The 3 Best Neil Young Songs Ever

There's not much question that Neil Young is one of the best singer/songwriters to come out of Canada or any continent for that matter. His songs have done much to shape the culture in which we live, and he has touched the hearts and souls of many of us with his unique songs and expressions over the years. I absolutely include myself in his list of fans. He definitely changed my life with some of his songs, and when I was asked by one of my friends to come up with the 3 best Neil Young songs ever, I must say that it wasn't an easy task.

Still I tackled the task and here's what I came up with:

1. "After the Gold Rush" - this song, though obviously written in reference to visions seen while on a hallucinogenic drug, still is prophetic, as it hits the point in the bulls-eye about modern desecration of the ecological system on the planet ("Look at mother nature on the run in the 1970's"). The melody and piano work are purely haunting with the muted trumpet interlude taking us all on a dream trip. Neil truly was on the aesthetic wave band when he wrote and performed this one. There are more popular songs that he wrote, but few songs touch me spiritually as this one does.

2. "Heart of Gold" - is a simple song about something that is near and dear to all of us. We've all looked for that person of genuine warmth, honesty, trustworthiness, love and faithfulness - many have never found it and like Neil Young are, as he expresses in the song, "a miner for a heart of gold, and I'm growing old." The guitar and harmonica in the song with the rhythm really set the tone and pace of the song. Truly a work of art. I can't say enough about the impact this song has had on me and it never grows old or dull.

3. "I Am a Child" - is a classic tribute to children and the gap of understanding that exists between us adults and them kids. The chord progression and melody are unique - no question about it - and the song has a way of lingering in your thoughts for a long time after listening to it. This line from the song still rings down the corridors of my mind, "I am a child. I last awhile. You can't conceive of the pleasure in my smile."

I have another couple of Neil's songs that could easily rate in the top three ("Love Is a Rose"; "Old Man"; "Everybody Knows This is Nowhere"- to name a few), but I had to draw the line somewhere, and you can see where I drew it.

Even if you don't agree with what I have chosen as the 3 best Neil Young songs ever, I don't think you can dispute that he is one of the best artists we've had around. If you like songs that hit you emotionally and even spiritually, then you might also check out Lawrence Lynn. His songs definitely hit me emotionally and spiritually, and I think you might like them. Click here to download 2 copies of his latest singles for free.

Neil Young Songs: His Best Ever And Why

Without a doubt, Neil Young is one of the greatest songwriters of all time. As a solo singer-songwriter, and contributing member of some of the greatest bands ever, he has written some of the most honest, sincere, real music ever. His influence on popular music is undeniable. Personally, I am a huge fan of his music and when a pal posed the question recently "What are the best Neil Young songs of all time?" I had to really think it over.

Drum roll please...

1. Heart of Gold

Heart of Gold is his only number 1 song so far. It was written after a bad back injury that kept him from standing up to play the electric guitar. Lucky for us that resulted in him penning this gorgeous acoustic guitar-driven gem. He really has a gift of plain-spoken poetry and Heart of Gold nails it: "I want to live, I want to give. I've been a miner for a heart of gold." And... that harmonica solo is so distinctly Neil Young.

2. Southern Man

Southern Man is an example of his most vivid descriptive storytelling. In it he tells the story of a southern man (really, a symbol of the entire American south) and his mistreatment of his slaves. He gives an earnest, gritty performance. In the song he pleads "I saw cotton and I saw black, tall white mansions and little shacks. Southern Man, when will you pay them back?" It also prompted Lynyrd Skynyrd to write their response "Sweet Home Alabama." Funny... Neil Young often covers that song in his concerts.

3. Helpless

One of his most simple and direct songs written to date. But its the simplicity of it that I love. Its repetition in the chord changes and melody is lulling and his vocals are as sweet as ever. He's performed this with tons of folks. Perhaps the most famous is with The Band and Joni Mitchell on their 'Last Waltz.'

Whether you agree with my choices for the best Neil Young songs of all time or not, there's not disputing how great he is.

If you like Neil Young then you should check out Dean Fields. He's got a similar vibe, great lyrics, and beautiful voice. Click Here to get a copy of his latest single for free.

Best Neil Young Songs Of All Time - And Why

Without a doubt Neil Young is one of the greatest artists in American music of all time. His music, as well as his approach to music, has influenced millions of people and has helped shaped popular music as we know it today. I am personally a big fan of the man and his music. When the question of "what the best Neil Young songs of all time were," recently came up in conversation in a group of my friends, it got me thinking about it.

Here's what I came up with in my musing about it. Of course, I lean towards earlier Neil Young - my bias, what can I say? Not in any particular order:

1. Down By The River - When he rocked, he rocked! With Crazy Horse., his rockin' band. I still sing this song, when I least expect it (to my self). One of those I shot my baby songs, like Hey Joe. He pays for his crime though.

2. Heart Of Gold - How can I not include this one? I still play this once in a while. People still love it. Great lyrics:

Keep me searching

for a heart of gold

You keep me searching

for a heart of gold

And I'm growing old.

I've been a miner

for a heart of gold.

And I'm getting old too!

3. Harvest Moon - Nice romantic song. Cool lyrics:

Because I'm still in love with you

I want to see you dance again

Because I'm still in love with you

On this harvest moon.

Very visual lyrics. This might be a stretch, but it reminds me, lyrically of Creole

Belle by Mississippi John Hurt and later verses written by Taj Majal.

4. Old Man - A song about a son and his father and young and old. I love these songs about age. When I first listened to it I was a kid. It was poignant then and now that I'm an old man, it's even more applicable to me. "Old man look at my life, I'm a lot like you were." Twenty Four and so much more is a great lyric.

Simple, touching and insightful - When I was 24, I didn't particularly think about how much more living I had to do, especially compared with older people.

One more:

5. Rockin' In The Free World - This one acknowledges the political realities. I like that. It rocks, of course. It just seems to say what I would want to put in a song. It has it all. It's no wonder that so many artists have covered this song.

Whether you agree with my choices for the best Neil Young songs of all time, or not, There is no disputing that Neil Young is one of our best singer/songwriters of all time.

If you like Young, you might also check out Kenny Selcer

Click here to download a copy of his latest single for free.