No one would ever accuse Neil Young of holding his opinion back. He is famously upfront with his thoughts–no matter how offensive or controversial they may be. Yes, Young has always been honest, but there are several songs that we would consider his most honest songs. Find three of them, below.
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“Pocahontas”
A lot of Young’s honesty comes in the form of political protest and social commentary. Take “Pocahontas” for example. Young sings about the brutal treatment of Native Americans in this track. They killed us in our teepees / And cut our women down / They might have left some babies / Cryin’ on the ground, Young sings, taking on that burden for a moment in order to shine a light on this injustice. He named this socially conscious song after a highly recognized indigenous person. Disney made Pocahontas’ story seem like a manageable disagreement. In reality, it was far more grotesque and somber. Young makes sure no one forgets that fact with this honest song.
“Southern Man”
Young shines a light on another injustice in “Southern Man”. Though many people (Lynyrd Skynyrd included) had issues with Young putting in his two cents about southern Americans, the folk icon did so without stuttering. He sang about racism and slavery, asking the controversial question: Southern man, when will you pay them back? Many naysayers of this song chalk up their negative opinion to the fact that Young is Canadian. What does he know about a southern man, truly? Meanwhile, there are those that appreciate Young’s honest and unfiltered look at the horrors of U.S. history and the lingering effects they have today.
“Harvest Moon”
Young has often leaned on topics more consequential than love–at least he would probably think so. But that doesn’t mean the folk singer didn’t leave room in his discography for a rare tender moment. “Harvest Moon” is one such moment. Young gushes about love, delivering one of the most hypnotizingly romantic tracks of all time. But there’s a full moon risin’ / Let’s go dancin’ in the light, Young sings, being honest about the romance he found himself in. Many artists sing about love, but when it isn’t your normal M.O. it feels like a powerful declaration–one that takes guts to admit.
(Photo by Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns)
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