With a big red beacon, and a flag, and a man on the rail
I think you'd better call John, 'cause it don't look like they're here to deliver the mail
And it's less than a mile away
I hope they didn't come to stay
It's got numbers on the side and a gun and it's makin' big waves
Daddy's gone, my brother's out hunting in the mountains
Big John's been drinking since the river took Emmy-Lou
So the powers that be left me here to do the thinking
And I just turned twenty-two
I was wonderin' what to do
The closer they got, the more those feelings grew
Daddy's rifle in my hand felt reassuring
He told me, red means run son, numbers add up to nothing
But when the first shot hit the dock, I saw it coming
Raised my rifle to my eye
Never stopped to wonder why
Then I saw black and my face splashed in the sky
Shelter me from the powder and the finger
Cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger
Just think of me as one you'd never figure
Would fade away so young
With so much left undone
Remember me to my love, I know I'll miss her
Neil Percival Young (born November 12, 1945) is a Canadian and American singer and songwriter. After embarking on a music career in Winnipeg in the 1960s, Young moved to Los Angeles, joining the folk-rock group Buffalo Springfield. Since the beginning of his solo career, often with backing by the band Crazy Horse, he has released critically acclaimed albums such as Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (1969), After the Gold Rush (1970), Harvest (1972), On the Beach (1974), and Rust Never Sleeps (1979). He was also a part-time member of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, with whom he recorded the chart-topping 1970 album Déjà Vu.
Young's guitar work, deeply personal lyrics and signature high tenor singing voice define his long career. He also plays piano and harmonica on many albums, which frequently combine folk, rock, country and other musical genres. His often distorted electric guitar playing, especially with Crazy Horse, earned him the nickname "Godfather of Grunge" and led to his 1995 album Mirror Ball with Pearl Jam. More recently he has been backed by Promise of the Real.
Young directed (or co-directed) films using the pseudonym "Bernard Shakey", including Journey Through the Past (1973), Rust Never Sleeps (1979), Human Highway (1982), Greendale (2003), CSNY/Déjà Vu (2008), and Harvest Time (2022). He also contributed to the soundtracks of the films Philadelphia (1993) and Dead Man (1995).
Young has received several Grammy and Juno Awards. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted him twice: in 1995 as a solo artist and in 1997 as a member of Buffalo Springfield. In 2023, Rolling Stone named Young No. 30 on their list of 250 greatest guitarists of all time. Young is also on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 greatest musical artists. 21 of his albums and singles have been certified Gold and Platinum in the U.S. by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Young was awarded the Order of Manitoba in 2006 and was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2009.
I’ve been reading the complaints below about Neil’s singing. Besides being an old complaint I find it ironic considering the point of view of this particular song. A scared young man, a kid really, tentatively doing what he thinks he has to do, which quickly turns out very badly. I think Neil’s voice couldn’t be more perfect for it.
Some voices are just beautiful; smooth as warm chocolate pudding and they are a thing to behold. Others impress us with range or skilled technique. And then there are the voices that simply have a character of their own. They often have an everyman (or woman) quality that remind us that the emotions expressed therein are felt by and can come from any of us. I treasure such voices.
It's been 11 years since your post. I'm guessing no one could be bothered.
I’ve been reading the complaints below about Neil’s singing. Besides being an old complaint I find it ironic considering the point of view of this particular song. A scared young man, a kid really, tentatively doing what he thinks he has to do, which quickly turns out very badly. I think Neil’s voice couldn’t be more perfect for it.
Some voices are just beautiful; smooth as warm chocolate pudding and they are a thing to behold. Others impress us with range or skilled technique. And then there are the voices that simply have a character of their own. They often have an everyman (or woman) quality that remind us that the emotions expressed therein are felt by and can come from any of us. I treasure such voices.
Yessss....
Perhaps in your high school music exam but give me emotion and feeling to technical compadrnce any day. I'd also suggest a colosaly successful carreer spanning decades suggest to me that Neil knows a thing or two about singing and playing.
I’ve been reading the complaints below about Neil’s singing. Besides being an old complaint I find it ironic considering the point of view of this particular song. A scared young man, a kid really, tentatively doing what he thinks he has to do, which quickly turns out very badly. I think Neil’s voice couldn’t be more perfect for it.
Some voices are just beautiful; smooth as warm chocolate pudding and they are a thing to behold. Others impress us with range or skilled technique. And then there are the voices that simply have a character of their own. They often have an everyman (or woman) quality that remind us that the emotions expressed therein are felt by and can come from any of us. I treasure such voices.
Even though this excellent post was just bumped, I'm gonna bump it again, because it so perfectly articulates my own feeling on the subject. Since when does one have to sound like Josh Groban to be considered a great singer? This is rock & roll, people. It's all about emotion and feel, not who has the prettiest voice. This goes for Dylan, Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell and all the other greats who are constantly being dumped on here.
Thank you, Typesbad!
Some voices are just beautiful; smooth as warm chocolate pudding and they are a thing to behold. Others impress us with range or skilled technique. And then there are the voices that simply have a character of their own. They often have an everyman (or woman) quality that remind us that the emotions expressed therein are felt by and can come from any of us. I treasure such voices.
Despite your name, you type very well.
9? Changing to 10. Don't know what I was thinking.
LMAO... same here! Love Neil and the guitar and his singing is so powerful!
How can this ever be background music? Love it or hate it. You can't just ignore it.
Yep.
Some voices are just beautiful; smooth as warm chocolate pudding and they are a thing to behold. Others impress us with range or skilled technique. And then there are the voices that simply have a character of their own. They often have an everyman (or woman) quality that remind us that the emotions expressed therein are felt by and can come from any of us. I treasure such voices.
I like Neil's singing, and I also like Geddy Lee and Lemmy. All 3 are great at what they do/did. All 3, I'm sure, annoy people at times.