Here is a rundown of 10 favorite songs by Neil Young as compiled by YouTube Host Pete Pardo.
Also, see:
- Neil Young Lyrics
- Neil Young Lyrics Analysis
- Neil Young's Music
- Neil Young's Influences & Collaborations
- Neil Young's Sound
- Neil Young Piano Songs: 1970 - 1992
- Songs by Neil Young For Weddings
- Neil Young's 2019 Song Setlist Diversity Hits An Alltime Career High ... yet again
- Neil Young's Unreleased Songs - The Unofficial Archive
Song lyrics for some of Neil's most beloved songs, including Heart of Gold, Powderfinger, Thrasher, and Ordinary People.
Analysis of the meaning of the lyrics of some of Neil's more intriguing songs, including After The Goldrush, On The Beach, and Powderfinger.
Neil Young's music is examined in album and CD reviews, concert reviews, books and film/DVD reviews.
Neil Young influences and collaborations are explored in his work with Pearl Jam, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor and Emmylou Harris among others.
Neil Young's sound and acoustical effects are discussed in a collection of articles on Neil's guitars, amps, whizzer and other equipment. Also, how to play Neil's music.
Perhaps he could say "I'm not a huge Neil Young fan" one more time? This guy is boring, capital B, but I have never been a huge fan.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt. Why not just write a list....? This guy blows
DeleteImpressive response there Abner clocking in 8 minutes after posting. We appreciate your TW vigilance.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you saw the 12 minute video before we posted?
anyways, maybe you do have a fave neil song or 2? care to share with us?
that's really the point of the excercise here, ya know?! generate some discussion while we await CH tour news.
hey, maybe fave CH songs? how about that Dear Mr Snopes? won't you come out to play today?
Very, very fair list, and analysis, based on admitted personal preferences, and for all he says he has gone in and out of the music over the years, more educated on the discography than 95% of critical reviews I've read and heard over the years attempting to sum up a career that can't really be summed up too succinctly. I think his admission that he gravitates to the electric side of things, without dismissing the acoustic, is very close to what I have tried to say on this site many times, in many contexts. Because you like or don't like any given thing is totally acceptable- it's your preference, how can I dispute that? It's only when it drifts into "I don't like it, therefore, it sucks," that I start to get the willies. I really enjoyed this piece. As for me trying to narrow things down to a top ten? I won't even attempt it. The closest I've come is a list I put together years ago for a friend who wanted to explore Neil, which amounted to me listing standout cuts from every album in the discography, which was always a minimum of two or three per album, and many times four and five. Count up the albums, and do the math- more than ten. I mean, electric, acoustic, piano, lyrics, melody, lead guitar, etc., etc. Sorry, a top ten just ain't gonna happen.
ReplyDeleteA Friend Of Yours
Hard to argue with anything on list but how could u not even mention live version of “Powderfinger”. ?
ReplyDeleteFrom the live rust album
DeleteRust album needale and the sp00n
ReplyDeleteHelpless ???
ReplyDeleteNeil young is a largely underestimated genuis. Love the man,love his music. Always smile at"this notes for you".
ReplyDelete10 men working.... oooo. Awhhh he is great
DeleteMaybe another concept would work: Name seven signature songs for every era in Neil Young's extensive catalogue, spanning half a century.
ReplyDeleteThe eras would be something roughly along these chapters:
Formative Years
Buffalo Springfield
Solo & Early, Flying and Stray Monicas, Gators and Horse
The Ditch
Going County I and II (From CAT to IH)
High Horse & Rust (From Zuma to Reactor)
Eclectic & Experimental 80's (From Trans to Bluenotes)
The Return of the Horse (Life - Broken Arrow)
Relatively Solo (Silver & Gold - Heart of Gold)
Polit-Rock Young (Greendale - present)
The categories are focussed on Neil and the sound/lyrics of the era/genre, not so much on the bands and other collaborations. And of course there a still one-off-phases that stand as solitaires as they do not represent an era but rather single (side-)projects.
Sorry for spelling mistakes, saw them too late.
ReplyDeleteI like this idea, although one or two from each is enough...
ReplyDeleteFormative Years - I'll Love You Forever
Buffalo Springfield - Expecting to Fly & Mr. Soul
Solo & Early - Southern Man & The Loner
, Flying and Stray Monicas,
Gators - New Mamma
Horse - Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
The Ditch - On The Beach
Going County - Alabama
High Horse - Drive Back
Rust - Powderfinger
Eclectic & Experimental 80's Sample and Hold & Computer Age
The Return of the Horse Change Your Mind
Relatively Solo - Razor Love
Polit-Rock Young - Be the Rain
The categories are focussed on Neil and the sound/lyrics of the era/genre, not so much on the bands and other collaborations. And of course there a still one-off-phases that stand as solitaires as they do not represent an era but rather single (side-)projects.
I looked at the post for five minutes before a meeting, so there was not much in the way of vigilance. I honestly did not like his commentary, at least for the five minutes I watched. It seems very nearly impossible to come up with a list. For me, Neil Young has been more than music, he was the way of marking time (especially when I was younger). For instance, when Trans came out, a cold winter if I recall correctly, and lots of my friends who understood Neil's importance thought he had really flopped on this one. "Transformer Man" is a sad, beautiful song and others are incredibly melodic. We then saw him play live in western massachusetts, where he was booed. And then suddenly he was on stage with the Shocking Pinks and it was just crazy good. I used to play "Little Wing" for our sons before they went to bed. This was a long time ago. Lately, I have been listening to Nick Lowe. I then go to John Prine and Big Thief. But the touchstone is always Neil and his restless spirit. Without artists like Neil, there would be no art.
ReplyDelete“ IT’S ALL ONE SONG “
ReplyDeletePeace.
Been a long time since I passed this way. Things happen.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how I picked up this guy's favourite Neil tracks, but I winced whilst listening to him for most of the time, though he got some grudging respect for picking "Shots". Otherwise, his choices felt safe, the kind of tracks that would appeal to the non-Neil Young rock fan. For the record, I've never liked "The Loner", I can hear too much of Stills's influence in it, and I could happily do without "Cortez".
But, if I stick to the premise of only going for rocking tracks, and that leaves out so much brilliance, my top pick that hasn't already been mentioned would be "Powderfinger", pure class! But I'd also have to have "Don't cry no tears", "Country home", "Mansion on the hill" and "Eldorado".
May call back again soon. Glad that you're still keeping on going Thrasher.
I don't pick and choose Neil Young songs, they are all very important to me. Simple tunes like Little Wing and Cripple Creek Ferry touch me just as much as epics like Danger Bird and Change Your Mind. It's all one big family, and I love them all.
ReplyDeleteNow as far as a Neil fan who could do without Cortez? Well, I don't know what to make of that.
Homegrown is being listed as an offial RSD release for 4/18 https://recordstoreday.co.uk/releases/rsd-2020/neil-young/
ReplyDelete@ Greg, A Friend Of Yours - Good to hear from you in 2020.
ReplyDeleteWe've been seeing lots of folks fall of the Neil wagon for one reason or another lately, so nice to see you've got staying power.
Know what you mean about trying to nail down Top Neil -- albums, concerts, tours, songs, films, videos, books, etc.
@ Dionys - no worries on spelling. Nice concept on signature songs eras. good organizing chapters.
If anyone wants to take a crack at the challenge, TW will be happy to publish.
@ Acoustic FeedBack - Likewise, good suggestion for anyone up for a challenge. thanks
@ Dear Mr Snopes - apologies for implications. understood. thanks for clarifications and rustie memories.
@ Richie - right, who could do without Cortez?!
@ Knowledge Nomad - cool news. Let's wait & see.
ps - @ Greg, A Friend Of Yours - Comment of the Moment @
ReplyDeletehttp://neilyoungnews.thrasherswheat.org/2020/03/comment-of-momenttop-10-favorite-songs.html
Also, thanks to Roel over @ Rust Radio for suggesting this video.
ReplyDeletewww.rustradio.org
Speaking of RR, is now playing:
Neil Young at Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA on May 21, 2010
Thrasher, no worries, I could have been more kind in my comments. I really do dislike the uncivil tone in the United States. For that I apologize. The guy was doing his best and he actually came up with a good solid list.
ReplyDeleteThank you Abner.
ReplyDeleteYes, we all need to try a little harder being civil.
We really have the utmost respect for these performers who get up onstage to practice their craft and being heckled for trivialities. We've really seen both sides of Neil on this.
Where he's just totally ignored his sometimes inane audiences and played right on through it completely unfazed.
And we were actually at the infamous "Shutup asshole" concert in Philly in the 90's.
we know how we can get rattled by some of the trollish behavior of those who wander in and out of TW from time 2 time.
but we try and keep our cool. we've definitely got a lot better since those earlier days ...
http://neilyoungnews.thrasherswheat.org/2009/03/this-is-not-for-you-following-muse.html
thanks eddie
It is obvious that he doesn't have our level of devotion and cut his teeth mainly on Live Rust while still dipping into the studio albums occasionally over the years, but I like this guy, he has good energy and a good attitude. Seeing that it looks like he does a list like this for a new artist every day, he has to have a large breadth of knowledge. Just chill and enjoy the video everyone. You can always make your own video if you think that YouTube needs a hardcore fan's persepctive.
ReplyDeleteIn reply to Richie Cruz, when Zuma came out in '75, it was the track that everyone raved about and to a degree I enjoyed it as well. But it never captivated me and over the years it sort of became boring to me. Don't dislike it, just can do without it. Whereas the rest of Zuma is in my opinion, sublime! As I said in my earlier post, I love the album kicking off with Don't cry no tears, I still get excited hearing the opening bars after 45 years. But I'm totally bowled over by Pardon my heart. It never fails to feel as if he is singing about my life! There's a freshness to it after all these years! My wife has always reckoned that there have been three of us in our marriage and she comes a distant second to Neil!
ReplyDeleteI appear here as unknown, but I've forgotten how you log in and I went by the name breezehillpete here and on the yahoo rust list.