"Are Protesters Terrorists?" - 2003
[Then: "War on Terror" - Now: "War on Germs"]
"Leave The Driving" - RETURN TO GREENDALE by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
via "Return To Greendale" World Premiere | NYA
The song "Leave The Driving" from "RETURN TO GREENDALE" film is scheduled to re-premiere today in Hearse Theater Screen #2 | Neil Young Archives.
Directed by L.A. Johnson and Bernard Shakey, Chapter III of RETURN TO GREENDALE is performed live in Toronto with full cast. Each Monday will feature a chapter from Greendale.
"Leave The Driving"
Here are 2 verses from "Leave The Driving" which indicate that Neil Young was very concerned about the infringement of civil liberties during the "War on Terror":
"But there's no need to worry
There's no reason to fuss
Just go on about your work now
And leave the drivin' to us
And we'll be watching you
No matter what you do
And you can do your part
By watchin' others too"
Officer Carmichael Pulls Over Jed
So who's in control? The driver (citizens) of the vehicle (the country)? Or law enforcement (government)?
Recall, this was the mindset in 2002 (when Greendale was written) during the "War on Terror" and the era of "See something, say something." Now, in a 2020 "pandemic world", the song takes on new meanings as citizens are again encouraged to report suspicious medical conditions.
A premiere screening of the film RETURN TO GREENDALE by Neil Young & Crazy Horse was held at Balboa Theater in San Francisco, CA on Jan 28, 2020, where much of the cast and crew attended, as we reported.
"Devil's Sidewalk"
Neil Young's Greendale (2003)
(More on Going Back to Greendale #4: "Devil's Sidewalk" from Neil Young's RETURN TO GREENDALE | NYA )
Also, see Chapter I: "Falling From Above" from "Greendale" | Neil Young Archives and Chapter II: "Double E" from "Return To Greendale" | Neil Young Archives .
"Everything You're Looking For" - Bandit
LEAVING GREENDALE
POP. 25,810
Neil Young News: Premiere; RETURN TO GREENDALE by Neil Young & Crazy Horse @ Balboa Theater, San Francisco, CA - Jan 28, 2020
— ThrashersWheat (@ThrashersWheat) February 2, 2020
See https://t.co/hTt0IDeLud
---#CrazyHorse4HOF @NeilYoungNYA @CrazyHorse4HoF pic.twitter.com/UdjixWOKSy
Greta, Julia Butterfly & Sun Green
— ThrashersWheat (@ThrashersWheat) February 10, 2020
Neil Young's Prophetic Greendale: Sun Green + Julia Butterfly
See https://t.co/7iH6U4aIMC
"Be a goddess in the planet wars" #BeTheRain @NeilYoungNYA @CrazyHorse4HOF @dhlovelife pic.twitter.com/g6qv5TFPoN
That extraordinary video of Like A Hurricane from Switzerland 2013 is now showing again over at NYA, this time with Rockin' In The Free World included as well. Rarely has a concert film made me feel like I am soaking wet in a perfectly dry room, but this one managed it.
ReplyDeleteAs I've said before, guitarists are prone to coming out of retirement with the same frequency as mafia Dons. If Poncho were to make an occasional return to the studio or live stage when the current crisis is over, I think a lot of fans would be very happy. In the meantime, though, I hope he is doing well and knows he is missed.
Best wishes everyone: I hope you are all doing well, too. Plenty of treats to enjoy on NYA recently at least! And Dylan's new album is on the horizon as well.
Scotsman.
I too have just wallowed in the rain along with Billy, Frank and Ralph along with Neil watching and rewatching and then once again to end with Rockin’ in the Free World. We are so lucky to have access to witness the creative work en vivo. Hope you all got a chance to watch or need to wait till the full concert is released. I, for one, find my social isolation less so each day I get to absorb a Neil memory.
ReplyDeleteThanks Scotsman & Kundalini. we bumped your comment to the thread:
ReplyDelete"Force of Nature": 34+ minute version of "Like A Hurricane" + RITFW on Hearse Theater | Neil Young Archives
http://neilyoungnews.thrasherswheat.org/2020/05/force-of-nature-34-minute-version-of.html
But, back to subject at hand here re: "Leave The Driving"
So is it not surprising the lack of commentary about how the "War on Terror" in 2003 has morphed into the "War on Germs" today?
Maybe someone is discussing this somewhere but we haven't seen as of yet.
That 17 years after Greendale, Neil premieres RETURN TO GREENDALE just as the "pandemic" explodes?
Maybe it's just us who found the lyrics almost too prescient once again?
"And we'll be watching you
No matter what you do
And you can do your part
By watchin' others too"
So who's in control? The driver (citizens) of the vehicle (the country)? Or law enforcement (government)?
Recall, this was the mindset in 2002 (when Greendale was written) during the "War on Terror" and the era of "See something, say something." Now, in a 2020 "pandemic world", the song takes on new meanings as citizens are again encouraged to report suspicious medical conditions.
Big Brother strikes yet again. will we ever learn to stop living in fear?
As for us, we know that we will die on our feet trying to be free rather than on our knees as a slave.
But Ben said it better:
"Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
~~ Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
So did Patrick:
"Give me liberty, or give me death!" is a quotation attributed to Patrick Henry from a speech he made to the Second Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775, at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia.
F* leave the drivin' to us. we'll drive ourselves thank you.