Posted on 07/21/2008 11:57:24 AM PDT by Merciful_Friend
Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young was interviewed on PBS's Charlie Rose show. The show, almost a complete hour, can be watched at this link. (Thanks to Jay for the tip.)
If you can get past some of the political baggage, and you like Neil Young, it's an entertaining interview, where Young comes across funny, sincere and kind of sweetly naïve.
With regard to the politics and his Let's Impeach the President phase, Young certainly is giving the distinct impression of having second thoughts. Some of what he says when Charlie prods him on the war:
I look at it Charlie as "why"? Why are we doing this? And why is the human race doing this? I try to step back and see it. And y'know on this record I got really involved in the present, which is like turmoil, it's terrible. To be involved in, y'know, criticizing the president, and doing this and that, and talking about things in the first person and getting right in there. It's like I got sucked into it. I was part of the turmoil myself. Which I wasn't happy about. And I'm not happy about it now. But it happened.
[...]
I was sucked into it and I got angry. I was angry about things that were happening, and I thought this is just not right. This is not the way it should be. I felt like we were being lied to and things weren't true and we were getting sold a bill of goods [...] but I don't want to harp on that.
[...]
I did the album. I said all of what I had to say, and now I don't like to do it again. I don't like singing the songs. I did it. I'm not CNN. I don't play it over and over again.
Ahem. One can't help but be reminded of Bob Dylan's quote about hearing Neil Young's Let's Impeach the President and how he thought, "That's crazy, he's doing a song about Clinton?" That little dig of Bob's, as I thought at the time, put a finger on what was wrong -- just artistically speaking -- with what Neil Young was doing. He was making music that was more like (lousy) opinion journalism, with a definite expiration date.
Well, I guess Neil realizes that it's now expired. Too bad there are some fans out there who probably still listen to those tunes as anthems, manifestos and mantras.
(Continue reading here.)
... wait for it . . .
Just entertainers!
It amazes me that quite a few of those people post here.
“I hope Neil Young will remember, a Southern man dont need him round, anyhow...”
...you got that right!
I’ll second that.
I’m not really sure why this guy sold any records at all.
Poor voice. Lousy guitar work. Dated liberal lyrics.
He sings like a whiny fat girl.
&&&
Exactly. Never could stand him.
As for his political statements, why would I value the opinion of someone whose brain has been riddled by drugs like many of the Hollywood types?
I lived in Santa Cruz during that period and also surfed. Wasn't he living somewhere on Pleasure Point and didn't he get a bunch of guitars stolen? And didn't the name "Ducks" come from a incident of some guy hitting a bunch of ducks along twin lakes?
No time for indecision we got to make a move I hope that were forgiven for what we got to do How this all got started Ill never understand Hope someone can fly this thing and get us back to land
Time is runnin out. lets roll Time is runnin out. lets roll
No one has the answer but one thing is true You got to turn on evil when its coming after you You gotta face it down and when it tries to hide We gotta go in after it and never be denied
Time is runnin out. lets roll
Lets roll for freedom Lets roll for love Going after satan on the wings of a dove Lets roll for justice Lets roll for truth Lets not let our children grow up fearful in their youth
This song was written about Flight 93. This was the highjacked flight that crashed in rural Pennsylvania when the passengers attempted to retake control. Their sacrifice quite possibly prevented hundreds of other deaths and the destruction of the Capitol building.
Neil Youngs tribute was not only moving, but was the most clear-headed statement Ive ever heard from a rock musician. It was a shame that he still lent his music to Michael Moores steaming pile of crap, Farenheit 9-11. Well, I like his music anyway, politics notwithstanding.
Those are some good lyrics, and I must say he has some other music I’ve enjoyed over the years. I have gotten quite weary of how liberal and preachy he’s become, though.
Oh Neil, you're still in a "phase" I guess.
Neil is Canadian, btw.
Not long after the attacks of 9/11/01, Young came out with this song. The lead in was the eerie sound of cell phones ‘ringing’...
I know I said I love you,
I know you know it’s true,
I got to put the phone down,
And do what we gotta do.
One’s standing in the aisle way,
Two more at the door,
We got to get inside there,
Before they kill some more.
Time is runnin’ out, let’s roll.
Time is runnin’ out, let’s roll.
No time for indecision,
We got to make a move,
I hope that we’re forgiven,
For what we gotta do.
How this all got started,
I’ll never understand,
I hope someone can fly this thing,
Get us back to land.
Time is runnin’ out, let’s roll.
Time is runnin’ out, let’s roll.
No one has the answers,
But one thing is true,
You got to turn on evil,
When it’s comin’ after you.
You got to face it down,
And when it tries to hide,
You got to go in after it,
And never be denied.
Time is runnin’ out, let’s roll.
Let’s roll for freedom,
Let’s roll for love,
Goin’ after Satan,
On the wings of a dove.
Let’s roll for justice,
Let’s roll for truth,
Let’s not let our children,
Grow up fearful in their youth.
Time is runnin’ out, let’s roll.
Time is runnin’ out, let’s roll.
Time is runnin’ out, let’s roll.
Hello. I can play a guitar passably well, therefore my political and social opinions matter a great deal. Well, certainly more than yours as you are not a celebrity like me.
I liked Neil Young when I was 18 — then I grew up.
He claims his 59 Lincoln will get 100 MPG. Some kind of hybrid with a watchmacalit generator (that's about as technical as I can do). Worked with a Canadian. American, Australian scientist and mechanic.
Said, if I can do it why can't GM or Ford.
Showed a picture of the car. That's all.
About three years ago Toyota said the 2009 Prius would get 95+ MPG. Anyone heard anything on that little gem in the last year or so?
Rust on!
If so, Young don't you have more important things to worry about like counting your money, preparing to harvest some maple syrup in the fall, and playing with your Lionel trains?
This is the man who sang about Nixon causing the student deaths at Kent State, then in a later song sang "Even Richard Nixon has got soul."
If I remember correctly, I think he also had good things to say about President Reagan and caught heat for that.
He's a human being that says what's on his mind. He's honest. He's not an @$$ kisser, that's for sure.
Keep rockin' in the free world Neil!
Amazing! Thanks.
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