A World of Constant Strangers: The Neil Young Results Thread

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dunno why Weisbard didn't plan for the possibility of anal drowning.

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 10 July 2012 21:47 (10 months ago) Permalink

When was the last time you saw a cow? What about more than one cow?
by AnonymousGirl on April 23rd, 2012 | 4 people like this

Ismael Klata, Tuesday, 10 July 2012 21:49 (10 months ago) Permalink

9/30 so far.
Voted Captain Kennedy off of Hawks & Doves.
And I guess no one else voted Coupe De Ville :(

exclusive to this pledge group - pleasure (weatheringdaleson), Tuesday, 10 July 2012 21:51 (10 months ago) Permalink

Since I don't think it's going to place top-25, here's a 1977 live electric version of "Little Wing" with the Ducks. I like the album version better but this is a nice complement

boxall, Tuesday, 10 July 2012 22:18 (10 months ago) Permalink

yeah i love that version (though the whispery H&D version is unbeatable). i hope neil deigns to release a Ducks show sometime, a pretty cool band. they also do a neat electric reading of "sail away".

tylerw, Tuesday, 10 July 2012 22:20 (10 months ago) Permalink

yeah prairie wind has a nice sound, but there's something lacking in the songwriting.

But it's got Goin' Home, one of his great guitar epics. IMHO, just as good as Like A Hurricane.

kornrulez6969, Tuesday, 10 July 2012 23:28 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Goin' Home" is on Are You Passionate?, the only leftover from the original version of the lp "Toast".

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Tuesday, 10 July 2012 23:34 (10 months ago) Permalink

Spotify playlist: http://open.spotify.com/user/124420673/playlist/7tIBGOFg0EDXgAz10slAJZ

Naive Teen Idol, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 00:59 (10 months ago) Permalink

has any boots/live/tracklist info of toast stuff come out? like goin home so much more than anything else on AYP that I'm dying to hear more

da croupier, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 01:07 (10 months ago) Permalink

there are two songs he was playing with crazy horse in 2001 that I've heard: Gateway Of Love and Standing In The Light Of Love -- i assumed that these were slated for Toast. Not lost masterpieces iirc, but pretty solid.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 02:08 (10 months ago) Permalink

In Shakey, a post-Broken Arrow session involving Neil/Crazy Horse & Rick Rubin is mentioned in passing. I guess nothing really came of it, otherwise it'd get talked about more as some "Holy Grail" lost recordings.

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 04:07 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Goin' Home" is on Are You Passionate?

Oh yeah, yer right. I meant the epic guitar workout The Painter.

kornrulez6969, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 04:11 (10 months ago) Permalink

am I the only who feels that Neil Young is really...tasteless?

he sings terribly (I know every 70's singer/songwriter needs to have a "unique" voice but he's an extreme case even in that company), he doesn't know what his lyrics are about, most of the time he looks awful, he loves schmaltzy arrangements, he writes sappy melodies and he does a lot of guitar soloing.

he's stil a genius but a damn weird one. I would never introduce him to a non-music obsessive and say "this is one of the greats" the way I would with Bob Dylan, Randy Newman, Leonard Cohen or even Lou Reed. am I completely wrong here?

gospodin simmel, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 05:40 (10 months ago) Permalink

*the only one

gospodin simmel, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 05:40 (10 months ago) Permalink

I think you'll have a hard time on this particular thread getting anyone to agree with you. Elsewhere, he's not universally loved.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 05:51 (10 months ago) Permalink

great singers Bob Dylan, Randy Newman, Leonard Cohen & Lou Reed

buzza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 05:58 (10 months ago) Permalink

lou reed is definitely not tasteless, in any way.

Jamie_ATP, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 08:28 (10 months ago) Permalink

from that list of "greats", i would put Neil Young second to only Bob Dylan. and if it came down to who i enjoy listening to the most, Neil would be at the very front.

charlie h, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 08:41 (10 months ago) Permalink

yeah, solo Reed is a walking monument of tastelessness (I had VU on mind but didn't specify)

Newman and Reed are not great singers but they don't have as "challenging" voices as Young.

Somedays I would argue Dylan and Cohen actually are great singers (with Dylan being perhaps only slightly less "challenging" than Young)

the aesthetic of those guys seems much less controversial. putting Dylan/VU/Newman on at a party will feel natural while things easily get awkward with Young.

anyway, I'm just digging myself deeper into a hole I'm not even sure I belong to. haven't listened to Young in ages so it's quite posible I don't agree with any of my "points" anymore.

sorry for this, just ignore me and enjoy the countdown. great work clemenza!

gospodin simmel, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 11:26 (10 months ago) Permalink

Young's actually the only one of the artists you mentioned who inspires near-universal affection. I know more than a few people who detest Dylan but adore several Young songs.

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 11:30 (10 months ago) Permalink

yeah that's true, any party of just old white dudes will be jamming to Randy

Jamie_ATP, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 11:33 (10 months ago) Permalink

Neil is also the only Guitar God on that list, which makes him interesting in other ways. Apart from Hendrix, the only visionary songwriter who's also a visionary improv musician?

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 11:49 (10 months ago) Permalink

Neil's weird alright, but he's no more an unconventional singer than all the acts you mentioned, each of whom is a ... singular voice.

I was trying to pinpoint how I would describe Young's talent. I don't know that I would call him a genius, per se, or even clever, or a good craftsman, unlike many songwriters people consider great, or genius. He's more of a force of nature, which puts him in a different category.

He is a visionary guitarist, though.

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 11:50 (10 months ago) Permalink

When I first read someone calling Neil tasteless, I thought someone was bringing up his indigenous peoples fetish

da croupier, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 13:00 (10 months ago) Permalink

By "tasteless" I thought he meant Neil Young's disinclination to self-edit. His catalogue is full of loose threads, first drafts and impulsive gestures, which may read to some as sloppy or self-indulgent, but to me the gold and the dreck all flow from the same place. The joy of even his greatest songs is that they don't sound overly worked on. A friend of mine says that what he likes best about NY is that he's unusually wise and insightful but never makes a big deal out of it - it's just like "Oh, here's something that occurred to me and maybe you'll find it useful too." You really hear that when he sings about politics - it's all first-thought-best-thought, for better or worse. It doesn't make much sense to compare that approach to patient craftsmen like Randy Newman or Leonard Cohen because it's something else entirely.

Get wolves (DL), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 13:33 (10 months ago) Permalink

and Young's the only one of the lot to score a #1 hit that most people can hum.

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 13:35 (10 months ago) Permalink

As referred to upthread: Missed yesterday, but the list has been great. "Winterlong" was my #1, sad to see it so low -- I sort of suspected it had an outside chance at #1, add as that sounds. I'm sure that is colored by my love for it.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 13:39 (10 months ago) Permalink

Yeah, I had a moment last night where I thought "hmm, 20 of my 30 votes haven't placed yet. that means that 20 of the top 25 tomorrow will come from my ballot! i am the hivemind!" until i realized that it might be possible that other people don't like the same songs that i do.

Mad God 40/40 (Z S), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 13:51 (10 months ago) Permalink

He's more of a force of nature, which puts him in a different category

That's a really good way of putting it! I'd say Dylan is one too. They're rare creatures though, I can't think of many others at all with that kind of relentlessness and drive. Maybe Prince.

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 13:57 (10 months ago) Permalink

I think when it comes to music, some people reach a level of genius for periods of time--a few years, a couple, three minutes. I'd call Dylan a genius in '65 and '66, and you can stretch that a year in two in either direction if you want. Peter Townshend was a genius from '65 to '67, etc. For me, what Neil did in 1969 and 1970 reached the level of genius, and then he was possessed of a very peculiar kind of genius from '73 to '75 (or to '79, if you'd prefer). The rest of his career, he's written and recorded a bunch of amazing songs, with lots of bumps along the way.

I wouldn't be looking for many surprises today. Someone yesterday said he figured out 20 sure things--if you think about what hasn't shown up so far, I'd push that even higher.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:06 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:07 (10 months ago) Permalink

My pick for his funniest song ever (the punchline, anyway); I'm sure more people would go with "Welfare Mothers."

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:09 (10 months ago) Permalink

Wow,.low.

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:11 (10 months ago) Permalink

I thought Top 25 was pretty good for "Pocahontas." Twenty-six votes from 66 people...almost 40%.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:15 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:17 (10 months ago) Permalink

That picture is great.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:18 (10 months ago) Permalink

Very tired of this one. I liked it when it came out, though not as much as "Hey Hey, My My"--some of the lyrics seemed clunky. Now it gets played to death on the classic-rock station here.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:19 (10 months ago) Permalink

Thanks, I love that picture. A lot of the images I found just by googling the song title.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:20 (10 months ago) Permalink

I never hear "Rockin'" anymore, but it was overplayed for a long, long time. The SNL performance is still transcendent.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:20 (10 months ago) Permalink

i've always liked "pocahontas", but mainly in a breezy, passive-smile kind of way. it never quite got under my skin like so many of his other songs have.

charlie h, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:20 (10 months ago) Permalink

I'll have to look up the SNL, which I think I did see at the time.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:21 (10 months ago) Permalink

lyrics to 'rockin in the free world' are a bit clunky but it was the first neil track i ever heard (video shown on a sunday morning music show, whats up with neil's hair in that video btw?) and a school band i was in attempted to cover it (badly i might add). so sentimental fave and all that.

Michael B Higgins (Michael B), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:22 (10 months ago) Permalink

Did not specify on my ballot, but it's the Unplugged Pocahontas for me.

exclusive to this pledge group - pleasure (weatheringdaleson), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:23 (10 months ago) Permalink

I always assume Rockin' In The Free World gets misinterpreted, Born In The USA style.

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:24 (10 months ago) Permalink

It totally does.

cwkiii, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:25 (10 months ago) Permalink

Doing a sarcastic patriots' anthem looks like a pretty good career move, tbh.

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:26 (10 months ago) Permalink

I'm sure a lot of its staying power is that people do focus on the title/catch-phrase; it's actually the song's irony I find a little heavy-handed.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:27 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:28 (10 months ago) Permalink

This sounds totally hokey because it is, but I really loved hearing "Rockin' in the Free World" over the end credits to Fahrenheit 9/11. It felt like a gutpunch.

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:28 (10 months ago) Permalink

I love "Rockin' in the Free World" and haven't tired of it yet (which isn't to say that won't happen). I listened to the version from Seattle '89 this morning, the first time anyone other than Neil had heard the song (including his band)...and it's absolutely chilling. It starts a little clunky and you think, "Oh, this is kinda fun," and then it just keeps building and building and the guy in the car next to you is wondering if you're having a seizure or what.

Chuck? Chuck? It's me, your cousin, Marvin D (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:28 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Hey Hey, My My" is my first one today. It's such a perfect closer.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:30 (10 months ago) Permalink

This sounds totally hokey because it is, but I really loved hearing "Rockin' in the Free World" over the end credits to /Fahrenheit 9/11/. It felt like a gutpunch.

It was supposed to be "Won't Get Fooled Again," but Townshend wasn't a fan of Moore and wouldn't allow the song to be used.

Chuck? Chuck? It's me, your cousin, Marvin D (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:30 (10 months ago) Permalink

Okay: if I'd combined "Hey Hey" and "My My" together, they would have totalled 42 voters/422 points. Happily, that would have only placed it/them fifth. If they'd won, I might have had the same situation as Sight & Sound with the two Godfathers. Again, I think it makes much more sense to count them as separate entities.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:31 (10 months ago) Permalink

Pocahontus = my #4.
Hey Hey = my #11.
Rockin' = not on my list, but I agree - I could watch that SNL clip all day. Totally savage.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:34 (10 months ago) Permalink

Townshend wasn't a fan of Moore and wouldn't allow the song to be used

still a pretty smart guy that Pete

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:36 (10 months ago) Permalink

I agree with separate counting fwiw. I voted for the one without the 'Johnny Rotten/Rotten Johnny' bit.

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:36 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Rockin" was my #4, will absolutely never tire of that song. It was the first Neil song I ever got obsessed with. Its definitely overplayed, but I'll never tire of it.

heated debate over derpy hooves (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:36 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Hey Hey My My" -- What tipped me to voting this over "My My Hey Hey" is just the joy of that monstrous guttural riff.

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:37 (10 months ago) Permalink

Thanks for the clip, that's great--helps me re-connect to the song. I love how everyone skulks around all hunched over. Extra points for mentioning "shuffling" years before LMFAO.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:38 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:39 (10 months ago) Permalink

haha anyone remember Annie Lennox's cover, used during the Spacey seduction scene in American Beauty?

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:41 (10 months ago) Permalink

"It's only castles burning"

<3

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:42 (10 months ago) Permalink

a kid that'll never get to be cool as the ultimate tragedy is such a neil young sentiment

straight up now tell me will I be a fucking lump forever? (some dude), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:43 (10 months ago) Permalink

Should be all killer, no filler from here on out, but this is the sort of list both Neil nuts and contrarians could easily subvert.

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:44 (10 months ago) Permalink

I think of it as the Mena Suvari seduction scene, but yes, remember it well. I don't think I realized it was Annie Lennox the first time I saw the film.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:44 (10 months ago) Permalink

Strangest song on Gold Rush, the one that best captures the album cover.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:45 (10 months ago) Permalink

yeah it's an unsettling one

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:45 (10 months ago) Permalink

it and "Tell Me Why" the oddest

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:45 (10 months ago) Permalink

Weird that Neil wrote about "lorries"--thought that was only a British term. Maybe it was just that "trucks" didn't have enough syllables.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:47 (10 months ago) Permalink

Coming in late here, but wanna say that the delivery of "Marlon Brando, Pocahontas and me" following the preceding lines still gets me every time. I mean, it is like a life affirmation for me: yeah, Neil's a cool fuckin guy and life is OK with shit like this around. Not sure why, but it works.

Unrelated, for the longest time I though Rust Never Sleeps was just a live album and, as I had heard all of the songs separately before on bootlegs and stuff, never bothered checking it out. Was really surprised when I actually listened to the whole thing. Way more essential than I ever gave it credit for.

grandavis, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:49 (10 months ago) Permalink

SNL clip the rare occasion when Neil is in crazy mode and neither the funkiest nor the best musician on stage. A shame ego clashes made that band impossible.

Three Word Username, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:49 (10 months ago) Permalink

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:49 (10 months ago) Permalink

Marlon Brando/Pocahontas

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:50 (10 months ago) Permalink

I almost used Ms. Littlefeather for the image, but the Marlon photos kicking around on the internet tend to be a bit more evocative.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:51 (10 months ago) Permalink

I was watching that night! You never knew what would happen on the Academy Awards for a few years there...

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:52 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:52 (10 months ago) Permalink

This is what convinced me to put "Pocahontas" on my list:

Naive Teen Idol, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:53 (10 months ago) Permalink

^^^ a wonderful song that I never want to hear again (c/o John Lennon about "Yesterday")

xpost

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:53 (10 months ago) Permalink

I was surprised "Needle" finished so high; another overplay casualty up here.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:53 (10 months ago) Permalink

who was in the rockin' in the free world/snl band, anyway?

Mad God 40/40 (Z S), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:53 (10 months ago) Permalink

Don't Let it Bring You Down = my #39. The solo acoustic takes on this one are stronger and stranger to me than the band version on ATGR, I think.

Needle/Damage = kind of surprised to see it this low myself, I had it at #9. Probably the most beautiful anti-drug song I've ever heard.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:54 (10 months ago) Permalink

I think that was Oscar Gamble in the "Keep on Rockin'" clip.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:55 (10 months ago) Permalink

I think "Needle" works for me still cause it is so short. And I really love the guitar playing on it, but that is a muso thing. Cool turnarounds etc.

grandavis, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:55 (10 months ago) Permalink

Steve Jordan on drums and Charley Drayton on bass (X-Pensive Winos rhythm section, both producers/multi-instrumentalists now), and Frank.

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:56 (10 months ago) Permalink

xpost

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:56 (10 months ago) Permalink

Agreed on the guitar playing on "Needle" -- really awesome stuff, and just the right length IMHO.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 14:59 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:02 (10 months ago) Permalink

That seems about right. Not on my list, but it'd be weird if it were absent from the Top 20.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:03 (10 months ago) Permalink

catching up, in reverse order
heart of gold - cool tune! fun to play around a campfire
needle and damage done -- good song, but don't need to hear it again. unless he does an electric arrangement w/ crazy horse
don't let it bring you down -- didn't vote for it, but classic, love that it's an acoustic song that still sounds heavy.
hey hey my my - that high note he hits in the guitar solo, holy shit, like tectonic plates shifting
rockin in the free world - the first song i ever learned to play on guitar
pocahontas - one of my all time faves, just a perfect set of lyrics, perfect melody. this song runs through my head daily.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:04 (10 months ago) Permalink

Yeah, glad lots of songs will place higher than Heart of Gold, but cannot deny its status as a Neil bonafide, just not the version I turn to these days. I do admire the moment when the backup singers really let go on the very last chorus though. Gets me through the whole song every time. Like the drumming a lot to, cool hi-hat work.

grandavis, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:06 (10 months ago) Permalink

good tunes! glad to see "rockin" made the list after all - i get why people might be sick, but i still think it's the best thing he's done post-Rust.

da croupier, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:07 (10 months ago) Permalink

Solo on hey hey my my gets me through that song, find it to be a slog most of the time.

grandavis, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:07 (10 months ago) Permalink

oh of course "Rockin" was always gonna make the list

funny to see so many of the big hits cleared out in quick succession, i wonder if any will be left by the time we get to the top 10

straight up now tell me will I be a fucking lump forever? (some dude), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:08 (10 months ago) Permalink

Compare Heart of Gold to the other radio shit in 1972 and it kills it DEAD. STILL.

That said, I had it at 18, so I guess 20 isn't far off from that.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:08 (10 months ago) Permalink

oh of course "Rockin" was always gonna make the list

(very) early on in the ballot collection period, clemenza implied nothing post-rust had broke the top 30 yet, and also suggested a key later track might get slighted

da croupier, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:09 (10 months ago) Permalink

Like the drumming a lot to, cool hi-hat work.

agreed about the hi-hats! i doubt many people notice it, but it subtly helps to defines the feel of the verses.

Mad God 40/40 (Z S), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:09 (10 months ago) Permalink

Three Word Username, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:10 (10 months ago) Permalink

Still alot of my picks that haven't placed yet despite being either canonical or big fan faves (or so I thought), but there's also a few I was sure would not place, so who knows?

Heart of Gold didn't make my list.

Lee626, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:10 (10 months ago) Permalink

I've been mishearing a lyric for 40 years: always thought it was "I've been in my mind/It's such a fine mind..."

For what it's worth, when I made that post-Rust comment, I think just over half the ballots had come in.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:10 (10 months ago) Permalink

I've been listening to the Bronco Bowl boot (1/14/89) and the Restless are doing a great job. Love the versions of "Don't Cry" and "Mr. Soul".

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:11 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:12 (10 months ago) Permalink

thought that'd be higher

straight up now tell me will I be a fucking lump forever? (some dude), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:13 (10 months ago) Permalink

Actually found a great image of a guy lying in a burned-out basement, but the dimensions weren't right.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:13 (10 months ago) Permalink

Thought it would be higher too, but I didn't chart it.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:14 (10 months ago) Permalink

K.D. Lang's cover got a vote too.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:14 (10 months ago) Permalink

Called it! "After The Gold Rush" was #19 on my ballot.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:15 (10 months ago) Permalink

xxxp This pic made me laugh anyway

Jeff W, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:16 (10 months ago) Permalink

I forget the context, but Christgau had a great line about not understanding something or other until you'd been in an arena filled with hippie burnouts when Neil gets to the "And I felt like getting high" line.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:16 (10 months ago) Permalink

i think i've finally come round to "hey hey, my my". used to see it as little more than discordant slop, but now i'm totally on board as that monster riff buzzes and slices like a chainsaw. it all sounds so perfect and right.

charlie h, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:16 (10 months ago) Permalink

Tyler can probably answer this: does any footage survive from the would-be film?

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:17 (10 months ago) Permalink

Wow, much lower than I expected. As much as I love "After the Gold Rush," I always found the cheers when Neil sings "And I felt like gettin' high" on the (otherwise great) Live Rust version to be a stadium rock nadir.

Naive Teen Idol, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:17 (10 months ago) Permalink

You're breakin' my heart.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:18 (10 months ago) Permalink

footage from after the gold rush? i don't think it ever amde it past the stoned screenplay stage.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:19 (10 months ago) Permalink

Wasn't sure...I suppose it's all documented in Shakey. Having marvelled at the insanity of Journey, I sure wish they'd left something behind.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:22 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:22 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Tired Eyes" sounds exactly like coming down from bad drugs in bad company.

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:23 (10 months ago) Permalink

Bruce Berry's actual van.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:23 (10 months ago) Permalink

sweet! this song is ... something else! wow.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:25 (10 months ago) Permalink

My third highest Tonight song. My highest didn't make the list.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:28 (10 months ago) Permalink

footage from after the gold rush? i don't think it ever amde it past the stoned screenplay stage.

Yeah, I'm almost positive it was just a (Dean Stockwell-penned) screenplay.

cwkiii, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:30 (10 months ago) Permalink

My ONLY TTN song - had it at #21 but I'm all good with it placing this high.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:30 (10 months ago) Permalink

When people describe TTN as "harrowing," this is the song I always think of.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:32 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Tired Eyes" is a great song but I can't remove it from the record for some reason, did not make my ballot. Was sure it would place high though (i.e., didn't need my help).

grandavis, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:32 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:33 (10 months ago) Permalink

Really happy to see "Albequerque" this high, love that song a lot.

heated debate over derpy hooves (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:34 (10 months ago) Permalink

My #2 Tonight favourite. The Canadian band Treble Charger recorded an excellent cover for one of the tribute albums.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:35 (10 months ago) Permalink

Wow, TTN fans hitting the top 20 hard.

grandavis, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:35 (10 months ago) Permalink

They're more harrowing to listen to than anything. Yes, TTN sounds like a bad comedown. But I'm not sure these tunes tell me anything about bad comedowns I didn't already know.

Naive Teen Idol, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:35 (10 months ago) Permalink

Tired Eyes and Albuquerque were the only two on my ballot from TTN. like a lot of other people i have trouble isolating certain songs from the rest of the album.

Mad God 40/40 (Z S), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:35 (10 months ago) Permalink

ilm is basically the ditch trilogy fanclub, i knew that well before this poll

straight up now tell me will I be a fucking lump forever? (some dude), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:36 (10 months ago) Permalink

just watched Ace in the Hole last night and had albuquerque running through my head. Such a good song, so downbeat, but not depressing. Kind of amazing that he pulls off singing such a weird word "al-al-al-allll - ba-kirky."

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:36 (10 months ago) Permalink

From La Lechera: "Albuquerque" - man, I sure do identify with the spirit of this song, minus the fried eggs and country ham (I prefer scrambled eggs and bacon)

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:37 (10 months ago) Permalink

But I'm not sure these tunes tell me anything about bad comedowns I didn't already know.

Not enough just to vividly capture the feeling?

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:37 (10 months ago) Permalink

also another great ben keith track, his playing on this is otherworldy.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:38 (10 months ago) Permalink

Oh shit, I forgot that I charted this one too, so I did have two TTN tracks on here. Forgive me, I'm coming down from some heavy shit this morning.

Anyway, my #36. When I finally got an acoustic guitar, this is the first song I learned to play, only to decide later that it sounded far cooler on solo electic anyway. Got rid of the acoustic about a month later.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:39 (10 months ago) Permalink

"tired eyes" does an incredible job of pinpointing a precarious mental state -- pleading and consoling, but in a depleted way, while the conversational thread that runs through it is kind of rambling and heedless, like it's running on second-hand steam autopilot.

charlie h, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:39 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Tired Eyes": weirdest song ever to make a greatest hits comp?

theStalePrince, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:40 (10 months ago) Permalink

I am so far behind due to busy work days but I got hung up on Out on the Weekend and almost cried at work, it's so beautiful. I wish I'd done a significant amount of youtubing song titles I didn't recognize before voting, because I have come across at least 10 songs I knew well but didn't know the titles of, ARGH.

Clemenza that sedan picture you used reminds me of Kingston road. Any idea?

she started dancing to that (Finefinemusic), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:40 (10 months ago) Permalink

my #1

john. a resident of chicago., Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:40 (10 months ago) Permalink

My #1. One possible screen name change I'd been pondering recently was Al Bakerky.

Neil Jung (WmC), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:40 (10 months ago) Permalink

Albuquerque, I mean...

(xpost)

john. a resident of chicago., Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:41 (10 months ago) Permalink

Many xposts: The Goldrush movie was never made (and the script was eventually lost). It was only developed as part of Hopper/Fonda's deal @ Universal (the ill-fated "Youth Movies" division).

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:42 (10 months ago) Permalink

Couldn't be Kingston Road--it's Bruce Berry's van. Not sure where he resided, other than it wasn't Toronto.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:42 (10 months ago) Permalink

Gold Rush and Don't Let It Bring You Down were both in my Top 10 - classic "uh oh, here come the 70s" vibes on that album.

After the Gold Rush is my excuse to post this list of links to five Radiohead covers of Neil Young - very nice version of Gold Rush going into Everything In Its Right Place.

http://www.twentyfourbit.com/2011/02/hear-radiohead-cover-5-neil-young-songs/

Only realised this morning how much NY reminds me of Lou Reed on parts of Tired Eyes.

Get wolves (DL), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:42 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:43 (10 months ago) Permalink

okay so basically the bottom 25 is just going to be TTN and OTB right...? Glad Rockin' in the Free World made it at least, such an amazing song.

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:44 (10 months ago) Permalink

Tonight's the Night (album) is suddenly killing it.

charlie h, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:44 (10 months ago) Permalink

Didn't chart it, but I will add that I prefer the album closing version to the album opening version.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:45 (10 months ago) Permalink

A good bit of OTB has already placed tho.

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:45 (10 months ago) Permalink

Still one "Rust" song yet to place that will, I'm pretty sure.

boxall, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:46 (10 months ago) Permalink

still some zuma and everybody knows tracks, too, i'm sure.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:46 (10 months ago) Permalink

okay so basically the bottom 25 is just going to be TTN and OTB right...?

Plus a minimum of 3 from Everybody Knows....

xpost.

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:46 (10 months ago) Permalink

"ride my llama" of course :) xzpost

charlie h, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:47 (10 months ago) Permalink

Both versions counted together (only a couple of voters indicated a specific version anyway). I had a real negative reaction to what Neil did with this in the Year of the Horse movie. It was just too much, the way he stretched it out and howled and yelped. I realize how personal a song it is, and obviously he's entitled to do whatever he wants with it. Speaking as a listener, he crossed a line into overkill.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:47 (10 months ago) Permalink

Still surprised "After The Goldrush" didn't finish higher for some reason, but of course I like all of the songs in the top 20 anyways so no biggie. Thought it might be close to "Life On Mars" in the Bowie poll though.

grandavis, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:48 (10 months ago) Permalink

xp yeah, occasionally i find live versions of tonight's the night kinda garish (and tasteless, i guess!). they're entertaining in a trashy way, but sorta seem like they've crossed the line into pulp fiction, even though it's about a real dude.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:49 (10 months ago) Permalink

Just got here. Albuquerque placing so high is the big surprise of the day so far.

kornrulez6969, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:50 (10 months ago) Permalink

I like how in the Rust movie the encore of TTN comes AFTER the end credits.

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:51 (10 months ago) Permalink

Still surprised "After The Goldrush" didn't finish higher for some reason, but of course I like all of the songs in the top 20 anyways so no biggie. Thought it might be close to "Life On Mars" in the Bowie poll though.

Me too; it was one of my two guesses for what an "obvious" #1 would be in this poll.

cwkiii, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:52 (10 months ago) Permalink

As everyone probably figured out, the photo is of Bruce Berry. I don't think I'd ever seen him until putting together this.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:52 (10 months ago) Permalink

I would have been happy with "After the Gold Rush" at #1; #12 on my own ballot.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:53 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:53 (10 months ago) Permalink

in general the year of the horse versions of 70s cuts feel a little too "alternative"-influenced

da croupier, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:54 (10 months ago) Permalink

kind of want bruce's dolphin project shirt

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:54 (10 months ago) Permalink

the ones in the movie at least, album's pretty tight xpost

da croupier, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:54 (10 months ago) Permalink

My #1. Genius.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:54 (10 months ago) Permalink

For the first person who can identify the still...I have nothing!

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:55 (10 months ago) Permalink

Perfect song.

cwkiii, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:55 (10 months ago) Permalink

I had it at #14. I love Saint Etienne's version, btw, but it's not even in that band's top 10.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:55 (10 months ago) Permalink

Surprising that there will be at least 2 songs from ATGB that place higher than the title track.

kornrulez6969, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:56 (10 months ago) Permalink

Three of us, including me, voted for the Saint Etienne version. It was the one cover I thought had a chance.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:56 (10 months ago) Permalink

Shameful last-minute ballot cut.

exclusive to this pledge group - pleasure (weatheringdaleson), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:56 (10 months ago) Permalink

I always skip this song when I can. Too CSNY for me.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:57 (10 months ago) Permalink

always amazes me that OLCBYH didn't make it onto Decade...

Ward Fowler, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 15:58 (10 months ago) Permalink

I see such a stark line between "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" and non-Neil CSNY ballads.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:00 (10 months ago) Permalink

Surprising that there will be at least 2 songs from ATGB that place higher than the title track.

― kornrulez6969, Wednesday, July 11, 2012 11:56 AM (5 minutes ago) Bookmark

After The Gold Bush is one of the best '70s porn movies before the girls started shaving

straight up now tell me will I be a fucking lump forever? (some dude), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:02 (10 months ago) Permalink

I always skip this song when I can. Too CSNY for me.

― EZ Snappin, Wednesday, July 11, 2012 1

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:02 (10 months ago) Permalink

Clemenza - ah, of course. I dunno, just gave me this "I've seen this" feeling (obviously not THAT gas station though!)

she started dancing to that (Finefinemusic), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:03 (10 months ago) Permalink

and I do prefer the Saint Etienne version

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:03 (10 months ago) Permalink

Only Love was my #3. Didn't vote for the St. Etienne version, but I did used to have the cassingle...

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:03 (10 months ago) Permalink

i think i really appreciated the sentiment of "only love can break your heart" at one point. now it just registers as a series of well-worn proverbs. great song though.

charlie h, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:03 (10 months ago) Permalink

I do too, but I don't like the harmony vocals at all. Actively bug me and have since I first heard the album. There are some versions from the '76 tour I don't mind.

xposts to Clemenza.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:04 (10 months ago) Permalink

FFM: I'm a lifelong West-ender who gets frightened and confused whenever I venture east of Mount Pleasant.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:05 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:05 (10 months ago) Permalink

Last minute cut for me. For this one, I actually prefer the versions with the CSN vocals (see the live cut on Archives).

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:07 (10 months ago) Permalink

According to my calculations, there are 10 songs that are still guaranteed to place. That leaves 3 mystery songs. I can hardly stand the suspense.

kornrulez6969, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:07 (10 months ago) Permalink

Is that a photo of someome making arrangements with himself?

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:07 (10 months ago) Permalink

My #6. Disappointing to learn upthread that Neil doesn't play this anymore because he doesn't know what it's about...C'mon, Neil, we do--just don't ask us to explain it.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:08 (10 months ago) Permalink

lol waht this song is good but it's a bunch of nonsense!

xp

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:08 (10 months ago) Permalink

Was hoping this would be top 10. I'm not sure I'd heard any of ATGR before I bought it on vinyl (maybe "Southern Man") and the weird vibe of the opener was a big part of the album casting a spell on me.

boxall, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:08 (10 months ago) Permalink

xp oh he still plays it, i think that was just some neil interview BS

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:09 (10 months ago) Permalink

Mysterious photo--the baby kills me.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:09 (10 months ago) Permalink

I think I have all 13 left in my head, just not sure of the order.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:09 (10 months ago) Permalink

Everybody has that!

exclusive to this pledge group - pleasure (weatheringdaleson), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:11 (10 months ago) Permalink

are you finishing this today, clem?

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:11 (10 months ago) Permalink

I don't care about the indecipherability of "old enough / young enough." I think "Tell me lies, later come and see me" is a classic line though.

boxall, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:12 (10 months ago) Permalink

(xpost) Yes, for sure. I'll post some album totals right after, then people can post their own lists.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:12 (10 months ago) Permalink

It seems that everyone has a few songs on this poll they just don't like, don't understand what the fuss is, or think it's a minor cut. Makes it very Neil like in it's ornery contrariness.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:13 (10 months ago) Permalink

I always skip this song when I can. Too CSNY for me.

― EZ Snappin, Wednesday, July 11, 2012 11:57 AM (13 minutes ago)

I see such a stark line between "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" and non-Neil CSNY ballads.

― clemenza, Wednesday, July 11, 2012 12:00 PM (9 minutes ago)

SS actually covered this on one of his '80s solo albums

Lee626, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:13 (10 months ago) Permalink

Favourite line among many is probably "You can free me/all in the way that you smile."

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:14 (10 months ago) Permalink

That was my other title for this: A World of Ornery Contrariness.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:15 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:16 (10 months ago) Permalink

voted for this one

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:16 (10 months ago) Permalink

holy god that Stills version of "Only Love..." is caca

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:16 (10 months ago) Permalink

Damn--forgot the quotations. I tend to obsess over such things, so I think I'll re-post in a couple of minutes.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:17 (10 months ago) Permalink

Great entry! This hit me like a punch when I was doing my ballot - I'd never paid it heed before, I was always about the longer ektin cuts.

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:17 (10 months ago) Permalink

A happy surprise! I wasn't sure what people thought of this track. It doesn't seem to spur much conversation.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:18 (10 months ago) Permalink

I never would have figured this would finish so high.

kornrulez6969, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:18 (10 months ago) Permalink

Had this at #29, but some days it is top 5 for me.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:19 (10 months ago) Permalink

(can we get a recap before the top ten please? I keep forgetting)

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:19 (10 months ago) Permalink

best song on the album

xp

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:20 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:21 (10 months ago) Permalink

I mean the epics are good but this one is so concise and to-the-point and perfect

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:21 (10 months ago) Permalink

Okay, that's better. The image is from that Georgetown video I posted yesterday. Georgetown was the very epicenter of everybody-knows-this-is-nowhereness, though of course (and against my better judgement) I'm nostalgic for that time anyway now.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:22 (10 months ago) Permalink

didn't know this song was so popular, what with the shadow of the two ax epics--amazing, amazing guitar sound on this album, obviously....

theStalePrince, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:22 (10 months ago) Permalink

I'm getting myself ready to keep quiet about said ax epics.

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:23 (10 months ago) Permalink

I was surprised it finished so high too. Didn't make my ballot, but I do love it.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:24 (10 months ago) Permalink

Someone stand watch over Alfred when we get to the ax epics.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:25 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:25 (10 months ago) Permalink

still catching up..

http://phildellio.tripod.com/neil27.jpg
no mention of THE EXCELSIOR, guys?? /too much time on ilx

she started dancing to that (Finefinemusic), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:26 (10 months ago) Permalink

pre-emptive 3-day ban?

xxp

Neil Jung (WmC), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:26 (10 months ago) Permalink

now see "Helpless" would easily have made my least favorite Young songs list.

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:27 (10 months ago) Permalink

La Lechera's #2: "Helpless"  - greatest campfire Neil, makes me think about home (wherever that is)

I think campfire Neil is a perfect description. My #4.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:27 (10 months ago) Permalink

1st song I learned on guitar. I'm gonna play it now.

exclusive to this pledge group - pleasure (weatheringdaleson), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:28 (10 months ago) Permalink

I don't hate it, but I don't get what's special about it either. I do kind of enjoy the Last Waltz version with Joni singing backup from behind the stage.

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:28 (10 months ago) Permalink

what is so special = 3 chords

exclusive to this pledge group - pleasure (weatheringdaleson), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:29 (10 months ago) Permalink

I'm not as big on The Last Waltz as most people, but Neil's version there is phenomenal. (The backstory just adds to it.)

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:29 (10 months ago) Permalink

I don't hate it, but I don't get what's special about it either.

ditto this

Neil Jung (WmC), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:30 (10 months ago) Permalink

large chunks of the Last Waltz are extremely irritating/frustrating

xp

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:30 (10 months ago) Permalink

Three chords + dream, comfort, memory.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:31 (10 months ago) Permalink

Last minute cut for me, just not a big fave. Shout out for the Nick Cave cover.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:31 (10 months ago) Permalink

And who could forget the, um, editing of the Last Waltz performance?

Chuck? Chuck? It's me, your cousin, Marvin D (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:31 (10 months ago) Permalink

helpless is so dreamy.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:32 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Helpless" was my #1, i singlehandedly moved it up about 6 spots in the results

straight up now tell me will I be a fucking lump forever? (some dude), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:32 (10 months ago) Permalink

Another lifetime of misheard lyrics: always thought it was "dream, comfort, memory, despair," the internet's telling me "dream, comfort, memory to spare." I like my version a little better.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:33 (10 months ago) Permalink

I have so many mixed feelings and weird ties to the little Northern New England town where I grew up, and "Helpless" seems to be on a parallel course.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:33 (10 months ago) Permalink

love the original, but having joni in the wings responding to the lyrics in LW is just ridiculous

da croupier, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:33 (10 months ago) Permalink

i prefer the solo versions of helpless to the csny, kinda hate joni singing on the last waltz (love joni elsewhere of course)

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:34 (10 months ago) Permalink

i love the last waltz for being a chronicle of a fascinating moment of time with some great music, but there's pretty much no song i wouldn't prefer in a different version if i'm not watching it

da croupier, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:34 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:36 (10 months ago) Permalink

Very high...like it on the album, would never have guessed it would do so well here.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:36 (10 months ago) Permalink

YEAHHHHH voted for it, didn't think it would place this high

da croupier, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:37 (10 months ago) Permalink

YESSSSS my number nine number nine number nine

exclusive to this pledge group - pleasure (weatheringdaleson), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:37 (10 months ago) Permalink

i prefer the solo versions of helpless to the csny, kinda hate joni singing on the last waltz (love joni elsewhere of course)

― tylerw,

^^This, except no need for the parenthetical codicil.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:37 (10 months ago) Permalink

lol @ pic

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:37 (10 months ago) Permalink

I get why "Helpless" works for folks, but definitely a fatigued number for me. Definitely some favorites of mine are not gonna place at this point.

grandavis, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:38 (10 months ago) Permalink

I think it must be so indescribably weird for anyone who interacted with Manson circa '67 to carry that around in your head.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:39 (10 months ago) Permalink

Whereas "Revolution Blues" knocked me on my ass the first time I heard it and does to this day. I can just listen to the bass on that song and get taken "there" every time, love it to death.

grandavis, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:39 (10 months ago) Permalink

love danko and helm on revolution blues, hope there are outtakes of them playing w/ neil on any upcoming archives releases. i'd just like to hear them discussing the song, tbh.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:40 (10 months ago) Permalink

I didn't vote in this, but Revolution Blues is top 3 NY for me

mod night at the oasis (NickB), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:40 (10 months ago) Permalink

ha, never noticed that danko and helm were on "Revolution Blues," that's great

da croupier, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:41 (10 months ago) Permalink

yeah they're also on "see the sky about to rain"

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:42 (10 months ago) Permalink

That looks to be quite a sporty fur on one of the Manson girls.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:42 (10 months ago) Permalink

Was my #3!

grandavis, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:42 (10 months ago) Permalink

Didn't vote for RB but on reflection should have.

Jeff W, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:43 (10 months ago) Permalink

"I'm a barrel of laughs with my carbine on" = one of many classic lines in that song

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:43 (10 months ago) Permalink

I just realized -- 66 ballots ties the Zeppelin turnout.

Neil Jung (WmC), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:44 (10 months ago) Permalink

this section is so hilarious/scary

Well, it's so good to be here,
asleep on your lawn.
Remember your guard dog?
Well, I'm afraid
that he's gone.
It was such a drag
to hear him
whining all night long.
Yes, that was me with the dogs [doves?],
setting them free
near the factory
Where you built your computer love.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:45 (10 months ago) Permalink

man he hated zapp

da croupier, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:46 (10 months ago) Permalink

Ismael, many posts ago: I'll do the full list at the end, so I don't want to post anything here.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:46 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:46 (10 months ago) Permalink

it's funny, i voted for "ohio," think it's great, but figured it was love/hate enough not to rank this high

da croupier, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:47 (10 months ago) Permalink

Really weird to me that David Crosby plays on Revolution Blues as well. Have trouble imagining him "grooving" with it.

grandavis, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:47 (10 months ago) Permalink

La Lechera's #1: "Ohio" - I love Ohio (the place) even if it is super duper fucked up

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:48 (10 months ago) Permalink

Many unforgettable on-the-spot photos to choose from, including the most famous one, but this felt nice.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:48 (10 months ago) Permalink

many xp Clemenza - hah! I am settling into west end life (lived on Jane & Bathurst throughout my 20s) but my roots are on Scarborough Golf Club road, where my Grandparents have always lived :)

she started dancing to that (Finefinemusic), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:50 (10 months ago) Permalink

Allison Krause; very beautiful.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:51 (10 months ago) Permalink

have honestly never given a fuck about the song "Ohio", surprised people rate it so highly

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:53 (10 months ago) Permalink

well it's an RIP thread

da croupier, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:54 (10 months ago) Permalink

Nice image. After writing a lot about Ohio I bought the relevant copy of Life magazine in a vintage magazine store and framed it but that would be way too obvious here. Images generally A+ I have to say. Some could be stills from a Shakey movie.

Get wolves (DL), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:54 (10 months ago) Permalink

Yeah this song doesn't do anything for me. "I love Ohio (the place) even if it is super duper fucked up" kind of a weird reason for voting it #1?

boxall, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:55 (10 months ago) Permalink

yesss, caught up finally. What a bunch of great music. Excited about this top 10.

she started dancing to that (Finefinemusic), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:55 (10 months ago) Permalink

and yes - the images you are picking are FANTASTIC, Clemenza - thanks for putting such thought into this! I was a lazy GISer who didn't format any pictures when I ran the Pulp poll :(

she started dancing to that (Finefinemusic), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:56 (10 months ago) Permalink

ohio rocks pretty hard, i like the stills young dueling guitars.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:56 (10 months ago) Permalink

That'd be something to have...I've got the Oswald Life, tried unsuccessfully to get hold of the "Is God Dead?" Time.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:56 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:57 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Ohio" is a tremendous-sounding song imo, my #2

straight up now tell me will I be a fucking lump forever? (some dude), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:58 (10 months ago) Permalink

tin soldiers and Shakey's coming

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:58 (10 months ago) Permalink

guys let me interrupt this poll to bring you this crazy horse version of let it shine, which i had never heard before. they make it into a Zuma song!

[i'm guessing let it shine won't be #1]

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:58 (10 months ago) Permalink

Crosby's interjections in "Ohio" are A+

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:58 (10 months ago) Permalink

Unrelated factoid: I was at the Texas Theatre and I sat in the seat in that Oswald was arrested in the other night.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:58 (10 months ago) Permalink

From La Lechera: #5 "Expecting to Fly" -- baroque! Ended with a sigh.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 16:59 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Expecting to Fly"! This was my other #1 ("When You Dance I Can Really Love" was the first). The chorus melody is the saddest sound I've ever heard.

cwkiii, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:00 (10 months ago) Permalink

This is the one genuine surprise I'll concede (my too-high quibbles notwithstanding). Highest average, easily--it got fewer votes than songs all the way down to "Pocahontas" at #25. The equivalent from my own ballot would be "Out of My Mind," which didn't do nearly as well.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:00 (10 months ago) Permalink

Expecting To Fly, Unexpectedly High

kornrulez6969, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:01 (10 months ago) Permalink

expecting to fly -- one of the great 60s orchestral pop numbers. so beautiful. think it was mentioned on the voting thread, but the instrumental from the same session (i think), "slowly burning," which emerged on the archives, is equally lovely.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:01 (10 months ago) Permalink

here it is! listen up!

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:01 (10 months ago) Permalink

I sat in the seat in that Oswald was arrested in the other night--wild.

I voted for "Slowly Burning."

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:02 (10 months ago) Permalink

Product placement: pay up, Sprite.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:03 (10 months ago) Permalink

Ain't pollin' for Sprite!

cwkiii, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:04 (10 months ago) Permalink

i actually just felt genuine disappointment with myself that i forgot to vote for "this note's for you"

straight up now tell me will I be a fucking lump forever? (some dude), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:05 (10 months ago) Permalink

as it stands "rapid transit" is prob the funniest song on my ballot

straight up now tell me will I be a fucking lump forever? (some dude), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:07 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:08 (10 months ago) Permalink

Excuse the insanity--somehow the image got lopped off at the bottom.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:08 (10 months ago) Permalink

no wait n/m i DID vote for "note" (xpost)

straight up now tell me will I be a fucking lump forever? (some dude), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:08 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:09 (10 months ago) Permalink

haha! is that checkers?

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:09 (10 months ago) Permalink

wow I REALLY don't give a shit about Expecting to Fly - have a hard time with most of the Springfield stuff tbh, it always strikes me as tentative and half-formed

kinda disappointed with this run of songs tbrr

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:09 (10 months ago) Permalink

Looks to be early '70s, so surely Checkers was long gone.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:10 (10 months ago) Permalink

i actually just felt genuine disappointment with myself that i forgot to vote for "this note's for you"

I voted for it! Bummed it didn't make it :(

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:11 (10 months ago) Permalink

I think RN's doing the Twist, though.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:11 (10 months ago) Permalink

missing from pic: metal detector

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:11 (10 months ago) Permalink

Checkers II?

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:11 (10 months ago) Permalink

on the beach is so great, such a leaden song. guitar solo is incredible, the way it kinda falls off at the end.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:12 (10 months ago) Permalink

Please hide me from this world where "This Note's for You" is superior to Buffalo Springfield.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:13 (10 months ago) Permalink

i think it only recently occurred to me that t-bone and this note's for you are basically the same song.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:14 (10 months ago) Permalink

wow I REALLY don't give a shit about Expecting to Fly - have a hard time with most of the Springfield stuff tbh, it always strikes me as tentative and half-formed

Wow, I disagree with this completely!

Neil Jung (WmC), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:14 (10 months ago) Permalink

you say tentative and half-formed, i say youthful and experimental

da croupier, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:15 (10 months ago) Permalink

Not meant as an attack, SMC, there's just no comparison for me.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:16 (10 months ago) Permalink

expecting to fly is barely a buffalo springfield song, too -- no one else from the band plays on it, and i think it was originally planned as a neil young solo single.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:16 (10 months ago) Permalink

i love that the period where neil hadn't yet found his sound was also the period where everyone was exploring the studio

da croupier, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:16 (10 months ago) Permalink

Catching up, sorry:

Had On The Beach at 22
Had Expecting to Fly at 46 (so I don't think it counted, as only my first 40 were registered for the poll...)
Had Ohio at 43 (ditto -- also, as mentioned upthread, I have been to Kent State a zillion times, walked on THAT hill, etc. Gives you CHILLS, seriously)
Had Rev Blues at 10

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:17 (10 months ago) Permalink

my first exposure to "On The Beach" was a cover by the very underrated (and very NY-influenced) singer/songwriter Chris Lee, but i'm not a big fan of the song. perhaps a kneejerk reaction to the idea of the title track of a guy's first album released after becoming really famous featuring morose talk of radio interviews.

straight up now tell me will I be a fucking lump forever? (some dude), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:17 (10 months ago) Permalink

I love how unabashedly beautiful Expecting to Fly is - after Buffalo Springfield NY never really went full-tilt for gorgeous again. It's such a young man's song.

Get wolves (DL), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:18 (10 months ago) Permalink

yeah, "Expecting to Fly" wouldn't make my top 100, very dull half-realized track imo....and right above "Revolution Blues" makes it worse....

theStalePrince, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:19 (10 months ago) Permalink

I do feel that On the Beach's longtime unavailability plays a part in its present stature--if it had been Zuma you couldn't buy on CD instead, I wonder if the situation would be different.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:21 (10 months ago) Permalink

reading the rhapsodic descriptions of the song's production and it's "groundbreaking" construction in "Shakey" just made me wonder if I was listening to a different song

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:21 (10 months ago) Permalink

(re: Expecting to Fly)

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:21 (10 months ago) Permalink

Wow, much lower than I expected. As much as I love "After the Gold Rush," I always found the cheers when Neil sings "And I felt like gettin' high" on the (otherwise great) Live Rust version to be a stadium rock nadir.

― Naive Teen Idol, Wednesday, July 11, 2012 10:17 AM (1 hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

^ no way, you're thinking of the rasta jive blackface routine during Cortez

Never cared much for ohio or expecting to fly....ohio has a good riff

I honestly could have put about all of tonights the night on, but those were the three I had

albuquerques opening line is one of those classic neil lines that really affects me and I couldn't say why:

And they say
That Santa Fe
Is less than 90 miles away

wack nerd zinging in the dead of night (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:21 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:21 (10 months ago) Permalink

I dunno if I would say "This Note's For You" is better per se (I wouldn't put it in the top 10 Neil songs or anything) but it's certainly more fun to listen to than "Expecting to Fly", at least in my case

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:21 (10 months ago) Permalink

albuquerques opening line is one of those classic neil lines that really affects me and I couldn't say why:

And they say
That Santa Fe
Is less than 90 miles away

the legendary and mysterious land of Santa Fe... Neil should maybe look at a map sometime lol

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:22 (10 months ago) Permalink

but yeah I love it too, great song

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:22 (10 months ago) Permalink

He was fumbling around for his car keys when he wrote that.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:23 (10 months ago) Permalink

i'm not a big fan of the song. perhaps a kneejerk reaction to the idea of the title track of a guy's first album released after becoming really famous featuring morose talk of radio interviews.

The thing is, Neil was bitching about being famous BEFORE he was famous (See: Buffalo Springfield, "Out of My Mind")

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:23 (10 months ago) Permalink

Which it's disappointing that neil doesn't do tell me went cuz he doesn't know what it's about, I consider that maybe the hallmark of his great songwriting, this weird ambiguity

It's when he's real literal - this notes for you - is when he sucks

wack nerd zinging in the dead of night (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:24 (10 months ago) Permalink

I think I can "sing" every last guitar note in "Cowgirl."

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:25 (10 months ago) Permalink

so am I right in expecting that "Cowgirl" vs. "Down by The River" is pretty much a Veronica/Betty thing?......my girl lost!

theStalePrince, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:26 (10 months ago) Permalink

Jughead = "Last Trip to Tulsa"?

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:27 (10 months ago) Permalink

Btw I felt the title tracks to everybody knows kind of slipped by with out enough praise for being a to ten guitar rock song ever, far too low
Love cowgirl, but now prefer the fillmore vers of that & down by the river slightly

wack nerd zinging in the dead of night (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:27 (10 months ago) Permalink

I don't think any great ”lost” reissue thing lived up to my expectations like fillmore

wack nerd zinging in the dead of night (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:28 (10 months ago) Permalink

thx for reminding me to pull out that Fillmore record more often, that one is really good

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:28 (10 months ago) Permalink

yeah when i want to hear cowgirl, i go to the fillmore version. neil is so amazing there that he completely forgot how to play guitar like that for about five years.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:29 (10 months ago) Permalink

The original is so much a part of my DNA at this point, I don't think it'd be possible for me to prefer another version, but I have Fillmore, so I'll give it another listen.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:30 (10 months ago) Permalink

Yeah ever since getting the Fillmore disc I never play the album versions of the guitar epics - don't even know if I remember them that well! Do they have anything quite like Nitzsche's electric piano lurking at the bottom of the mix?

boxall, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:31 (10 months ago) Permalink

I'm hoping Veronica is next. Can't stand either of 'em personally, although I do like the Low & Dirty 3 cover of "River".

Jeff W, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:31 (10 months ago) Permalink

I don't think any great ”lost” reissue thing lived up to my expectations like fillmore OTM

boxall, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:31 (10 months ago) Permalink

The Cowgirl solo is a thing of rare and powerful beauty.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:32 (10 months ago) Permalink

Which it's disappointing that neil doesn't do tell me went cuz he doesn't know what it's about, I consider that maybe the hallmark of his great songwriting, this weird ambiguity

Last performance: 2011-05-11, Massey Hall, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

cwkiii, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:33 (10 months ago) Permalink

One of my big surprises researching covers was finding the Byrds' version of "Cowgirl."

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:33 (10 months ago) Permalink

Cowgirl was at 34 for me, while DBTR was at 32. Guess I'm a little burnt on both of them, but I will absolutely take a live version of either over the studio cuts.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:34 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:34 (10 months ago) Permalink

the intro to studio "Cowgirl" works v v well for kicking off late-night college radio, though--live versions can't match it!

theStalePrince, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:34 (10 months ago) Permalink

TOO LOW!!!

Had this at, um, #6. :-)

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:35 (10 months ago) Permalink

The "ma, send me money now" verse coming out of nowhere one of the greatest imaginative/intuitive leaps ever, I think.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:36 (10 months ago) Permalink

ha, i cut CG, because i figured it'd be high anyway. but what a great song/riff.
Byrds' version of "Cowgirl" is really nice!

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:36 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Cinnamon Girl" was my #1. I love the song, but it was also a nickname I gave to my wife two years before we started dating. That was 20 years ago. Damn.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:36 (10 months ago) Permalink

Much more poetic than if you'd gone with "Motorcycle Mama."

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:37 (10 months ago) Permalink

Ah, some of mine are placing now. The intro to Cowgirl is all-time - so ominous yet inevitable.

On The Beach was my no.1. My first exposure was in a documentary when bbc4 ran a Neil Young night. It had this soundtrack full of incredible tunes I didn't know, which turned out to mostly be OTB cuts, so its non-availability was a huge factor for me.

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:38 (10 months ago) Permalink

Everyone familiar with the alternate "single" mix of CG? Anyone prefer it?

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:42 (10 months ago) Permalink

I don't know about the mix, but I assume the single eliminates the coda? Or do AM deejays just end it earlier?

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:44 (10 months ago) Permalink

yeah, with whitten's vocals more prominent? it's aight.
here's another interesting alternate

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:44 (10 months ago) Permalink

I have the single. It's...innarresting. Loses the guitar erruption at the end. Overall, not as good as the album cut.

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:45 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Cinnamon Girl" crossed with "Sea of Madness"...I like!

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:45 (10 months ago) Permalink

yeah it's kinda groovy.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:46 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:46 (10 months ago) Permalink

On another borad I used to be on, someone had the handle "Cinnamon Girl". Everyone assumed she was a Neil fan, but she said she chose that moniker because she likes cinnamon and had never even heard of the Neil Young song until everyone asked her about it

Lee626, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:46 (10 months ago) Permalink

Now this one I don't really get.

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:47 (10 months ago) Permalink

Love the dancing "Road Eyes" in this clip:

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:47 (10 months ago) Permalink

Disregard all my skepticism about On the Beach when it comes to this one.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:47 (10 months ago) Permalink

man you guys REALLY overrate side 2 of OTB

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:48 (10 months ago) Permalink

Oh, man...the Road Eyes danced to "Cinnamon Girl" at that '78 show I saw. Neil wore exactly the same outfit, too.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:49 (10 months ago) Permalink

man you guys REALLY overrate side 2 of OTB

Who are you, Al Schmitt?

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:49 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Ambulance Blues" was my number two!

heated debate over derpy hooves (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:49 (10 months ago) Permalink

I have no idea who that is, so probably not

xp

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:50 (10 months ago) Permalink

impossible to overrate side 2 of on the beach imo

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:50 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Ambulance Blues" is my pick of the Beach blues cuts.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:51 (10 months ago) Permalink

My #2. Astounding song. His voice is unusually beautiful here and the whole thing makes me think of Elliott Gould in The Long Goodbye for some reason.

And there ain't nothin' like a friend
Who can tell you you're just pissin' in the wind

Get wolves (DL), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:51 (10 months ago) Permalink

I knew the riff long before the song itself, then when I finally found out the title I mistakenly thought it was "Cinema Girl" for awhile xxxpost

aerosmith suck because their corporate rock that sucks (Myonga Vön Bontee), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:51 (10 months ago) Permalink

Had Ambulance Blues at #3. Saw him do it solo acoustic in 99 from the fourth row. Just about blew my mind. SO SO SO amazing.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:51 (10 months ago) Permalink

Oh, man...the Road Eyes danced to "Cinnamon Girl" at that '78 show I saw. Neil wore exactly the same outfit, too.

Did Pancho wear that Canadians jersey too?

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:52 (10 months ago) Permalink

Al produced the Airplane, too. Yeah, Marlowe thinking about Terry Lennox--nice connection.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:52 (10 months ago) Permalink

I have no idea who that is, so probably not

He was the producer of side 2, who quit when Neil insisted on using his rough mixes of the songs (prepared for party) on the album.

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:54 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Ambulance" is perfect for first six minutes or so. The interplay between Rusty's fiddle and what Neil's doing is beautiful. Then it kind of stumbles a bit? Or wears out its welcome anyway. Last two verses are relatively weak IMHO, esp. the couplet that DL quotes! Love the 'clonk' near the end though.

Jeff W, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:55 (10 months ago) Permalink

hmm has Cortez not appeared yet...? Would be okay with that beating pretty much everything in the top 10 so far tbh

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:56 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Expecting to Fly" is the only surprise I'm surprised to see this high, besides all the "TTN" stuff. Beginning to think lots of my stuff won't make it, particularly late period stuff. I blame the ditch.

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:56 (10 months ago) Permalink

Okay I was wrong, Ambulance Blues is lovely

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:56 (10 months ago) Permalink

At this point, I am feeling rather certain that my #2 did not chart. No one else loves "Love Art Blues"?!

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:57 (10 months ago) Permalink

Last two verses are relatively weak IMHO
i dunno, the "never knew a man who told so many lies" line is pretty powerful to me.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:57 (10 months ago) Permalink

The final verse is probably my single favourite topical reportage ever--that, or "Trouble Comin' Every Day." It required great restraint not to go for a third Nixon image.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:57 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:58 (10 months ago) Permalink

She was originally my waitress for "Country Girl"'s inevitable Top 10 finish. I moved her over to "Hurricane" instead.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 17:59 (10 months ago) Permalink

I love the fake strings on this. String generator. Same device used on P-Funk's "Flashlight," among others, I believe.

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:00 (10 months ago) Permalink

My #23. Used to like this more before I heard Adam Sandler do it. And the Mission.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:00 (10 months ago) Permalink

haha wow okay I didn't know that! strings have always sounded weird to me on this

xp

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:01 (10 months ago) Permalink

I used to like this song more before Neil did it nine million times on tour. It's still pretty amazing tho, it's a very durable song

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:01 (10 months ago) Permalink

So it looks like Guitar Neil takes the top 4.

xpost--Top 3. Best version of Like A Hurricane is on Live Rust

kornrulez6969, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:01 (10 months ago) Permalink

I'm looking over my ballot and those that haven't yet placed either are unlikely to or seem unlikely to be top 3... not sure what i'm missing

Lee626, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:02 (10 months ago) Permalink

Seeing Roxy Music doing Hurricane was something else.

exclusive to this pledge group - pleasure (weatheringdaleson), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:02 (10 months ago) Permalink


i think this is the synth they used -- the stringman!

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:02 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Like A Hurricane"-Pancho on Stringman xpost

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:03 (10 months ago) Permalink

There are some pretty mediocre covers of "Hurricane" out there.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:03 (10 months ago) Permalink

i like the roxy music version, kinda tropical stormy. didn't vote for LAH, but i love it (how many times can i say that?)

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:04 (10 months ago) Permalink

I was thinking of the Arp Solina.

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:04 (10 months ago) Permalink

How do you rate the Unplugged pipe organ version?

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:04 (10 months ago) Permalink

^^^very highly

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:05 (10 months ago) Permalink

it's almost creepy in its etherealness

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:05 (10 months ago) Permalink

it's guaranteed to irritate my wife

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:05 (10 months ago) Permalink

[but i love it]

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:05 (10 months ago) Permalink

The Unplugged version was the first Neil Young song I ever consciously listened to. It began there.

Get wolves (DL), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:06 (10 months ago) Permalink

Not a fan personally. Like A Hurricane needs guitar

kornrulez6969, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:06 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Like A Hurricane" is the epic where I think the album cut is routinely bested live....

theStalePrince, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:06 (10 months ago) Permalink

Unplugged take is my go-to at this point.

Isn't the album cut a live recording anyway?

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:06 (10 months ago) Permalink

I think Neil's guitar tone on "Hurricane" is one of music's perfect sounds. (Love the Roxy cover, too.)

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:06 (10 months ago) Permalink

it took forEVER for me to hear the original version of Like A Hurricane - it showed up on pretty much every Neil live album/bootleg, but for some reason American Stars n Bars was kind of hard to track down in the 90s.

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:07 (10 months ago) Permalink

don't think it's live on American Stars n Bars

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:08 (10 months ago) Permalink

so am I right in expecting that "Cowgirl" vs. "Down by The River" is pretty much a Veronica/Betty thing?......my girl lost!

I guess that makes me Archie, because I couldn't really make up my mind -- they were both top 5 for me.

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:08 (10 months ago) Permalink

Isn't the album cut a live recording anyway?

Backing track cut live in studio, vocal overdubbed later.

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:08 (10 months ago) Permalink

Love the live versions of "Cinnamon Girl," but the handclaps on the studio version make that shit lift off the ground.

Chuck? Chuck? It's me, your cousin, Marvin D (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:09 (10 months ago) Permalink

there's a scene in Coming Home which uses Expecting To Fly and it's just about my favourite pop song/cinema sync of ALL TIME

Jamie_ATP, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:09 (10 months ago) Permalink

up there with Taxi Driver/Late For The Sky

Jamie_ATP, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:10 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Expecting To Fly" works pretty well in Fear & Loathing... too.

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:10 (10 months ago) Permalink

I'd forgotten about that...Is "Mr. Soul" maybe in the big party scene at the end?

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:10 (10 months ago) Permalink

I didn't have a #1 as such but gave most points to "Hurricane". Love both the original and the Unplugged and Weld versions. Also, possibly the only bearable use of the Stringman ever.

Jeff W, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:11 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:11 (10 months ago) Permalink

Man, work is really getting in the way of this countdown. "Ambulance Blues" my #4 too. Ditched like a Hurrican for other guitar epics. Decided to limit them and I really didn't dig the feel of LAH for a long time.

grandavis, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:11 (10 months ago) Permalink

This was a surprise to me--a welcome one, but a surprise. I was expecting it to finish at least 10-15 spots lower than "Cowgirl."

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:12 (10 months ago) Permalink

But I did vote for that one!

grandavis, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:12 (10 months ago) Permalink

for me Cowgirl makes Down By The River feel really minor, so I didn't give it any

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:13 (10 months ago) Permalink

The way the guitars circle each other on "Down By The River" is all time for me (my #1 by the way). Blew my 14 year-old mind and still does today.

grandavis, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:13 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Down By The River" almost became a new song to me with the remaster. I thought I was tired of it but really I'd never heard it.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:13 (10 months ago) Permalink

I voted for both, but the repeated note in "River" put it ahead of "Cowgirl" for me.

Chuck? Chuck? It's me, your cousin, Marvin D (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:14 (10 months ago) Permalink

i was predicting this image for down by the river

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:14 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Mr. Soul" is in the party scene in Shampoo, IIRC soundtracking Beatty chasing after Goldie at said party.

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:14 (10 months ago) Permalink

Guitar Neil definitely holds a lot of sway with me.

grandavis, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:14 (10 months ago) Permalink

My #1, too. For me the ultimate Neil guitar song (tho like I said, just a few inches above "Cowgirl").

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:14 (10 months ago) Permalink

yeah, one of my all time favorites. the opening guitar is up there with "marquee moon" in terms of pure musical bliss.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:14 (10 months ago) Permalink

"This much madness/is too much sorrow"--don't know if there's a better summation of the late '60s, likely without even consciously trying.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:15 (10 months ago) Permalink

I can never listen to Down by the River without thinking about the time I heard it in a coffee shop in college and an irate middle-aged woman complained to the coffee-jerk about having to listen to such a violent/mysogynistic song and demanded that it be turned off

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:15 (10 months ago) Permalink

#2 is gonna surprise some people, I suspect!

theStalePrince, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:16 (10 months ago) Permalink

That's what I meant, getting my Ashbys crossed...no big party scene in Coming Home.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:16 (10 months ago) Permalink

Legendary BluesMan, Guitar Neil:

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:16 (10 months ago) Permalink

The thing is, Neil was bitching about being famous BEFORE he was famous (See: Buffalo Springfield, "Out of My Mind")

― Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, July 11, 2012 12:23 PM (37 minutes ago)

Late responding, but the sheer chutzpah of this got "Out of My Mind" a high rank and lots of points on my ballot.

Neil Jung (WmC), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:17 (10 months ago) Permalink

Put me down for Team River. All you Team Cowgirl people can suck it!

kornrulez6969, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:17 (10 months ago) Permalink

Belatedly realizing that one of my top 5 never placed. I guess I'm the only one who thinks "Burned" is his best Springfield song.

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:17 (10 months ago) Permalink

coincidentally, i've been counting down down by the river videos from 1969-2010 over here. http://doomandgloomfromthetomb.tumblr.com/

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:18 (10 months ago) Permalink

that buzzing, repeated note at the beginning of the first solo in down by the river is so transcendent and amazing

the sun, a great connoisseur of eggs (buh), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:19 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Burned" did well--7 votes, #79.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:19 (10 months ago) Permalink

As mentioned above, had this at 32, Cowgirl at 34.

xp I also ranked "Burned" as my highest Springfield cut, at #25. Sad to see it missed.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:19 (10 months ago) Permalink

"An ambulance can only go so fast" is the most devastating line I've ever heard.

coat news for people who love boat shoes (how's life), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:19 (10 months ago) Permalink

All's I'll say about those two ax epics is that possibly my not owning the remasters has smothered their appeal.

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:20 (10 months ago) Permalink

otmfm (xpost re that line)

heated debate over derpy hooves (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:20 (10 months ago) Permalink

So it's just down to Cripple Creek Ferry and Last Dance. Which will win?

kornrulez6969, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:20 (10 months ago) Permalink

t-boooone!!!

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:21 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Change Your Mind" ftw

boxall, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:21 (10 months ago) Permalink

Both Cowgirl... and ...River narrowly missed out on my ballot, I think I prefer the former these days for the harmonies in the chorus.

Gavin, Leeds, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:21 (10 months ago) Permalink

(Someone tell Alfred the coast is not quite clear.)

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:22 (10 months ago) Permalink

i almost voted for change your mind. ALMOST.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:22 (10 months ago) Permalink

Hungry as hell, but I want to see this end before leaving to get lunch!

heated debate over derpy hooves (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:22 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:22 (10 months ago) Permalink

1. Pressure

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:22 (10 months ago) Permalink

Alfred, the remaster of Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere was the most revelatory to these ears. Vast, vast, improvement.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:23 (10 months ago) Permalink

I only voted for one of these top 2, so I'm hoping that put it over the top...

xpost: It worked!

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:23 (10 months ago) Permalink

Now I've got Last Dance stuck in my head. Everybody, sing: No, no no. No, no, no. No, no no.

YAY! My #1 wins! I'm so happy.

kornrulez6969, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:23 (10 months ago) Permalink

yeah, one of my all time favorites. the opening guitar is up there with "marquee moon" in terms of pure musical bliss.

― tylerw, Wednesday, July 11, 2012 2:14 PM (11 seconds ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Definitely; actually, discovered both "River" and "Moon" via Spin's 4th anniversary issue's "greatest guitar moments" list.

Chuck? Chuck? It's me, your cousin, Marvin D (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:23 (10 months ago) Permalink

So Powederfinger wins over Cortez? Seriously? I don't get you people.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:23 (10 months ago) Permalink

'Grandpa's Interview' it is then.

Gavin, Leeds, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:24 (10 months ago) Permalink

I actually would have bet a decent amount of money on this placing first. And, after trading places back and forth with "Down by the River" for most of the voting, it looked pretty safe at about 50 ballots.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:24 (10 months ago) Permalink

Alfred, the remaster of Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere was the most revelatory to these ears. Vast, vast, improvement.

― EZ Snappin, Wednesday, July 11, 2012 2:23 P

Sold. "Round and Round" and the title track made by ballot.

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:24 (10 months ago) Permalink

Oddly enough, #2 and #1 both involve bad things coming from boats.

kornrulez6969, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:24 (10 months ago) Permalink

Soldier it is then.

exclusive to this pledge group - pleasure (weatheringdaleson), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:25 (10 months ago) Permalink

I actually would have bet a decent amount of money on this placing first.

Same here!

Gavin, Leeds, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:25 (10 months ago) Permalink

I don't get you people.

^^^

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:25 (10 months ago) Permalink

Unlike "Hurricane," "Cortez" generally inspires excellent covers.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:25 (10 months ago) Permalink

I don't mind "Cortez" as a jam, but the lyrics really kill it for me.

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:25 (10 months ago) Permalink

Where the lyrics to "Powderfinger" I think are some of his best ever.

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:26 (10 months ago) Permalink

I think La Lechera summed it up nicely:

Cortez the Killer (predicted winner, how could it not be as it is the best song ever)
Powderfinger - look out mama there's a white boat comin up the river = every Herzog movie, which reminds me of Cortez the Killer, which makes me happy

Note: she had these at 8 & 9 on her ballot.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:26 (10 months ago) Permalink

wow!--I'd assumed "Cortez" the obvious #1--would've guessed "Powerderfinger" somewhere in the 15-20 range before the poll started......

theStalePrince, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:26 (10 months ago) Permalink

Cortez = 44 for me. Just never really loved that pace, never took to the story. It just seems so detached from all the rest of his catalog to these ears.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:27 (10 months ago) Permalink

Cortez has my favorite guitar solo ever.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:27 (10 months ago) Permalink

I threw Powderfinger and Cortez around the same number of points, so whatevs.

Cortez would be nothing without the sudden switch to first person narrative though. Interesting to read on Wiki that there was originally another verse that got lost because the console went dead!

Jeff W, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:28 (10 months ago) Permalink

I love "Cortez"'s lyrics, especially "I still can't remember when/or how I lost my way." Quoted that in my graduating high-school-yearbook photo.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:28 (10 months ago) Permalink

Didn't Neil say something like, "Eh, I never liked that verse anyway" ?

xp

Chuck? Chuck? It's me, your cousin, Marvin D (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:29 (10 months ago) Permalink

interesting disagreements here! it's the lyrics that kill "Cortez" for me.....they're, how to say? I think they're bullshit.

Neil is often weird, awkward, cryptic, allusive, druggy; and I love him in all those modes. But "Cortez" is bullshit.

theStalePrince, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:29 (10 months ago) Permalink

so what I'm taking away from this is that people prefer long, rambling, wasted Neil to all his other incarnations. which I guess is not surprising... but I wanted to be surprised!

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:29 (10 months ago) Permalink

Yes! The lyric-shift is everything in Cortez (Paul Simon is the master at this technique btw)

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:30 (10 months ago) Permalink

Danger Bird >>> Cortez

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:30 (10 months ago) Permalink

The last verse is semi-redeeming, but it's hard to overcome "The people worked together/And they lifted many stones."

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:31 (10 months ago) Permalink

Honestly not sure why you'd say that about "Cortez"'s lyrics--weird, cryptic, allusive, and druggy is a great description, and I think "Cortez" fits into that perfectly.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:31 (10 months ago) Permalink

The version he played in June '03 during the Greendale was spectacular, I gotta say.

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:32 (10 months ago) Permalink

I'll retreat; it's hard for me to start breaking down a song I've listened to ten million times line by line. The lyrics just float by, carried along by everything else.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:33 (10 months ago) Permalink

^ this.

Chuck? Chuck? It's me, your cousin, Marvin D (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:34 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Numbers Add up to Nothing"= alternate poll title.....

Terrific work, clemenza--enjoyed the hell out of it!

xp: hmmmm--fair question? ok: it's a kind of abstract mythmaking, it doesn't persuade me that it has anything to do with NY's own perspective or experience, but rather seems like a distillation of the usual stuff about "primitive peoples"...

theStalePrince, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:34 (10 months ago) Permalink

Didn't Neil say something like, "Eh, I never liked that verse anyway"?
Yeah, apparently. Not that I trust anything much he says about the merits of what he writes. (cf. previous discussions itt)

Jeff W, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:35 (10 months ago) Permalink

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:35 (10 months ago) Permalink

Thought "Cortez" would be super high, though I had Danger Bird and Down By The River much higher, but did not expect the #1 at all.

grandavis, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:35 (10 months ago) Permalink

it's hard for me to start breaking down a song I've listened to ten million times line by line. The lyrics just float by, carried along by everything else.

my sense about most Young epics...? I'm surprised (in a good way) that you guys remember lines. All I can remember about "Cortez" is NY going cod reggae on DANCING UPON DA WATAH MAN

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:35 (10 months ago) Permalink

I take issue with the notion that "Powderfinger" is long, rambling, or wasted.

boxall, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:36 (10 months ago) Permalink

whoops! you were retreating while I was editing....no need to retreat! people's tastes in NY lyrics are very subjective; I mean, I have jr high school friends who love him as much as I do and we would all but come to blows over certain lines that allegedly "sucked"

theStalePrince, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:36 (10 months ago) Permalink

I didn't vote for it, but I'm okay with it at #1--it's a great song, and an unpredictable #1 (within reason) is not a bad thing.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:37 (10 months ago) Permalink

so what I'm taking away from this is that people prefer long, rambling, wasted Neil to all his other incarnations.

The rest of the top 5 maybe, but I don't think this is fair to "Powderfinger" at all.

xposts!

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:37 (10 months ago) Permalink

DANCING UPON DA WATAH MAN - what version is this from?

boxall, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:37 (10 months ago) Permalink

iirc, that faux-reggae bit is only on Live Rust (and in the film). I've never heard any other version of "Cortez" where that happens.

Chuck? Chuck? It's me, your cousin, Marvin D (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:38 (10 months ago) Permalink

Powderfinger is perfect. His best lyrics, his best riff, his best solo, his best singing. His best song.

kornrulez6969, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:38 (10 months ago) Permalink

Not before or since have I heard epics as contained, purposeful of motion, bracing, and intelligent as "Powderfinger" and "Sedan Delivery." I can't think of anyone making music this loud, allusive, and elusive, not even from the punks.

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:38 (10 months ago) Permalink

iirc, that faux-reggae bit is only on Live Rust

yep

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:39 (10 months ago) Permalink

I've often heard Neil's epics be described as a slog. I disagree for the most part, except for when it comes to "Powderfinger". he single reason why I don't rate Rust as high as most people.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:39 (10 months ago) Permalink

Really surprised at the no.1 - it doesn't stand out for me, and never even considered longlisting it. No idea the rest of you would.

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:39 (10 months ago) Permalink

Had Powderfinger at #5, but I could easily have had it at #1. My whole top 10 was pretty interchangable in my mind, honestly.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:39 (10 months ago) Permalink

I first heard "Powderfinger" in the Cowboy Junkies' cover (which is pretty good), and was completely baffled by it. It's still mysterious to me -- the basic narrative tracks pretty clearly, but there's so much left out. It feels very detailed on the one hand but also enigmatic and allegorical.

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:40 (10 months ago) Permalink

holy shit @ powderfinger being #1, ya'll are cool ppl

puff puff post (uh oh I'm having a fantasy), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:40 (10 months ago) Permalink

The line goes on to mean something else, but "think of me as one you'd never figured" is pretty definitive as a career statement.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:40 (10 months ago) Permalink

My top 10 (out of 30) all got 15 pts, but Powderfinger was #1.

exclusive to this pledge group - pleasure (weatheringdaleson), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:41 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Powderfinger" wasn't high on my list (#39 out of 40), but as Horse epics go, I'll take it above "Hurricane" in a heartbeat.

Chuck? Chuck? It's me, your cousin, Marvin D (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:41 (10 months ago) Permalink

And clemenza, brilliant job on the poll, especially with the photos.

Chuck? Chuck? It's me, your cousin, Marvin D (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:41 (10 months ago) Permalink

find it kinda hilarious/appropriate that the number 2 song features some pretty glaring mistakes

xp

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:41 (10 months ago) Permalink

Really surprised at the no.1 - it doesn't stand out for me, and never even considered longlisting it. No idea the rest of you would.

Listen to it again!

cwkiii, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:42 (10 months ago) Permalink

Huge kudos and thanks clemenza. Lots of fun.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:42 (10 months ago) Permalink

I've heard the song a million times, but "When the first shot hit the dock, I saw it comin'" still gets me every time.

kornrulez6969, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:42 (10 months ago) Permalink

Thanks clemenza. Loved the images too - will shamelessly rip off if I ever do another of these.

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:42 (10 months ago) Permalink

like of COURSE Neil's best song features dropped beats and flubbed bass notes

xp

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:42 (10 months ago) Permalink

I will xps

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:43 (10 months ago) Permalink

Many thanks to Clemenza and his brilliant images. There will always be a place for this poll in the Deep Forbidden Lake of my heart.

kornrulez6969, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:43 (10 months ago) Permalink

When the first shot hit the dock, I saw it comin'

hmm always heard this as DOG, not dock - which seems more tragic somehow

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:43 (10 months ago) Permalink

Also, I don't think I would consider "Powderfinger" one of NY's "epics" -- I mean, it's under 6 minutes and doesn't have a giant-ass solo section or anything. "Cortez" is in that epic style, as are the obvious "Cowgirl" and "DBTR" but I think of "Powderfinger" as a story song more than anything else.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:43 (10 months ago) Permalink

Neither "Cortez" nor "Powderfinger" ever did much for me, didn't vote for either, but someone must like them and evidently Neil does since those are concert staples. OTOH am I the only vote for "You and Me"? (that was "our song" for, well, someone I really liked and me).

Thx for the great poll and great images Clemenza!

Lee626, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:43 (10 months ago) Permalink

And yes, awesome job all around, Clemenza!

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:44 (10 months ago) Permalink

Exemplary roll-out, clemenza. Bar raised.

Jeff W, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:44 (10 months ago) Permalink

fabulous job!

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:44 (10 months ago) Permalink

Seriously, I didn't "get" "Powderfinger" for the LONGEST time, but it crept up on me over time and once it hit me, it revealed itself to be just the perfect song. It really is SO simple that it could sneak by if you let it.

xposts to Ismael

cwkiii, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:44 (10 months ago) Permalink

Powderfinger is 6 minutes that feel like 10. Great lyrics, but slog, slog, slog.

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:44 (10 months ago) Permalink

Powderfinger would have been a fantastic Skynyrd song.

Three Word Username, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:46 (10 months ago) Permalink

That was the idea; supposedly Van Zant was up for recording it.

Chuck? Chuck? It's me, your cousin, Marvin D (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:46 (10 months ago) Permalink

The line goes on to mean something else, but "think of me as one you'd never figured" is pretty definitive as a career statement.

That's why it's the epigraph to Shakey! :)

cwkiii, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:46 (10 months ago) Permalink

Clemenza, this entire thing, from your original post to the screencaps to the post-mortems which haven't even happened yet, has been welcoming, challenging, informative and fun. Not enough superlatives. Thanks.

exclusive to this pledge group - pleasure (weatheringdaleson), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:47 (10 months ago) Permalink

Neil has routinely stretched that song over the 6 minute mark live - I totally consider it in the same class as Like a Hurricane, Down by the River, Cowgirl, Cortez, etc.

xp

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:47 (10 months ago) Permalink

Yeah, high fives Clemenza, great poll.

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:48 (10 months ago) Permalink

Thanks. I sat down this morning and checked point totals for 16 albums. These were the Top 10:

1. After the Gold Rush (1970) -- 11 songs/1,861 points
2. On the Beach (1974) -- 8/1,729
3. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (1969) -- 7/1,607
4. Rust Never Sleeps (1979) -- 9/1,598
5. Tonight's the Night (1975) -- 11/1,414
6. Harvest (1972) -- 9/1,390
7. Zuma (1975) -- 9/1,155
8. Time Fades Away (1973) -- 8/766
9. American Stars 'n Bars (1977) -- 7/699
10. Freedom (1989) -- 10/652

Really impressive: from Everybody through Zuma, the only song not get a vote was "There's a World."

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:49 (10 months ago) Permalink

ah, I'd often wondered about Skynyrd/"Powderfinger"......they might have been too funky to play it right, though!

theStalePrince, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:52 (10 months ago) Permalink

I had 'Powderfinger' at #20 - as with cwkiii it was one that suddenly hit me as being great relatively recently, wouldn't ever have guessed it would be #1 but it's a fine choice.

The poll overall has been great, thanks so much clemenza.

Gavin, Leeds, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:54 (10 months ago) Permalink

Fun poll, not surprised by the winner, mine was unranked but powder finger is about everything good about neil in one song

wack nerd zinging in the dead of night (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:54 (10 months ago) Permalink

I should get away from this chair for a bit...Feel free to start posting your own lists; here's mine. I'll post a summary of the Top 75 later on.

1. “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” – 25
2. “Cinnamon Girl” – 23
3. “Cowgirl in the Sand” – 21
4. “Ambulance Blues” – 20
5. “Country Girl” – 20
6. “Tell Me Why” – 20
7. “Cortez the Killer” – 17
8. “Sugar Mountain” – 15
9. “Till the Morning Comes” – 15
10. “Ocean Girl” – 15
11. “Barstool Blues” – 12
12. “After the Gold Rush” – 9
13. “Bad Fog of Loneliness” – 9
14. “Cripple Creek Fairy” – 9
15. “Journey Through the Past” – 9
16. “Helpless” – 8
17. “Roll Another Number” – 7
18. “Love in Mind” – 6
19. “Over and Over” – 6
20. “The Emperor of Wyoming” – 6
21. “Albuquerque” – 6
22. “Ohio” – 6
23. “Tired Eyes” – 6
24. “Scenery” – 5
25. “A Man Needs a Maid” – 5
26. “Sea of Madness” – 5
27. “Are You Ready for Country” – 5
28. “The Loner” – 5
29. “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” (Saint Etienne) – 5
30. “Wonderin’” – 5
31. “Comes a Time” – 5
32. “Down by the River” – 5
33. “Soldier” – 5
34. “Prisoners of Rock ‘N’ Roll” – 5
35. “Slowly Burning” – 5
36. “There Goes My Babe” – 5
37. “Hangin’ On a Limb” – 5
38. “It’s My Time” – 5
39. “Out of My Mind” – 5
40. “Pocahontas” – 5

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:57 (10 months ago) Permalink

1. Stringman – 30 pts
2. Homegrown – 26 pts
3. Transformer Man – 23 pts
4. Too Far Gone – 19 pts
5. Rockin’ in the Free World – 17 pts
6. Long May You Run – 16 pts
7. This Note’s For You – 15 pts
8. Yonder Stands the Sinner – 14 pts
9. L.A. – 13 pts
10. Lookout Joe -12 pts
11. White Line – 11 pts
12. Crime in the City – 10 pts
13. Bite the Bullet – 9 pts
14. Roll Another Number (For the Road) – 8pts
15. Come Along and Say You Will – 7 pts
16. Dead Man soundtrack – organ solo – 6 pts
17. Oh, Lonesome Me – 5 pts
18. I Believe in You – 4 pts
19. The Loner – 3 pts
20. Lookin’ for a Love – 2 pts

Really pissed my number 1 didn't place at all. FUCK YOU GUYS

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:59 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Stringman"! I forgot about it!

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 18:59 (10 months ago) Permalink

Great poll, great rollout -- thanks, clemenza!

Neil Jung (WmC), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:00 (10 months ago) Permalink

Late cut for me shakey....btw your ballot really goes against the canon!

wack nerd zinging in the dead of night (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:00 (10 months ago) Permalink

hm! i actually cut powderfinger at the last minute. didn't think it'd be the winner, though!
this is great

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:01 (10 months ago) Permalink

here's my unranked ballot

Helpless
Razor Love
Down by the River
Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Cortez the Killer
Expecting to Fly
The Old Laughing Lady
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Birds
Time Fades Away

Don't Be Denied
See The Sky About To Rain
Motion Pictures
Ambulance Blues
Tired Eyes
Albuquerque
Don't Cry No Tears
Barstool Blues
Will To Love
Pocahontas

Sedan Delivery
Surfer Joe And Moe The Sleaze
Transformer Man
Cocaine Eyes
Country Home
Crime In The City
Give Me Strength
Harvest Moon
Pushed It Over The End
Danger Bird

Cowgirl in the Sand
Too Far Gone
Little Wing
Speakin’ Out
Revolution Blues
Mellow My Mind
Old Man
Through My Sails
Safeway Cart
No One Seems To Know

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:02 (10 months ago) Permalink

Here is mine, recommend everyone check out a live "Pushed It Over The End" if you can.

1. Down By The River
2. After The Gold Rush
3. Revolution Blues
4. Ambulance Blues
5. Don’t Cry No Tears
6. Walk On
7. Out On The Weekend
8. Pushed It Over The End
9. Star of Bethlehem
10. Cinnamon Girl
11. Only Love Can Break Your Heart
12. Danger Bird
13. Barstool Blues
14. Harvest
15. Harvest Moon
16. The Needle And The Damage Done
17. Round And Round
18. Pardon My Heart
19. Comes A Time
20. Sugar Mountain
21. Tell Me Why
22. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
23. Don’t Let It Bring You Down
24. Mellow My Mind
25. Powderfinger
26. Pocahontas
27. For The Turnstiles
28. Don’t Be Denied
29. Lotta Love
30. Sedan Delivery
31. Bad Fog Of Loneliness
32. Broken Arrow
33. Cortez The Killer
34. Motion Pictures
35. A Man Needs A Maid
36. Give Me Strength
37. Old Man
38. Down To The Wire
39. War Song
40. Home On The Range

grandavis, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:03 (10 months ago) Permalink

Surprised only one song from Ragged Glory made it...anyway...

1. When You Dance I Can Really Love
2. Don't Cry
3. Barstool Blues
4. After the Gold Rush
5. Mr. Soul
6. Everybody Knows this is Nowhere
7. Come On Baby, Let's Go Downtown
8. Tonight's the Night part 1
9. Cinnamon Girl
10. Down By the River
11. Country Home
12. Ohio
13. Guitar Solo No. 5
14. Eldorado
15. Cortez the Killer
16. Don't Let it Bring you Down
17. Mellow My Mind
18. Over and Over
19. Cocaine Eyes
20. Arc
21. Love and Only Love
22. Pocahontas
23. Lookout Joe
24. Heavy Love
25. Time Fades Away
26. Borrowed Tune
27. Rockin' in the Free World
28. Thrasher
29. Down to the Wire
30. Big Time
31. Don't Cry No Tears
32. Thrasher
33. Lookin' for a Love
34. Last Dance
35. Love and War
36. Crime in the City (Sixty to Zero part 1)
37. Walk On
38. Sedan Delivery
39. Powderfinger
40. Hangin' on a Limb

Chuck? Chuck? It's me, your cousin, Marvin D (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:03 (10 months ago) Permalink

I had Stringman!

1. Winterlong

2. Love Art Blues

3. Ambulance Blues

4. Pocahontas

5. Powderfinger

6. Cinnamon Girl

7. Barstool Blues

8. I’m The Ocean

9. The Needle and the Damage Done

10. Revolution Blues

11. Hey Hey My My (Into the Black)

12. Thrasher

13. On The Way Home

14. Only Love Can Break Your Heart

15. I Believe in You

16. Traces

17. Harvest

18. Heart of Gold

19. Soldier

20. Sleeps With Angels

21. Tired Eyes

22. On The Beach

23. Like a Hurricane

24. Stringman

25. Burned

26. Cocaine Eyes

27. Philadelphia

28. Time Fades Away

29. Everybody Knows This is Nowhere

30. Love In Mind

31. Cripple Creek Ferry

32. Down By The River

33. Birds

34. Cowgirl in the Sand

35. Pushed It Over the End

36. Albuquerque

37. See the Sky About to Rain

38. I’ve Been Waiting for You

39. Don’t Let It Bring You Down

40. Deep Forbidden Lake

and my next 10, which didn't count for the poll, but what the hell:

41. Love Is a Rose

42. Don’t Be Denied

43. Ohio

44. Cortez the Killer

45. My Heart

46. Expecting to Fly

47. Shots

48. Old Ways (specifically the live version from the Shocking Pinks tour with the awesome backing vocals and just Neil on guitar -- SHIT SMOKES!!!)

49. Kinda Fonda Wanda (same as above...)

50. Journey Through the Past

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:04 (10 months ago) Permalink

1. Welfare Mothers
2. Sedan Delivery
3. Winterlong
4. Ambulance Blues
5. Cocaine Eyes
6. When You Dance I Can Really Love
7. I’m The Ocean
8. Like an Inca
9. Lookin’ for a Love
10 Over and Over
11. Drive Back
12. Round and Round
13. Thrasher
14. Fuckin’ Up
15. Drive By
16. Don’t Cry
17. Hippie Dream
18. Love in Mind
19. Comes A Time
20. Wrecking Ball
21. Don’t Be Denied
22. Everyone Knows This is Nowhere
23. Barstool Blues
24. Powderfinger
25. Campaigner
26. Goin’ Back
27. Safeway Cart
28. No More
29. Don’t Cry No Tears
30. On The Beach

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:04 (10 months ago) Permalink

Late cut for me shakey....btw your ballot really goes against the canon!

well I figured this was going to be a poll that got a LOT of votes, and the canonical stuff was gonna get covered no matter what - so I went the strategic voting route and voted for stuff I thought would be underrepresented or could use additional points. just to make things innaresting

although I could totally make an argument that Stringman is genuinely his best/my favorite song - structurally, melodically and lyrically it's a real beauty

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:04 (10 months ago) Permalink

All unranked. Made the list:

Ambulance Blues
Don't Be Denied
Don't Cry No Tears
I Believe in You
Look Out for My Love
Lookout Joe
Powderfinger
Sedan Delivery
Tell Me Why

missed out:

Beautiful Bluebird
Change Your Mind
Down to the Wire
Flying On the Ground Is Wrong
Little Wing
One of These Days
Organ Solo (Dead Man)
Razor Love
Roger and Out
Southern Pacific
Wonderin'

boxall, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:06 (10 months ago) Permalink

yeahhh, so nothing from sleeps with angels made it?

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:07 (10 months ago) Permalink

I had two unreleased cuts on mine... who else voted for anything that isn't out officially anywhere?

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:07 (10 months ago) Permalink

*raises hand*

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:07 (10 months ago) Permalink

Come Along And Say You Will

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:08 (10 months ago) Permalink

yeah i had No One Seems To Know, Give Me Strength and Pushed It Over The End

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:08 (10 months ago) Permalink

I debated long and hard about which outtake to include from yr Sad Movies comp, tyler

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:10 (10 months ago) Permalink

Down by the River -- 30
Walk On -- 25
Only Love Can Break Your Heart -- 20
Burned -- 15
Cowgirl in the Sand -- 15
Ohio -- 15
Like a Hurricane -- 15
Rockin in the Free World -- 10
After the Gold Rush --10
Powderfinger -- 10
The Needle and the Damage Done -- 10
Winterlong -- 10
Cinnamon Girl -- 10
Hey Hey My My (Into the Black) -- 10
Sedan Delivery -- 10
On the Beach -- 10
Southern Man -- 10
Mr. Soul -- 5
Thrasher -- 5
Moving Pictures -- 5
Welfare Mothers -- 5
Don't Let It Bring You Down -- 5
Long May You Run --5
Heart of Gold --5
Sugar Mountain -- 5
The Loner -- 5
Helpless -- 5
Wrecking Ball -- 5
See the Sky About to Rain -- 5
Revolution Blues -- 5

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:10 (10 months ago) Permalink

Pushed It Over The End is actually released though, on a 12" single (!)

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:11 (10 months ago) Permalink

haha, yeah i guess so -- like an italian only CSNY thing?

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:11 (10 months ago) Permalink

My points were as follows:

25. On The Beach
21. I'm The Ocean
19. Time Fades Away
17. Song X
15. Natural Beauty
12. Will To Love
12. Silver & Gold
12. Through My Sails

11. Revolution Blues
10. Words - Between The Lines Of Age
10. Alabama
 9. Love And War

 9. Southern Man
 9. Cowgirl In The Sand
 8. Last Dance
 8. My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)
 8. Crime In The City
 7. Ohio
 7. Rockin' In The Free World
 7. Love In Mind
 6. Like A Hurricane
 6. Fontainebleau
 6. Tell Me Why
 5. Goin' Back
 5. Midnight On The Bay

 5. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
 4. Human Highway
 4. Sample & Hold
 4. Don't Let It Bring You Down
 4. Computer Age
 4. Running Dry (Requiem for the Rockets)

 4. A Man Needs A Maid
 4. New Mama
 4. Surfer Joe & Moe the Sleazebag
 4. Hawks & Doves
 4. Weight Of The World
 4. When I Hold You In My Arms
 4. Bandit
 4. Southern Pacific
 4. High-Flying Bird

Bold didn't place, though I can't remember exactly and may have made an error or two.

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:12 (10 months ago) Permalink

Alfred I'm glad that despite our differences on the ax epics, we can agree on "Wrecking Ball."

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:13 (10 months ago) Permalink

haha, yeah i guess so -- like an italian only CSNY thing?

― tylerw

Yep, on a one-sided 12" in an Italian box set. I'd bet it's gonna turn up on Archives II though, or the long-rumored live CSNY 1974 set.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:14 (10 months ago) Permalink

1. Powderfinger 30
The Needle and the Damage Done 25
Tonight’s The Night 18
I’m The Ocean 17
Down By The River 15
Walk On 10
Tell Me Why 10
Pocahontas 10
Barstool Blues 10
Ordinary People 10
Ambulance Blues 8
Heart Of Gold 8
My My, Hey Hey (Out Of the Blue) 8
Thrasher 8
Tired Eyes 8
After The Gold Rush 8
Sugar Mountain 8
Helpless 8
Lookout Joe 8
Lookin’ For A Love 8
Look Out For My Love 8
Come On Baby Let’s Go Downtown 8
Big Time 8
Goin’ Home 8
Rockin’ In The Free World 8
Sedan Delivery 5
Cinnamon Girl 5
Don’t Be Denied 5
Too Far Gone 5
30. Trans Am 5

kornrulez6969, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:15 (10 months ago) Permalink

Thanks clemenza!

Volvo Twilight (p-dog), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:19 (10 months ago) Permalink

30 - Will to Love
30 - Ambulance Blues
30 - On the Beach
15 - Powderfinger
15 - Pocahontas
10 - Expecting to Fly
10 - Sugar Mountain
10 - Cortez the Killer
10 - Tired Eyes
10 - Albuquerque
10 - Old Man
10 - Heart of Gold
10 - Down by the River
10 - Tell Me Why
10 - Look Out for my love
10 - I Believe in You
5 - I Am a Child
5 - Ohio
5 - Peaceful Valley Boulevard
5 - Revolution Blues
5 - After the Gold Rush
5 - Barstool Blues
5 - Don't Cry No Tears
5 - From Hank to Hendrix
5 - Natural Beauty
5 - Words
5 - Out on the Weekend
5 - Like a Hurricane
5 - Cinnamon Girl
5 - Everybody Knows this is Nowhere

Mad God 40/40 (Z S), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:20 (10 months ago) Permalink

^ a good ballot

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:22 (10 months ago) Permalink

14 each for the first 10, 8 for the next 20.

Crime and the City
After the Goldrush (kd Lang)
Heart of Gold
Transformer Man
My Heart
My My, Hey Hey
Ambulance Blues
Only Love Can Break Your Heart (St Etienne)
Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Philadelphia

Out on the Weekend
Helpless
After The Goldrush
Needle and the Damage Done
Harvest Moon
Pocahontas
Sleeps With Angels
Birds
This Note's For You
Wrecking Ball (Emmylou Harris)
Unknown Legend
Walk With Me
Like a Hurricane
Will to Love
A Man Needs A Maid (with the LSO)
Harvest
It's A Dream
When I Hold You In My Arms
Mr Soul
Rockin' In The Free World

Must admit to feeling a little bit guilty about voting for St Etienne, but it's such a perfect cover version and personally is indelibly tied to the Freedom/Ragged Glory era when I first got into NY.

fun loving and xtremely tolrant (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:23 (10 months ago) Permalink

all of these ballots are good

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:24 (10 months ago) Permalink

Cinnamon Girl - 30
Cortez The Killer - 20
Walk On - 20
Helpless - 15
For The Turnstiles - 15
Tonight's The Night - 10
Down By The River - 10
When You Dance You Can Really Love - 10
Time Fades Away - 10
Old Man - 10
Out On The Weekend - 10
LA - 10
Ohio - 10
Last Dance - 10
Dance, Dance, Dance - 10
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere - 10
Like A Hurricane - 10
Cowgirl In The Sand - 10
After The Gold Rush - 10
Hey Hey, My My - 10
Mellow My Mind - 5
Sedan Delivery - 5
Ambulance Blues - 5
Wonderin' - 5
Don't Let It Bring You Down - 5
Barstool Blues - 5
Flying On The Ground Is Wrong - 5
Unknown Legend - 5
Fuckin' Up - 5
One Of These Days - 5

EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:25 (10 months ago) Permalink

Helpless - 30
Ohio - 27
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere - 24
Tell Me Why - 20
You And Me - 16
Powderfinger - 13
The Old Laughing Lady - 10
Long May You Run - 9
My My, Hey Hey - 9
Cinnamon Girl - 8
Pochahontas - 8
Southern Man - 7
Cowgirl In The Sand - 7
Like A Hurricane - 6
After The Gold Rush - 6
Peace And Love - 5
Don't Cry No Tears - 5
Unknown Legend - 5
Rapid Transit - 5
Transformer Man - 5
Rockin' In The Free World - 5
When You Dance, I Can Really Love - 5
Walk On - 5
Don't Let It Bring You Down - 5
I'm The Ocean - 5
This Note's For You - 5
Fuckin' Up - 5
The Needle And The Damage Done - 5
Look Out For My Love - 5
Words (Between The Lines Of Age) - 5
From Hank To Hendrix - 5
Revolution Blues - 5
Down My The River - 5
War Of Man - 5
Cortez The Killer - 5

straight up now tell me will I be a fucking lump forever? (some dude), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:28 (10 months ago) Permalink

Ambulance Blues -- 30
Tonight's the Night -- 25
Revolution Blues -- 20
Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown -- 15
Pocahontas -- 10
Sleeps with Angels -- 10
Wonderin' -- 10
I Am a Child -- 10
Comes a Time -- 10
The Needle and the Damage Done -- 10
Philadelphia -- 10
Cinnamon Girl -- 10
Like a Hurricane -- 10
See the Sky About to Rain -- 10
Sugar Mountain -- 10
When You Dance -- 10
Mansion on the Hill -- 10
Harvest Moon -- 10
Someone's Gonna Rescue You -- 10
Big Time -- 10

Naive Teen Idol, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:32 (10 months ago) Permalink

1. Albuquerque - 30 pts
2. On the Way Home - 29
3. Out of My Mind - 28
4. Down by the River - 18
5. Lookout Joe - 17
6. Expecting to Fly - 16
7. Four Strong Winds - 15
8. A Man Needs a Maid - 14
9. Cinnamon Girl - 13
10. Needle and the Damage Done - 12
11. Tonight's the Night - 11
12. Wrecking Ball - 7
13. I Am a Child - 5
14. Cortez the Killer - 5
15. I Believe in You - 5
16. Down to the Wire - 5
17. Fuckin' Up - 5
18. For the Turnstiles - 5
19. Star of Bethlehem - 5
20. The Old Laughing Lady - 5
21. Broken Arrow - 5
22. Mr. Soul - 5
23. Love in Mind - 5
24. Motor City - 5
25. L.A. - 5
26. Lotta Love - 5
27. Wonderin' - 5
28. Fallin' Off the Face of the Earth - 5
29. Burned - 5
30. Walk On - 5

Neil Jung (WmC), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:33 (10 months ago) Permalink

1. “Danger Bird” (30 points)
2. “Ambulance Blues” (30 points)
3. “Unknown Legend” (25 points)
4. “Rockin’ in the Free World (Electric)” (20 points)
5. “Tonight’s the Night” (20 points)
6. “Down By the River” (10 points)
7. “Expecting to Fly” (10 points)
8. “Fuckin’ Up” (10 points)
9. “Like A Hurricane” (10 points)
10. “Running Dry (Requiem for the Rockets)” (10 points)
11. “Albequerque” (10 points)
12. “Powderfinger” (10 points)
13. “Eldorado” (10 points)
14. “Helpless” (10 points)
15. “See the Sky About to Rain” (10 points)
16. “Sugar Mountain” (5 points)
17. “Razor Love” (5 points)
18. “Time Fades Away” (5 points)
19. “Old Man” (5 points)
20. “On the Beach” (5 points)
21. “Cortez the Killer” (5 points)
22. “Thrasher” (5 points)
23. “Ordinary People” (5 points)
24. “Hippie Dream” (5 points)
25. “Mr. Soul” (5 points)
26. “I’m The Ocean” (5 points)
27. “Ohio” (5 points)
28. “Mansion on the Hill” (5 points)
29. “Walk With Me” (5 points)
30. “Buffalo Springfield Again” (5 points)

heated debate over derpy hooves (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:34 (10 months ago) Permalink

Really impressed with the sheer array of songs picked in top 3s. Great variety.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:40 (10 months ago) Permalink

top 10

30 Motion Pictures
25 Tired Eyes
25 Mellow My Mind
25 Don't Be Denied
20 Look Out For My Love
20 Revolution Blues
15 Cocaine Eyes
15 Powderfinger
15 Don't Let It Bring You Down
10 Lost In Space

next ten @ 5 points each:

Cowgirl in the Sand
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Down By The River
After the Gold Rush
Helpless
For The Turnstiles
Tonight's the Night
Like A Hurricane
Rocking in the Free World
I'm The Ocean

theStalePrince, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:49 (10 months ago) Permalink

pretty much impossible to come up with a bad neil young ballot!

Mad God 40/40 (Z S), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:51 (10 months ago) Permalink

oh I dunno, I would vote in WORST NEIL YOUNG SONG poll

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:52 (10 months ago) Permalink

did ANYBODY else vote "Lost In Space"? I was kinda trolling myself, but have an irrational love for the song.....also, what happened to "Borrowed Tune"? fell out of my top 20 at the last minute, but I always thought it was people's second fave on that LP....

theStalePrince, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:53 (10 months ago) Permalink

I'm celebrating the end of this poll by spinning Manassas...

10 POINTS EACH:

1. I Believe In You
2. Like A Hurricane
3. Time Fades Away
4. When You Dance, I Can Really Love
5. Love In Mind

8 POINTS EACH

6. Dangerbird
7. Pocahontas
8. Rockin’ In The Free World
9. Country Girl
10. Flying On The Ground Is Wrong
11. For The Turnstiles
12. Powderfinger
13. Don’t Be Denied
14. Hitchhiker
15. Fuckin’ Up
16. L.A.
17. A Man Needs A Maid (Massey Hall)
18. Heart of Gold (‘’)
19. Will To Love
20. On The Way Home
21. Cinnamon Girl
22. Down By The River
23. On The Beach
24. Cowgirl In The Sand
25. Sea of Madness
26. Love and Only Love

27. Don’t Cry No Tears
28. World on A String
29. Cortez The Killer
30. Do I Have To Come Right Out and Say It?
31. Pushed It Over The End
32. Last Dance

33. Lookout Joe
34. Don’t Cry
35. Love To Burn

7 POINTS EACH:

36. I’m The Ocean
37. Safeway Cart
38. Give Me Strength
39. I’ve Been Waiting For You
40. Goin’ Home

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:58 (10 months ago) Permalink

9. Country Girl

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 19:58 (10 months ago) Permalink

didn't keep my ballot, but top 3 ranked:
Pocahontas
Love In Mind
Flying On the Ground

making plans for nyquil (outdoor_miner), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 20:00 (10 months ago) Permalink

I should clarify: 'good ballot' = 'ballot quite like mine'

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 20:03 (10 months ago) Permalink

hahaha, I was going to say, hey Ismael Klata, you have a good ballot too! ;)

Will to Love did place, btw! (you had it in bold)

Mad God 40/40 (Z S), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 20:09 (10 months ago) Permalink

1. Expecting to Fly
2. Out on the Weekend
3. Tell Me Why
4. Albuquerque
5. Don't Let It Bring You Down
6. Birds
7. On the Beach
8. Danger Bird
9. Bad Fog of Loneliness
10. Lotta Love
11. Soldier
12. Heart of Gold
13. L.A.
14. The Loner
15. Only Love Can Break Your Heart
16. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
17. Love in Mind
18. Ambulance Blues
19. Will to Love
20. Powderfinger
21. Tired Eyes
22. Pardon My Heart
23. Peace of Mind
24. Ohio
25. Look Out for My Love
26. Walk On
27. Cinnamon Girl
28. You and Me
29. Falling Off the Face of the Earth
30. Like a Hurricane
31. White Line
32. Don't Be Denied
33. Prime of Life
34. Drive By
35. Cortez the Killer
36. Rockin' in the Free World
37. On the Way Home
38. The Needle and the Damage Done
39. Time Fades Away
40. Borrowed Tune

Gavin, Leeds, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 20:13 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Bad Fog of Lonliness" in the top 10 is pretty awesome, even if I didn't vote for it myself.

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 20:15 (10 months ago) Permalink

I rarely call in here, so missed all of this completely. But I've spent the last hour or so reading through the results. Surprised, but not disappointed, by the #1.

Good to see a couple of you included Love And Only Love in your ballots. It would definitely have featured on mine - if only the version on Weld. The solo on that is one of my favourite Neil moments.

Excellent presentation, Clemenza.

Duke, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 20:24 (10 months ago) Permalink

Spotify playlist updated: http://open.spotify.com/user/124420673/playlist/7tIBGOFg0EDXgAz10slAJZ

Naive Teen Idol, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 20:25 (10 months ago) Permalink

Interestingly, the song that came out on top is also one of Neil's most performed songs, beaten only by Cinnamon Girl and Heart of Gold.

http://sugarmtn.org/stat.php?stat=1

agnosy, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 20:32 (10 months ago) Permalink

Wow, I'm surprised he's only played Motion Pictures once!

Mad God 40/40 (Z S), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 20:35 (10 months ago) Permalink

My ballot.

Like a Hurricane -- 20pts
Don’t Cry -- 18
Time Fades Away -- 18
My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue) -- 16
Crime In The City (Sixty To Zero Part 1) -- 16
Cocaine Eyes -- 14
The Needle And The Damage Done -- 14
Love In Mind -- 13
Blowin' In The Wind -- 13
Cortez The Killer -- 12
Helpless -- 12
The Bridge -- 12
Farmer John -- 11

Winterlong -- 11
Arc -- 10
Powderfinger -- 10
Ordinary People -- 9
Goin’ Back -- 9
Sugar Mountain -- 8
Peaceful Valley Boulevard -- 8
Long May You Run -- 7
For The Turnstiles -- 7
Ambulance Blues -- 6
LA -- 6
Lotta Love -- 5
Harvest Moon -- 5
Comes A Time -- 4
Southern Man -- 3
Ohio -- 2
Tonight’s The Night -- 1

Jeff W, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 20:35 (10 months ago) Permalink

Wow, I'm surprised he's only played Motion Pictures once!

I'm surprised he's played it at all, frankly. all of that OTB and Time Fades Away stuff seems to have dropped off his radar

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 20:36 (10 months ago) Permalink

ambulance blues is the only one that he's really returned to in the past decade or so, there's one on the beach from 2003, maybe a handful of don't be denieds.

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 20:40 (10 months ago) Permalink

favourite line from Ambulance Blues: it's easy to get buried in the past, when you try to make a good thing last.

agnosy, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 20:43 (10 months ago) Permalink

I got to know "Motion Pictures" as a live staple by local (Knoxville) heroes the V-Roys, who did a great raging version of it. (It's even on their career-capping live album.) Actually there are an awful lot of Neil songs I first heard done by other people.

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 20:47 (10 months ago) Permalink

Didn't rank, but here are my picks that didn't make the cut:

I’ve Been Waiting for You
Tell Me Why
Wrecking Ball
No More
Love to Burn
Safeway Cart
Peaceful Valley Boulevard
Love is a Rose
For the Turnstiles
Country Home
Natural Beauty
Such a Woman

Granted, I made a point of trying to draw from every point in his career.

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 21:06 (10 months ago) Permalink

Whoops, scratch "Tell Me Why" from that.

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 21:06 (10 months ago) Permalink

for the turnstiles made it i think

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 21:17 (10 months ago) Permalink

here are the ones of mine that didn't make it (i think)

Razor Love
Surfer Joe And Moe The Sleaze
Country Home
Give Me Strength
Pushed It Over The End
Too Far Gone
Little Wing
Speakin’ Out
Through My Sails
Safeway Cart
No One Seems To Know

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 21:18 (10 months ago) Permalink

(10) 1. Mr. Soul (Buffalo Springfield version)
(10) 2. Cinnamon Girl
(10) 3. Like A Hurricane
(10) 4. Don't Be Denied
(10) 5. Rockin' In The Free World (electric Freedom version!)
(8) 6. Cowgirl In The Sand
(8) 7. A Man Needs A Maid
(8) 8. Powderfinger
(8) 9. Sugar Mountain
(8) 10. I'm The Ocean
(8) 11. Prisoners Of Rock'n'Roll
(8) 12. Revolution Blues
(8) 13. Flying On The Ground Is Wrong (Live At The Riverboat 1969)
(8) 14. Cortez The Killer
(8) 15. Campaigner
(8) 16. Pressure
(8) 17. Music Arcade
(8) 18. Over And Over
(8) 19. Be The Rain
(8) 20. Sample And Hold
(8) 21. Ohio
(8) 22. Southern Pacific
(8) 23. Fork In The Road
(8) 24. Natural Beauty
(8) 25. I Believe In You
(8) 26. Hawks & Doves
(8) 27. Goin' Home
(8) 28. Time Fades Away
(8) 29. Sixty To Zero (Crime In The City) (oneada live bootleg versions)
(8) 30. Look Out For My Love (the MTV Unplugged version!)
(8) 31. Prime Of Life
(8) 32. Hey Hey, My My - Into The Black
(8) 33. The Old Laughing Lady
(8) 34. Tired Eyes
(8) 35. Mideast Vacation
(7) 36. The Restless Consumer ("In The Beginning" version)
(7) 37. Shots
(7) 38. Down To The Wire
(7) 39. Peace Of Mind
(7) 40. Driveby

da croupier, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 21:28 (10 months ago) Permalink

My non-charting cuts (DAMN that's a lot of them!):

Love Art Blues
Traces
Soldier
Sleeps With Angels
Stringman
Burned
Time Fades Away
Cripple Creek Ferry
Pushed It Over the End
I’ve Been Waiting for You
Deep Forbidden Lake
Love Is a Rose
My Heart
Shots
Old Ways
Kinda Fonda Wanda
Journey Through the Past

hutlock, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 21:28 (10 months ago) Permalink

Flying On The Ground Is Wrong (Live At The Riverboat 1969)
otm

tylerw, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 21:29 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Pressure" made croup's ballot! awesome

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 21:32 (10 months ago) Permalink

I'm probably most bummed that Hitchhiker didn't make it

wack nerd zinging in the dead of night (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 21:36 (10 months ago) Permalink

powderfinger - 30
expecting to fly - 30
winterlong - 20
the loner - 20
unknown legend - 15
like a hurricane -10
philadelphia - 10
don’t let it bring you down -10
long may you run -10
tonight’s the night - 10
pocahontas - 10
computer age - 10
ohio - 10
cinnamon girl - 10
sedan delivery - 10
cortez the killer - 10
fuckin up - 10
don’t be denied - 5
i’m the ocean - 5
danger bird - 5
when you dance i can really love - 5
ambulance blues - 5
safeway cart - 5
mr soul - 5
harvest moon - 5
the old laughing lady - 5
albuquerque - 5
captain kennedy - 5
helpless - 5
cowgirl in the sand - 5

balls, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 21:38 (10 months ago) Permalink

I actually had a word doc started and was trying to figure out my ballot — procrastinated too long.

Fun post, though I'm surprised 'The Old Homestead' is nowhere to be found.

Austin, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 21:41 (10 months ago) Permalink

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Cortez The Killer
Don't Cry No Tears
Harvest
Out On The Weekend
The Losing End (When You're On)
On The Beach
Campaigner
Don't Cry
A Man Needs A Maid
Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Thrasher
Motion Pictures
Eldorado
Time Fades Away
I'm The Ocean
I Believe In You
Unknown Legend
Razor Love
There Goes My Babe
Star of Bethlehem
Sugar Mountain
Cowgirl in the Sand
Music Is Love
Too Far Gone
Revolution Blues
Albuquerque
Ambulance Blues
Tired Eyes
Look Out For My Love
World On A String
Prime of Life
Down by the River
Comes A Time
Natural Beauty
Sample And Hold
Powderfinger
Such A Woman
Rockin' In The Free World
Country Home

Euler, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 22:10 (10 months ago) Permalink

Clemenza: you said at one point that two songs traded the top spot 'til somewhere near the end, when a third song came from nowhere. What were the songs, how did it play out?

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 22:29 (10 months ago) Permalink

It was "Down by the River" with the early lead, then it traded back-and-forth with "Cortez," then Powderfinger overtook them both on the 53rd or 54th ballot.

I'm just finishing the big list. Can someone remind me of the thread where you put a permalink to final results?

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 22:34 (10 months ago) Permalink

Thanks. I'm interested 'cos I never monitored the U2 poll as it ran, and it was only when I counted backwards that I found The Unforgettable Fire had led through most of the voting, and only fell away with the last four or five ballots. It'd've been a similarly unexpected no.1 I think.

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 22:35 (10 months ago) Permalink

ILM Ballot Polls: where to find the results threads

Neil Jung (WmC), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 22:42 (10 months ago) Permalink

Thanks--I'm going to put the list here and link to it there.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 22:48 (10 months ago) Permalink

"down by the river" is fine but i would have been bummed if it got the top spot, always preferred "cowgirl"

da croupier, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 22:48 (10 months ago) Permalink

1) 30 Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black)
2) 20 Like A Hurricane
3) 20 Sugar Mountain
4) 20 Harvest
5) 20 Ordinary People
6) 15 No More
7) 15 Here We Are In The Years
8) 15 On The Beach
9) 15 Sail Away
10) 10 After The Gold Rush
11) 10 Soldier
12) 10 Little Wing
13) 10 Don't Cry No Tears
14) 10 Cowgirl In The Sand
15) 05 Flying On The Ground Is Wrong
16) 05 I'm The Ocean
17) 05 Silver & Gold
18) 05 Broken Arrow
19) 05 Hippie Dream
20) 05 Don't Take Your Love Away From Me
21) 05 Someday
22) 05 Looking Forward
23) 05 Feel Your Love
24) 05 Thrasher
25) 05 Love In Mind
26) 05 Ambulance Blues
27) 05 Journey Through The Past
28) 05 Throw Your Hatred Down
29) 05 Weight Of The World
30) 05 Without Rings

As I told clemenza, on another day I could have picked a completely different set of songs, Neil has too many good ones to choose from.

agnosy, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 23:03 (10 months ago) Permalink

Final Results:

75. “Ordinary People,” Chrome Dreams II (7 votes/68 points)
74. “Don’t Cry,” Freedom (7/71)
73. “Cocaine Eyes,” Eldorado (8/71)
72. “Sample and Hold,” Trans (8/77)
71. “Transformer Man,” Trans (7/78)
70. “Words (Between the Lines of Age),” Harvest (9/78)
69. “The Old Laughing Lady,” Neil Young (8/84)
68. “Love in Mind,” Time Fades Away (11/89)
67. “Philadelphia,” Philadelphia (9/93)
66. “Fuckin’ Up,” Ragged Glory (12/93)
65. “Southern Man,” After the Gold Rush (10/95)
64. “Crime in the City (Sixty to Zero Part I),” Freedom (10/96)
63. “Broken Arrow,” Buffalo Springfield Again (11/96)
62. “Harvest,” Harvest (11/97)
61. “Lotta Love,” Comes a Time (13/97)
60. “I Am a Child,” Last Time Around (12/99)
59. “Lookout Joe,” Tonight’s the Night (11/104)
58. “Look Out for My Love,” Comes a Time (12/104)
57. “Unknown Legend,” Harvest Moon (11/108)
56. “Come on Baby Let’s Go Downtown,” Tonight’s the Night (11/110)
55. “On the Way Home,” Last Time Around (9/115)
54. “Birds,” After the Gold Rush (12/117)
53. “Motion Pictures,” On the Beach (13/126)
52. “Long May You Run,” Long May You Run (13/129)
51. “Will to Love,” American Stars ‘n Bars (13/132)
50. “Mellow My Mind,” Tonight’s the Night (15/132)
49. “Harvest Moon,” Harvest Moon (15/135)
48. “L.A.,” Time Fades Away (14/137)
47. “The Loner,” Neil Young (16/143)
46. “See the Sky About to Rain,” On the Beach (16/148)
45. “I Believe in You,” After the Gold Rush (17/149)
44. “Sedan Delivery,” Rust Never Sleeps (18/156)
43. “My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue),” Rust Never Sleeps (16/162)
42. “Don’t Cry No Tears,” Zuma (19/162)
41. “Comes a Time,” Comes a Time (18/164)
40. “Out on the Weekend,” Harvest (17/167)
39. “Barstool Blues,” Zuma (19/168)
38. “For the Turnstiles,” On the Beach (20/169)
37. “I’m the Ocean,” Mirror Ball (22/188)
36. “Danger Bird,” Zuma (18/189)
35. “Thrasher,” Rust Never Sleeps (20/189)
34. “Time Fades Away,” Time Fades Away (18/190)
33. “Winterlong,” Decade (19/194)
32. “Mr. Soul,” Buffalo Springfield Again (19/195)
31. “Walk On,” On the Beach (15/196)
30. “When You Dance I Can Really Love,” After the Gold Rush (17/197)
29. “Sugar Mountain,” 7-inch (20/197)
28. “A Man Needs a Maid,” Harvest (20/198)
27. “Don’t Be Denied,” Time Fades Away (21/220)
26. “Old Man,” Harvest (24/237)
25. “Pocahontas,” Rust Never Sleeps (26/245)
24. “Rockin’ in the Free World,” Freedom (28/254)
23. “Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black),” Rust Never Sleeps (26/260)
22. “Don’t Let It Bring You Down,” After the Gold Rush (28/261)
21. “The Needle and the Damage Done,” Harvest (24/267)
20. “Heart of Gold,” Harvest (28/271)
19. “After the Gold Rush,” After the Gold Rush (28/275)
18. “Tired Eyes,” Tonight’s the Night (25/278)
17. “Albuquerque,” Tonight’s the Night (26/290)
16. “Tonight’s the Night,” Tonight’s the Night (27/308)
15. “Only Love Can Break Your Heart,” After the Gold Rush (30/309)
14. “Tell Me Why,” After the Gold Rush (25/313)
13. “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere,” Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (31/314)
12. “Helpless,” Déjà Vu (28/315)
11. “Revolution Blues,” On the Beach (30/319)
10. “Ohio,” 7-inch (32/323)
9. “Expecting to Fly,” Buffalo Springfield Again (25/329)
8. “On the Beach,” On the Beach (27/331)
7. “Cowgirl in the Sand,” Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (34/351)
6. “Cinnamon Girl,” Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (34/392)
5. “Ambulance Blues,” On the Beach (33/413)
4. “Like a Hurricane,” American Stars ‘n Bars (40/435)
3. “Down by the River,” Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (41/448)
2. “Cortez the Killer,” Zuma (44/480)
1. “Powderfinger,” Rust Never Sleeps (44/514)

And the Top 10 albums again, just so they’re in the same place (people were voting for songs, not albums--the points were added after-the-fact):

1. After the Gold Rush (1970) -- 11 songs/1,861 points
2. On the Beach (1974) -- 8/1,729
3. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (1969) -- 7/1,607
4. Rust Never Sleeps (1979) -- 9/1,598
5. Tonight’s the Night (1975) -- 11/1,414
6. Harvest (1972) -- 9/1,390
7. Zuma (1975) -- 9/1,155
8. Time Fades Away (1973) -- 8/766
9. American Stars ‘n Bars (1977) -- 7/699
10. Freedom (1989) -- 10/652

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 23:04 (10 months ago) Permalink

so boss that powderfinger won

catbus otm (gbx), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 23:18 (10 months ago) Permalink

Highest points-per-voter among the Top 75 (intensity quotient, if you will):

1. "Expecting to Fly" (13.16)
2. "On the Way Home" (12.78)
3. "Tell Me Why" (12.52)
4. "Ambulance Blues" (12.52)
5. "On the Beach" (12.26)
6. "Powderfinger" (11.68)
7. "When You Dance I Can Really Love" (11.59)
8. "Cinnamon Girl" (11.53)
9. "Tonight's the Night" (11.41)
10. "Helpless" (11.25)

Songs from my list I most wanted to place: "Country Girl" and "Bad Fog of Loneliness" (I knew "Ocean Girl" had no chance)
High finish that puzzles me most: "Walk On"
Song from Tonight's the Night I wish had placed: "Roll Another Number (For the Road)"
Post-Rust song I was sure was going to place fairly high (and where I wasn't even close): "Over and Over"

Thanks to the action-film and horror-film polls, which got me interested in spending lots of time on the images, and also to the Paul Simon poll, where I liked the sometimes cryptic juxtapositions.

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 23:18 (10 months ago) Permalink

After The Gold Rush getting the most points is pretty remarkable given that its highest song was #14

straight up now tell me will I be a fucking lump forever? (some dude), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 23:22 (10 months ago) Permalink

who voted for Cripple Creek Ferry

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 23:25 (10 months ago) Permalink

(I voted for Oh Lonesome Me)

the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 23:26 (10 months ago) Permalink

Post-Rust song I was sure was going to place fairly high (and where I wasn't even close): "Over and Over"

This was actually in regular rotation on MTV in 1991. Granted, said rotation was around 3am, but it was 3am every day for about two weeks:

(I have no idea why I was up at 3am every day for two weeks in 1991)

Chuck? Chuck? It's me, your cousin, Marvin D (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 23:27 (10 months ago) Permalink

(ok, that was supposed to be the "Over and Over" video)

Chuck? Chuck? It's me, your cousin, Marvin D (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 23:28 (10 months ago) Permalink

All 11 Gold Rush songs got votes, ranging from a low of 43 to a high of 313. I voted for "Cripple Creek Ferry," also four others. (Everybody Knows and On the Beach have four and three fewer songs than Gold Rush, and that makes a difference.)

clemenza, Wednesday, 11 July 2012 23:31 (10 months ago) Permalink

Danger Bird >>> Cortez

Alfred otm here...Cortez is a great jam but I hate the lyrics so much. I did give Cortez 5 points though.

Thanks for an almighty poll, clemenza!

recordbreaking transfer to Lucknow FC (seandalai), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 23:54 (10 months ago) Permalink

Sample and Hold 25
Expecting to Fly 20
Revolution blues 20
Ambulance blues 20
Journey through the past 10
Only love can break your heart 10
See the sky about to rain 10
Mr. Soul 10
Broken Arrow 10
Hey hey, my my 10
Transformer man 10
Harvest Moon 10
Winterlong 10
Helpless 10
Such a woman 10
Ohio 10
Bad fog of loneliness 10
Natural beauty 10
Danger Bird 10
Down by the river 10
Country girl 10
War of man 5
Star of Bethlehem 5
Old man 5
Cortez the Killer 5
Mellow my mind 5
Cowgirl in the sand 5
Motion pictures 5
Last trip to Tulsa 5
Peaceful valley boulevard 5

recordbreaking transfer to Lucknow FC (seandalai), Wednesday, 11 July 2012 23:56 (10 months ago) Permalink

1. Harvest Moon
2. Don't Let It Bring You Down
3. Cinnamon Girl
4. On the Way Home
5. Lotta Love
6. You and Me
7. When You Dance I Can Really Love
8. It's My Time
9. Only Love Can Break Your Heart
10. Oh, Lonesome Me
11. Ohio
12. Old Man
13. The Needle and the Damage Done
14. Mr. Soul
15. My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)
16. Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)
17. Expecting to Fly
18. Tell Me Why
19. Cowgirl in the Sand
20. Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing
21. Long May You Run
22. Rockin' in the Free World
23. Whatever Happened to Saturday Night
24. I've Been Waiting for You

25. Southern Man
26. Come on Baby Let's Go Downtown
27. Will to Love
28. Hey Babe
29. Like a Hurricane
30. Down by the River

- Surprised "Clancy" and "Oh, Lonesome Me" didn't place.
- Surprised "Will to Love" and "Come on Baby Let's Go Downtown" did.
- Not surprised, but disappointed "You and Me" and "It's My Time" didn't place

Lee626, Thursday, 12 July 2012 00:02 (10 months ago) Permalink

I don't mind "Cortez" as a jam, but the lyrics really kill it for me.

I LOVE Cortez as a jam but yeah the lyrics are dumb

catbus otm (gbx), Thursday, 12 July 2012 00:21 (10 months ago) Permalink

songs from my ballot that didn't make it

9) The Losing End (When You're On)
14) If I Could Have Her Tonight
15) Down To The Wire
17) Burned
18) Human Highway
22) Oh, Lonesome Me
23) The Emperor of Wyoming
28) Till The Morning Comes
30) Round & Round (It Won't Be Long)

there were 4-5 songs that did make the top 75 that I would have voted for if i had not thrown my ballot together so haphazardly

buzza, Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:24 (10 months ago) Permalink

ok i'm gonna look like an idiot here maybe or maybe i'm regurgitating conventional wisdom but how do ppl read 'cortez'? do they read it as a straightforward song about cortez? not saying this is wrong, it very probably isn't, this is neil young, but the way i've read it the dumbness of the first 6 verses is intentional and maybe neccessary, that those first 6 verses are a daydream or digression and the song only moves into present tense and the actual protagonist is revealed in the 'and i know she's living there' verse, that the song is a variation on 'by the time i get to phoenix' sorta w/ the protagonist thinking of cortez conquering and destroying this paradise and how that mirrors how he destroyed his paradise (and it's not hard to believe, guy's a dumbass, cf. his take on the aztecs), w/ the final 'cortez, what a killer' the narrator hanging his head in shame. why do i keep fuckin up etc.

balls, Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:25 (10 months ago) Permalink

it could be also that 'cortez is about regret' cuz so many of my fave neil young songs (including my top two) are basically about regret.

balls, Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:27 (10 months ago) Permalink

it could be also that I THINK 'cortez is about regret' rather

balls, Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:28 (10 months ago) Permalink

neil shrugs enough about it that there isn't any wrong way to read it

da croupier, Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:33 (10 months ago) Permalink

i always thought cortez was neil being maybe a lil too upfront about how much he romanticizes native america and the first nations? like pocahontas rides the line, and manages it, but cortez was what neil did instead of hanging up a dreamcatcher and getting a kokopelli tattoo, i dunno

i'd like to be wrong though!

catbus otm (gbx), Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:36 (10 months ago) Permalink

an innaresting reading

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:39 (10 months ago) Permalink

POWDERFINGER

catbus otm (gbx), Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:41 (10 months ago) Permalink

actually, now that i think about it, that reggae-ified coda on Live Rust might have been the wrong way to read it

da croupier, Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:44 (10 months ago) Permalink

but yeah any take that involves yearning, regret, wistfulness, etc is plenty right

da croupier, Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:46 (10 months ago) Permalink

still wish i could find that quote from erstwhile ilxor stormy davis (grumpier than morbs, even, bless 'im) that said something like "powderfinger is the most important song ever recorded". totally had a moment where i read that, put on powderfinger, and then thought "damn."

catbus otm (gbx), Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:47 (10 months ago) Permalink

the reggae-fied coda on LR is probably a singer trying to keep boredom at bay afte 2000 performances

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:53 (10 months ago) Permalink

haha here's where i confess i've never actually listened to live rust (which is doubly weird cuz i LOVE neil young live albums - big year of the horse stan, etc) and you dudes tossing words like 'reggae' around in the context of neil young is not exactly doing anything to change that.

balls, Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:59 (10 months ago) Permalink

the reggae part is akin to Neil burping midsong

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:01 (10 months ago) Permalink

A friend said this in an e-mail today in reference to "Cortez": "unlike that fabled Franco government, I am a Spaniard who feels this song tells my own story quite accurately."

Having said that, I think it's a dead-end trying to analyze the song too closely as words on a page. (Nothing wrong with that, and the stuff above is interesting.) I know it's more literal than mid-'60s Dylan stuff like "Desolation Row" or "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues," but I do think it's Neil's version of that. He's got a song floating around in his head, and he's just attaching some words...against interpretation and all that.

clemenza, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:02 (10 months ago) Permalink

Or maybe a bunch of words setting up the one line: "I still can't remember when or how I lost my way." Coming out of the '73-75 period, that line seems very straightforward.

clemenza, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:04 (10 months ago) Permalink

balls, skip to 6:05 for a taste

da croupier, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:07 (10 months ago) Permalink

or you can start at the beginning and let the majesty unfold

da croupier, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:07 (10 months ago) Permalink

when I saw Bryan Ferry perform "A Song For Europe" in 2010 he mimicked a southern accent. What's weirder?

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:08 (10 months ago) Permalink

Haven't listened to Live Rust in ages...would have been happier without that reminder! (The reggae schtick, I mean.)

clemenza, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:09 (10 months ago) Permalink

Mine that didn't place:

Pardon My Heart
Hangin' On A Limb
Stringman
Country Girl: Whiskey Boot Hill/Down, Down, Down/Country Girl (I Think You're Pretty)
Ride My Llama
The Bridge
After The Garden (I'm fond of this, and snuck it in at #30, but I suspect it might have been its only vote!)

funk79, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:10 (10 months ago) Permalink

I screened the Rust... movie during the voting process, and as the version of CTK unfurled into the reggae coda, I thought, "Hey, at least he didn't try to shove a Crazy Horse reggae album down Geffen's throat."

I know Neil has said that the real Weld experience was the long-form video/laser disc. You could make a similar argument for Rust Never Sleeps (the movie) vs. Live Rust. All that kooky atmosphere (the giant props, "Road Eyes") adds just the right amount of wtf? to the proceedings.

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:10 (10 months ago) Permalink

ok that's not so bad, i don't think david byrne can go 30 seconds on the name of this band w/o some similar move going on.

balls, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:12 (10 months ago) Permalink

^ that post is like chum for clem i think

balls, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:13 (10 months ago) Permalink

actually it's surprising there isn't at least one more prominent example of ras neil out there

xpost and now my own unintentional avoidance of the name of this band is given weight

da croupier, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:13 (10 months ago) Permalink

It was the only "After the Garden" vote, yes...Outdoor Miner: let me know if you want your ballot posted.

clemenza, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:13 (10 months ago) Permalink

Another thing about CTK: in the old AMG review of Zuma, the writer mentioned that the song was the lone holdover from an abandoned concept album of historical-oriented songs. That is the only place I've heard of this concept lp. Total bullshit, or is there something to it?

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:14 (10 months ago) Permalink

after This Note's For You the VV's critic wondered whether "Neil Sings Nelson Riddle!" was next. Why not "Neil Sings Lee 'Scratch' Perry"?

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:15 (10 months ago) Permalink

Jah Rastafari Believe In You

da croupier, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:16 (10 months ago) Permalink

is le noise the closest thing to a neil young dub album we have? also: neil young + crazy horse in everybody's dubsteppin -> yes, sign me up

balls, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:22 (10 months ago) Permalink

the real Weld experience

this was intentional right? if so: ~knucks~

knucks anyway

catbus otm (gbx), Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:26 (10 months ago) Permalink

can-knucks joke goes here

catbus otm (gbx), Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:26 (10 months ago) Permalink

neil young + crazy horse in everybody's dubsteppin -> yes, sign me up

"kinda fonda wubwubwub"

da croupier, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:27 (10 months ago) Permalink

I know Neil has said that the real Weld experience was the long-form video/laser disc.

I'd hate to think the real Weld experience is close-ups of audience members singing along.

Chuck? Chuck? It's me, your cousin, Marvin D (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Thursday, 12 July 2012 03:17 (10 months ago) Permalink

1. Powderfinger
2. The Needle And The Damage Done
3. Cortez the Killer
4. Sugar Mountain
5. Down By The River
6. After the Gold Rush
7. Alabama
8. Pocahontas
9. Revolution Blues
10. South-ern Pac-i-fic
11. Comes A Time
12. The Loner
13. Don't Be Denied
14. Don't Let it Bring You Down
15. Tonight's the Night
16. Will To Love
17. Cowgirl In The Sand
18. Rap-id Tran-sit
19. Harvest Moon
20. Coupe De Ville
21. Safeway Cart
22. The Bridge
23. Love To Burn
24. For The Turnstiles
25. Kinda Fonda Wanda
26. My My, Hey Hey (Out Of The Blue)
27. Homegrown
28. Captain Kennedy
29. Fuckin' Up
30. Silver And Gold

Upper 10 = 15
Middle 10 = 10
Bottom 10 = 5

exclusive to this pledge group - pleasure (weatheringdaleson), Thursday, 12 July 2012 03:19 (10 months ago) Permalink

Placed 20 of 30. Kind of surprised "Four Strong Winds" didn't make it.

Neil Jung (WmC), Thursday, 12 July 2012 03:22 (10 months ago) Permalink

27 of 30 placed. Would have loved to see Flying on the Ground is Wrong make the list. That one's come on strong for me lately. Tyler had the Kendra Smith / Rainy Day cover posted earlier this year ... so good.

For 15 points each:
Tell Me Why
Down by the River
Powderfinger
Pocahontas
Helpless
Expecting to Fly
On the Way Home
Ohio
The Old Laughing Lady
Sedan Delivery
For 10 points each:
Out on the Weekend
Long May You Run
Comes a Time
Winterlong
Flying on the Ground is Wrong
Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing
Like a Hurricane
Rockin' in the the Free World
Cowgirl in the Sand
Hey Hey, My My
For 5 points each:
See the Sky About to Rain
Birds
Till the Morning Comes
Thrasher
Dreamin' Man
Cortez the Killer
Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Albuquerque
Walk On
After the Gold Rush

that's not my post, Thursday, 12 July 2012 04:03 (10 months ago) Permalink

1.) Don't Be Denied - 24
2.) Tell Me Why - 20
3.) Keep On Rockin in the Free World - 15
4.) For the Turnstiles - 14
5.) Powderfinger - 14

12 points:
Down by the River
Thrasher
Winterlong
Albuquerque

10 points:
Pardon My Heart
I Believe in You
Sedan Delivery
On the Beach
Birds
Sleeps with Angels

7 points:
Revolution Blues
Cinnamon Girl
World on a String
Hangin on a Limb
Slip Away

Time Fades Away
Like a Hurricane
Pocahontas
The Old Homestead
Barstool Blues

5 points:

Walk On
LA
Don't Let it Bring You Down
Fuckin Up
Heart of Gold
Ambulance Blues
Driveby
Crime in the City
Hitchhiker
Yonder Stands the Sinner

2 points:

Lookout Joe
Welfare Mothers
Safeway Cart

Comes a Time
Harvest

0 points ;_;

Coupe de Ville
Words Between the Lines of Age
Change Your Mind

t. s. idiot (loves laboured breathing), Thursday, 12 July 2012 04:34 (10 months ago) Permalink

I don't think complex readings of "Cortez" are wrong, exactly, but they also don't really obviate the problems with the noble savage imagery and all that. Even as allegory, it's pretty dicey. (And "Desolation Row" is a good analog, in that the last verse recontextualizes the song, but that's a particular trick that I think Dylan does a whole lot better.)

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Thursday, 12 July 2012 04:51 (10 months ago) Permalink

Anyway, I listened to "Powderfinger" in the car on the way home tonight, with the windows down, and it really seemed like a perfect song. It wasn't my number 1, but I'm happy it landed there. It's about so much -- war and loyalty, the confusion of being young, the drastic consequences of not knowing what you're doing. It's a Vietnam song dressed up as "Deliverance," but it's also about growing up and finding out that everything you've learned won't help, nothing will really protect you, you're on your own.

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Thursday, 12 July 2012 05:00 (10 months ago) Permalink

I was out last night so missed the finale but thanks clemenza, this was a total delight from start to finish. I had Powderfinger as my #1 and Cortez at #3.

Songs from the bottom third of my ballot that didn't make it:

Everybody's Alone
Journey Through the Past
Love and War
War Song
Bad Fog of Loneliness
Burned

Get wolves (DL), Thursday, 12 July 2012 09:16 (10 months ago) Permalink

My ballot (unranked):

Cowgirl In The Sand
Don't Let It Bring You Down
Ohio
Cinnamon Girl
Down By The River
Oh, Lonesome Me
Heart Of Gold
Old Man
The Needle And The Damage Done
Walk On
See The Sky About To Rain
For The Turnstiles
Tonight's The Night
Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown
Tell Me Why
Tired Eyes
Like A Hurricane
Spirit Road
No Hidden Path
The Loner
After The Goldrush
Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Till The Morning Comes
Birds
When You Dance I Can Really Love
I Believe In You
Cripple Creek Ferry
Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black)
Rockin' In The Free World
Burned

was I the only voter for No Hidden Path and Spirit Road? Guess I rate Chrome Dreams II more highly than most.

Volvo Twilight (p-dog), Thursday, 12 July 2012 10:13 (10 months ago) Permalink

Did you see the Chrome Dreams II tour? Great show but I remember resenting No Hidden Path for gibbling up 15-20 minutes of prime setlist real estate.

Get wolves (DL), Thursday, 12 July 2012 10:15 (10 months ago) Permalink

i'm sorry cripple creek ferry didn't make it, always thought it would've been a perfect song for him to perform w/ the muppets (NOT a diss!)

Ward Fowler, Thursday, 12 July 2012 10:24 (10 months ago) Permalink

Gobbling. I don't know what gibbling is but I'm sure I'd have resented that too.

Get wolves (DL), Thursday, 12 July 2012 10:32 (10 months ago) Permalink

yes saw that tour, no resentment! found the 15-minute NHP pretty transcendent actually... also kind of enjoyed the fact that he was prepared to do that, it seemed a very "Neil Young" move.

Volvo Twilight (p-dog), Thursday, 12 July 2012 11:12 (10 months ago) Permalink

"Dirty Old Man" is a good 'un.

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 12 July 2012 11:32 (10 months ago) Permalink

xp Yeah, it's true. It would be weird to go to a Neil Young concert and not have a few quixotic moments. It was still a tremendous set. Looking at other setlists from the 90s and 00s, that show had more of my favourites than any other - six songs out of this poll's Top 10 in fact. This whole process has made me desperate to see him again.

Get wolves (DL), Thursday, 12 July 2012 12:54 (10 months ago) Permalink

I have tickets to see him in Philadelphia in November. Ridiculously excited even though I'm afraid half the set will be Americana and new unreleased stuff.

cwkiii, Thursday, 12 July 2012 12:58 (10 months ago) Permalink

And "Philadelphia," I'm guessing.

clemenza, Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:00 (10 months ago) Permalink

holy shit i just read (ok, skimmed) through most of this and while there are things i would like to respond to, here are the highlights for ease of digestion:

1) sorry i missed this, i had more interesting things to say than the tiny little craplets i wrote to EZ, but thank you for posting (and possibly reading) my craplets
2) Yeah this song doesn't do anything for me. "I love Ohio (the place) even if it is super duper fucked up" kind of a weird reason for voting it #1?

― boxall, Wednesday, July 11, 2012 11:55 AM (Yesterday) Bookmark

I can explain. First, I'm from Northeast Ohio. Not just from there, but have a complicated and many-tentacled relationship with the politics of the place. This poll happened to coincide with (as I have mentioned elsewhere) my sorting and scanning of a huge box of old photos. When I realized that a bunch of them were related to politics, I made a tumblr for them. Most of them are 70s, but I threw the 80s on the url in case I found more. http://campaigners70sand80s.tumblr.com/

In sum, NEOH is super duper fucked up but I love it in spite of that, which is one of my ways of loving things. I feel like Neil Young understands how poignant and painful this kind of love is. Not that "Ohio" the song exemplifies it, but I know he understands. This may or may not explain my reasoning, but my reasoning may or may not make sense and that alone is emblematic of the feelings (lol feelings) I have about NEOH.

Thank you clemenza and ilxors for the opportunity to yap about my favorite NY songs -- I'm not sure any one person would have been able to handle this conversation alone because it would have been very very boring.

nicest bitch of poster (La Lechera), Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:27 (10 months ago) Permalink

This button, an overstuffed suitcase with "JAR" on the tag referred to James A Rhodes, the governor at the time of the Kent State shootings.

From wiki

During a press conference at the Kent firehouse, an emotional Governor Rhodes pounded on the desk[17] and called the student protesters un-American, referring to them as revolutionaries set on destroying higher education in Ohio. "We've seen here at the city of Kent especially, probably the most vicious form of campus oriented violence yet perpetrated by dissident groups. They make definite plans of burning, destroying, and throwing rocks at police, and at the National Guard and the Highway Patrol. This is when we're going to use every part of the law enforcement agency of Ohio to drive them out of Kent. We are going to eradicate the problem. We're not going to treat the symptoms. And these people just move from one campus to the other and terrorize the community. They're worse than the brown shirts and the communist element and also the night riders and the vigilantes", Rhodes said. "They're the worst type of people that we harbor in America. Now I want to say this. They are not going to take over [the] campus. I think that we're up against the strongest, well-trained, militant, revolutionary group that has ever assembled in America."[18] Rhodes can be heard in the recording of his speech yelling and pounding his fists on the desk.[19][20]

nicest bitch of poster (La Lechera), Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:34 (10 months ago) Permalink

love the photos (and their rudimentary captions)

Ismael Klata, Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:34 (10 months ago) Permalink

thanks!

nicest bitch of poster (La Lechera), Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:35 (10 months ago) Permalink

'they're worse than the brown shirts' - what does this mean?

Ismael Klata, Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:36 (10 months ago) Permalink

nazis

nicest bitch of poster (La Lechera), Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:38 (10 months ago) Permalink

classy guy, huh? the pin was a reference to the frequent call for Rhodes to "pack [your] bags"

nicest bitch of poster (La Lechera), Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:41 (10 months ago) Permalink

Fantastic photos, La Lechera--and yes, the man-sits-in-chair captions. Are these family photos, or did you come by them some other way?

clemenza, Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:42 (10 months ago) Permalink

Assuming that there's very little cross-pollination between googlers interested in Ohio politics and this thread, the former. There's more to say but I don't really want to put it here. I kind of like to keep it "here are some fun and happy political people from Ohio in the 70s" neutral.

nicest bitch of poster (La Lechera), Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:45 (10 months ago) Permalink

Not to worry--even Liza Minnelli made an appearance in this thread. (Oh wait, that was my doing...)

clemenza, Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:53 (10 months ago) Permalink

Welcome back La Lechera! I didn't post your ballot if you want it on here for posterity.

EZ Snappin, Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:53 (10 months ago) Permalink

Here it is if anyone cares/for posterity

1 Ohio
2 Helpless
3 Lotta Love (Neil's version, not Nicolette's)
4 Cowgirl in the Sand
5 Expecting to Fly
6 Don't Cry No Tears
7 Danger Bird
8 Cortez the Killer
9 Powderfinger
10 Albuquerque

11 Running Dry
12 Harvest Moon
13 Tired Eyes
14 Old Man
15 Heart of Gold
16 Like a Hurricane
17 Rockin in the Free World
18 Wrecking Ball
19 Harvest
20 Bad Fog of Loneliness

21 When Your Lonely Heart Breaks
22 Mellow My Mind
23 Barstool Blues
24 Slip Away
25 Revolution Blues
26 Pocahontas
27 On the Beach
28 Down by the River
29 Don't Let it Bring You Down
30 When You Dance I Can Really Love

31 Razor Love
32 A Man Needs a Maid
33 Pardon My Heart
34 See the Sky About to Rain
35 Loose Change
36 Prisoners of Rock and Roll

nicest bitch of poster (La Lechera), Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:55 (10 months ago) Permalink

Emperor of Wyoming dope choice buzza

Euler, Thursday, 12 July 2012 14:28 (10 months ago) Permalink

That is a very cool set of photos and explanation, not that you owed me/us one - thanks. xps

boxall, Thursday, 12 July 2012 14:29 (10 months ago) Permalink

xposting I'd be shocked if "Americana" played much of a part of the upcoming Crazy Horse tour. But maybe the unreleased (maybe never to be released?) other album will. Per Young, " [the tour] is going to be [songs from] the past, the present and the future."

Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 12 July 2012 14:50 (10 months ago) Permalink

I wouldn't mind a few songs from Americana but if he busts out the unreleased 20+ minute jam and it doesn't deliver I'm gonna be bummed!

cwkiii, Thursday, 12 July 2012 16:43 (10 months ago) Permalink

Pretty obsessed with Jesus' Chariot on Americana. I wish this was the version of She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain that comes out of my daughter's toy 20 times a day.

Get wolves (DL), Thursday, 12 July 2012 16:45 (10 months ago) Permalink

Here's my ballot:

Mr. Soul (Mono) - Archives Vol. 1
Everbody Knows This Is Nowhere - Everybody's Knows this Is Nowwhere
Down by the River - LIve at the Fillmore
Cowgirl in the Sand - LIve at the Filmore
On the Way Home - Live at Massey Hall
I'm the Ocean - Mirror Ball
Dreamin' Man - Harvest Moon
Rockin' the Free World - Freedom
Too Far Gone - Chrome Dreams version (unreleased)
Comes a Time - Comes a Time
Will to Love - American Stars n Bars/Chrome Dreams
Winterlong - Decade
Tonights' the Night - Tonight's the Night
Come on Baby Let's Go Downtown - Tonight's the Night
Albuquerque - Tonight's the Night
Mellow My Mind - Tonight's the NIght
Tired Eyes - Tonight's the Night
Don't Cry No Tears - Zuma
Barstool Blues - Zuma
Cortez the Killer - Zuma
Revolution Blues - On the Beach
For the Turnstiles - On the Beach
Out on the Weekend - Harvest
Heart of Gold - Harvest
Old Man - Harvest
Mansion on the Hill - Ragged Glory
My My Hey Hey - Into the Black - Rust Never Sleeps
Thrasher - Rust Never Sleeps
Pocohontas - Rust Never Sleeps
Powderfinger - Rust Never Sleeps
Sedan Delivery - Rust Never Sleeps
Pushed it Over the End - Citizen Kane Junior Blues
Hippie Dream - Landing on Water
Transformer Man - Trans
Time Fades Away - Time Fades Away
Helpless - Decade
Like a Hurricane - American Stars n Bars
I've Loved Her So Long - Archives
Shots - Re Ac Tor
World on A String - Tonights't the Night

wack nerd zinging in the dead of night (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Thursday, 12 July 2012 17:08 (10 months ago) Permalink

Yeah "Jesus' Chariot" is the best song on that record

xpost

cwkiii, Thursday, 12 July 2012 17:11 (10 months ago) Permalink

glad to see too far gone showing up on some ballots. kind of a perfect song imo. otm about the chrome dreams version being superior. the 76 live renditions are great too

tylerw, Thursday, 12 July 2012 17:14 (10 months ago) Permalink

I would have voted for Clementine from Americana if I knew about it. That is absolutely killer.

kornrulez6969, Thursday, 12 July 2012 17:25 (10 months ago) Permalink

^^My last cut.

Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, 12 July 2012 17:29 (10 months ago) Permalink

really did not expect quite so much Thrasher love but i've always been into that one. In 1981 i spent tenth grade in Israel on a kibbutz and a few classmates were Canadians and Neil was our classes' go-to fave for singalongs and late night listening. I useda listen to RNS all the time for awhile there and Thrasher in particular always meant a lot on account of the fact that the lyrics, while kinda obtuse or impenetrable maybe, def seemed Zionistic considering our circumstances. i'm no Zionist these days but Neil still rules....

making plans for nyquil (outdoor_miner), Thursday, 12 July 2012 20:38 (10 months ago) Permalink

Who knew?

Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 14 July 2012 21:09 (10 months ago) Permalink

I had to check, but I have that (called it an "ordeal" in the covers piece). Something I'd forgotten: Neil and Manson share a birthday (Nov. 12, eleven years apart).

clemenza, Saturday, 14 July 2012 22:48 (10 months ago) Permalink

I duly acquired Trans and listened to it for the first time over the weekend. Love it. I can stop saying it's NY's best album just to be contrary now (<-- jk).

Jeff W, Monday, 16 July 2012 11:18 (10 months ago) Permalink

I heard "Old Man" last night at a Sunflower market, and immediately regretted that I never submitted a ballot for this.

_Rudipherous_, Tuesday, 17 July 2012 00:06 (10 months ago) Permalink

Effexts this thread has on your life: watching Hell's Kitchen and the red team has a pulled pork punishment which involves them checking it hourly through the night. An alarm sounds which they cancel by pressing a "big red button at the side of the grill". So naturally I started singing that to the tune of "Don't Let It Bring You Down".

Desire is withered away from the sons of men! (aldo), Tuesday, 17 July 2012 09:41 (10 months ago) Permalink

instant earworm, great

Ismael Klata, Tuesday, 17 July 2012 09:48 (10 months ago) Permalink

Big red button at the side of the grill
With the pulled pork piled high
Madman chef on everybody’s case
Makes a grown man want to cry

Cold wind ripping through the kitchen at dawn
As the cameras start to roll
Madman chef still frothing at the mouth
Makes a grown man lose his soul

Don't let it bring you down
It's only pulled pork grilling
Find someone who's chilling
And you will come around

(No excuse for that sort of thing, I know.)

clemenza, Wednesday, 18 July 2012 18:48 (10 months ago) Permalink

1 month passes...

Has this been posted here yet? Acoustic Albuquerque?
Maybe I'm just in a sappy mood today (I mean obvious I totally am) but this sounds like the most poignant thing on earth atm.

these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Tuesday, 4 September 2012 22:27 (8 months ago) Permalink

i was gonna put this in the "last movies you watched" thread, but it fits better here I think.

Last week I screened Dusty & Sweets McGee, Floyd Mutrux's faux-documentary on heroin addicts in '70-'71 LA, and was wondering if any Neil fans here had seen it? Even though you don't actually hear any of his music in the film (and there's a bunch of music in it), it's like Time Fades Away/Tonight's The Night: The Movie! I kept expecting to see Danny Whitten or Bruce Berry pop up in the background.

Here's the only clip I could find on youtube, which has a short monologue from the dealer character, a Texan who tools around in a '70 Boss 302 Mustang. I can't help seeing him as the guy from "Tired Eyes". (discussion in clip NSFW)

Hut Stricklin at Lake Speed (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 5 September 2012 01:29 (8 months ago) Permalink

How did you get hold of that (or were you streaming it)? Pretty sure I remember a big Sunset Strip billboard for Time Fades Away in Mutrux's Aloha Bobby and Rose.

clemenza, Wednesday, 5 September 2012 01:36 (8 months ago) Permalink

Warner Archive MOD

Hut Stricklin at Lake Speed (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 5 September 2012 01:44 (8 months ago) Permalink

Great--I've got to find somewhere that'll ship reasonably to Canada. I recently bought Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues, which is a year later and the same terrain.

clemenza, Wednesday, 5 September 2012 01:52 (8 months ago) Permalink

Would watch!

these albatrosses have no fear of man (La Lechera), Wednesday, 5 September 2012 02:05 (8 months ago) Permalink


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