Ticket 2 Ride

I wanted two lists, because Neil Young has such a wide musical soundscape of songs in his long career. On this list are Neil Young songs that are the softer or ballad songs, and are distinctive from his grungy, distorted, electric productions. Of course, there are a few songs that don’t fit cleanly on either list, that’s the challenge we must contend with in a modern world.

I revisited all of Young’s studio albums, almost all of his live albums, and a few compilations: almost 60 albums. This was not a simple task. I looked at live and alternate versions and some demos. I didn’t always pick the most familiar version of a song, finding something more interesting or intimate in a different version.

Here are my favorites, in no particular order. I’m not sure how many there are, but let’s go…

“Broken Arrow” – Buffalo Springfield Again (1967). A masterpiece of songwriting and production. As a Canadian, Young was more interested in Americana than most Americans, and to the plight of indigenous peoples. This is a beautiful song.

“Will to Love” – American Stars ‘N’ Bars (1977) “I realized there was no way I could sing the song again or perform it,” he wrote, “and I never have since. It might be one of the best records I ever made.” Recorded in front of a roaring fire, you can hear the crackle and pops. He overdubbed all of the other instruments himself. Haunting.

“Slow Poke” – Looking Forward (1999). From the last album the four worked together on. Hardly earth shattering, this gentle song is simple, but enriched by the CSN&Y vocals.

“Lotta Love” – Comes A Time (1978). Young’s version is nice, very matter of fact. Nicolette Larson and producer Ted Templeman made it a classic.

“Little Wing” – Hawks & Doves (1980). This sliver of a song is mesmerizingly beautiful. Just Young’s vocal and guitar. It would appear on other Young albums.

“Buffalo Springfield Again” – Silver & Gold (2000). The notes indicate that Young had been working on the Buffalo Springfield box set prior to making this album. Nostalgic and sentimental, a smooth journey back to the musical past.

“Midnight On the Bay” – The Stills/Young Band (1976). A beautiful ballad, great imagery, I can picture being there. One of my favorites.

“Only Love Can Break Your Heart” – After the Gold Rush (1970). Young’s first really exceptional ballad, beautiful, but no saccharine, just great feeling.

“After the Gold Rush” – After the Gold Rush (1970) inspired by a lost screenplay by a friend, the actor Dean Stockwell. Feels of Americana.

“The Bridge” – Time Fades Away (1973). Inspired by Hart Crane’s poem “The Bridge” about the Brooklyn Bridge. A very quiet piano song recorded in concert.

“Through My Sails” – Zuma (1975). A quiet, single acoustic guitar song. There are two versions, one with just Young’s vocal, and this one with CSN&Y harmonies. Gorgeous sound.

“Helpless” – Deja Vu (1971). From the first Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young studio album. A quiet folk, country song with great CSN&Y harmony vocals.

“A Man Needs a Maid” – Live At Massey Hall (1971). Young had not yet released Harvest, where this song is mostly heard. This solo concert predates that album, released many years later. His voice and piano, no orchestra.

“Old Man” – Harvest (1972). Written about caretaker on his ranch, very clean production. One of his “visual” songs with great imagery and poetic verses.

“Expecting to Fly” – Buffalo Springfield Again (1967). Young and producer Jim Messina painstakingly pieced it together from “over a hundred takes”, another great production. Arranged by Jack Nitzsche, backing vocals by Merry Clayton.

“My Heart” – Sleeps With Angels (1994). A gentle song with Young playing the tack piano, which gives it that old time feel. The lyrics are hopeful and wistful.

“Cowgirl In The Sand” – 4 Way Street (1971). The CSN&Y live album following Deja Vu. I actually like the acoustic version better than the harder, electric studio version.

“Flying on the Ground Is Wrong” – Live at the Cellar Door (1970). Intimate and raw. This song is a Buffalo Springfield tune, something he didn’t often play. It’s quirky and lovely.

“Journey Through the Past” – Time Fades Away (1973). Recorded with just Young’s vocal on the piano. The song laments a past relationship and wondering if it’s still alive.

“Look Out for My Love” – Chrome Dreams (2023). Originally released on Comes a Time (1978). This is a slightly different mix, a bit cleaner. Perfect.

“Stringman” – Chrome Dreams (2023). Appeared on Unplugged (1993), and the Archive set, it was intended for this album, it just took awhile.

“On the Way Home” – Live at Massey Hall (1971). From his Buffalo Springfield songs, a song originally sung by bandmate Richie Furray, now Young puts his own stamp on his song.

“On the Beach” – On the Beach (1974). Slow, bluesy, with guitars and Wurlitzer, it’s a song that gets you right in the gut.

“From Hank to Hendrix” – Harvest Moon (1992). This song has many cultural references, and is about a relationship over time as things change. It often pops up on his concert set lists.

“Mr. Disappointment” – Are You Passionate? (2002). A beautiful, soulful ballad that is all grunted up with distorted guitars and heavy drums.

“Coup de Ville” – This Note’s For You (1988). A really different kind of song. Jazzy, haunting, melancholy horns. Wow!

“It’s a Dream” – Prairie Wind (2005). A return to his mild, country-rock. This song was called ethereal, as much for the lyrics as the airiness of the backing arrangement.

“Thrasher” – Rust Never Sleeps (1979). Young, a harmonica and acoustic guitar bring this song alive. Written as he traveled across New Mexico admiring the beauty of the land.

“Birds” – After the Gold Rush (1970). A gorgeous song. Always loved the poetry of the lyrics and the great harmony on the choruses.

“Love in Mind” – Live at Massey Hall (1971).  “I used to call this girl from the road, that I was in love with, but I’d never really met. I used to talk to her on the phone all the time.” Just Young on the piano.

“Out of My Mind” – Live at Canterbury House (1968). Another Buffalo Springfield tune, a downbeat song, coupled with an intimate performance. Even then, Young could pack a lot odd chords and obtuse imagery into his writing.

“Nowadays Clancy Can’t Even Sing” – Live at Carnegie Hall (1970). More Buffalo Springfield, this song was done at a fast temp on guitars. This version is considerably slowed down, as Young carefully plays each chord and delivers each phrase. It’s an introspective song that is even more by the performance.

“Don’t Forget Love” – Barn (2021). Although the album was dismissed by many, this song with its simple message and reassuring piano riff, is hard to resist.

“When I Watch You Sleeping” – Storytone (2014) Orchestra version. Storytone was an unusual format of presenting songs. Some were with full orchestra, others with his rock band, a few were solo, and one song was built abound a big band. Neil is not a great singer, but his voice paired with an orchestra accentuates the poignant qualities in his voice. A really nice song.

“Such A Woman” – Dreamin’ Man Live ‘92 (2009). Studio version was on Harvest Moon, this version was recorded following that in 1992. Either version is sweet, but enjoy the live version a bit more.

“Pardon My Heart” – Zuma (1975). Another stunning acoustic song from this era.

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This list barely scratches the surface of Neil Young’s vast musical library. As a fan of 50 years, I’ve delved deep into his treasure trove of recorded music, his solo work as well as his partnerships with other musicians, offering up a slice of his softer side, though no less captivating and impactful. Enjoy.