Neil Young is a true musical genius. He was with Buffalo Springfield & also with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Some of their pieces are pretty amazing. We were fortunate enough to see him live & he was with his band, Crazy Horse. His live performances are rather incredible. Thank you for sharing!
He does. Like John Lennon, he can be preachy and a huge hypocrite sometimes, but you can't question the man's musical abilty, his songwriting skills and his huge catalogue of great music.
Spot on with your commentary. Young is a living legend who's not afraid to tackle controversial subjects at his own expense. His solos are so funky, but a good way! My favorite artist of all time. Neil Young is definitely one of a kind. They broke the mold!
When Neil Young released Freedom in late 1989 he pointed the way to the grunge era that would emerge two years later. The album opens with a live acoustic version of "Rockin' in the Free World" and ends with this electric version. Young did something similar on his 1979 album Rust Never Sleeps, which he opens with the acoustic "My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)" and closes with the electric "Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)", the same song spun two radically different ways. Two other stand out tracks from Freedom are "Crime in the City" and "Wrecking Ball". As for the lyrics of "Rockin' in the Free World", Young is calling out the societal failures of the United States and imagines he will be denounced as Satan for doing so. There is very little foreign policy angle to the song. It's all domestic politics and the often harsh and cruel ways the poor are treated in the United States. The line in the third verse, "Got a man of the people says keep hope alive", refers to 1988 presidential candidate Jesse Jackson with his "keep hope alive" catch phrase. Neil Young became a naturalized US citizen in 2020 after living in the country since 1966. One of my cousins used to clean the bunk houses on his Broken Arrow Ranch in Half Moon Bay south of San Francisco. Young moved to Colorado some years ago and his son lives on the ranch now from what I understand.
He played this song on SNL in 1989. He was going to play with Eddie Vedder and his band. Eddie talks about how Neil showed up only 15 minutes before they went on. No rehearsals. They went on and nailed it. It was a great live performance. The music was harsh and brutal, just like the lyrics.
Neil's "Kinder Gentler" way of saying WAKE THE F#%K UP! Freedom was Neil's review of the 80's decade. It's amazing that some people still don't recognize the raging sarcasm. My favorite from this album is Neil's cover of the Drifters classic "On Broadway". Oh, The Irony. :)
Another of the ticket stubs I found not long ago. October 8, 1978 NASCAR race at Charlotte Motor Speedway that afternoon, Neil & Crazy Horse on the "Rust Never Sleeps" tour that evening. Long, but great day. "chemicals and sacred roots" got us home...
This was Neil's comeback after he spent most of the 80s uninspired and writing songs that were pretty bad. This song and the collaboration with Pearl Jam on this album introduced him to a new generation, as did his epic MTV unplugged set. Great song and as usual a great breakdown of his meaningful lyrics and songwriting.
Check out his performance with Lucas Nelson and Promise of the Real at FarmAid 2018 in Hartford Connecticut. You can find their set on You Tube. He was 77 or so and the set was pure 🔥.
This was written about social conditions during the first G.Bush presidency. T***P had it played at some of his "rally" - I imagine what Neil really said - he issued a legal injunction that it not be used by that campaign. This is Neil's song! Listen to the lyrics - we should all understand the reality of the lyrics and message!
Young’s always been a great rocker in addition to being a great balladeer. Hearing this reminds “Oh, yeah … he was the first famous musician of his generation to welcome the Punks!” ✊🏽
What makes Neil so great is his ability to reinvent himself at various points of his career. This song and album secured his place as Godfather of Grunge.
@@EastPeakSlim In the 80s when he tried to reinvent himself, his output was poor. And when, with Freedom onwards, he just stuck to being Neil, his music was marvellous.
"Rockin' In The Free World" helps to punctuate the differences in Neil Young's music. From "Harvest Moon", "Sugar Mountain" and "Heart Of Gold" to "Powderfinger", "Cortez The Killer" and "Rockin' ", Neil has a lot to say about the world around him. Neil moved to a ranch in California in the 1970's, after rooming and performing with Rick "Superfeak" James near Buffalo, N.Y. in the early 60's. As a native born Canadian, Neil Young is a GREAT American. He is also The MAN.
I think a lot of people are misinterpreting the phrase "don't feel like Satan but I am to them." At the time of this song (and some people still today) were saying that rock n roll was Satanic. It was a very popular sentiment amongst many conservatives and religious fanatics.
I’ve noticed a bit of a phenomenon where Canadian musicians slip into the US mainstream and take on the mantle of critiquing the USA and western society in general. This song, American Woman by the Guess Who and Joni Mitchell come to mind (putting a parking lot on Paradise). Just a thought .
"I don't feel like Satan but I am to them", that line refers to Rock N Roll being the devils music by politicians, evangelicals, etc. all the way back to the 1950s.
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I got to see him in concert once; The Pretenders opened for him. Great concert!
Neil Young is a true musical genius. He was with Buffalo Springfield & also with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Some of their pieces are pretty amazing. We were fortunate enough to see him live & he was with his band, Crazy Horse. His live performances are rather incredible. Thank you for sharing!
Neil... "Always Comes With The Deep Lyrics"... Yep, he always has something he wants expressed....LOUD AND CLEAR.
He does. Like John Lennon, he can be preachy and a huge hypocrite sometimes, but you can't question the man's musical abilty, his songwriting skills and his huge catalogue of great music.
@@MarkMay-cr6bv Neil's history in rock has few rivals from the early 60's he has been making great music.
*"Needle And The Damage Done"*
such a powerful song, Neil holds up the mirror to us and shows us our society in this song.
Spot on with your commentary. Young is a living legend who's not afraid to tackle
controversial subjects at his own expense. His solos are so funky, but a good way!
My favorite artist of all time. Neil Young is definitely one of a kind. They broke the mold!
When Neil Young released Freedom in late 1989 he pointed the way to the grunge era that would emerge two years later. The album opens with a live acoustic version of "Rockin' in the Free World" and ends with this electric version. Young did something similar on his 1979 album Rust Never Sleeps, which he opens with the acoustic "My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)" and closes with the electric "Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)", the same song spun two radically different ways. Two other stand out tracks from Freedom are "Crime in the City" and "Wrecking Ball".
As for the lyrics of "Rockin' in the Free World", Young is calling out the societal failures of the United States and imagines he will be denounced as Satan for doing so. There is very little foreign policy angle to the song. It's all domestic politics and the often harsh and cruel ways the poor are treated in the United States. The line in the third verse, "Got a man of the people says keep hope alive", refers to 1988 presidential candidate Jesse Jackson with his "keep hope alive" catch phrase. Neil Young became a naturalized US citizen in 2020 after living in the country since 1966. One of my cousins used to clean the bunk houses on his Broken Arrow Ranch in Half Moon Bay south of San Francisco. Young moved to Colorado some years ago and his son lives on the ranch now from what I understand.
He played this song on SNL in 1989. He was going to play with Eddie Vedder and his band. Eddie talks about how Neil showed up only 15 minutes before they went on. No rehearsals. They went on and nailed it. It was a great live performance. The music was harsh and brutal, just like the lyrics.
I'm one of those lucky enough to have seen Neil Live twice... First with Buffalo Springfield, then with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Neil's "Kinder Gentler" way of saying WAKE THE F#%K UP! Freedom was Neil's review of the 80's decade. It's amazing that some people still don't recognize the raging sarcasm. My favorite from this album is Neil's cover of the Drifters classic "On Broadway". Oh, The Irony. :)
I like to think of this song as Neil giving 80s Neil the finger.
Another of the ticket stubs I found not long ago.
October 8, 1978
NASCAR race at Charlotte Motor Speedway that afternoon, Neil & Crazy Horse on the "Rust Never Sleeps" tour that evening. Long, but great day.
"chemicals and sacred roots" got us home...
This was Neil's comeback after he spent most of the 80s uninspired and writing songs that were pretty bad. This song and the collaboration with Pearl Jam on this album introduced him to a new generation, as did his epic MTV unplugged set. Great song and as usual a great breakdown of his meaningful lyrics and songwriting.
JM, Never fails to get it right.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Cowgirl In The Sand....a favorite you'll like.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Cowgirl in the Sand ( live 1970 )
I suggested it on Patreon. Hopefully he'll play it soon.
@@RicoCosta317 I put it in his comments last year sometime, But he gets so many and I forget some. He MUST DO IT.
Yes too many wimp never request his electric
Pretty much a perfect (rock) song.
Check out his performance with Lucas Nelson and Promise of the Real at FarmAid 2018 in Hartford Connecticut. You can find their set on You Tube. He was 77 or so and the set was pure 🔥.
He does it with Pearl Jam, worth watching.
This was written about social conditions during the first G.Bush presidency. T***P had it played at some of his "rally" - I imagine what Neil really said - he issued a legal injunction that it not be used by that campaign. This is Neil's song! Listen to the lyrics - we should all understand the reality of the lyrics and message!
Young’s always been a great rocker in addition to being a great balladeer.
Hearing this reminds “Oh, yeah … he was the first famous musician of his generation to welcome the Punks!” ✊🏽
A voice that could peel paint
Oh Canada ! :)
Wow never really listened to the lyrics, thank you for the breakdown very informative.
What makes Neil so great is his ability to reinvent himself at various points of his career. This song and album secured his place as Godfather of Grunge.
100% Wrong. Neil has always failed when he tried to reinvent himself.
@@earlofdoncaster5018 haters cannot help themselves
@@EastPeakSlim In the 80s when he tried to reinvent himself, his output was poor. And when, with Freedom onwards, he just stuck to being Neil, his music was marvellous.
"Rockin' In The Free World" helps to punctuate the differences in Neil Young's music. From "Harvest Moon", "Sugar Mountain" and "Heart Of Gold" to "Powderfinger", "Cortez The Killer" and "Rockin' ", Neil has a lot to say about the world around him. Neil moved to a ranch in California in the 1970's, after rooming and performing with Rick "Superfeak" James near Buffalo, N.Y. in the early 60's. As a native born Canadian, Neil Young is a GREAT American. He is also The MAN.
You got it !
His Electric way better than the wimpy acoustic...too many wimps never listen to the electric
I think a lot of people are misinterpreting the phrase "don't feel like Satan but I am to them." At the time of this song (and some people still today) were saying that rock n roll was Satanic. It was a very popular sentiment amongst many conservatives and religious fanatics.
Neil has said and written that it was referring to Iran calling US and the west in general 'the Great Satan'
If you want to make a deep dive into Neil, read the book 'Shakey' It may be out of print, but if you can get your hands on it, read it.
I’ve noticed a bit of a phenomenon where Canadian musicians slip into the US mainstream and take on the mantle of critiquing the USA and western society in general.
This song, American Woman by the Guess Who and Joni Mitchell come to mind (putting a parking lot on Paradise).
Just a thought .
"I don't feel like Satan but I am to them", that line refers to Rock N Roll being the devils music by politicians, evangelicals, etc. all the way back to the 1950s.
Must do
My My Hey Hey
Pure Banger
Nope Love and only Love from Ragged Glory much much better get some balls
American politicians seem to like the song, apparently they don't listen to lyrics, lol
How a guy can go from this .............to Harvest Moon. is simply amazing ! and then Cortez the Killer into Old Man YIKES !
Harvest Moon sucked too many wimps scared of hos electric...Old Man etc way overplayed
Check Out Neil's other two personas:
*"Wonderin' - Neil Young & The Shocking Pinks"*
"This Note's For You | Neil Young & the Bluenotes"
Fuck no both big duds for the wimpy boys
This is the Harder side of the Legend, Neil Young...
And much better than the overplayed acoustic crap
Neil Young -"Who's Gonna Stand Up "
ua-cam.com/video/zR0MaCpSiLg/v-deo.htmlsi=B43W_JIAvfhIrbc5
🌎❤✌️
Nope