the hokey Patriotic Videos and video of our arch enemy the Kremlin.Thanks Buck, Ian & Hounds That Howl & everyone else commenting!
The Children of Destny are being brainwashed by the fourth of July celebrations to honor nationalism and being blinded to their other responsibility as children of Mother Earth.
Once again, thanks Neil. You're clearly on the right track here. Past experience demonstrates that the more polarizing a new song is to your fan base, the more it demonstrates its the power and success. If we can't share our differences, we can't peacefully coexist.
To all, have a great and safe holiday.
Labels: neil young, video
by thrasher@PermaLink: 7/04/2017 09:43:00 AM
23 comments
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And just as we finished above post, this comment by Scotsman on linked thread above that likely resonates with many out there...
The tune is nice enough (though more than a little reminiscent of "God Save The Queen" on Americana), and I like the transition between the brash chorus and gentler verses. But there just isn't much substance to the song, beyond the now-standard rhetoric. Style over content. Note that I'm onboard with looking after the planet an all that, very much so. So I'm not criticising the message.
But songs are "supposed" to be nutrious food for our souls, bringing us something profound or enriching, something to stretch our hearts and minds. They shouldn't be compareable to over-salted junk food. That's why we seek out great songwriters and performers: they bring us something extraordinary and wondrous, something fulfilling. Something inspiring. Songs like Days That Used To Be and Violent Side and Stringman and Bandit.
So if the message behind this song is so "from the heart" (and I believe it is), then how hard can it be to sit down with pen and paper and come up with something a little more substantial? This is the same guy who has habitually written great songs for 50+ years. So he knows how to do it. He's got the skill, and that doesn't die with age. It just gets bured a little, if the muscle isn't stretched, if you take the easy route too many times.
It reminds me a little of Elvis's later live shows, where Elvis would cover up the weaknesses in his voice with orchestras and backing singers. His band gradually grew bigger and bigger, more and more musicians, and all the while his own strength and power were being ever more diminished. As the band grew bigger, Elvis got smaller. In contrast, Neil is clearly still a very able singer. I loved his intimate voice on Peace Trail and it sounds fine here, as well. But it's hard to deny that the shiny vaneer of the orchestra and production is hiding the fact that the song doesn't have a great deal of substance, doesn't have much to offer the listener.
You can throw more and more money at the project (incidentally, I wonder what budget Everybody Knows or Zuma were made on?), add more guitar players, more sound effects, more orchestras. But ultimately the overall success of the project will come from your dedicated ability to lock yourself in a room for two months (Sleeps With Angels-style), without consistent distraction, and come out (sweat dripping from your brow) with a notebook full of great songs that are worthy of people's attention. Songs that will blow us away with their insight or feeling or wit or humour or impact or...etc. And if you can't offer any of those things, then what are you doing writing songs?!?
I'll tell you one thing: Neil Young can do all of that. With ease. When he sits down and works hard.
Everything else is superfluous, and will be ignored by everyone (except those of us who listen to and buy everything out of faith).
Scotsman.
I tried but didn't make it through the complete song.
@Thrash: It's funny, I like the new song and have been very positive about it, and at the same time I completely agree with the Forbes review! I didn't find it to be scathing at all...
I interpreted the reviewer as saying the song was catchy as hell and lyrically ambiguous depending on the prism the listener brings to it. The lyrics may not be as clearly obvious as everyone's been making them out to be. I don't think he was really criticizing it, and again, he said it was catchy. That too was the first word I used to describe the song...
@Scots: On balance I agree with your well written thoughts. Musically the song is interesting to me, and I don't really see where the lyrics are that bad. Yes, they're direct and somewhat generic, but at times Neil's come up with much worse in every decade of his career..
On a related though unrelated topic, I'd argue that of Neil's strengths, the weakest tool in his arsenal is (and always has been) his songwriting. That may sound somewhat controversial to many, but I really believe it.
To me, Neil is more of a melodic song shaper or song deliverer, not so much a songwriter. With Neil, the whole is vastly greater than the sum of his individual parts. If you look at his lyrics in isolation, without his voice or music, they're generally very weak. They either mean nothing or are too direct to be poetic.
But, when he plays his guitar, and adds his brilliant melodies to his haunting voice, it almost always sounds good regardless of the lyrics. His message is conveyed to us by the way he sings and plays, not what he sings.
So to me, on Children of Destiny we once again find Neil conveying his feelings to us with the totality of his arsenal (music, voice, video, etc..), so there's no need to pick apart the lyrics. I "feel" the message Neil's delivering. It's not cryptic, or haunting or poetic, it's earnest and open, AND CATCHY.
"Take my advice
don't listen to me"
@ Art - maybe wait a few years and try again??? :)
Happy 4th! Say hi to Leslie for us!
@ TopangaD - Try as we might to take your advice, we do listen to you.
Going back and re-reading after posting, we do see that we've been rather harsh on the MSM's Mr Alm here. But he's professionally paid writer, so we're sure he can take it.
And going back to the review for our 3rd reading, yes, we see your point here.
Originally, we saw this review come across with comments like "This song sucks and I agree with this Forbes link". So a lot of naysayers are linking to the review to back up their disparaging opinion.
But you're right, Mr Alm doesn't totally slam the song and the lining to the review by others to support their negative opinion works as a back handed compliment.
We guess our main gripe is the media's classic head fake headline suggesting we were going to explore surrealism and Neil's music. You pay for this but they give that.
Again, where is the surrealism here?
The real juxtaposition is the words and images. Totally patriotic imagery over words that echo fascism. Sorry but that's what we see and hear.
And that juxtaposition seems to be more along the lines of irony and satire. More to the picture than meets the eye type of stuff, if we say so.
Lastly, as we state above, the more Neil is attacked, the more it validates his position and the stronger his message becomes.
We're living with war so deal with it...
peace
Topanga: I'd agree that his songs are better enjoyed when listened to in context of the whole package of sound (although I think most read well on the page, as well). I'd take that view of ALL songs, however, not just Neil's. With that in mind, the fact that his songs do sound better than they read on the page isn't cause for criticism of the songwriting.
As Bob Dylan said: "Songs are unlike literature. They're meant to be sung, not read on a page".
That said, listened to or read from the lyric sheet, some of Neil's songs have more substance to them than others. Some offer more to the listener. I'll use Days That Used To Be as an example, a song which I enjoyed listening to last night:
People say don't rock the boat
let things go their own way
Ideas that once seemed so right
now have gotten hard to say
I wish I could talk to you
and you could talk to me
'cause there's very few of us left my friend
froom the days that used to be.
Seemed like such a simple thing
to follow one's own dream
But possessions and concessions
are not often what they seem
They drag you down
and load you down
in disguise of security
But we never had to make those deals
In the days that used to be.
Talk to me, my long lost friend
tell me how you are
are you happy with your circumstance
are you driving a new car
Does it get you where you wanna go
with the seven-year warranty
Or just another hundred thousand miles away
From days that used to be
Listen to how much feeling, meaning, insight, wry observation and storytelling he crams into those three simple verses. The listener is given a real treat, something to get their teeth into. And I suspect most of us here wouldn't even consider that to be of his very best songs, as great as it is. It's just a very typical example of good writing.
I'd agree the new song sounds alright, musically (if unspectacular), but I don't think he has made the best of it by miles. It doesn't even scratch the surface of what he is still very much capable of when he digs a bit (or a lot) deeper.
Scotsman.
Hey, I think Neil's message is getting out fairly well.
The You Tube video is still trending and now has 641K views, with roughly 4,500 likes and 1,900 dislikes.
I listened to the song a few more times today and find myself enjoying it more and more with each listen. Maybe I'm simple minded, but I really like it...
"Stand up for what you believe
resist the powers that be
preserve the land and save the seas
for the children of destiny
the children of you and me"
That chorus and melody keeps circling around in my head--love it, and then when my mood shifts, I find myself liking Neil's quiet delivery:
"The children hide--somewhere inside"
Thrash, as far as Neil goes, I think we're pretty much in agreement over his career and this song, etc..
As for the main stream media, I trust them a little more than you do, but I don't fully trust without verification.
Happy 4th to you and Thrashette and to everyone else who visits this neighborhood. All the best...and be safe.
Scots: Can't really argue with you at all, and the song you quoted happens to be one of my favorites, so well done!
But, on that same album Neil also has the song F*** Up which has always bothered me as I consider it to be way beneath him. I know I'm somewhat in the minority, but that song is embarrassing and unnecessary with its forced use of "vulgarity" to make a point.
Regarding Neil's songwriting, to me, it's just always been very hit and miss, but his musical soul, attitude and spirit is almost always spot on. That being said, I feel a quote from the best song Neil ever wrote is appropriate. I could have chosen many from the song, but for now, I'll simply go with:
"How I lost my friends, I still don't understand"
It will be interesting to see if this song is intended as a stand-alone project or part of a broader album. As a stand-alone song, it doesn't strike me as being anywhere near substantial enough to warrant many repeat listens, beyond inititial curiosity. But it might conceivably find its place on an album of more heavyweight songs.
Either way, I don't see how it can be a bad thing to hope that Neil still has some truly great songs left in him, rather than damning his latest work with feint praise: "well, it's not his best work, but he is quite old, isn't he...".
Of course it goes without saying that he has already created more than his fair share of great songs.
Scotsman.
Alternate recording-session video just posted to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QigU8Hi14z0&feature=youtu.be
Thanks Babbo.
Here's Neil's description and message introducing the video:
Friends
Thanks so much for your response to Children of Destiny! This is a heartfelt message to people all around the world, our home. We hope this song resonates with you and gives you strength to know that you are not alone. Resist those who lash out against our positive message with violence, name calling and negativity. We are concerned for our Democracy, Environment and Freedom. Nothing will ever stop us from standing up. We gathered together on the full moon to record our song. Here is a new video of that moment!
Love and Respect,
Celebrate Interdependence!
Neil
Once again, thanks to all for your comments and insightful observations on Neil's latest.
Many of you have demonstrated why, -- as we often say -- Neil Young fans (& TW readers) are some of the most astute & knowledgeable music lovers in the world and we're honored to be part of this rust community.
We were planning to add a few thoughts here & there.
But thanks to link from Babbo we got distracted and couldn't help but notice Neil's comments on latest video posting:
---
Friends
Thanks so much for your response to Children of Destiny!
This is a heartfelt message to people all around the world, our home. We hope this song resonates with you and gives you strength to know that you are not alone. Resist those who lash out against our positive message with violence, name calling and negativity. We are concerned for our Democracy, Environment and Freedom. Nothing will ever stop us from standing up. We gathered together on the full moon to record our song.
Here is a new video of that moment!
Love and Respect,
Celebrate Interdependence!
Neil
whoa TopangaD?!
Looks like both hit Publish button at exact same instant w/ same words from Neil @ 04:31:00 PM
Just another one of those cosmic Neil miracle moments that we experience from time to time...
There's something happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear..., but as Neil wrote,
Love and Respect
Celebrate Interdependence!
Not sure why but the song sounds better watching the performance video! Guess the first video is a little too over the top for my taste. Great to see Neil looking healthy and making new music but still hoping to hear more PotR and less choir next time.
I'm not convinced that many people are actually "lashing out at the postive message", it would just be nice if the rather-talented gentleman in question would take a few more minutes from his busy schedule to sit down and write a half-decent song about a cause that clearly means a lot to him.
I think most of us are totally onboard with Neil in trying to save the world for future generations (I know I am), but "stand up for what you believe, resist the powers that be" doesn't necessarily help us with that very much in a practical way (indeed, the ISIS suicide bomber is motivated by exactly the same philosophy).
Perhaps recording a stripped-back version of this song and instead publicly donating the orchestra's fee to a clean water charity would have been the most profound way to demonstrate how to make a difference to the world. "Stop wasting money on stuff you don't really need" is perhaps one of key messages we need to hear en route to making the world a more sustainable place. I realise that may be a little controversial, however, especially coming from someone who owns 5 versions of Harvest.
:-)
Scotsman.
I am older now and can more clearly see things for what they are. Thrasher is (and has to be) a Neil Young Cheerleader. I, as a consumer of goods, can remain impartial. This new song is his weakest effort yet. Mixed messages? seems to be a running theme, lately. The light from Neil's Muse seems to be dimming, fading. It is a sad thing to observe for sure. someone above referenced Elvis. not too far off the mark. One thing that separates Elvis from Neil though is this:
If you wanna bash America at least have the Gonads to do it from the point of your "Dual Citizenship" (a neat luxury not afforded to many).
I dig Neil and I will continue to purchase his wares. Not All of his wares are worthy of purchase, so let the buyer beware.
Happy Independence Day and Much thanks to all those who made it (and continue to make it) so.
the performance video is great!
Imagine if Briggs was around to hear this ...
Four Dead in Ohio? Ohio? Let's see... released in 1970 , recorded by CSN&Y, that the one that peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 16 in Canada? It was no doubt one of Neils most "popular" releases, and not just from his fan base. My favorite version? His solo acoustic concerts in the first part of 2014. Protest song? For sure. Much in common with Children of Destiny"? Not for me.
Maybe some think that Children of Destiny is on par or even better than Ohio? That it will climb higher than #14 on the Hot 100... or whatever is used now to measure "success" now days.That it will resonate with many outside of Neil's fan base? If anyone besides Neil would have released Children of Destiny, would you have been impressed?
I guess my final question would be this. Do you think that if Neil had released Children of Destiny in 1970 that it would have had the impact of Ohio?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions... I love ya! If you answered no to any of the above questions... I love ya!
Thanks to Thrasher for doing such a great job here!
Buck, Seth & Merle
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10154957016369092&id=634379091
http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/radio/local_melbourne/audio/201707/ovn-2017-07-04-neil-young.mp3
Early morning Australia abc radio on Neil ....
herbsworld,
I'm not sure I understand your "America bashing" comment. That's not how I see this song in the least. This is a fervently pro-democracy, pro-planet, anti-war song. It doesn't praise The US to the exclusion of the rest of the planet, but if that's your standard for bashing, I think you're looking at things far too simplistically. Lack of constant genuflection is not bashing: we must be able to have these conversations about flaws, mistakes, and shortcomings without reverting to "You hate America!" as the response to anyone you disagree with. And it seems to me that some people too often use "America- bashing" as a label to anyone who doesn't absolutely and unequivocally believe a certain set of ideas about what our country is or ought to be. I may as well say it straight: the term is sometimes used as a conservative media dog rhetorical whistle. And given this loadedness, it irks me somewhat to see the term thrown around casually.
I see this song, as well as LWW and most of Neil's protest work, as anti-war, anti-destruction, anti-corruption; pro-planet, pro-democracy, pro-America; even, for Living with War, directly pro-soldier. Listen again to Families, Flags of Freedom, Roger and Out, and the title song from LWW--this is not wanton spite against American servicepeople, or against America/ns. Then we can go back as far as Hawks and Doves. Neil can--pardon the phrase--piss red, white, and blue when he wants to. So this America Bashing bit does not hold water for me. It's just that he's not saying the US can do no wrong (unless you're not a liberal and a Democrat happens to be president, and then it's open season to tear apart any and all US policy actions). Maybe that rubs some folks the wrong way. So be it. As the aggressively politically incorrect crowd likes to tell us, you won't get anywhere by never hurting people's feelings.
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