My Top Ten Favorite Neil Young Songs
If you've ever seen the film "Almost Famous" (2000), the line where Sapphire, a self-titled "bandaid" (aka a groupie), exclaims, "You know, to truly love some silly little piece of music or some band so much that it hurts". That's how I feel about Neil Young. I have felt that way since I was eighteen years old and I saw him grace the main stage of the Desert Trip music festival. So in honor of Mr. Young's birthday, I give you, my top ten favorite songs by the legend himself.
10. The Needle And The Damage Done
Album: Harvest (1972)
This song tells the story of heroin addiction. What makes the tune the most haunting, is the lack of a band. Just Neil and a guitar against the world. Although not quite a lecture, the song does function as a warning. Young was inspired to write the song from seeing the effects the drug had on his friends including, Crazy Horse bandmate Danny Whitten, who died of an overdose the same year this song was released.
9. Cowgirl in the Sand
with Crazy Horse
Album: Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (1969)
A classic Young tune. I would argue this song to be a perfect showcase of his guitar skills. Along with songs 'Southern Man' and 'Alabama', 'Cowgirl in the Sand' lets Neil tear it up! On top of that, the lyrics are absolutely beautiful.
Honorable mention: The Byrd's cover on their self titled album from 1973. A beautiful tribute with classic Byrd-like harmonies.
Favorite lyric: "To be a woman and to be turned down"
8. The Loner
Album: Neil Young (1969)
This song was one of many that got me through my Sophomore year of college. Perfect for all the loners out there.
7. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
with Crazy Horse
Album: Everybody Knows This is Nowhere (1969)
Another great scene from "Almost Famous" is when characters William and Russell go to a local Topeka house party. Russell, a disgruntled rockstar, is eager to hang out with some "real Topeka people" and this song plays as the duo roll up to the house full of said people. 'Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere' is the perfect backing track for this youthful abandon. The chorus, "I got to get away from this day to day running around/ Everybody knows this is nowhere" accurately represents Russell's internal dilemma and how he found an easy fix by hanging with some regular folks.
The song has a funkier, more upbeat sound, yet is still very folky, a classic Neil sound with a twist, showing his range as a writer.
6. Sugar Mountain
Album: Decade (1976)
Written in 1964, on Young's nineteenth birthday, 'Sugar Mountain' is a lament for the singer's youth. With nostalgic, bittersweet lyrics, mixed with the soothing yet melancholy melody, this tune is guaranteed to tear at the heart strings.
See my write up about how this tune inspired Joni Mitchell's 'The Circle Game'!
5. Mr. Soul
Album: Buffalo Springfield Again (1967)
Okay, so technically this is a Buffalo Springfield song, but it's 100% Neil. The sound, the guitars, the lyrics plus he is the lead vocalist and sole writer. You can also hear a heavy Rolling Stones influence on the intro guitar riff. Young wrote this song after recovering from an epilepsy attack on stage and the crowd questioned if it was part of his act.
Favorite lyrics: "You're strange, but don't change"
4. Don't Let it Bring You Down
Album: After the Goldrush (1970)
My favorite Christmas gift: "After the Gold Rush" on vinyl. This song could not be more perfect. It's haunting, it's eerie, it's beautiful. One of Neil's best songwriting efforts if I do say so myself.
Honorable Mention: Annie Lennox's version from her "Medusa" album with Heff Moraes (1995). She makes "Don't Let It Bring You Down" her own, yet still pays homage to the eeriness and captures the feel of the original.
Favorite lyric: "Don't let it bring you down/ It's only castles burning" OR "Come on down to the river of sight/ And you can really understand"
3. Look Out for My Love
Album: Comes a Time (1978)
I could go on and on about this one, but I'll just say, it's a flawless song from Neil. With just him and a guitar, this emotional and romantic tune is a raw and soul bearing masterpiece, in my humble opinion.
Favorite lyric: "Was I hurt too bad? Can I show you daylight?"
2. Out on the Weekend
Album: Harvest (1972)
The harmonica, the lyrics, the singing, 'Out On the Weekend' just leaves you wanting more, yet completely satisfied all at once. "Harvest" is one of Young's most diverse in terms of lyricism and sound. From 'Alabama' to 'The Needle And The Damage Done', there's discussions of important issues. 'Old Man' discusses growing up and then there's the romantic yet painful songs 'Harvest' and 'Out On The Weekend'. 'Harvest' holds some of Neil's greatest compositions.
1. Harvest Moon
Album: Harvest Moon (1992)
The title track of Young's 19th studio album. Some consider this work to be a sequel to 1972's "Harvest", as "Harvest Moon" holds a similar title, came out 20 years later, and Young used a lot of the same backing musicians from the prior album. Although a 90s album, Young's unique musical style remains as folky as ever, sprinkled in with some 70s vibes. Lyrically, 'Harvest Moon' is simple and beautiful. Not much more I can say. This song will always be my favorite song of Neil's AND it's music video is my favorite of all time!
Favorite lyric: "When we were strangers I watched you from afar/ When we were lovers, I loved you with all my heart"
Happy Birthday Mr. Young. I'll love you forever. What are your favorite songs of his?
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