"Big Time"

Neil Young Lyrics Analysis

Neil Young News

UPDATE - 8/8/04 - Funk legend Rick James, the flashy Motown Records artist best known for his 1981 hit 'Super Freak,' died on August 7, 2004 at age 56. More on Rick James and Neil Young page.

(Note: This is one of a series of articles which provide an explanation of the meaning of Neil Young's songs. While the interpretation of lyrics presented here is composed of several viewpoints, there is little consensus on the exact meaning of Neil's songs. The themes and symbolism of Young's songwriting provide a rich tapestry on which to project various meanings and analysis. Enjoy! )

A lyrical analysis of Neil Young's "Big Time" from The I Magazine by Mike Gee:

"Autobiographical, Big Time calls upon the spirit of the past and twists it to now. In the first verse Young simply unwinds his own beginnings. 'Gonna leave the pain behind, Gonna leave the fools in line, Gonna take the magic potion. Gettin' in an old black car, Gonna take a ride so far, To the land of suntan lotion. Gonna take it state by state, Until I hit the golden gate, Get my feet wet in the ocean.'

The devout will recognise the setting and the story, but for those who don't ... In 1965, Young recorded an acoustic demo for Elektra Records featuring early versions of Sugar Mountain and Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing but wasn't offered a contract by the label. Returning to Toronto, Young played the same Yorkville district coffeehouse circuit as fellow Canadian Joni Mitchell before he joined The Mynah Birds, a Toronto-based band led by singer Ricky James Matthews (later to be known as Rick James who would go on to have several smash dance hits, in particular Super Freak, a song which would later heavily influence Prince).

The Mynah Birds recorded several songs for Motown Records (the first white band to ever be signed by the label)in Detroit that were never released. During one of these recording sessions, James was arrested and charged with deserting the U.S. Navy. The Mynah Birds flew apart when James was forced to complete his tour of duty. Only one song ever saw the light of day: Mynah Bird Hop on Columbia Canada.

Mike Gee summarizes the meaning of Broken Arrow:

"AND in the end that's what Broken Arrow is about - roots. Spiritual, home, emotional, soul roots, about recognising those roots, about getting in touch; freedom is within as well as without. On Broken Arrow, Young and Crazy Horse bring it all on home. Cleverly split in two, the electric evokes the spirit of times, that bugle call to understanding; the second half evokes the spirit of knowing where you are and who you are. Both are equal parts of the whole. And look at the album artwork - in itself a message, a statement and a philosophy.

See full review on The I Magazine.

Neil Young Lyrics Analysis

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