Neil Young - Old Man

February 23, 1971

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"Old Man" is a song written and performed by Neil Young on his 1972 album Harvest.

The song was written for the caretaker of the Northern California Broken Arrow Ranch, which Young purchased for $350,000 in 1970. The song compares a young man's life to an old man's and shows that the young man has, to some extent, the same needs as the old one. James Taylor played six-string banjo (tuned like a guitar) and sang on the song, and Linda Ronstadt also contributed vocals.

In the movie Heart of Gold, Young introduces the song as follows:

"About that time when I wrote (Heart of Gold), and I was touring, I had also -- just, you know, being a rich hippie for the first time -- I had purchased a ranch, and I still live there today. And there was a couple living on it that were the caretakers, an old gentleman named Louis Avala and his wife Clara. And there was this old blue Jeep there, and Louis took me for a ride in this blue Jeep. He gets me up there on the top side of the place, and there's this lake up there that fed all the pastures, and he says, "Well, tell me, how does a young man like yourself have enough money to buy a place like this?" And I said, "Well, just lucky, Louie, just real lucky." And he said, "Well, that's the darndest thing I ever heard." And I wrote this song for him."
—Neil Young

He tells a similar story when introducing the song at a February 23, 1971 performance broadcast by the BBC (in which he says that he purchased the ranch from "two lawyers").

The song can be heard in the films Dogtown and Z-Boys, Wonder Boys, and Lords of Dogtown.

It can also be heard in Brian Foster's part of the BMX Video "FitLife" made by Fit Bike Co.

During actor Heath Ledger's Hollywood memorial service, "Old Man" was chosen to be played with a slideshow of pictures from Ledger's life.

At former St. Louis Blues Brett Hull's jersey retirement ceremony, this song was played as his jersey rose to the rafters.

"Old Man" was released as a single in the spring of 1972, and reached #31 on the Billboard Hot 100 on June 2.

Bob Dylan regularly covered this song at a number of concerts on his 2002 tour, including one at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Dylan played the keyboard on his arrangement of the song.

The song was covered by American R&B/Soul singer N'Dea Davenport on her 1998 debut album, N'Dea Davenport.

In 2004 the song was covered by Canadian folk trio The Wailin' Jennys for their debut full length album, 40 Days.

In 2004 the song was covered by Pop trio Wilson Phillips for their covers album, California.

In 2005, Lizz Wright covered it on her live album Dreaming Wide Awake, recorded at Allaire, Shokan, New York the year before.

In 2007, Grand National covered the song on their album A Drink and a Quick Decision as a live bonus track.

In 2009, German Metal band Motorjesus covered the song on their 100.000 Volt Survivor EP.

In 2010, Donna Loren covered the song on her album Love It Away.

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[Joe Blow]

Best Unplugged Solo Performance In The History Of The Universe!!!

[bongozappa]

I'm only 41 years old and I like this music.

[Andrei Minhos]

What a voice...

[FreykinLaos]

Go Neil!

[Roger Cathey]

This dude once visited our parents place and got drunk. He was regarded by all in the house at the time as a very cool guy. Wish I had been there. I always miss everything.

[Lblu1181]

it's perfect!

[Lblu1181]

so true! he has a gift, so grateful for it.

[Landon Roberts]

Born with a gift .....That simple, some people musically like to shred, others jazz,Blues etc; but to write hit songs that will last forever is a gift. All of today's music will not be remembered 40 yrs from now !!

[MrJustforfun1972]

Its not hard to Love Neil Young ! I have been a child and listened to these bands now htey are all so real ! 70ies will never Die !

[oldandolderstill youllsee]

To Bongazappa.... I am 54 but there is no time frame, to music that hits you in the heart.

[themanwomengirlboy]

im only 4 an like thi music