The Best Neil Young Albums Ranked

My favorite 13 albums

[@richardbooth6063]

Love Neil Young...great list and there are a few I want to check out from your list...However, Zuma...has to be on any top Neil Young list.
Danger Bird is in my top 10 all time songs by Neil...Barstool Blues....Lookin for a Love...Don’t Cry No Tears and of course Cortez the Killer make this an essential record...It helped me get through my Navy days sailing around the world

[@robertcooper411]

Have you heard the live version of "Barstool Blues"?(Year of the Horse album) It's great!

[@richardbooth6063]

@@robertcooper411 Yes !!! Great extended jam on that song!...I also like Danger Bird from that album!
I saw Neil with Booker T & the MGs in 1993...He was good without Crazy Horse too...Wonderful show!!!t

[@robertcooper411]

@@richardbooth6063 I have a dvd of him with Booker T from 2007 or thereabouts.Ive only ever seen him live with Crazy Horse though (3times).

[@grumpy9478]

not to mention, Stupid Girl ... an all-time great post breakup angst-filled high school kid's tune.

[@mmg9675]

@@robertcooper411 So much better than the studio version. Live he always adds something.

[@jaisabai4155]

Well done sir.
Been a big fan of Neil since I discovered him in the early 70s.
I have most of these 13 on vinyl stored away at home including "Decade" signed by Neil after an excellent concert in Australia.

[@luisacosta8535]

When I heard After the Gold Rush the first time I fell in love with Neil Young and after 50+ years I still play this album when I felt bored about the kind of music they play nowadays. Such a great album and I certainly love most of his folk and melodic albums, too.

[@rickhager3288]

Hi Mazzy, I enjoy your videos so much, could listen to you all day. I like On the Beach as my # 1. That second side is perfect zone-out music. Thank you for all of your intelligent videos, really great and helpful.

[@MrJacrider]

So great you included Massey Hall. An absolutely fantastic sounding album. Love his conversation with the crowd between songs.

[@rogerbell8429]

I love Sleeps with Angels. He did a live studio release of 4 songs from that album called The Complex Sessions recorded in October 94. There's a fantastic version of Change your Mind on it which is superior to the album version. It's available on UA-cam. Definitely worth checking out.

[@Hektormydog]

Great list from a special artist. His first album is wonderful and will always be one of my all-time favorite albums by anyone/band (I’ve been listening to it for 50+ years and never tire of it!). Everyone Knows This Is Nowhere is my number 1, the guitars, rocking, lazy quiet tracks, polished in a garage band way. After the Gold Rush would be my 3rd place, but you nailed the list, how can you pick 1-2-3-4-5, they are all just great!

[@wjstephens4654]

Great list, For me, Comes a Time ranks much higher, definitely top 5, it just touches me. It was part of the soundtrack of my life at pivotal times. Part of the magic...

[@johnmcguire1792]

My favourite

[@flyingjeffsutherland3744]

After watching your shows, they resonate with me for hours, even days! I love your heart felt perspective and super intense dedication to album collecting...truly inspiring. One album that I didn't see mentioned in the comments, which I love, is, Broken Arrow. For me, that album has all the classic sound and insight that I look for in a Neal Young album.

[@Rick-vw6en]

Great list there, Mazzy. I would add Zuma and American Star-n-Bars...w/ songs like, Will to Love, Like a Hurricane, and my favorite, Homegrown...such fabulous songwriting.

[@CornboneStudios]

Saw him on the Greendale tour with Lucinda Williams opening at The Greek.
He played the hits after the stage show performance. Amazing show. I got into him in 79 after seeing rust never sleeps movie on cable tv. I really love Ragged Glory. I think I may place everybody knows at number one, but I love them all really. Thank You, great episode. OK Wilson....

[@jeffmpvd7689]

My most listened to Neil album is Greendale! The rockin vibe with Crazy horse is so much fun and as an "audiophile" the recording quality is sublime.

[@ironcurtainsteve]

strange choice

[@artvallejos1460]

Be The Rain.

[@aindriubradleymarshall6226]

Hi ... Insightful choices, Sleeps with Angels, Le Noise and P' Pill are killar. After the Gold Rush for me is number one. I love the pastoral bucolic gentleness of Silver and Gold. Zuma and On the Beach are epic, he was on fire in the '70s.

[@JohannesYtterstrom]

Of the 17 studioalbums I have and know rather well this is my top 10!
10. Hawks & Doves (1980)
9. Hitchhiker (2017)
8. Rust Never Sleeps (1979)
7. Tonight's the Night (1975)
6. Harvest Moon (1992)
5. On the Beach (1974)
4. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (1969)
3. Freedom (1989)
2. Harvest (1972)
1. After the Gold Rush (1970)

[@Joker6052-v7k]

Great album!

[@frederickvanpelt6393]

Long time Neil Young fan. Hard to pick a favorite album, many recall moments in time that are special to me. When the mood is there,no better song than ' No more ' from Freedom

[@mickcook9277]

I'll chuck in a random pic Mazzy - This Note's for You. Not that popular but I loved it, Twilight and Can't believe you're Lyin' - I played it over and over...Thanks for your videos man.

[@domielakrabi3276]

Nice to see "Psychedelic Pill" in this ranking! I'm a fan of it too.

[@SCjuisy]

Nice surprise that you ranked his debut so high. This album and On the Beach are the Neil Young LP`s i play most. Keep up the good work.

[@ST-xg3gy]

"Zuma", then again "On the Beach" is simply sublime.

[@KorbenDenver]

American Stars & Bars is pretty great too in my opinion. There's just sooooo much! Nicely done, Mazzy!

[@DCB728]

American Stars and Bars is sublime! In my top five for sure.

[@thecroft6070]

Great video. And I'd never seen Neil with a Flying V until your closing photos.

[@cesarnarro6013]

I can only tell which N.Young albums that I have listened to the most all these years are "Everybody knows this nowhere" "Harvest" and "American stars n bars" you had a few on your list that I had never even heard of ..will definitely be listening to those.. thanks

[@craigmelissa12]

"After the Gold Rush" is simply beautiful and haunting to me. Have to agree that it is my "best"/"favourite". Massey Hall is my favourite if I am just looking at sonically the best. Great Video!

[@WilFennell]

Brilliant ranking and reviews. Especially pleased with your suggestion of DECADE as the place to start. Your devotion to NY's music lights up the screen!

[@mikel4797]

Decade is a superb collection, and I always double up Massey Hall with Unplugged because of the wonderful sound. Enjoyed the video.

[@jamesmachado9366]

Love all of Neil's catalog. With most musicians of the 60 their best work is all in the past. With Neil his best record could come out tomorrow. Hey Neil, thanks for making the world a better place.

[@surfwriter8461]

I couldn't disagree more. Neil has not produced an album or a song worthy of his canon in roughly 25 years. He's been popping out albums with totally undistinguished or downright gag-worthy "songs" for a couple of decades, self-indulgent songs that lack lyrics or melodies of any distinction at all. If you see a list of his greatest songs by anyone with a decent critical faculty, they're all songs from his time with Buffalo Springfield and his first few solo records or the songs for CSNY--all songs at least 25 years ago.

[@covischang3645]

Rust never sleep is my all time favourite, it touches me everytime i play the album. Greeting from Taiwan

[@cbond1c113]

Thanks for the video. Although this was done a year ago, it is very timely in the sense that I am currently tackling putting together the Neil Young component of my vinyl collection. There are some obvious ones which I have staked-out, and should have in 1-2 weeks. However, I have to admit that I've put off collecting his work, because it is so extensive, and he has been brave to try-out different styles at times that one would not expect.

[@delcrowe9712]

Decade was the 1st Neil Young record that I bought when I was a teenager in the 70s. I have been a lifelong fan, since.

[@Ricky2374]

Nice to see some love for Le Noise and Psychedelic Pill, Both those would make my top 10.

[@alm5693]

Thank you for this video. I'll admit that I was one of those people who didn't get into On The Beach, but now I want to check out Sleeps With Angels. It would be interesting to see a ranking of your least favorite Neil Young records because he's so often fearless about going off the rails.

[@roadofplenty237]

Great list. My favorite three albums are:
1. Sleeps with angels
2. Everybody knows this is nowhere
3. Ragged glory

[@rajennaidoo7546]

ALL HIS MUSIC IS TIMELESS ENDLESS AND FOREVER Young from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@liamdowling8077]

I really enjoyed this list, *because* it is different from the list I would choose. I have really enjoyed replaying Decade and Sleeps With Angels after watching it. Both sounding great. Will also check out Le Noise as it is one of the few I did not pick up at the time. On The Beach always my number 1!

[@coyi51]

A personal favourite for me is Old Ways, but plenty more to choose from. Excellent selection.

[@snakebite69]

Very enjoyable video Mazzy.
My top 5 would be, 5. After the Gold Rush. 4. Harvest 3. Everybody knows this is no where 2. Harvest Moon and easily my no1, Ragged Glory. So psyche, so hippy so much much feedback and above all great songs.
Peace
Andy H

[@shaynewest8757]

Time Fades Away is still my fav.

[@alanboas810]

I'd say you have good taste in music!

[@jackm207]

Yeah surprised that didn’t make the list and the new 50th clear edition sounds fabulous. ❤

[@thomasnelson5758]

Great list. My top 3 are
1. On the Beach (also one of my favorite albums of all time)
2. Tonight's the Night
3. Everybody Knows This is Nowhere

[@MrBallynally2]

i would add Zuma as a must be in there which makes a top 4. Any of those albums are pure gold..

[@markharwood7573]

@@MrBallynally2 We're very close on this one. I go for 1. Zuma 2. On the Beach 3. Everybody Knows.

[@user-rp6tm6wq4m]

Everybody knows this is nowhere, On the beach,
Tonight's the night, Rust never
sleeps and Ragged glory are my favorite.

[@JakeWarwick2410]

so hard to say....Neil has put out a lifetime of great music. Sometimes you're just in the mood for a particular album by Neil depending on the way you're feeling. I would say my go to albums are Old Ways, Life, Freedom, Harvest Moon, Rust Never Sleeps, Broken Arrow, Tonight's the night, comes a time.

[@chadmcnabb9193]

This is a wonderful, thoughtful video on a historic career. Well done mazzy.

[@bullobca]

Nice list, a few surprises that I haven't listened to but will check out. I like Prairie Wind from his later stuff. Cheers from Canada

[@mrhoffame]

Comes A Time is a masterpiece for me. Side 1 alone is just genius. Nice for showing love for LeNoise too. Pscyhedelic Pill also makes my list. That track Ramada Inn became one of my favorite Neil songs overnight. All Great picks Mazzy!!

[@noheamike5036]

Ragged Glory is a glaring omission.

[@adrianhallich6101]

i came here to say the same thing. i figured for sure is would be on the list, probably fairly close to the top. As he came to the top 5, cool, he rated it pretty high. 4, 3...wow, it made top 2. 2...still not there. I didn't think he'd rate it 1, and sure enough he didn't.

[@stephenhaegele2297]

Must agree, super album!

[@davel4708]

Yeah, I'd have put that in there instead of Psychedelic Pill. It's a good list though. I'd have pretty much all those albums, just in a different order. On The Beach is my #1.

[@chrisweidner4768]

In “on the Beach,” “Ambulance Blues” has some of his greatest work; “I never knew a man who could tell so many lies. He had a different story for every set of eyes. How can he remember who he’s talking to? But I know it isn’t me and I hope it isn’t you.” “you’re only pissin’ in the wind. You don’t know it, but you are. And there ain’t nothin like a friend who will tell you that you’re pissin’ in the wind.” Written when 24. Pure aware genius.

[@tbullard3]

Yeah , Ragged Glory is too 3 for me

[@DJGerryfromStarlightMusic]

Rust Never Sleeps/Live Rust is Neil Young at his best electric & acoustic!!☘️😎👍

[@larryh.4629]

You did a great compilation of the best not 100% sure of the order but still included most of the masterpieces.. you as myself grew up with Neil and Buffalo Springfield how moving was that stuff ? Do you recall Crosby doing , its been so long but I think it was thousand roads.. underappreiciated. Back to Neil 50 yrs later and I'm still listening!whats that say in itself.

[@zenvagabond]

Le Noise is massively underrated masterpiece

[@mazzysmusic]

Totally agree 😵‍💫❤️‍🔥

[@adeadhead423]

I like your #1 my mom probably would say the same thing. I was wondering if you were going to have that album included. You did. Thank you for this video! Peace love and happiness ✌️

[@tinostabile3256]

Hi Mazzy,
Sorry for my tardiness. Love Neil. I am in heaven with Vol. 2 box set. All great records. Your 13 are spot on for me.
God bless you and our national treasure Neil Young.
Tino

[@StevieBluenoseScott]

American Stars And Bars is not only, in my opinion, Neil Young's best album it is also one of the greatest albums ever made.

[@jameswiglesworth5004]

a

[@JB-ti7bl]

Hear, hear! It's in my top-5 alongside Doors - L.A. Woman; Beatles - Abbey Road; Kinks - Give the People What They Want; Joe Jackson - Beat Crazy.

[@wk4max]

YES!!! At Last!!! A Neil Young selection done by A REAL Fan who Knows his Shit !! This is a Buzzing selection brother!! Loved the KinkS list too spot on mate!!! , Max Liverpool 👁👄👁💢💗👁👄💋💘🐶🐱🐈🐺🐃🐂🐮🐮🐴🐑🐽🐪🐅

[@BubblesBubbles]

Love the way Decade sits in my memory. You know the sides, and it's a real journey.

[@artvallejos1460]

Who put the palm over my blonde
Who put all the tar on the morning sand
Who took everything from where it once was and put it where it last was seen?

[@reliablebow]

Great pics.... excellent list.... Zuma... thanks for sharing💫

[@ronaldschuurman3967]

I even love Silver and Gold and Greendale

[@jeffmpvd7689]

Grrendale is so fun to rock out to, amazing sound quality as well.

[@themoodyteam]

Great photos! 😊

[@johnhawker9890]

1/Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
2/Harvest
3/After The Gold Rush
4/On The Beach
5/Tonight’s The Night
6/Rust Never Sleeps
7/Ragged Glory
8/Sleeps With Angels
9/Unplugged
10/Old Ways
Favourite Song Is Old Man
Favourite Love Song Is Old Man

[@barrykrakovsky756]

I enjoy your videos. You do a very good job of providing a rationale for your choices that is coherent and solidly based on your knowledge of the music of the time. I might not always agree with all of those choices but I respect them.

[@derosa1989]

great photos Mazzy, I would love to have seen Linda Ronstadt live back then, so beautiful.

[@cindyurban150]

"After The Goldrush" is at the top of my list too. It's hard to believe Neil was only in his 20's and wrote such complex songs. My best friend had "Jeans" that looked just like Neils on the back album cover,everyone wanted them ! You don't see fashion like that anymore ! Great video. Cindy

[@illumon8]

I love your List Mazzy! Wondering if yiu have heard the Classic Records release of Prairie Wind. oh my gosh it brings me to tears. Must listen

[@kappiiee]

Man, great presentation once again. If I could, I'd put Deja vu on one. But it's about solo records ofcourse.

[@knockknock705]

1. Tonight's the Night
2. Rust Never Sleeps
3. After the Goldrush
4. Harvest
5. Time Fades Away
6. On the Beach
7. Ragged Glory
8. Everybody Knows This is Nowhere
9. Zuma
10. Harvest Moon
11. Freedom
12. Fork in the Road
13. Sleeps With Angels/Le Noise
I saw Neil on the tour that supported Le Noise. Just Neil and mostly his electrical guitar.

[@Arzenteart]

This was great, music plus photographs...Nice Work. J

[@jonnygatenby6333]

Love these videos. Great work and amazing collection

[@wolftree3948]

I'm relatively new to your channel. I know album rankings have not been your focus, but really glad you are jumping in a little. Who better to do this than you?! What is neat for me, at 59 and one whose listening habits began with bands found in Circus and Hit Parader magazine (sorry for my lack of taste :-)), is hearing in 2021 - for the first time - albums like Neil Young Decade. I bought this months ago and just listened to most of it over the weekend. Of course I have heard many songs on this album, but there are just as many I have never heard before or not in a very long time. So, I'm going back to song releases of 40-50 years ago and in enjoying music in the way you do sometimes, it's been a most enjoyable ride. I'm expanding my horizons beyond the obvious classic rock releases and digging into other genres like Canterbury, prog, rock fusion, etc. and even though its old, its new to me. So, if you like doing album rankings, I welcome it wholeheartedly and will be watching.

[@mazzysmusic]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. Yeah I’ll do these every once in awhile as I’m enjoying them. So far lots of positive responses.
I’ll stick the the artists I feel I know really well.
Cheers !

[@fatheroblivion4032]

Really digging these videos man, would love to hear your takes on the steely Dan and herbie Hancock discographies if you’re into them.

[@gablen23]

Your list easily could be my list, love all the albums that you ranked here. But I would add "Ragged Glory" and though it's a live album "Weld", I think it is one of his best live albums.

[@edwardmulholland7912]

Nice to see Neil’s first album getting some love. I love it, my favorite NY album - special for many reasons. You are right, it is the logical conclusion of Neil’s Buffalo Springfield era. You only get to make your first solo album once, and he made a brilliant album and never made another like it ever again. I love those early live shows Neil has released that feature songs from that album (never mind bootlegs). And same as you I love the album cover - it’s perfect.

[@getout116]

Love this rundown. I like how this isn’t the typical list I see. Have a few new records to check out now. Keep up the great work!

[@garypeacock5919]

Excellent review. Personally i Still need to go for rust never sleeps, the thrasher, powderfinger and Pocahontas, all classics. Greetings from Scotland🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸

[@jnicholls4120]

Thanks Mazzy for another great video! I'm in the UK and I got the first 4 albums as soon as they were released here - I got a US import of After the Goldrush a few weeks ahead of the the UK release - it's still my favourite. The first 3 albums are still my favourite 3. I agree with your high placing of the 'Neil Young' album - I'll never forget as a kid hearing 'The Loner' on my little radio - a life changer for me. BUT the first time I played 'Harvest' I hated it. Last year my kids bought me a record player (I hadn't had one for many years). The first vinyl I played on it was 'Harvest' - I expected that after all these years I would now appreciate it - but I still hate it. For me, Zuma would replace it in my top 12.

[@GlenKellawayfromthebasement]

Loved your list Mazzy..a few different picks and order for me..On The Beach is my number one...gotta love Neil...👍👍❤️❤️🍸🍸glen

[@MB-en3do]

*My list in a somewhat descending order*
Tonight's the Night (together with the live companion record 'Live at the Roxy')
Harvest
Everyone Knows this is Nowhere
After the Gold Rush
On the Beach
Live Rust / Rust Never Sleeps
Comes a Time
Silver and Gold
Sleeps With Angels
Harvest Moon
Zuma
Freedom
Homegrown
Mirrorball
Chrome Dreams II
Live at Massey Hall
Ragged Glory
Prairie Wind
Time Fades Away
Le Noise
... etc.
Get 'em all on vinyl! The quality of Neil Young vinyl pressings are unparalleled
Love Neil

[@MB-en3do]

Might need to give his first album a bit more of a listen

[@popsandclicks]

Great list, I can only agree, I think my list would be almost similar, a few spots ofc would change like the "Sleeps With Angels" would be higher and I would probably add "Mirror Ball" instead of "Dead Man" but as you say, the list would probably change over time. Anyway, thanks for this!

[@sharonevans6864]

Thank you Mazzy, really enjoyed your list. The pictures of Neil were wonderful. Take care.

[@mazzysmusic]

Thank you ✌🏽

[@richardhedges1109]

Sleeps with angles is amazing, I just listened to off the back of your advice, going to listen to that album again, thanks for sharing! . I have listened to much now, it’s all so good! Your information on David Sylvian and caused me to buy most of his back catalogue. Nothing too fancy just plastic cases in design , the music was everything to me, I can’t explain how good that is right now. Thanks again, your the man M8!
Thanks
Richard

[@Universityofvinyl]

‘89s Freedom would make my list, a huge return to form, the SNL appearance blows the doors out

[@michellequinn3122]

There's albums in this that I didn't know about which is wonderful thank you

[@nowhereman6496]

Nice video as always Mazzy. Good choices. Can't really disagree with any of them. Recently I've been listening to "Prairie Wind" and his early 80's album ode to rock n roll, "Everybody's Rockin'". Not a great album, but a fun one from Neil.

[@danejohnson750]

Thanks for this video, I really enjoyed it! Big fan here of Neil’s. Have collected all of what he has ever put out on wax...some multiple times. This gives me incentive to maybe begin a channel discussing my Shakey collection. Thank you!

[@isahalim4119]

20Trans
19.American Stars
18Journey through the Past
17.Self/titled
16.Le Noise
15.Live on sugar Mountain(Bootleg)
14.Time fades a way
13.Harvest
12.Harvest moon
11. Comes a time
10. WELD
9.Everybody knows
8.Greendale
7..Tonight's the night
6.Landing on water
5.Zuma
4.Rust never sleeps
3.Homegrown
2.After the gold rush
1.On the Beach
.(Bootleg)

[@mikelcory4065]

A good video I think you could do really good would be lost if the best Neil Young LIVE albums. He’s got a lot of classic live albums.
I recently got Live At The Roxy and Tuscaloosa and they’re soooo killer.

[@williamkennelly9624]

Hi ya Mazzy. Loving all your posts. I agree with you and you showed me albums i didn't know about. Cheers mate keep them rolling.

[@aaronssportscards7550]

I appreciate your list. I was a little surprised that Rust Never Sleeps wasn't mentioned but everyone's got their own favorites. Keep on rockin in the free world brother!!

[@closedchannel2713]

Great list of a legend and the reason I started playing acoustic guitar. Really enjoyed the photos at the end, Cheers Snowy

[@jonsimons7934]

Nice video as usual, Mazzy. I'm enjoying these best of lists. No love for Zuma?

[@DavidCKendall]

That was enjoyable.... your passion for the toones is contagious. Thanks for the tips!

[@lizdoncampbell9921]

My favourite depends on my mood - Mr Young covers the spectrum from “calm/melodic” to “get up and dance” to “kick arse” and all points in between. What a body of work!! Harvest hooked me when it first came out, a fan ever since now with over 20 vinyls plus CDs. Landing on water great when angry about something. All time fave the Massey Hall live double - just him and instruments - pure!!

[@greyever7820]

1-Comes a Time
2-Hawks and Doves
3-Rust Never Sleeps - Live Rust
4-On The Beach
5-Tonight's The Night
6-Trans
7-Re*ac*tor
8-Harvest
9-American Stars 'n Bars
10-Time Fades Away
11-Sleeps With Angels
12-Harvest Moon
13-After The Gold Rush
14-Dead Man
15-Zuma

[@thehopelesscases4844]

Bravo. Greetings from cologne.

[@lupcokotevski2907]

On the Beach and its older cousin Then Play On (1969) by Fleetwood Mac are in my top 20 rock LP's. Love some melancholy.

[@bafoley]

I only just saw the video of Neil Young finding his bootleg records in a shop and getting fairly ticked. Has anyone else seen it? Do you know where I can find the longer video it was excerpted from -- or similar videos of artists finding their own bootlegs and taking it up with the seller?

[@nickh.4722]

I like your album picks, but I love the pics at the end!

[@martinpatrick3589]

Great video and agree with your choices, although not all the rankings. :) Sleeps with Angels should be higher! And I haven't listened to his debut or Psychedelic Pill that often, will go back to reconsider. And yes, Dead Man soundtrack is fantastic also.

[@bertbecker7532]

Nice list and comments, I would have placed Zuma on this list, and maybe Ragged Glory. Boy his 70s run was amazing.

[@lindacopping]

me as well, both of those

[@Markymarkvinylnut]

Thanks Mazzy, I dug out my Sleeps with Angels' and i forgot how much I loved it..some lovely drifting guitar rifts..

[@shanemckenna9416]

1- After the Gold Rush
2- Rust Never Sleeps-
3-. Everyone Knows this is Nowhere
4- Tonight's the Night
5- Harvest.

[@RobertP_1960]

I grew up with Neil in the 70s, but fell away ...now I've started up my collection again. There is just so much after 50 years, I am way behind. I love the new remixes/remasters, but can't afford the box sets. Thanks for sharing

[@greglapointe1311]

Welcome back to the Neil Fold!

[@klausrain111]

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere is one of my fave records of all time. I bought it not long after it came out as I was a big Springfield fan and very sorry they didn't continue as a band.

[@anthonyburke223]

I’ve never seen Neil with a Flying V …..cool photograph. Thanks .