 Rust Never Sleeps (1979) [ larger cover art ] |
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Musicbrainz DBThey were hiding behind hay bales,
They were planting in the full moon
They had given all they had for something new
But the light of day was on them,
They could see the thrashers coming
And the water shone like diamonds in the dew.
And I was just getting up, hit the road before it's light
Trying to catch an hour on the sun
When I saw those thrashers rolling by,
Looking more than two lanes wide
I was feelin' like my day had just begun.
Where the eagle glides descending
There's an ancient river bending
Through the timeless gorge of changes
Where sleeplessness awaits
I searched out my companions,
Who were lost in crystal canyons
When the aimless blade of science
Slashed the pearly gates.
It was then I knew I'd had enough,
Burned my credit card for fuel
Headed out to where the pavement turns to sand
With a one-way ticket to the land of truth
And my suitcase in my hand
How I lost my friends I still don't understand.
They had the best selection,
They were poisoned with protection
There was nothing that they needed,
Nothing left to find
They were lost in rock formations
Or became park bench mutations
On the sidewalks and in the stations
They were waiting, waiting.
So I got bored and left them there,
They were just deadweight to me
Better down the road without that load
Brings back the time when I was eight or nine
I was watchin' my mama's T.V.,
It was that great Grand Canyon rescue episode.
Where the vulture glides descending
On an asphalt highway bending
Thru libraries and museums, galaxies and stars
Down the windy halls of friendship
To the rose clipped by the bullwhip
The motel of lost companions
Waits with heated pool and bar.
But me I'm not stopping there,
Got my own row left to hoe
Just another line in the field of time
When the thrasher comes, I'll be stuck in the sun
Like the dinosaurs in shrines
But I'll know the time has come
To give what's mine.
| cmarcan (Nanaimo, BC) | Posted: Nov 02, 2012 - 15:23 Sorry bud. I'm pretty sure your gonna have to sit through Neil Young a lot more times before you die. Suck it up. rdo wrote:
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| johnjconn (chicago land) | Posted: Aug 31, 2012 - 16:57 BKardon wrote: Anyone know what this song is written about? Sure It's about a Thrasher, duh |
| rdo (DC) | Posted: Aug 31, 2012 - 16:51
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| triviagal (Just Outside Washington DC) | Posted: Jul 31, 2012 - 06:52 I hate Neil Young's voice when he does solos —- but I really like THIS song. |
| On_The_Beach (The Blue Planet) | Posted: May 28, 2012 - 23:00 Cynaera wrote: Here - read the lyrics. And to sort of (not) answer your question: They're gorgeous lyrics, but they could apply to farmers losing their farms, friends losing their hope, people caving in to the rhetoric and babble that means nothing... Could be anything. I'd bet, though, that those thrashers are symbolic of destruction. VERY deep lyrics. Thanks for asking - perhaps others will weigh in on this song... Cynaera, if it's true, what romeo says, that you have left us, I too will miss you and your thoughtful posts. |
| bev (Reno, NV) | Posted: Mar 26, 2012 - 12:01 ozzie1313 wrote: One of my favorite albums - top 5. I was in the depths of my pathetic, romanticized, misanthropic alcholism and drug addiction when this came out. This album was my anthem. Just like Petty's Wildflowers was about me when I got divorced in 95 and went from MA to OR. Love the personal associations. Cool that you can listen even now and it doesn't necessarily bring you back to those dark places, but hits a familiar sentimental place just the same. I have similar associations/feelings with music, and I totally get that.  |
| westslope (BC coast) | Posted: Dec 22, 2011 - 08:59 I doubt the thrashers are symbols of destruction. But otherwise I really don't understand the gist of the lyrics. |
| Cynaera (In a hammock under my own vine and fig tree.) | Posted: Nov 20, 2011 - 15:13 BKardon wrote: Anyone know what this song is written about? Here - read the lyrics. And to sort of (not) answer your question: They're gorgeous lyrics, but they could apply to farmers losing their farms, friends losing their hope, people caving in to the rhetoric and babble that means nothing... Could be anything. I'd bet, though, that those thrashers are symbolic of destruction. VERY deep lyrics. Thanks for asking - perhaps others will weigh in on this song... THRASHER by Neil Young ———— They were hiding behind hay bales, They were planting in the full moon They had given all they had for something new But the light of day was on them, They could see the thrashers coming And the water shone like diamonds in the dew. And I was just getting up, hit the road before it's light Where the eagle glides ascending It was then I knew I'd had enough, They had the best selection, So I got bored and left them there, Where the vulture glides descending But me I'm not stopping there, |
| ozzie1313 | Posted: Nov 20, 2011 - 15:02 One of my favorite albums - top 5. I was in the depths of my pathetic, romanticized, misanthropic alcholism and drug addiction when this came out. This album was my anthem. Just like Petty's Wildflowers was about me when I got divorced in 95 and went from MA to OR. |
| jersey_birdman | Posted: Jul 17, 2011 - 15:28 YES!  |
| BKardon (Boulder, CO by way of State and Madison) | Posted: Jun 15, 2011 - 23:22 Anyone know what this song is written about? |
| helgigermany (Germany) | Posted: Jun 15, 2011 - 23:16 Stranglersfan wrote: one of my fav NY tracks Yes, very nice tune! |
| Stranglersfan (Revelstoke, B.C.) | Posted: May 15, 2011 - 08:38 one of my fav NY tracks |
| a_genuine_find (not me, Radio P) (3rd stone, sol, orion belt, milkyway) | Posted: Jan 09, 2011 - 15:39 rcurrier wrote: Neil would never stoop so low as to have Ewoks as roadies. They were Jawas. Pardon me, you will?  |
| Cynaera (South of Neanderthal) | Posted: Jan 09, 2011 - 15:35 rcurrier wrote: Neil would never stoop so low as to have Ewoks as roadies. They were Jawas. He referred to them as "road-eyes." |
| ABPainter | Posted: Nov 07, 2010 - 06:31 Perfect song but I'm a sucker for prairie imagery. |
| lazylemming (City of the Angels) | Posted: Oct 06, 2010 - 18:00 never before realized that john hiatt's "buffalo river home" has virtually the same chord progression. |
| rcurrier (San Juan Capistrano, CA) | Posted: Sep 04, 2010 - 17:48 a_genuine_find wrote: I believe it was on this tour that the Ewok's accompanied Mr. Young, no? Neil would never stoop so low as to have Ewoks as roadies. They were Jawas. |
| JGM | Posted: Aug 03, 2010 - 17:44 Bobby! Cindy! Cindy! Bobby! |
| agkagk (Aurora, Ontario, Canada) | Posted: Jul 02, 2010 - 21:14 There's something magically magnetic about Neil Young. My eleven year old son, whose taste in music includes Kesha, Usher and Lady Ga Ga, watched Neil during the closing ceremonies of the Vancouver Winter Olympics (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqZAkHajPZU&feature=related) and thought he was "awesome". He was still bringing it up a few days later. Neil is now attracting a third generation of fans. (BTW, "Long May You Run" is an ode to a car.) |
| Bosami (Deep in the heart of nowhere) | Posted: Apr 30, 2010 - 09:10 h8rhater wrote: As much as any song that the man ever wrote, this has his inimitable mark of genius. Beautiful song from an iconic album. Neil at his best. Agreed. I am amazed that anyone could think otherwise... |
| h8rhater | Posted: Apr 30, 2010 - 08:19 crockydile wrote: Neil, you should have left this one on your table at home. Doesn't have the mark of your genius.  More is the pity for you.  As much as any song that the man ever wrote, this has his inimitable mark of genius. Beautiful song from an iconic album. Neil at his best. |
| crockydile (Outer Spiral Arm, Milky Way) | Posted: Mar 29, 2010 - 16:38 Neil, you should have left this one on your table at home. Doesn't have the mark of your genius. |
| On_The_Beach (Vancouver BC, Bud) | Posted: Mar 29, 2010 - 16:36 HazzeSwede wrote: I'm sorry but I can not give my respect to some one hating Mr.Young, its like saying you hate the sun, that brings life to all of us !  HazzeSwede, you are my kinda people!  |
| HazzeSwede (Vinyl Land) | Posted: Feb 26, 2010 - 02:46 WayUpNorth wrote: I respect that there are many who hate Neil Young but he is just brilliant IMHO. I feel like many of his songs are "absorbed" by my being, transcending the simple experience of "hearing." I'm sorry but I can not give my respect to some one hating Mr.Young, its like saying you hate the sun,that brings life to all of us ! |
| tiggers | Posted: Feb 26, 2010 - 02:44 Johnny-smooth wrote: Neil and Bob Dylan are arguably the top male lyricists of our time - Period. Pity neither of them could carry a tune in a bucket then. Maybe if they shut up and stuck to the writing I would have more time for them. |
| macadavy (Cascadia's attic, eh?) | Posted: Feb 26, 2010 - 02:41 Johnny-smooth wrote: Neil and Bob Dylan are arguably the top male lyricists of our time - Period. Wha? No Leonard Cohen? |
| a_genuine_find (not me, Radio P) (3rd stone, sol, orion belt, milkyway) | Posted: Jan 25, 2010 - 15:50 I believe it was on this tour that the Ewok's accompanied Mr. Young, no? |
| Johnny-smooth (On my bicycle) | Posted: Jan 25, 2010 - 15:36 Neil and Bob Dylan are arguably the top male lyricists of our time - Period. |
| OHMish (Copenhagen) | Posted: Jan 25, 2010 - 15:31 WayUpNorth wrote: I respect that there are many who hate Neil Young but he is just brilliant IMHO. I feel like many of his songs are "absorbed" by my being, transcending the simple experience of "hearing."  |
| toterola (Further) | Posted: Nov 23, 2009 - 19:15 pauleywalnuts wrote: When Neil played Massey Hall in Toronto a couple of years ago someone yelled out to play Thrasher. Neil responded he won't play it live anymore. He said "I just can't play that song live, I always mess it up so I don't try anymore". If you see the Live Rust movie he mangles one of the verses and then starts it over. It's cool that he left it in the movie version of RNS. Nobody's perfect but Neil is darn close!  I agree. I put this album on and just sing along to the whole thing. "Thrasher", "Pocahontas", "Powderfinger"... Hell, I love the whole thing!  |
| pauleywalnuts (Springfield) | Posted: Oct 23, 2009 - 10:27 When Neil played Massey Hall in Toronto a couple of years ago someone yelled out to play Thrasher. Neil responded he won't play it live anymore. He said "I just can't play that song live, I always mess it up so I don't try anymore". If you see the Live Rust movie he mangles one of the verses and then starts it over. It's cool that he left it in the movie version of RNS. Nobody's perfect but Neil is darn close! |
| Delawhere | Posted: Oct 23, 2009 - 09:46 one thing neil does is paint well, what I don't think he ever does is try to be somebody else. can't wait to see what he tries next. Thanks Neil! |
| cc_rider (Austin Texas. Y'all.) | Posted: Oct 23, 2009 - 09:41 I have not heard this song very many times, but I've always liked it. For some reason, hearing it here, now, it really strikes me deeply. The way 'Powderfinger' always does. I went to the song meanings link and read a little bit, the interpretations make it all the more interesting. Somehow he takes something as trivial as the breakup of a band (albeit a legendary one) and turns it into a commentary on man's quest for truth. Or something like that. Whatever it is, it is magical. |
| walchenbach (Puget Sound) | Posted: Oct 23, 2009 - 09:41 Neil at his best. A 10/10 for me. |
| Bosami (Deep in the heart of nowhere) | Posted: Oct 23, 2009 - 09:36 12 String acoustic bliss. |
| WayUpNorth (Down on the Farm) | Posted: Aug 21, 2009 - 07:48 I respect that there are many who hate Neil Young but he is just brilliant IMHO. I feel like many of his songs are "absorbed" by my being, transcending the simple experience of "hearing." |
| casey1024 (Still Hanging On...) | Posted: Aug 21, 2009 - 07:46 I have never heard this song before - surprised by that. AWESOME lyric. |
| Antigone (A house, in a valley, Virginia) | Posted: Aug 21, 2009 - 07:40 Bleyfusz wrote: And still you forgot to mention the words. Yes, you're right. I did. Neil's lyrics are, as always (for me) wonderful. |
| HazzeSwede (Vinyl Land) | Posted: Aug 21, 2009 - 07:40 10  |
| elliotgoettelman (sturgeon bay, wi) | Posted: Aug 21, 2009 - 07:40 papaman wrote: I was about to comment on this very lyric as well. Ironic in our current time. same here, you gotta love this forum |
| ralphyboy | Posted: Jul 20, 2009 - 17:05 makes me stop, turn. stare and day dream.... if thats good, bad or indiferent dont care as i find my self in a place that i trust |
| mandolin (...drifting...) | Posted: Jul 20, 2009 - 16:57 ...neil young's not supposed to sing this well!.. |
| papaman (Downstate New Mexico) | Posted: Apr 16, 2009 - 12:51 psg wrote: "Burned my credit card for fuel". I'm itching to to a cross-country bicycle trip across Canada in the next few years, before I turn 50, and somehow that line resonates now more than ever before. My roommates and I wore the grooves out on this album during our university days. I was about to comment on this very lyric as well. Ironic in our current time. |
| sharkey (Hogtown - Toronto - Canada) | Posted: Apr 16, 2009 - 12:50 Narg wrote: His parents should be held accountable for allowing him to pick up a guitar, let alone write anything!!! Just checked your ratings & comments. I guess there's just no accounting for taste. Some people have it, some people get it & some people never do. Your loss. |
| von_Hayek (Fr-Su Duesseldorf, Mo-Th Magdeburg) | Posted: Apr 16, 2009 - 12:49 Bleyfusz wrote: It is beyond any description how great this song is. Just unreal.  |
| Bleyfusz | Posted: Apr 16, 2009 - 12:47 It is beyond any description how great this song is. Just unreal. |
| peter_james_bond (Lunenburg, NS) | Posted: Apr 16, 2009 - 12:46 Brilliant, on many levels! |
| govna (beantown) | Posted: Apr 16, 2009 - 12:45 Narg wrote: His parents should be held accountable for allowing him to pick up a guitar, let alone write anything!!! or praised. whatever. |
| Narg (Hampshire, UK) | Posted: Feb 12, 2009 - 10:41 His parents should be held accountable for allowing him to pick up a guitar, let alone write anything!!! |
If I have to hear one more rambling cry-me-a-river dirge from this guy, I swear, it's razor blades for me...
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