Number 27 - Never Too Old for Young

After listening to the first couple of lines of several Neil Young songs on satellite radio—while finding his voice fascinating yet never listening to any of them all the way through, I decided to take the plunge and buy a copy of his Greatest Hits (capitalized for a reason) to see what I’d been missing out on the past four decades. 

It didn’t take long for me to realize what I’d been missing out on: Quite a bit. 

Back in high school the only song by Neil Young I can recall is Old Man.  At the time I had a hard time connecting with it; after all, I was still several years shy of turning 20.  ‘Old man’ and Neil Young were simply not on my radar.    

It is now.  I’m glad I finally found the time to discover the musical genius of one of the finest musicians of my generation … although to be honest I barely knew he existed at the time.  I spent most of my high school afternoons listening over and over (and over) to Grand Funk Railroad’s Live Album.  Back then it was my absolute favorite compilation of music and I would bet my entire CD collection (yes, I have Grand Funk Live Album on CD!) no one has listened to the album more than I have (did you notice the special DEAD SERIOUS font?).  The only thing I knew about Neil Young is he played with Crosby, Stills and Nash for a short period of time.  I thought CS&N were tossing him a biscuit, so to speak.  After listening to his Greatest Hits, I believe I had it wrong: Neil Young was doing CS&N a favor playing with them.  I stand corrected:  Neil Young was literally gracing them with his presence. 

I am so stoked with Neil Young’s Greatest Hits that I want to tell you about each song—all 16 of them—so you’ll be as stoked as I am and want to give it a listen.  You can tell I’m stoked because I haven’t used the word ‘stoked’ since the last time I did a 360 on a skateboard.   Give me a second to cue up my CD player.

I am now pressing ‘play.’

·      Down by the River – Young’s mesmerizing voice transitions into several virtuoso guitar performances that will make you want to burn incense and light up like you did when you heard Dark Side of the Moon for the first time (Note: If you weren’t around in 1973 please disregard.  Unless you live in Colorado or Washington.)

·      Cowgirl in the Sand – More of the same.  Ten minutes worth, to be exact.  I’m in heaven…free of anything you can legally obtain in Colorado or Washington, of course.  I like this song so much I could put it on ‘repeat’ until marijuana is legalized in Georgia. 

·      Cinnamon Girl – Catchy bass riff.  I remember naming the artist and title of this song correctly at our weekly music trivia competition.  Twice.  Reading the liner notes I now know the year it was released as well: 1969.  I remember 1969: I was listening to the Doors, Tommy James and the Shondells and the theme from Hawaii 5-0. 

·      Helpless – It’s a pretty catchy tune for a slow ballad.

·      After the Gold Rush – Like Helpless, only better.  God, I love this man’s voice.  The accompaniment of a brass instrument (the one that sounds like a melodic elephant’s mating call) adds a nice touch. 

·      Only Love can Break your Heart – The only thing that could make this song—another ballad—even better would be if there was a choir singing in the background.  The song deserves a choir singing in the background.  You’ll just have to imagine, same as I did.    

·      Southern Man – I’ve read that some call Neil Young ‘the Godfather of Grunge.’  Now I understand.  Pearl Jam, Soundgarten, Nirvana—back of the line, please.

·      Ohio – A protest song written by Neil Young (and performed by CSN&Y, the ‘Y’ representing NEIL YOUNG!) in reaction to the Kent State shootings in 1970.  Maybe the most recognizable Neil Young lyric of all time: ‘Four dead in O-HI-O.’

·      The Needle and the Damage Done – The voice…the acoustic guitar…the lyrics (‘I watched the needle take another man…’).   Neil Young describes the descent into heroin addiction (and in some cases, death) of musicians he knew.  Wow.  Simply… Wow. 

·      Old Man – Neil Young’s catchy tune compares a young man’s life to an old man’s and points out he has essentially the same needs.  OK, so I’m a little late to the party, but (a) I get it and (b) I realized I’ve always liked the song in a distant kind of way.  I guess deep down inside I knew what the years had in store for me.

·      Heart of Gold – Neil Young’s prowess with the harmonica is evident throughout the song.  Gee, I wonder if he’s touring in this area anytime soon…

·      Like a Hurricane – This has simply got to be THE ABSOLUTE COOLEST SONG EVER!!!  Over eight minutes of coolness.  This CD will be giving the boys from Grand Funk Railroad a run for their money before it’s all over.  If you listen to the song closely you’ll hear Young’s guitar screaming for mercy.  More than once. 

·      Comes a Time – Even Grand Funk had its Bad Time to be in Love.  I’m using my get-out-of-jail-free card for this one.

·      Hey Hey My My (Into the Black) – I hereby nominate Neil Young as Godfather of Kick-Ass Guitar Licks.  Can I get a second?

·      Rockin’ in the Free World – Never mind; this song is the only ‘second’ I need.

·      Harvest Moon – The first time I heard this song I thought to myself: ‘This is the absolute best love song I’ve ever heard in my life.’  I’ve listened to it enough in the past 24 hours to know that you would have a hard time proving me wrong.   

While I’m sad I missed out on the art, the talent and the absolute magic of Neil Young for over 40 years, I’m glad I have it to look forward to from this point on.  I’m just sorry it took me so long to discover. 

But better late than never.  I’m sure Neil Young has written a song about that somewhere along the line.