A Neil Young Birthday Six-Pack

Neil Percival Young has been putting music to record since 1963. Let’s celebrate the legend with a Neil Young birthday six-pack.

 

I can’t write about the music of Neil Young without writing about my parents. Growing up, anything Young had a hand in was in their record collection. Buffalo Springfield. Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, solo work, Crazy Horse…all of it. And while I did the typical thing kids in my generation did–rebel against the music your parents loved–Neil was the exception. Whatever music of his they put on, I loved. And I never fell out of love with. And I still love it today.

 

And Neil soundtracked so many of our family times together. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere is, to this day, a playlist staple on our annual family sojourn to Wells Beach, ME. This Note’s For You brings back memories of my Uncle Eddie’s chalet in Waterville Valley. Freedom is still a staple on my radio show. Neil’s work with Pearl Jam on the Merkin Ball ep still slaps. And I still bust out my vinyl copy of Harvest every November.

 

A Neil Young Birthday Six-Pack

I’ve shared songs from all of the aformentioned releases down below. It is, of course, only a small cross section of Young’s massive catalog. But they’re great songs and they’re some of my favorites and they’re dear to me. Hopefully, they’ll be songs you love, too.

 

I wonder, though, if they’ll be songs that my kids love. Much like how I grew up with the music of Neil Young forever weaving its way in and out of my live, they’re growing up with ears full of Neil, too. Will they, years from now, hear Neil and have fond memories. “There Comes A Time,” I suppose. Happy Birthday, Mr. Young. These notes are for you.

• "Down by the River"

  

• "Heart of Gold"

  

• "Old Ways"

  

• "This Note's For You"

  

• "Rockin' in the Free World"

• "I Got Id"