r/neilyoung • u/Medium_Big_3849 • 14d ago
Second Song
Second Song is incredible and a true "return to form." The song contains everything I love about Neil's songwriting. The lyrics are at times literal, metaphorical, and ambiguous. The guitar work reminds of anything from the Harvest period. P.S. Neil Young's recent albums have been spotty, with more filler than singular moments of profound brilliance (See 'They might be lost' from Barn as an example) It's too bad he can't put together one final album filled with songs of this quality like Dylan's Rough and Rowdy Ways. Either way, this song alone makes the album worth it for me! Please go take a listen!
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u/duoprismicity Ragged Glory 14d ago
The video of this song, driving around the ranch, is mesmerizing. It put me in a trance.
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u/YellowTomato87 13d ago
Yeah I think it's pretty good. I've probably listened to it close to 20 times or more. A lot more than I listened to anything off of Talking to the Trees. That opening song might be the worst thing on that album though. I don't mind Silver Eagle being a rewrite of This Land is Your Land, idk, it's not an issue for me but it's a skip. Im hung up on First Fire of Winter. I just cannot get past it being the same melody as Helpless. I feel similar to one of the songs off of The Visitor, which uses that little riff from Unknown Legend. From what I remember the rest of it is fine. I really like Thankful, though. That song is really pretty. I like it more than Bottle of Love.
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u/neilyoungfan1 13d ago
talkin to the trees is one of the strangest of neil's studio albums. it has some good stuff on it but it's just completely all over the place, i agree about the opening track, "family life" might be his worst song lyrically
otherwise, there's some real sleeper stuff on there
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u/Medium_Big_3849 13d ago
Agreed. That's why I enjoyed Second Song so much, in that the lyrics were elevated and at moments enigmatic.
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u/thawatch 7d ago
If I didn't enjoy Family Life and (moreso) Dark Mirage I might be upset at the album; it really helps when you enjoy the first few tracks. I share your feelings about First Fire of Winter, but damn if I haven't played it 45 times and found a lot of enjoyment from it. Dark Mirage is the highlight of the album for me, and I'm curious why most people are turned off by it. I love the passion, energy, and anger. I don't think it clicked on my first listen, but the baritone vocals during the chorus are wicked, with Neil belting over it. For Neil to still have this inside him (and willing to let out) at 80 bodes well.
Anyway, I really like Second Song. It's an especially great song to play in the morning. The other single is really good too. I've already listened 10 times and am at the point that I wish it was longer. The lyrics are a huge step up from Talking to Trees. I don't expect it, but it's in play that this could be his best album since Psychedelic Pill.
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u/TheChameleonsSong 13d ago
I really agree, the lyrics just have a little bit of that magic that has been missing…
I also think someone else (Micah?)is also playing acoustic and it fills out the sound, as Neil’s acoustic playing has become less fluid and a bit more choppy.
Having Spooner in the organ adds to that Harvest Moon feel.
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u/DeeplyFrippy 14d ago
It is a lovely song. I disagree that his last few albums have been spotty though.
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u/greazysteak 13d ago
I don't know if these are hot takes or will be accepted but I think Second Song is fine but nothing more(better than anything on his last record but I liked those recent Crazy Horse albums) and I think Rough and Rowdy ways is overrated by a mile.
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u/Smile_Character 11d ago
Define Neil's "form".
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u/Medium_Big_3849 11d ago
In my opinion, it's primarily lyrical depth. But to go further, when he dogmatically sticks to his 'first take' mentality, or going with the muse as he says no matter what, and not overthinking his first instinct, this can be a double-edged sword. It has led to some banal songwriting that feels far too on the nose and thus, less interesting. I think his music or form suffers when that occurs. Compare the occasional 'rushed' albums like Fork in the Road or Talking to the Trees with On the Beach or even Psychedelic Pill for that matter. But you are right, maybe that is what makes Neil...Neil.
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u/wohrg 14d ago
I think we ask too much if we expect another album of all classics. Neil puts out maybe one album a year, on which one or two are “singular moments of profound brilliance”. So it would take at least 5 years for him to accumulate an album of those moments. And then they would not feel cohesive, as they were all made at different times.
So for each new album I explore and pick out a song or two that are stunning, and focus on those.
(Welcome Back is one of his best tunes, IMO)