The Godfather of Grunge: Neil Young’s Musical Journey
Neil Young, a Canadian-born musician, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in rock music, particularly in the grunge movement that emerged in the early ’90s. Known for his powerful songwriting and distinctive guitar playing, Young has had a far-reaching impact not only as a solo artist but also as a member of iconic bands such as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Young’s musical career began with the formation of Buffalo Springfield, a band he joined upon moving to Los Angeles. Buffalo Springfield’s most famous track, For What It’s Worth, written by bandmate Stephen Stills, became a defining anthem of the ‘60s counterculture. After the band parted ways, Stills formed Crosby, Stills & Nash, and Young set out on his solo career.
His debut self-titled album didn’t achieve the commercial success he was accustomed to with Buffalo Springfield, and no major hits emerged from the record. However, I’ve Been Waiting For You has since been praised by critics and artists alike, with David Bowie even covering it with the help of Dave Grohl in 2002. Young has often commented on how the album was overly polished, a frustration that led him to adopt a more hands-on and protective approach to his music in the future.
In 1969, his second album, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, proved a turning point in his career, with tracks like Cinnamon Girl, Cowgirl In The Sand, and the title track becoming essential Neil Young classics. The album established his signature sound, blending folk, rock, and country elements into a distinctive style that would resonate for decades.
In 1970, Young released After The Gold Rush, which featured standout tracks like the title track, Only Love Can Break Your Heart, and Southern Man. This album solidified his place as one of the most innovative artists of the era.
That same year, Neil joined forces with Stephen Stills, David Crosby, and Graham Nash to form Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Their album Déjà Vu became a milestone in rock history, with tracks such as Teach Your Children and Helpless reaching widespread acclaim. Déjà Vu was eventually included in many best-of lists and registered for preservation by the Library of Congress in 2023.
Young’s 1972 album Harvest is often considered his masterpiece, with the timeless songs Heart of Gold, Old Man, and The Needle and the Damage Done cementing its place in the pantheon of great rock albums. Harvest became a massive success, and its influence on the music scene of the ’70s cannot be overstated. However, following this peak, his subsequent releases did not match the commercial success of Harvest.
It wasn’t until American Stars ‘n Bars in 1977 that Young returned with another massive hit in Like A Hurricane. That same year, he released Decade, a triple-album greatest hits compilation that encapsulated his early work.
In 1979, Young returned to form with Rust Never Sleeps, a mix of studio and live tracks. The opening song My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue) and the closing track Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black) are among his most iconic compositions. The album also included standout tracks like Pocahontas and Powderfinger. Live Rust, released in the same year, is a live album that captured the energy of his performances during the Rust Never Sleeps tour, showcasing a blend of his classics and new material.
Neil Young: A Journey Beyond the ’70s
In the ’80s, Neil Young’s creative output was far from his best, with the first seven albums not offering the same gold-standard tunes that had characterised his earlier career. Despite this, he continued to explore different sounds and styles, but it wasn’t until 1989 that he recorded another part studio/part live album, Freedom. This album marked a return to form with the standout tracks Keep On Rockin’ In The Free World, which would go on to become one of his signature songs.
However, the second track from this album, Crime in the City (Sixty to Zero, part 1), holds a special place for me due to its exceptional lyrics. Here’s a verse that encapsulates Neil’s trademark storytelling:
“The artist looked at the producer, the producer sat back.
He said: What we have got here, is a perfect track.
But we don’t have a vocal, and we don’t have a song.
If we could get these things accomplished, nothing else could go wrong.
So he balanced the ashtray, as he picked up the phone.
And he said, send me a songwriter, who’s drifted far from home.
And make sure that he’s hungry, make sure he’s alone.
And send me a cheeseburger and a new Rolling Stone. Yeah.”
These are, without a doubt, my favourite lyrics by any artist, ever.
Following a few more albums and live releases, Neil dropped Harvest Moon in 1992. This album, particularly its title track, remains one of my favourite Neil Young songs. Although it did well commercially, peaking at #4 in Canada, #9 in the U.K., and #16 in the U.S., it was released in a year that saw so many groundbreaking albums that it may not have garnered the attention it deserved. Still, it sold 2 million copies in the U.S. alone.
Since Harvest Moon, Neil has continued to release albums, with Silver & Gold (2000) standing out as a personal favourite of mine. Despite the critical acclaim for his later works, no new hits have emerged since Harvest Moon.
In 1995, Neil collaborated with Pearl Jam on Mirrorball, a project that highlighted his influence on the emerging grunge movement, solidifying his status as the “Godfather of Grunge.” While his electric work has its place, I’ve always been more drawn to his acoustic side, which is why this article has primarily focused on that aspect of Neil’s remarkable career.
Neil Young Tunes | Related Pages
Harvest Moon | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Harvest Moon by Neil Young using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Em7 | Em7 |
Come a little bit closer…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Harvest Moon (Neil Young) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Heart Of Gold | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Heart Of Gold by Neil Young using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Em C | D5 G |
I want to live, I want to give…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Heart Of Gold (Neil Young) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Like A Hurricane | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Like A Hurricane by Neil Young using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Am | Am | G | G |
Once I thought I saw you in a crowded hazy bar…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Like A Hurricane (Neil Young) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
The Needle And The Damage Done | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play The Needle And The Damage Done by Neil Young using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Dsus2 | Dsus2/C |
I caught you knockin’ at my cellar door…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: The Needle And The Damage Done (Neil Young) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Old Man | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Old Man by Neil Young using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| 6/4 Dm9add4 |4/4 D (Dsus4 Dsus2) |
Old man look at my life I’m a lot like you were…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Old Man (Neil Young) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Neil Young on the web
