image via Official Video
Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts performed a new song "Big Crime" on Wednesday night in Chicago.
Here is the Official Video from the Chicago concert sound check.
The audio can be downloaded at NeilYoungArchives.com.
In the song "Big Crime", Neil Young denounces "fascist rules and schools," "soldiers on our streets," and the influence of "billionaire fascists." The key verse, "Never Great Again," is a clear reversal of President Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan. The "BLACKOUT THE SYSTEM" section refers to a movement. that "seeks to bring about a peaceful economic shutdown by depriving people of jobs, consumption, and financial support in order to reclaim power from corrupt systems".
Unsurprisingly, the new song has provoked a predictable and typical left/right reaction.
Fans here on Thrasher's Wheat generally praise Neil in comments on Chicago concert for "calling out fascist Trump." Likewise, YouTube comments are broadly supportive:
"Thank you Neil Young, you're a breath of fresh air as always. Telling it as it is"
And, a polar opposite reaction with White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson on Fox News calling the song "cringe." Instead of tarnishing his legacy with such songs, Jackson argued, Young should instead speak to residents of Washington, DC, who, thanks to President Trump, have not been victims of violent crime. (links via R-M)
The right-wing media outlet "Breitbart News" also issued harsh criticism. Alex Marlow, editor-in-chief of Breitbart said:
"[the lyrics are] the least creative, most direct lyrics anyone has ever seen."
Marlow mocked the lack of originality and diversity in Young's work, sarcastically noting that all his songs sound like "Old Man ."
This long running saga of the Trump-Young feud never seems to get old. Like some sort of script stuck in a loop, over and over again. Love vs Hate. Hate vs Love. After all, what's so funny about peace, love and understanding?
Alas -- much to the chagrin of oblivious detractors - the Big Shift rolls on whether one likes it or not.
#KORITFW
More on neil young and the chrome hearts love earth 2025 WORLD tour @
More concert reports @ “Love Earth Tour”: Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts Concert Dates (UPDATED CONTINUOUSLY).
I sent this video to everyone in my contacts this morning. It’s a rather simple song, but it is an important statement to MAGA, that they are on the wrong side of history.
ReplyDeleteWill it change any minds? I doubt it, but I’m glad Neil released it.
Many people keep saying we’re headed towards an authoritarian dictatorship. I disagree. We’re already there.
Peace to all 🙏 regardless of whether they realize it or not.
If we were really living in an authoritarian dictatorship, Neil wouldn't be allowed to release a song like that. Maybe move to China or North Korea and rail about their leaders, then see what happens.
ReplyDeleteNeil screams about fascism, yet he was the guy calling for Joe Rogan's head because Rogan questioned government authority during Covid. Neil screams about billionaires, yet seemed pretty ok with taking a half billion dollars for his song catalog.
Whatever. Deep down, we are ALL hypocrites, whether we admit it or not. Personally, I just wish Neil could put some more effort into his songwriting. His past work was so soulful, now it's just cliches and complaints. Truthfully, the Old Man yelling 'Get off my lawn!'
Very very well said
DeleteI agree. You definitely need to wait until actually becoming a totalitarian dictatorship before warning people that things are trending that way.
DeleteI have lost track of how many of Neil's songs use "don't need no" as a springboard.
ReplyDeleteWe have masked law enforcement kidnapping people (including U. S. Citizens) off the street and deporting them without due process. We have our armed military policing streets in L. A. And D. C. and the president has threatened to expand this throughout the country. He has broken virtually every constitutional law. So how long do we need to wait to call it what it is.
ReplyDeleteAre you not paying attention?
Ain't singing for Pepsi
ReplyDeleteAin't singing for Coke
I'm singing for folks make me look like a joke.
I never thought I'd be in agreement with Richie Cruz on a point of politics, but I am in this case regarding to Dan's post, and especially the part about the quality of Neil's more recent work. And as for anonymous's post, if you waited until where you live became a totalitarian dictatorship before warning people about it then you'd probably find that you're past the point of free expression and wouldn't be able to warn people!
ReplyDeleteI'm British, and I look at this situation with an outsiders eye. I've spent many many happy times in the wonderful U.S, and I'm deeply saddened by what I see happening over there. As far as I'm concerned Trump is just a brainless wannabe mobster with a poor choice in the colour of his spray tan and even poorer choice in who he welcomes into the U.S. - applauding Putin??? FFS!!......but, he was freely elected by the people, and free elections are denied to millions and millions of people all over the world. Your'e a long way from being a dictatorship and all that goes with it. I'm sure most people in China, Russia, North Korea and many many countries, especially some in both central and south America would love to live in the "totalitarian dictatorship" of the U.S. as it currently stands. Who knows what the orange buffoon has in mind, I doubt he knows to be honest, but at present too many people are too quick to use terms such as "dictatorship". If the U.S. was such
a country then you wouldn't be able to read this post..............
I am the anonymous poster who stated that we should wait until we are a totalitarian dictatorship before warning of its arrival. It was a sarcastic comment, sorry if that did not come across. Though the US is not currently a totalitarian dictatorship, the Federal government is operating dangerously close to just that (imo). As you yourself alluded to, if you wait until totalitarianism is realized, it is too late to sound the alarms. I realize comparisons to Hitler are lazy, but mine focuses more on timeline to highlight the speed in which change can take hold. Hitler was in a jail cell in 1923 and appointed Chancellor in 1933. 10 years. November will mark 9 years since Trump was first elected President. Where will America be after 3 1/2 more years of Constitutional guardrails being ignored?
DeleteAnonymous, I didn't pick up on the sarcasm, but that's my fault, sorry about that. I agree 100% with you about timelines of political leaders, and I did make the point regarding nobody knowing how the orange buffoon might behave in the future. But at present, no, you're not living in a dictatorship yet, emphasis on the word "yet".......sending everyone of whatever political persuasion best wishes from across the pond.
ReplyDeleteAll good. Appreciate your insights. On the subject of the music, I was at both the Chicago and Milwaukee shows where Big Crime was played. The lyrics are most definitely simplistic and I would not classify it as high art. It is emotional. The crowd around me was definitely into it. I would have preferred to hear I’m the Ocean, but it’s his trip. I’m mostly just enjoying every song I hear Neil play as if it is the last one. Life is short. If the Milwaukee show is my last Neil concert…it was a pretty damn good one. To those seeing the remaining shows of this tour, enjoy.
DeleteDenial is what separates man from the animals. And it’s a tool for authoritarianism. It doesn’t always happen overnight, it grows slowly. But unfortunately we may not be able to have this conversation in three and a half years. By then it will be too late.
ReplyDeletePeace 🙏
Full authoritarianism may not have been achieved yet in the USA but the direction of travel really is crystal clear. Ron
ReplyDeleteMicah is Magical. The guitar interface on many but ie Looking Forward . Exquisite. Reviewing Charlotte YT now. Something Crazy Horse never did. Now Horse does things Hearts won't or can't but vice versa. No complaints. I sold my $30 tic for LA. It's ,2 days to get there. I know nothing about Hollywood . But I'm a CA native. I'm enjoyin the vids tho. He , they, killin it.
ReplyDeleteRichard Nixon opened doors for Donald Trump. Nixon once stated that he could do anything because he is the president and then he proceeded to commit crimes, etc... There has always been a fascist theme in American history, politics, and economics. Consult the 1930's and "German-American Friends" and see for yourselves. It is hard to keep track of the new and emerging right wing hate groups. I think Dan said this, and he is absolutely right, the authoritarian government is a step by step process. No question that rights of immigrants have been grossly violated. People being deported with no due process. If you think this is trivial please thing again. For Neil, and given the absurdly rapid pace of cultural messages, the broadside might be the best way to go. I mean, everything he says is true. Nuanced and subtle lyrics in a protest song will work on who? People on this thread maybe but certainly not the rest of bone head America. I also think the song has a nice feel. I almost went to the Milwaukee show but I need every cent these days.
ReplyDeletePeople seem to be not hearing or seeing or believing what they are hearing and seeing. The news gets worse, sometimes faster than day to day. It’s really overwhelming for alot of people. So I think any way of breaking thru to the masses is a step in the right direction. Just singing a song won’t change the world. But it is light in dark times. As are protests & rallies, for me.
ReplyDeleteI’m envisioning the 3.5% rule, rather than the 3.5 yrs ahead. That’s how I keep the faith.
That & the fact that more people will wake up as they get hit in the wallet. No gain without pain.
Unfortunately.
The New York Times stated today that the song was “seemingly aimed at the president”!!!! ……Seemingly??? I think blatant would have been more accurate. I swear; legacy media is letting our country down. It’s embarrassing.
ReplyDeletePeace to all 🙏
They are ALL scared shitless. It is embarrassing.
DeleteGreat protest song. Love the guitar playing, harmonies, and melody. Neil continues to play and write without fear. Those who dislike the track have already drank the grape kool-aid. They lay motionless in the field awaiting their fate.
ReplyDelete