By Brian Gasparek
When it comes to ranking the greatest Canadian rock icons of all time, Neil Young is most definitely at the top of the pile. Between his solo career and his time with Buffalo Springfield and CSNY, the grizzly Winnipeg native has not only proven to be one of the most prolific and celebrated musicians ever to emerge from our country, he’s also become one of the greatest singer-songwriters ever to live.
For over six decades and counting, the mutton-chopped rocker has been building an epic catalogue of tunes that fuse folk, rock and country. Since launching his solo career in 1968, Young has released 35 studio albums and 59 singles. His 36th album, The Monsanto Years, is available June 30.
Of course we all know Young’s most popular hits like “Rockin’ In The Free World,” “Heart of Gold” and “Harvest Moon,” but the plaid-clad rocker also has a deep collection of rare, under-appreciated gems that have gone mostly unheard by casual fans. Here’s a look at 10 awesomely obscure Young songs that you really need to hear already.
'Out of Control,' 1999
Let’s be honest. If you’re a Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young fan, you know that their 1999 reunion LP Looking Forward was a forgettable, drink-coaster of an album. But it did produce this one gem, the Neil Young piano ballad “Out Of Control.” It’s a lovely ditty that deserves some ear time. It was so good that Young ended up playing a stripped-down version of it on his solo tour in 1999.
'You Never Call,' 2011
“You Never Call” is a sombre acoustic track that Young wrote in memory of his longtime friend and Shaky Productions film partner L.A. Johnson. Johnson died of a heart attack in 2010 and Young penned this tune about his late pal vacationing in heaven. It was never released on an album, but was featured in the 2011 film Neil Young Journeys. The film has footage of Young performing the song at Massey Hall in Toronto. It’s a gut-wrenchingly great tribute song.
'Prisoners of Rock and Roll,' 1986
After a hot streak, Young released his most critically unpopular work in the early to mid-‘80s with albums like Trans, Everybody’s Rockin’, Old Ways and Landing on Water. The weak streak led a lot of people to overlook his Life album that was released in 1987. The album contained a previously recorded live version of the song “Prisoners of Rock and Roll,” a butt-kicking, anti-establishment gem that is meant to be blared from our speakers.
'Sample and Hold,' 1982
Although Neil Young is best known for his rock and folk, he did dabble in electronic. Seriously. The proof is on his 1982 album Trans, which is home to the original version of “Sample and Hold.” Before becoming a rearranged acoustic song on his Unplugged album in 1993, “Sample and Hold” was a cool, vocoder-heavy, electro-pop track. It was totally ahead of its time. Eat your heart out Daft Punk.
'Stringman,' 1993
One of Neil Young’s greatest but most unacknowledged piano ballads is “Stringman.” The pretty little song was originally supposed to appear on Young’s scrapped 1977 album Chrome Dreams. He did play it on tour a bit in 1976, but then left it alone for nearly two decades. It finally ended up getting a release on his 1993 live Unplugged album. It’s so good, but he just never plays it.
'I’m the Ocean,' 1995
Remember when Neil Young ditched Crazy Horse to make an album with Pearl Jam in 1995? There’s a good chance you repressed the mostly forgettable Mirror Ball LP, but one deep cut on the album did stand out amongst the rest. “I’m the Ocean” is a catchy, seven-minute rock sing-along that deserves to be heard.
'Kansas,' 1975
“Kansas” is a soft, gorgeous, acoustic ballad that never saw the light of day on an album. It was supposed to be featured on 1975’s Homegrown but Young decided to scrap the entire album at the last minute (he’s Neil Young, he can do that.) He did, however, play it a few times on his acoustic tour in 1999. It’s excellent.
'L.A.,' 1973
In 1973, Young released an unsuccessful live album called Time Fades Away. It was a compilation of new tunes that he played on his notorious 90-date arena tour that same year. The recording features a snarky, tongue-in-cheek tribute song dedicated to the city of Los Angeles called “L.A.,” and it’s pretty darn great. Here’s to you L.A., in all of your smoggy glory.
'T-Bone,' 1981
“T-Bone” is a fitting name for the nine minutes of raw, meaty rock contained in this badass, underrated gem from 1981’s Re-ac-tor. The track features Young constantly repeating, “got mashed potatoes, ain't got no T-bone" over top of some classic shredding and an infectious percussion arrangement.
'Pushed it Over the End,' 1974
“Pushed it Over the End” is by far one of Young’s best songs to never get a release. Young played the dreamy, mellow track acoustically in live performances back in 1974 by himself, as well as on tour later that year with CSNY. But then it got tossed away forever. Thankfully there are bootlegs.
