I was very alone in my youth, had no friends and never had a girlfriend until I was thirty years old. So I constantly longed for a heart of gold. I must have played the song a thousand times on the guitar in my youth. Neil Young was always a role model for me for many, many years.
Ive been in both situations and they both seem to suck the life out of you.. Being alone is probably better but after years of it , it's equal to me.. and i mean being ALONE.. No friends, family or lovers. You just see no point to life
He had the talent of creating iconic songs out of just basic chords and simple strumming. He rarely uses complex finger picking or other technical methods in his songs.
That's because being technical has nothing to do with it. Why would you write a song based on how hard it was? It's art and you do what's called for to make it a good song that people want to hear.
Neil has a way with lyrics, and his singing tone is unique. His music brings me so much pleasure. It can calm us down and pump us up, So many of his songs bring back memories of my youth, deep friendships, and happy times. That's the magic in music; it transports your soul to a different time and space. It can fill you with happiness or make you weep from lost love and friends. Thank you, bright Angel Aileen, for playing Neil You (I hope you play more), and I love your witty and heartfelt commentary and thoughts.
Found that person when I was fifteen. Took a lot of work...she was two years older, but she took to me. That was 1975. We've been married for over 46 years now. I found my heart of gold. Thanks Neil. Thanks Aileen.
"Needle and the damage done" next? And certainly "Rocking in the free world" has to be on your list as well, Neil is a lyrical master and it shows in every song he created or was a part of.
Since you are just dipping your toe into Neil's abilities starting with his great softer acoustic classics you will actually be amazed at how diverse he is in his song writing, sound, and voice. For an awesome harder rockin Neil check out "COWGIRL IN THE SAND" and "DOWN BY THE RIVER". For some searing political content and musicianship check out "SOUTHERN MAN" (the title hints at the topic), and "OHIO" a true story song about 4 students at Kent State University that were gunned down by State Troopers during an anti-war rally.
"Down by the river" is a favorite of mine. I love how Lnyrd Sknyrd did "Sweet Home Alabama" as a direct response to "Southern Man." And it is a testament to the commitment to pacificism of the Woodstock Generation that "Ohio" didn't touch off a civil war. That song should have been like a match dropped in a field of dry grass.
I was lucky enough to see Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in June 1974 at the Oakland Stadium outdoor Day on the Green Concert. It was incredible. They played for almost 4 hours, 2 hours as a band and 30 minutes for each for their solo. The Band and Joe Walsh & Barnstorm and Jessie Colin Young played before CSNY. Neil was always my favorite out of the CSNY group. He was amazing when he left the band and was on his solo career. And he formed a band called Crazy Horse. You must listen to his music with that band. wow
Thanks Aileen, this brought back memories. My brother (who sadly passed away a few years back), got me into Neil Young, playing his songs on his Ovation acoustic, then with his Telecaster for the rock numbers. I paid him back by taking him to the Hop Farm festival in Kent, England, where Neil headlined. He's a prolific songwriter, Aileen, loved that you've dipped your toes in! As a different vibe, I'd highly recommend Rocking in the Free World, the lyrics are astonishingly moving.
+1 on rocking in the free world. 🙂some people think of it as a party song, perhaps they just haven't read or listened to the lyrics. it's far and away not a party song...like you said, it is moving. the subject matter is dark in a realistic way, if that makes sense? kind of like a list of things in this world that we turn a blind eye to, things that could be fixed, some horrible things that we don't want to have to address...but hey, "keep on rockin' in the free world" because some of us are not paying attention at all. ...got fuel to burn, got roads to drive...😉🙂
This brings back sooo many memories for me. I was maybe 15 when I first started listening to whole band "Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young" Neil's solo songs still melt my heart! Thank you for reacting to this timeless song. ❤❤❤❤
Your expressions to these sorts of videos is always so heart warming watching you just get lost in the song with how much you’re loving and appreciating it 😭 ❤️ That harmonica adds that little extra good stuff throughout the song too. I was getting the same vibe about it with how the ending was like a drawn out sigh at the end given the theme of the song and how you broke it down
Hi Aileen In the song, Young sings of being in Hollywood, Redwood (forests, presumably), and crossing oceans in search of a heart of gold. Indeed, the song is about salvation-either someone or something-that can give him the treasure-metaphorical or actual-that he requires.
Thank you Aileen for another generous, heartfelt reaction! Neil is such a treasure, his songs were the very first folk songs I learned to sing (starting with “Old Man” 🙏). But note, only recently did I learn, by listening, that he is one of the greatest guitarists ever. Beautiful acoustic playing, but he also shreds like a banshee. Listen to both his acoustic and electric versions of “Cowgirl in the Sand,” a song with more Neil-Young-level lyrics. Best wishes! 🌈
I appreciate you doing this as your next Neil Young song - I so enjoyed your reaction and what you brought to the discussion. We are fortunate today that BBC (British Broadcasting Co) captured such great sound and film on this from way back in 1971. The entire concert that aired was only about 30 min. He was trying out a few as yet unreleased songs, including “Heart of Gold.” Neil has written SO many terrific songs across several genres or styles. I can’t wait for you to discover his electric side with his band Crazy Horse. It;s funny to think his triple LP (record) called “Decade” that covered his first 10 years was released ~45 years ago and he is still making music, recoding and performing. There is no other like Neil Young. Thank you kindly for this one!
I remember being like 5 or 6 years old watching the Live Aid concert with multiple artists and like the whole world watching, it was a really big deal to have so many people coming together to watch and listen to the same thing at once. In comes this Man with a cut-off logger shirt, completely unassuming and humble and He is alone on stage with only His Guitar and Harmonica. I looked up to My Father and asked. WHO IS THAT? - That's Neil Young Son my Father replied with a smile. He doesn't need any back-up band or electrics. I was so impressed right off the bat, even before He started singing. Been loving Him and His Music ever since
If you want to see the other side of Neil from the "folk singer", go with Hey Hey, My My (Into the black)...the 1991 live version is a suburb example. This is one of those rare songs which just keeps getting better and better the louder you turn it up. It cannot be played too loud 😊
Thank you for your reaction to our Canadian treasure, Neil Young! Before you finish your journey through the catalogue of his music be sure you touch on "Helpless" (I would suggest from Live Aid 1985) and "The Needle And The Damage Done". Thank you also for making your channel such a joy to visit and hang out!!!
I'd nominate the performance of "Helpless" from "The Last Waltz" . I love the look of Neil & the guys from The Band singing onstage & reacting as Joni Mitchell's voice is added to the mix from a hidden back stage microphone . 🙂
Some recommendations for further Neil Young exploration: "Powderfinger", "Cinnamon Girl", "Sedan Delivery", "Needle and The Damage Done", "Harvest Moon", "Down By The River", "Cowgirl In The Sand", "Cortez the Killer", "Ohio", "Rockin' In The Free World", "This Notes For You", "Sugar Mountain", "After The Goldrush", "Tonight's The Night". That's enough to get you started Aileen. Enjoy.
Neil Young is great at expressing emotion in his songs through his vocals, facial expressions, guitar, harmonica, story telling, and great lyrics. He has a lot more great songs like this where he plays acoustic guitar, harmonica and piano. However he also has a lot of great rock type songs that express emotion in the same way, and Neil Young is fabulous on the electric guitar. Cortez the Killer, Powder Finger, Southern Man, Hey Hey My My, are just a few of these songs. I think it would be great if you also reacted to this side of Neil Young.
Neil has been one of the most talented and innovative artist over the past 55+ years!You might want to try reacting to his tune Southern Man or The Needle and The Damage Done.
Just wait until you check out the songs , yes , two songs , one is My My Hey Hey , and the other is Hey Hey My My !! If you listen to one of these then you have to listen to the other . Yes , Neil Young has a bunch of cool tunes !!
It's a shame that the video didn't show Neil looking for the correct harmonica in the key for the song and making jokes. I tried to find a version that included it but couldn't find it anymore. Neil Young is legendary.
And so it begins , your journey down the rabbit hole of Neil Young. So far you've done 2 folkier acoustic songs by Neil. There are a few more to do before getting into his electric heavier side. Check out Lotta Love , The Needle and the Damage Done and Harvest Moon.
"Heart Of Gold" is Neil Young's biggest radio hit, and deservedly so. But in the liner notes of his compilation album "Decade" Neil said that "Heart Of Gold" put him squarely in the middle of the road, but that he soon headed for the ditch. As he said "it's a rougher ride, but you meet more interesting people there." Seen The MAN four times in concert, and each show was completely different in presentation, format and set lists. Neil is still very active, and just released a new album last year with his band Crazy Horse called "Barn".
Yeah, my first show was on his "Everybody's Rockin' " album, with The Shocking Pinks, then the 3rd Best Garage band gig, then "Greendale", and finally a show with a totally different backing band, and The Pretenders as the openers. Fourth row for that one. All great shows.@@marke8323
As far as more Mr Neil young, there are so many. He was just so big in so many ways. I really really would love to see you react to something a little more upbeat with his band Crazy Horse. Powderfinger would probably blow you away. And I don't know that it's 100% belting? But for Neil Young it really kind of is at certain points. But the story itself is historic and everything about it rings so true and it's powerful and by the way I love his solo stuff but I also love his band Crazy Horse. And I love some of the solo career stuff he did later as well, like, Rocking In The Free World. I saw him live twice back early on when I was so young and those are still incredibly memorable concerts to this day. I actually had eye contact with him now and then and some verbal interplay, I was so close to the stage.
It's pretty special gold when you find that someone with a heart of Gold.😊. That someone who wants to make you happy. The key is to always remember to do the same for them. When you both put each other at the top of your priorities then you find real happiness
Apart from the message behind this song, what always got me with this was the ability to be playing two musical instruments at the same time - that's pure talent.
Neil is so beloved and such a huge influence on musicians from literally every genre, it comes down to hitting this incredible sweet spot of his lyrics, tunes, sound and performance - he keeps it simple but says volumes - it is every song writer's dream to be able to do, it almost gives him a supernatural vibe. (Artists like him that come to mind - and leaving so many out just who is coming to me, are Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Paul Simon..in more modern times I'd say they were gone so fast but on the path, both Kurt Cobain and Jeff Buckley, and Chris Cornell with his tragic story; Lauryn Hill gave us so much,, and Thom Yorke who is still with us and continues to do it) - obviously one man's take. There are a special class of performers who have done it and Neil is definitely in the top of the class. I'd even say his understated approach kept him more under the radar than he may otherwise have been, but he nor anyone else should want to change one little thing. He was writing songs of such a caliber at such a young age, truly amazing. "Needle and the Damage Done: MTV Unplugged" is another great example that will hit you so hard, but sometimes that emotional response a song elicits is the true beauty of it, bittersweet but in the end, sweet. We all need that cathartic effect such music can offer. The journey with Neil is almost meant to be taken slowly and taken in as gifts to be unwrapped as you traverse life.
Hello Aileen, one of my many favourite songs, and precisely, because of the simplicity! Great channel also and great reactions! I always love to see younger people listening and discovering great music, it always fill me with joy. I would love to see you react to something very different, something in Spanish, it's an Argentinan rock group called Soda Stereo, the song I would like you to check out is called "Prófugos" live version from Gira Me Verás Volver (tour), you will not be disappointed at all, I know you will truly enjoy it, musically and energetically, especially how the huge crowd reacts to the energy of the band, if youu just search the song you will see it's very poplar internationally to many other reactions and people around the world are truly falling in love with this no longer existing band and the lead singer who is a true Latin genius named Gustavo Cerati, he already passed away, but he is also worth checking out as a solo artist, very talented, very beautiful voice, very deep thinking and intellectual individual and even highly spiritual in a way... If you don't speak Spanish you can find the transaltions somewhere and read them as you listen, that's how many others have done it. Well, I hope you do it sometime. Stay safe, be happy and stay very blessed! Oh! And stay beautiful! ❤🙏 BTW: I don't know if others who do know Soda Stereo could somehow chip in and vote to my request?
Some must listens that are in this neighborhood: Peace Of Mind, Going Back, and After The Gold Rush. Neil Young isn't a flashy guitarist, but has a unique ability to write memorable melodies that produce majic when combined with that voice and those lyrics. His voice has always had the ability to take me to other places, can't ask for more than that from an artist. Great reaction, TY.
Talent amazes me. The way he can play the guitar and the harmonica simultanioulsy; with rhythm on guitar and melody on harmonica! Seems like the musical equivalent of simultaneoulsy rubbing your belly and patting your head to me!
An impossibility, to compare oneself to another. How you respond to stimuli is exactly unique to you...I can't imagine that someone would say the words to another, "your visceral responses are inappropriate, wrong or not warranted" Growing older has given me the realization that. "Listening to someone else's critique of another is like yelling at the sky to chase away the clouds" meaningless and no basis in reality...Be you Aileen, your beauty and kindness are a great gift to our world.
there's a reason he is in the rock and roll hall of fame.! he is the young in crosby, stills, nash and young! alot of people believe if they could have stayed together they could have been as big as the fabric four. great band. great reaction this cut is from mtv unplugged.
This reaction was great. Neil is so awesome ❤ I will recommend my favs from him😊 "Don't Let it get you down," ( the live version of this is fun because he does a little anecdote beforehand. "Needle and the damage done" is another sad one. He is such a good storyteller.❤❤
Interesting. I know the studio version very very well. This live version brings the melancholy emotions across a lot more, which is sorta the point. Great reaction!
I agree with all that you said in your reaction and analysis of this, Aileen. It's a beautiful but also a melancholic song, and sadly many of us in this world never find our 'Heart of Gold'. Other songs that I recommend that you react to, are: Don McLean - Vincent, 'Ralph McTell - Streets of London, James Blunt - Monsters.
If you were around at the time of this song like i was, and almost his age ,It brings on even more feelings .Wasted oppportunities or just returning you memories of your past as a young 20 + yo.Music esp. from America in the early 70s had a soft rock sound, base.Dont let anyone else say it wasn't so.
I said once to friends of mine who didn't love Neil young " go buy new ears my friends " and those pals was musicians, good musicians. Sometimes I feel alone....
Neil Young is a treasure and it's great to see you appreciate his poetic genius. You should check out his amazing song "Pocahontas" which a one of his greatest songs with lyrics that will melt your heart and leave you with chills. The live version is great, but I love the studio version even more for it's atmospherics. It's off of his "Rust Never Sleeps" album... which was recorded live (but you can't hear the audience). Cheers!
Neil Young is painter of a soundscape garden of striking beautiful pictures. Some even approach art. Hus voice and the instruments he chooses to illustrate the images in his songs are clear, concise, and bold. And while at times they are dark, they reveal true poetic depth. For further listening, try these songs. From his studio albums to get the correct symphonic moments, LUJE A HURRICANE, DOWN BY THE RIVER, and SOUTHERN MAN. Enjoy
Some suggestions: Running Dry, Down by the River, Cowgirl in the Sand, Unknown Legend, After the Gold Rush, Cinnamon Girl, Helpless, Cortez the Killer, and my all time favorite - Powderfinger.
Ah it's sad to see that music has died.We had true talent back then.Can any of the stars today repeat this?And write their own music,do it live without any help!Little did I know I'd live to see what passes for music these days.
Two ways to look at the song. Looking for a heart of gold in someone else to be with. Or he is searching for how to be better, happier, and his heart to be golden. Inner conflict. (See the line: "I've been in my mind")
One more thing. Morrisette Amon is now singing for Disney. She has several songs especially for Disney. Including one that kind of looks like a theme song for their parks.
Don't know why no one else has mentioned it, but if you want a great rocker, I'd go for Cinnamon Girl. Men LOVE that song, but GIRLS ... REALLY LOVE IT, especially from that timeframe !!!
