A World of Constant Strangers: The Neil Young Results Thread

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

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.

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

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

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

http://phildellio.tripod.com/neil13.jpg

voted for this one

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

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

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.

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

I never would have figured this would finish so high.

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

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

best song on the album

xp

http://phildellio.tripod.com/neil13b.jpg

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

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.

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....

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

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

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

http://phildellio.tripod.com/neil12.jpg

still catching up..

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

pre-emptive 3-day ban?

xxp

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

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.

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

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.

what is so special = 3 chords

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.)

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

ditto this

large chunks of the Last Waltz are extremely irritating/frustrating

xp

Three chords + dream, comfort, memory.

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

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

helpless is so dreamy.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

http://phildellio.tripod.com/neil11.jpg

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

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

YESSSSS my number nine number nine number nine

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.

lol @ pic

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.