"I had purchased a ranch, and I still live there today. And there was a couple living on it that were the caretakers, an old gentleman named Louis Avila and his wife Clara. And there was this old blue Jeep there, and Louis took me for a ride in this blue Jeep. He gets me up there on the top side of the place, and there’s this lake up there that fed all the pastures, and he says, 'Well, tell me, how does a young man like yourself have enough money to buy a place like this?' And I said, 'Well, just lucky, Louie, just real lucky.' And he said, 'Well, that’s the darndest thing I ever heard.' And I wrote this song for him." -Neil Young
There is a fragment shown on dutch television of Neil and your mom's uncle, recorded by Wim van der Linden who in those days easily got to famous people.( sometimes the camera was handled bij Jan de Bont!!) Nowadays they are mostly "protected" from strangers. The old man said that he liked the song Neil wrote over him. It was in "De nacht van de popmuziek 2019" around 1h:45
is this a true story? - SO, the old man had a wife and Neil was alone?!? - What a great backstory -- I'd never heard that part of it before ..... THANX so much Clif Dickens
I was a young man when this came out. Now I listen to this as the old man. Time flies when you are having fun, or not. Listen to this man and his guitar. No computer BS, just talent on stage playing live.
yes me too.............. ,one song after another.........,didnt know then ,i was living my young life in an era of "timeless songs"never to be equalled again.
@@NefariousPorpoise those old people had seen guitars, microphones and TVS for years by then. But the point was, at this time thete were no computers to edit, mix, etc, your music. It was just his raw talent to get by on.
armadillotoe I was exactly 24 years old when this song came out. “ 24 and there’s so much more” I already felt the sad realization that life goes by far to fast. And here I am 72! Life more than half over.
My grandpa who basically raised me as a young child, passed away this year a week before his 90th birthday. It wasn't a surprise. I couldn't cry until about a week after the funeral. I was driving home from work and this song played on the radio. Suddenly the 😭 came. The power of music.
He’s telling the “old man” that even though they are different generations they aren’t that different. This was a song during the hippy days and old people frowned on the long hair and hippy look. He’s telling the old man they have the same needs and desires.
One of my favourite songs by Neil Young 🇨🇦☮️💎😢 He bought the place from two lawyers & the old caretaker was still there when Neil moved onto the land & knowing what Neil is like I think he let the old man stay & live his life out.
I am so sorry. This song is about my father to me too but, in a different way. He left my mom and me when I was a baby and this always made me think of how much I was like him even though I didn’t know him.I met him when I was 18 and I realized we were exactly the same just like I had always suspected.
This song was my dads favorite.... he also passed away 3 years ago... I flew out to the island for his funeral... my sister picked me up and we stopped in some random food spot and they had a live performer and of course the first song he plays is this... me and my sister both started tearing up a little and by the end of the song were almost bawling... this song always felt like it had meaning towards my dad in life but now after he is gone it is on a whole nother level
You've misinterpreted the song. It's him seeing the future in an older man. He is able to see the similarities between himself and the man. Most people his age ( at the time ) would not have the foresight to recognize this.
India, you are an old soul. I so appreciate that you "react" to so many songs that others from your generation would never even consider. Also, color barrier is no issue with you. Very cool.
Truly one of the most pure and haunting stage performances ever recorded. Just some notes from his guitar and the tone of his voice brings emotion w/o any interpretation. Neil Young had a presence and delivery that was just so clean and natural you could sense his spirit. From a time when music - more often than not (ahem, unlike today) had meaning and beauty. This was beautiful.
A man, microphone, and acoustic guitar!👍👍 No auto tune! No backing tracks!!👍👍 this is how it should be done!!👍👍♿👍👍🙏 I want to go back in time now lol!👍👍 Everyone have a great night 🌙and be safe 😎😎👍
Wow India, bringing me back to my roots! He was my first favorite artist and actually was the first real concert I bought a ticket for! Boston Garden 1971,opening act Linda Ronstadt, one of my favorite memories! He probably sounds familiar to you because you have heard him and just didn't realize it! He's that famous. I love watching the passion you have when listening to your great discoveries! Don't be afraid to stick your toes into Crosby ,Stills, Nash and Young my other first favorite!
My father told me when l was a about 10 years old that All people are basically the same. We laugh cry feel pain sorrow and loss. We all bleed the same color. He is looking at a stranger and instead of looking for differences. He is see what they have in common. That's something that we as human need to remember to do. Be a part of the human race. Not apart from it.
Philip Riley this is one of my favorite song of all time. Knowing who the person is that this all about is so fulfilling to me. Thank you for that info. Take carw and God bless!
Keep spreading this music! Growing up and listening to this music, I can't emagon that there are actually people in the world who haven't heard it before! Every city in the country has a radio station that plays these toons every day!! My radio is toned in, and on while I relax.
I love Neil Young both as a solo and as part of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Appreciation of Neil Young requires a bit of an eclectic personality. You are so willing and broad minded about what you are willing to react to. Thank you as you videos are totally enjoyable.
Joseph Scally and check out his rock side with Crazy Horse (Neil Young & Crazy Horse).... check out Powderfinger live, or Cortez The Killer...... Neil Young is awesome acoustic and electric!!!!
Yes, a great one. That's one of about a hundred or so she should do: Thrasher, Sail Away, Ohio, LIke a Hurricane, Pocahontas, A Man Needs a Maid, 4 Strong Winds and on and on...
I`ve been a Neil Young fan since 1970 when was 10 years old.I`ve always loved that song Sugar Mountain. Now that I`m 59 the song means so much more to me.
Needle and the damage done has so much to offer for those of us who have seen too much. Neil is a very talented artist...pretty much all his stuff has a meaning behind it.
Humility, humanity, and compassion... all elements of the work by Neil Young. On the last day of my life I want to listen to Neil's entire music catalogue. That how special his music has been for me ❤️
“Needle and the damage done” by Neil Young was one of the few songs that made me cry. I lost a lot of friends from junk. Young is one of the great poets in music today. I am glad rap has picked up the poetry torch
Al Marzian I am a Neil Young fan, although I’m very conservative politically, I love his expression and his talent. Needle and the Damage Done was timely, and one of a very few songs that makes me cry .
My life motto, "Doesn't mean that much to me to mean that much to you". Definitely one of my favorite artists. Heart of gold is his most famous song. Hurricane is also great and rocks!
The old man was a caretaker at the ranch when Neil bought it. When they met up and looked over the ranch, the caretaker asked him who he was & how such a young man had acquired so much, Neil Young answered, I’m no one, I’m just like you.. That’s how that song came about, the caretaker stayed with Neil till his death.. Neil Young is an extraordinary songwriter, incredible guitarist & singer, and a Canadian treasure 🇨🇦❣️
Collette Dauphinais I get your pride for being Canadian, no disrespect, but some people are “human treasures”. I’m not attempting to correct you....I hope you understand.
Neil Young was part of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young until he went solo. As a group, they were amazing with beautiful harmonies. As a solo artist, Neil was also very successful. Take a listen to Needle and the Damage Done cause it is unbelievably relevant today still. I know since this reaction you listened to Southern Man, which also is a good example of how socially relevant he often was. Ohio is about the students killed by the National Guard at Kent State. I was in high school then and these songs were like anthems to so many of us who were against the Vietnam War and talked about the troubling times for our country. It was a great time for music, so I hope you enjoy girl!
check it India Neil bring you to tears on occasion, for those like you with open minds. Neil strikes various moods and emotions but can reach absolutely beatiful heights... an incredibly talented musician and writer-' surely one of the best ever. Try "Helpless" for another mellow one... onr of my favorites-
Neil Young makes very chill music and he is really pretty amazing my ex husband introduced me to his solo music... really liked Crosby,Stills,Nash and Young their music was super popular in the 60's and 70s another great choice...♡
The song is reflective, Neil first drawing the differences ("Doesn't mean that much to me, to mean that much to you"), but then comes face-to-face with the reality of it all ("I need someone to love me the whole day through; Ah, one look in my eyes and you can tell that's true'). Then he recognizes the old man was a youngster, just like he was; and that, sooner than later, he'll be an old man, just like the Old Man of the song. From "24 and so much more," a young man with so much to live for, to the stark realization of "I'm a lot like you were." This generation the late '60s and early '70s, were FILLED with singer-songwriters who poured out their souls in their music.
Good reaction. The "Old Man" was the caretaker of the ranch before Neil Young bought it, not the owner. When Neil bought the ranch the purchase included the caretaker - not that he "owned" that person, but he was part with the purchase. Often times ranch owners didn't want to do the hard work of running a ranch, and hired someone to do that. The song is about Neil meeting him, and seeing how that could possibly be him someday - though Neil Young's life took a very different path.
Heart of Gold Heart of Gold Heart of Gold Pwease...Same show just him and his gutair no band raw it's so good...Never met a woman who didn't love that song
Stephen D James - this performance preceded the 1972 release of Harvest. This was performed on the BBC in February 1971. It was not uncommon for Neil to try out songs before their official release on record.
Neil actually belonged to the 60s. He grew up in Winnipeg where he had his first band, The Squires. But he felt cramped in the small city, and he headed back to his earlier home, Toronto, where his father was a famous journalist. Then he headed out to California and helped develop the California sound with the Buffalo Springfield and Stephen Stills. When they broke up he formed Crazy Horse, who were his backup band for years. He also did solo resordings. Eventually he got back with Stephen Stills in Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. He ferried back and forth between the two groups and his solo career for years. He is still playing today.
Neil Young bought the Farm/ranch from a couple of lawyers.The Old Man he is singing about is the caretaker of the ranch.The Man that took care of the horses and other animals on the Farm.
This live performance by Neil Young really illustrates his raw talent. The guitar track is quite complex which he handles with ease, while singing. I think the song is about the reflection that Neil saw in this old man he met.
Neil Young, America's first true Native American rock star. Try "Cinnamon Girl", "Down By the River", "Heart Of Gold", "Southern Man", "Sugar Mountain", "The Needle And The Damage Done", "Cowgirl In The Sand", "Ohio", "Don't Let It Get You Down", and others. Yes, at one time he was a part of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.
no matter how many times i hear this song it puts tears in my eyes thinking about my dad. I miss him so much it still hurts not being able to talk to him anymore.
I observe you and you are so deep and so glaringly protective of your inner being. Your outer protective shell is formidable, but why? Your opinion matters and is beautiful. No charge or acknowledgement expected. The proof in what I assert, is in your facial reaction. My heavens woman, you are a lot deeper than most folks see.
When I became aware of Neil Young, it was 1977. I was tripping balls on acid watching a show called "The Midnight Special". Just as I was peaking, Neil came on playing "Like a Hurricane". Every note of his guitar was burned into my soul. To say I was blown away would be an understatement. I remember that like it was yesterday, even though it was going on a half century ago.
One of my favorites by Neil! Although I prefer the studio version, just because it has the steel guitar, and I'm a sucker for songs with a steel guitar!
Anyone who wants to know more about this time period, and it's music, Neil Young plays a HUGE part in it...One of the most prolific songwriters. He has penned as many classic songs as anyone, and takes a backseat to no one....The list of his accomplishments would take quite awhile here, but please delve deeper into his music.
