First time hearing NEIL YOUNG POWDERFINGER REACTION

[@Debcatawba]

When anyone asks what my favorite Neil Young song is I answer Powderfinger. There’s no hesitation in my answer, and I don’t have to ponder all the possibilities. Powderfinger is a masterpiece.

[@pennybourban3712]

Always been my favorite too. I don't know if it is his artistically best but to me it means the most. It is significant that Neil was Canadian and free from the draft but wrote this during the Vietnam War and I think he had friends in the States. Not that this is about the war per se but Neil is a thinking man.

[@pillmuncher67]

I'm not a huge Neil Young fan. I only own 26 of his albums.

[@greglapointe1311]

And I've only seen him live in concert so many times that I've lost count!

[@nrwlkguy]

@@greglapointe1311 I only seen him on the Greendale tour, and it was a great concert, though I didn’t understand the first half of the concert being a play, the second part of the show was incredible with Crazy Horse!!

[@arto2533]

I have a cardboard box that has every Greendale show from 2003 and 2004 on cd. Only a few hundred cd's with artwork and all. Not proud of it, but that's kind of the most extreme example of my collection I can think of.... 🤣

[@nrwlkguy]

@@arto2533 No harm in building a collection of great artists. I seen him on the Greendale tour, I think at Universal Amphitheater, but can’t remember for sure.

[@nrwlkguy]

Wouldn’t a real fan own at least 27 albums? I love Neil Young, but you have me beat by 22 albums. People today don’t know what great music even is!!

[@carnivoroussoupspoon]

"Just think of me, as one you'd never figure, to fade away so young, so much left undone" damn, i dont even know what to say

[@Striderspawn]

Ahh, Neil, a true Wordman. When he isn't talking, his guitar is. Grandmaster of emotion.

[@billcarralero7281]

I bought this album as soon as it was released. The Vietnam War has just ended a few years earlier and I always thought it was comparing the experience of what a rural Vietnamese would have experienced if a gunboat attacked their home to how a rural American would have felt in a similar scenario.

[@debbiechang5781]

Everything about this song intrigues me. The fact that he is speaking from the dead is pretty interesting. It seems to be a Civil War era tale of a young man defending his home. The tragic end and those guitars!!!! It’s a beautiful, terrible story and one of my favorite songs by Neil Young. The whole album is a masterpiece. Thanks Harri. 🌺✌️

[@petergarayt9634]

"It's better to burn out than to fade away."

[@lathedauphinot6820]

Right. Civil War, or I’ve thought maybe family feud like Hatfield/ McCoy, but still 19th century.

[@pnyx7930]

It’s intriguing, but there’s no way it’s about the Civil War. The red beacon and the numbers on the side suggest this is a law enforcement vessel from no earlier than the mid-20th Century. The accent Young assumes for this song and the reference to mountains suggest Appalachia as the setting.

[@David-su4is]

It's about first nations life, government boats would come to bring the mail, other times they would come to "hunt" (for lack of a better word) the locals. The time frame is about the 60s.

[@MrMarckeedee]

“Was it like a local war going on”? Yeah, you mean the American civil war? I’m sure that’s what the song is about. Or at least I always thought it was. Lol. Anyway I love your reactions!!!!

[@420johnas]

I was fortunate enough to see the Rust never Sleeps tour where this song was played back in like 79

[@Rjh058]

“ shelter me from the powder and the finger “ so fitting for modern day !

[@MrWadada1]

I love this lp. First listened to it when I was 15. I'm 53 now. Loved Neil ever since. The Steinbeck of music.

[@michaelasay8587]

First listened to him when I was 15 also....smokin mota with my friend and his Mom, lol. Sugar Mountain!

[@extdiso]

The Steinbeck of music? Great comparison!!

[@MarcusEliyahuMann]

"The Steinbeck of music." Yes! Just YES. Your ear brought THAT to voice? Named it, nailed it, arrow-true. The phrase is perfectly on key. Captures something of the ineffable. And I never would have thought of it. Thank you. 😊

[@rachelpsmith3129]

Every single track on Rust Never Sleeps is pure gold. Powderfinger must be platinum or something to stand out in such a field.

[@craigplatel813]

When it first came out I thought it was "poor Mary Alice" instead of "Arora Borealis"

[@alteredaustin1]

@@craigplatel813 And then you had your hearing checked?

[@artvallejos1460]

@@alteredaustin1 So angry.

[@Chapps1941]

My favourite album of all time. Beats out: "Blonde on Blonde", "Highway 61", "Blood on the Tracks", " Freedom", "Tonight's the Night", "Harvest Moon", "After the Gold Rush", "Tea for the Tillerman", "Crime of the Century ", "Desire" "Time Out of Mind " "The Kick Inside", "If You Could Read my Mind", "Wishing You were Here", "Led Zeppelin IV" "Even in the Quietest Moments" et al.

[@Chapps1941]

This is my favourite song of all time. This is just an incredible piece of music. The way each verse is told in a different idiom split by a differing and distinctive lead guitar that mimics the meaning of the previous verse. Why people don't rate him as a guitar player just baffles me. Just a brilliant piece of songwriting. Lyrics so brilliant. Guitar playing so evocative. So much to ponder and wonder.

[@peters7025]

The Horse at their absolute best. When they hit that groove with Neil there is nobody to touch them.

[@mikebarnett9012]

Absolutely brilliañt songwriting by one of the best to ever put pen to paper. This and Cortex the Killer are my two favorites that he did with Crazy Horse. "Live Rust" is one of the top 2 or 3 live albums ever in my opinion. Thanks Harri and thanks Debbi.

[@blindriv3r]

yes, and Cortez was written when he was in High School....

[@shanefrancis368]

Agreed, Allman Bros Live at Fillmore East is my number 1

[@alteredaustin1]

@@blindriv3r And is a garbage dump of lies.

[@redstep-child3096]

Cortez The Killer is my favourite.

[@artvallejos1460]

@@alteredaustin1 so many negative comments.

[@peterstilla8733]

Love this song. Neil Young may be the all time coolest guy in rock. Harry, if you like this guitar sound, check out Like a Hurricane.

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Or Down By The River

[@marke8323]

Have seen Neil 12 times, the last time was at the Chicago Theater (Chrome Dreams II), 3000 Capacity on his birthday (not a bad seat in the house), so we sang to him, Happy Birthday!

[@raymondrocha797]

Yes! Like a hurricane! Awesome song!

[@NoahLavineASP]

Any live version! The original studio version from American Stars and Bars pales in comparison to the live rust and weld versions. It's an absolutely impeccable song.

[@artvallejos1460]

@@DENVEROUTDOORMAN For sure "Down By The River " acoustic version .

[@doriwiljt]

You can’t mistake that beautiful sound of Neil’s beloved Old Black. I’ve loved Neil since 1972 when I first heard Harvest. He’s been my favorite since. ‘Pocahontas’ is another beautiful/sad/great song. So many great songs. React to some live performances with Crazy Horse too. ✌🏼

[@steamr0ll]

We did have a "little local war" here in the states, back in the 1860s. Unfortunately the war didn't settle anything, the same issues are still tearing our society apart.

[@carnivoroussoupspoon]

the entire Rust never sleeps album is an absolute masterpiece. Its a rare gem that doesnt get recognized as much as it should. Definitely one of my Island albums. The line "He told me red means run, son, numbers add up to nothin"...epic, absolutly epic!...and life is only a movie my friend, pause every so often and never fast forward. :)

[@daseguin]

I had this album at 15.... and i'm 54 now. The whole thing is so great. Sugar Mountain, Cortez the Killer, Tonight's the Night, and so many more.

[@lindalaw4828]

Same here,

[@neil3467]

Live Rust!! That one got me into Neil.

[@janabraam7963]

The lyrics are of a young man telling the story of how he died after attempting to protect his family against an approaching gunboat. He realized that all of the older men were unavailable, leaving him "to do the thinking". Taking too long to decide what to do, he eventually takes action, and is ultimately killed. He describes his death with the gruesome line "my face splash in the sky."

[@bryangray308]

About time someone reacted to this classic Neil song

[@edwardwilliams8238]

I agree Harri, all Neil's songs are like movies. He's such a talented wordsmith and paints images so vivid that you are transcended to that place in time. Genius comes to mind, I love his work.✌️❤️🎵

[@frankphillips7436]

Talented wordsmith… Paints images so vivid… Goes on The Daily Show after the start of the Iraq war with a free run to say literally anything he wanted. Plenty of time to “wordsmith”. “I hate this fucking war!!” Like poetry. I can’t think of any 6th grader that couldn’t have put it more eloquently!! All that said, This song is certainly a masterpiece!! He should keep writing songs and skip interviews!

[@Chapps1941]

He paints with guitars. He is the counter to Van Gogh

[@cameronpickard7456]

neils the best ever was

[@ktwebbdevil]

Nerl Young had intended for Lynyrd Skynyrd to record this song! After being teased by Skynyrd in Sweet Home Alabama he planned to offer it to Ronnie Van Zant but then the plane crash happened and Ronnie was killed and Neil decided to release this song.I always wondered what Skynyrd would have done with it

[@blindriv3r]

yes, makes it doubly sad...you can check Neil and Promise of the Real Powderfinger, for a multi guitar approach which may be close to what Skynyrd may have done

[@s4dreamland671]

You know Steve Gaines would have been pure gold for this song.

[@martymar1964]

Ronnie would have done justice to the lyrics

[@Chapps1941]

Well Neil did upset the Confederates in "Southern Man" with a few home truths.

[@fuckamericanidiot]

​@@Chapps1941You must think Neil was wrong to be embarrassed about Southern Man. He understood years later how ignorant it was to sum up millions of people with such a firey but unfair set of lyrics.

[@dsusan17]

I think a gunboat was coming up the river. The young man had to defend his family's land. It was beautifully sad. Great analysis Harri!

[@charliecochran3035]

Amazing imagery where the dead boy falls from the dock and sees his face splash into the reflection of the sky.

[@bitchnguy]

My man, there is a live concert film on DVD by the same name Rust Never Sleeps by Neil Young & Crazy Horse and is awesome. You seem to love Neil Young and you would love this DVD. I saw it in the theater when it came out and have the DVD and still watch it 2 or 3 times a year probably.

[@nrwlkguy]

I seen this at the drive-in myself. The good old days, El Gato!!

[@erotzoll]

one of the greatest concert films ever

[@alteredaustin1]

@@nrwlkguy You "saw". You didn't "seen".

[@nrwlkguy]

@@alteredaustin1 Is that going to be on the finals?

[@alteredaustin1]

@@nrwlkguy Don't worry about it too much. You're still going to fail.

[@double00spy]

This is probably my favorite Neil Young song - and I dearly love many of them. To me, it conjures up visions that are pre - Civil War, when the nation was expanding westward and the rivers provided the transportation to do that. River pirates were a very real threat to the frontier families who were trying to survive in those areas. At that time the wild west was Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, etc. Of course, Neil is Canadian, and he may have a total different idea of what he was trying to express. In any case, a beautiful, haunting story song that is brilliantly performed. I love it.

[@eddiehiggins1714]

Vietnam

[@scapito]

Loving all the Neil Young songs the subscribers are bringing to you. 👏👏👏 The guy that died was defending his farm.

[@alteredaustin1]

LOL!!!!!! He was defending his still.

[@a2zme]

'Rust Never Sleeps' is a masterpiece. One side is full of acoustic, story-telling Neil Young classics (Pocohontas, Thrasher, My My (Hey Hey), & Sail Away) and the other is the full-throttle Rock of Neil and his band Crazy Horse .. Powder Finger & Welfare Mothers are standouts on the Rock side .. SO MANY classics on this album .. IMO, one of the finest LIVE recordings of all time.

[@alteredaustin1]

Powderfinger (one word) and Welfare Mothers are standouts for sure. As the best and the worst of the album. Although Welfare Mothers is equally as bad as Sedan Delivery.

[@thehunter3387]

@@alteredaustin1 No . There are no bad songs on this album. Welfare Mothers and Sedan Delivery are just cool, raw rock 'n' roll.

[@alteredaustin1]

@@thehunter3387 Wrong.

[@thehunter3387]

@@alteredaustin1 What don't you like about Sedan Delivery and Welfare Mothers?Lyrics? Distorted sound? I mean, because of these songs, Neil is called the "godfather of grunge". This is the thing I like about Neil Young, he always made great country songs with good lyrics and also very distorted loud rock and roll. completely opposite genres

[@alteredaustin1]

@@thehunter3387 You have the beatles in your profile picture, which is enough for me to discount everything you say. 3 out of 4 of them are despicable pieces of filth. Those 2 songs are what are called "filler". Ride My Llama is also filler. They are bad songs and the worst songs on the album. Don't waste your time trying to enlighten me with your deep knowledge of Neil Young. "Godfather of Grunge". LOL I know more about him then you'll ever know. The difference is, I know and am willing to admit when he produces garbage. Like through the entirety of the 1980's.

[@tpstrato2270]

neil young sweet music haunting guitars & sounds

[@apebonkers]

You said the song sent chills down your spine. The same thing happened to me the first time I heard the song. It's the same feeling each and every time I hear this masterpiece

[@Imadrummin]

I have learned more about Neil Young here recently. Much appreciation for Neil. Harmonies in this song is excellent and so smooth.

[@delilah5366]

Have always loved this song since it came out in 1980.

[@drewshippy5051]

1979.

[@raymondrocha797]

First time I have ever seen someone react to this classic! And I loved it!

[@1after909]

I’ve been Neil Young fan since 1971 If I had to pick my favorite song it would be this one..BTW Rolling Stone rated it as his number one song.. That’s Neil on lead guitar

[@BobL56]

Well done! So great to hear someone having the same reaction to this song now as I did back in 1979 and still do every time I listen to it all these years later. This song is a masterpiece!

[@johnrudy9404]

Mr. BEST, may I recommend a song from an earlier album called De Ja Vu....with Crosby, Stills and Nash. Song is called Country Girl. From there, NY solo work. Cortez the Killer, Down By the River, Hurricane. So much more.....happy listening.

[@callfourzero1931]

The roots of grunge, simply epic.

[@jimbrentar]

One of the appealing aspects of this song is that it is so cryptic. What exactly happened? That he never makes it clear is one of the appealing things about the song.

[@rbking9296]

Cortez The Killer is one that that you will find very interesting and definitely enjoy

[@nrwlkguy]

The live version is best though, imo!

[@genehenrylindgren]

A great song done to perfection.

[@barryshapiro3349]

Storytelling at its best. My favorite Neil Young song.

[@ulyssesparado2743]

If i were to rock and play the band of my own, this is one of the first in the list.......with an excellent lead guitarist...then we can just play all night...... night ...through!

[@sirslice]

Neil Young... a great Canadian talent!

[@garryokeefe1605]

A great album and another great song/story telling. Harri you must review the studio version of 'Cortez the Killer', its one of the few songs where the guitar alone in the opening sequence conjures up images of the prow of a saling ship rising and falling as it cuts through the waves, a rare happening, what a totally unique talent Neil Young is.

[@arto2533]

yes, and on the much heavier "Weld"-version (live in 1991) those are images of more modern warships roaming towards the enemy shore, maybe? The guitars only intensifying towards the end of the song. Soundtrack to the Gulf-war that was happening at the time.

[@joewilson4151]

this is a song about us poor people that live tragic lives of ignorance and want. i live in rural Virginia and this smacks of home.

[@bobdelp2023]

AND YOU KNOW THAT'S JUST 1 GOOD THING ABOUT NEIL'S SONGS HARRI :) MANY OF THEM HAVE NO CONTEXT, IT'S REALLY WHAT YOU FEEL IT'S ABOUT, PAINT YOUR OWN STORY WITH THOSE GREAT LYRICS OF HIS! :) OVERRRR 25 STUDIO ALBUMS AND A HUGE LIBRARY HARRI

[@alteredaustin1]

WHAT??????

[@jamesgarfield9592]

It’s a long time ago since I first heard this song, but I remember my reaction like it was yesterday… just like you: “like I’m watching movie in my head”.

[@srt8rocketship241]

I have suggested this album to everyone. So glad you reacted. Pocahontas or Thrashers next please. Great album.

[@nrwlkguy]

He needs to do the live version of Thrasher. It sucks that they cut that song out on the CD, when it’s one of the best songs on the album!!

[@jeffryhammel3035]

Sir, you are so far ahead of where we were in discovering music. Beautiful analysis.

[@michaeldavidfigures9842]

When I first heard this song I thought another good song from Neil. After Ruby Ridge I listened to the song again. Neil Young was a prophet.

[@eirikasbjrnberg8753]

This is youngs best song . Lyrics great and music too

[@SebGeddy]

One of my favorite songs by Neil Young, those manic guitar solos 🎸... I've used my vinyl copy hundreds of times 🤘

[@NormanGaywood]

Good choice! One of NY most performed and arguably one of his greatest songs. It combines many elements, picturesque lyrics that you are not quite sure what they mean but invoke so many images; NY melodic electric guitar, Crazy horse harmonies and their rolling groove. Superb. Next electric songs: Like a Hurricane from American Stars and Bars, or Cortez the Killer from Zuma. But man, we are not even out of the 70's yet! Neil has great electric songs from every decade. And then there are the all the other songs, less electric, that can also melt your soul. Welcome to Neil Young's world :-) You've got my subscription now.

[@MegaDELROY]

Dread, you've just been listening to one of the absolutely deepest cuts from the late '70s...And you're right: beautiful, yet sad. Very sad, but Neil (and the Horse) can pull it off and turn it into a work of Art that stays with you forever.

[@bradhelms9408]

I saw this show, one of the first of the tour. A#1

[@arto2533]

in truth, this is from one of the last shows of the tour, Oct. 19th in Denver, CO.

[@matthewatwood8641]

So much in this tragic story from the heart of a brave young man.

[@jimkemp308]

I when to his concert in my home city of Halifax N S. Great show. By the way he’s Canadian. Jim.

[@The5thGen]

Love the album that it appears on!

[@ptrlxc]

Rockin’ In The Free World will just blow you away. It’s gritty, raw, pure rock, but oh so good.

[@redstep-child3096]

Thank you, Harri

[@deborahbaye6079]

AWESOME IN CONCERT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR REACTION 😢❤🤘✌️

[@peterbooth793]

Thanks Debbie Chang 😘 😊 this is one of my favorites ❤ ♥.

[@mjp3186]

Hallo Harri, On The Beach is a good suggesties. Keep up the good work 😊

[@musiquefantastique7127]

best and most intelligent reaction videos out there. Another Neil tune you might enjoy is "cowgirl in the sand."

[@jeffryhammel3035]

Glad you liked it! My Sis and I are gonna see Neil (@ age 78!) in Chicago next May.

[@crazyfingers19]

It’s always good to be reminded that sometimes life really sucks. Appreciate what you have at the very least.

[@colincampbell4862]

thank you, took me back to the concert where i saw him play this. Young is a genius

[@The5thGen]

I really like your reaction and thoughts regarding this song, Harri.

[@The5thGen]

By the way Harri, my son is a National Guard soldier and policeman.

[@jonathanmurphy3141]

Epic! Storyteller!

[@dkbsoulman]

This left me trying to remember the first time I heard this song. But I cannot recall it. I have always known this beautiful song. Peace and love to you all.

[@themiraclebusinessmethodch5039]

I have listened to this song for decades, and I am so impressed the way you sort of knew what was coming

[@43cjd]

Such a sad, melancholy song. I believe this is my favorite song by the master who is neil young.

[@danielkesselring9172]

29 👍🏻..one of the sickest tunes ever.. Neil is killer 💪🏻😎👍🏻🎸

[@lathedauphinot6820]

I love this song. It’s so beautiful, sad, and well-written it tears me up still. I’ve been lucky enough to see him play 5 times, everything from a country set at one of Willie Nelson’s 4th of July picnics to a loud, feedback-soaked Crazy Horse set with Sonic Youth and Social Distortion, and there are two songs he has always played: “The Needle and the Damage Done”, and “Powderfinger”. Ten years after this he released an album in this style, ‘Ragged Glory’ with Crazy Horse that has some wonderful things, also sad and beautiful. Try “Love To Burn”. Thank you

[@19HurdyGurdyMan46]

Always thought Neil saying 'Look out Mama there's a White boat coming up the river' gave a pointer to what the song alludes to.

[@theosiemens6261]

You’re analysis is very accurate! Neil has been my man for 40 years. His most cryptic song. So full of disturbing imagery with a rhythm that drags you along. It is a movie!!! Well done sir! 🇨🇦🙏

[@brettbeattie]

I've been playing song since it was first released and it keeps getting better!

[@nostalga44jo]

Pure Gold

[@User_gin_927untileternity]

Love Neil Young ! Thanks Harri and Debbie

[@marialissa11]

I am a huge Neil You g fan snd I have such a hard time listening to this song now as an adult. It is just so sad 😞. Thank you for reacting

[@woke2woke153]

Give Neil Young's Pocahontas a go Hari. Very beautiful.

[@saifonlawrence2044]

Neil's acoustic numbers just make me melt !

[@yorkiegeoff1825]

I Absolutely love this track 🙏

[@stpnwlf9]

Neil can be a chameleon, depending on whether he's solo or who he has as a backing group. But there is no mistaking the sound of Crazy Horse behind Neil. The most iconic true rock he has produced has the Horse behind him and it's such a simple formula - two guitars, bass, drums, 3 voices and it makes such incredible music. You noticed that one line: "Big John's been drinkin' since the river took Emmy Lou ..." There's an entire backstory there in less than a dozen words! For those who are unfamiliar with Neil's primary electric guitar, Old Black, it has its own Wikipedia entry: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Black

[@unclejohn1053]

About one of my favorite artists

[@kristerforsman2448]

Neil Young have had som great success but still I think he's underestimated. Thank you for a good presentation Harri, all the best to you. Greetings from Sweden.

[@charlesrubio7650]

Several years ago, maybe 2019, Rolling Stone put out a special edition of Neil Young, his life and his music. They listed "their" top 100 songs of his. Powderfindger was their #1 choice. Great tribute to Neil however they should have made it, at least his top 125! Once I bought the edition, looking over their top 100 of his songs, I couldn't believe how they miss so many! ☹ Like, for example, Country Girl! I was so furious, got the editor's email address and in no uncertain terms "conveyed" my utter shock how they could not have listed the 17 I instantly came up with,! Yo's as in yoyo;s! Anyway great edition and great song like as in the other 116! Thanks Harri for your reaction to Powderfinger.

[@petergarayt9634]

Niel is one of the best guitarists in the world. Saw this concert in Toronto and watched his hands with binoculars.

[@danielschaeffer1294]

You don’t have to shred to be great.

[@markwood8824]

Gets me every time no matter how my thousand times I hear that sad guitar it always ends about 30 minutes to soon.

[@oakhillfound847]

A beautiful heartbreaking version of this song is covered by the Canadian group Cowboy Junkies. The lead singer of the group, Margot Timmins, has the voice of an angel.

[@martymar1964]

They do a great rendition of Sweet Jane

[@Frank-sm9yl]

Boring

[@jabom99]

@@Frank-sm9yl Yes, you are.

[@flaviamartini241]

Eu tbm acho essa versão do Cowboy Junkies muito linda . Amo Neil Young ❤️🌺🇧🇷

[@redstep-child3096]

Thanks so much for doing this. It means the world to me.

[@johnforde7735]

Neil does his best work with Crazy Horse! Did you know that there is a pretty popular band in Australia called Powderfinger named after this song. (A bit like Radiohead named after a Talking Heads song.)

[@jonathanlocke6404]

This is not only one of his best albums, but just one of the best albums, period...

[@KevinHudson-q7i]

Saw this movie concert at the drive- in great album😊

[@tommccafferty5591]

My favorite Neil Young song. And at around 2:20 when you said you thought it might turn out bad, you understated it. 🙂

[@ruthsmith2053]

🌠What a brilliant review!! Couldn,t have said it better myself.Truly a gift to music he is.

[@charlesstraight5499]

Oh man I grew up love and Neil Young and Powderfinger is one of my favorites of his songs it hate you wrote Such Great music. I hope you really get into some of his other music like cinnamon girl and there's several others that are really great I hope you eventually get out around to listening to all of them I know you'll enjoy them.

[@thelatenightbar]

sonically speaking... something about this song that's just amazing.

[@lextek.]

One thing I can tell you as a Neil Young fan since his days with Buffalo Springfield is that Neil writes for Neil. Not critics, record companies, or even fans. He has recorded with Crazy Horse as his band on and off since the early 70s. I suggest Cortez The Killer from the album Zuma next with it's great 3+ guitar INTRO!

[@jimirayo]

The film is freakin' awesome