American Idol drops Neil Young verse from "Sweet Home Alabama"

Lynyrd Skynyrd: Neil Young's Nemesis or Ally?

Last night on the insipid televised travesty called "American Idol", where so called "talent" embarrasses themselves and audiences should be paid to watch, a contestant named Bo Bice performed Lynyrd Skynyrd's song "Sweet Home Alabama".

However, the song's most key lines referring to Neil Young were cut from the performance for no apparent reason. Similar to the debacle at the 2005 Grammy Awards when country music's proud trailer trash heart-throb Gretchen Wilson sang the key lines, the desecration of the song and its meaning continue to escape fans.

Yet, Thrasher is really somewhat tired of server crashes every time the song "Sweet Home Alabama" seeps into the world's conciousness as folks "Google" the deep symbolism of Lynyrd Skynyrd without a clue whatsoever.

Cluelessness like Sweet Carolina Girl on Our Man Clay:

"To be honest, I'd never paid much attention to the lyrics of SHA. Mostly I just heard over and over "where the skies are so blue" and "I'll be comin' home to you." I guess I should have listened more carefully."

And over on The Color of Us and Canadian Idol discussion groups:

Violet Skye: "Yeah, I've been hearing that song all my life and never gave it a single thought beyond the 'Watergate does not bother me, does your conscience bother you?' line. I always thought it was a strange song (what kind of idiot sings Watergate does not bother him?), and 'In Birmingham they love the gov'nah...' I always had a vague notion this song was wrong, but I never thought too deeply about it."
jhr0208:"I have sung that song a 1000 times and NEVER thought about it either ~ this has DEFINATLY changed my view on that song."
BDotGirl"I didn't know it did that....guess I never listened to the words...it's just kinda fun!"

And the insanity continues with Fox's Bill O'Reilly TV show where American Idol winners and losers becomes a red state vs blue state issue. Essentially the argument goes that the American Idol program competition was a victory for the red states because the loser sang "Sweet Home Alabama", while the winner Carrie Underwood sang "I Want to Be Inside Your Heaven". The former is a liberal song and the latter is the conservative number.

On the Bob Dylan discussion list, Nate posts on Fox's red/blue state analysis:

"Are you kidding me? If there exists a conservative rock and roll song... Look no further than Sweet Home Alabama. That song is the very epitome of conservative values... Now Watergate does not bother me, does your conscience bother you? Who is this idiot anyway? I wanted to call in and tell him what a fool he was making of himself and how ignorant he sounded by trying to push Lynard Skynard as a liberal's rock and roll band. They bash Neil Young in that fuckin' song -- now if that's a liberal thing to do... So is hiring someone based on their merit and ability."

This red vs blue, liberal vs conservative argument over the song has been analyzed before in the context of the 2004 U.S. election. Again, very sad.

Some hate the song. Like Mannahatta:

"I had to listen to this awful song piping out the windows of one too many Range Rovers at my Atlanta high school. All the preppy little boys spitting tobacco into the water fountain. So bizarre."

If ever there was an appropriately named forum, over on Television Without Pity, the ignorance of American Idol viewers about American history knows no bounds. Read it and weep.

"Sweet Home Alabama" "was and is a strident anthem about the pride of a region and the politics of a particular place and time", writes Kevin McDonough in The Morning Call.

Not enough? Here kids, try a little history lesson on Lynyrd Skynyrd, Neil Young, slavery, racism and rock-n-roll.

UPDATE June 4, 2005: Probably not the last word on the subject but an article in today's Tennessean reports that Neil Young walked onstage at Tootsie's on Lower Broadway in Nashville and performed "Sweet Home Alabama" with the house band. Young was in town working on a new album and meeting with film director Jonathan Demme on a soundtrack.

Randomly Blogged: Ryan Adams, The Decemberists, Rilo Kiley, U2's Bono

RYAN ADAMS & THE CARDINALS "Cold Roses": Neil Young's Influence

Rilo Kiley, Nada Surf, & The Brunettes: Opera House, Toronto, May 19, 2005

The Decemberists - Phoenix, Toronto, May 21, 2005

U2's Bono and The Rock Critic

Mansion On The Hill Updates Blog Format

ASCAP Bestows Highest Honors to Neil Young

photo by Chris Pizzello

Neil Young was presented the ASCAP Founders Award last night at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The ASCAP Founders Award honors influential songwriters who have made outstanding contributions.

According to a Reuters News report, Young was introduced by former Warner Bros. Records chairman Mo Ostin, who said that working with Young posed its fair share of challenges. He recalled that the environmentally conscious rocker wanted to issue his 1972 album "Harvest" wrapped in biodegradable paper that would turn to dust after a few years.

From a Rolling Stone report, Mo Ostin said:

"There is only one Neil Young.

Neil's first album for Reprise had a great song, 'The Loner.' Looking back, it defines Neil: a man willing to stand alone. He follows his own brilliant -- and shaky -- muse.

When he'd finished recording a new album, Neil would come to the label's offices to play it and invite comments.

We'd tell him what we thought, and then Neil would decide whether he wanted to make any changes.

Young's musical legacy will continue to rock the free world and enrich generations to come."

From a Los Angeles Times report, Neil's six-minute acceptance speech started with a heartfelt tribute to his wife, Pegi, for sticking through his career changes during their 27-year marriage. With their children, Amber and Ben, as well as Zeke, Neil commented:

"A lot of relationships have gone down the tubes at the hands of the muse."

Continuing his rambling acceptance, Neil said:

"I should have written something down!

I've been at the top and I've been at the bottom. I've been a has-been. But I just do what I do and every few years things come back around again.

It's great to be able to do what you want to do. I can't get up and rap. If I do that, I think you'll get up and shoot me. Most things I soak up, and it comes out here and there, so keep your eyes peeled.

Anyway, I guess my mission now is to boldly go where no hippie has ever gone before."

Young also remarked that he will deliver his latest album to Warner Music Group's Reprise Records on Tuesday morning. As Neil exited to a standing ovation he played a little air guitar.

The Indigo Girls performed an acoustic version of "Down By the River" as part of the ceremony.

In a comment below, Laurel reports:

"Later that evening, Neil did a surprise appearance at The Joint. He played "Down By The River" for 30 minutes. He followed it with "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere". Here's a link for the bit-torrent download.

Awesome indeed. And not too bad for a guy recovering from having brain surgery last month!!!

Also, here's a link for the ASCAP Awards with a biography of Neil Young and photos.

Randomly Blogged - Bruce Springsteen, Mountain Goats, Shearwater

Bruce Springsteen Concert Review: Patriot Center, Fairfax, VA - May 14, 2005

Mountain Goats & Shearwater at Lee's Palace, Toronto, May 11, 2005

Starbucks Rejects New Bruce Springsteen CD, or "Not Their Cup of Tea", "Starbucks puts Lid on Springsteen CD," and "Starbucks won't brew Springsteen CD"

Thrasher's Blog: Americana UK 's Blog of the Month

Greendale Songbook Winner

Congratulations to Steve Cross for his winning entry in the Greendale Songbook Contest.

Steve has a great story about chasing Neil Young and Crazy Horse for their autograph on a "Feedback is Back" poster.

The tale takes place on the Greendale tour at the Starlight Amphitheatre in Kansas City, KS on August 9th, 2003.

While not all of our heroes fare well in this saga, Steve and his brother will not be denied!

More on the Don't Spook The Horse Quest.

Again, congratulations Steve. And thanks to all the other submissions. A tough choice. More on runner-ups shortly.

Four Dead in Ohio

The Four Dead in Ohio

Allison Krause - Age: 19, 110 Yards
William Schroeder - Age: 19, 130 Yards
Jeffrey Miller - Age: 20, 90 Yards
Sandra Scheuer - Age: 20, 130 Yards

Thirty five years ago, on May 4, 1970, an anti-war student demonstration at Kent State University, Ohio left four students dead, one paralyzed, and eight others wounded.

The demonstration ended when the National Guard fired into the crowd of students. The shootings ended the lives of four students Jeffrey Miller, Allison Krause, William Schroeder, and Sandra Scheuer.

Shortly thereafter, Neil Young wrote what would become an anthem of a generation -- the song "Ohio" in memory of the "Four dead in Ohio".

Over the years, Thrasher's Wheat has received more mail and comments on this song than almost any other Young song. Comments like this from Jodi:

"I just would like to say that I am a 23 old student and I am doing a speech on CSNY during the protest era, mainly the song 'Ohio'. I would have to say that this song has touched me and it has become one of my favorite songs. It is tragic what happened to the students, especially when I read two of those who died were just walking to their next class. This song puts me in a time I was never in and I apprecitate the music as well as the students."

The song "Ohio" was an anthem to a generation in the 1970's. Here's how Neil remembers the song from liner notes of the Decade album:

"It's still hard to believe I had to write this song. It's ironic that I capitalized on the death of these American students. Probably the most important lesson ever learned at an American place of learning. David Crosby cried after this take."

For more on the song, the historic aftermath of its impact, and photos of the day, see Lyrics Analysis of Neil Young's song "Ohio".

Open Comment Thread Below

Nashville Report on New Album

Reports of Neil Young sightings in Nashville continue to circulate.

Nashville horn player Wayne Jackson reports on his website Sweet Medicine that he joined Young to record his new album with co-producer, Ben Keith. Wayne Jackson was joined in the studio with Rick Rosas - bass, Spooner Oldham - organ, Chad Cromwell – drums, Carl Himmel – percussion and Tom McGinley - baritone sax.

Wayne reports:

"The songs sound fantastic!! Neil’s gifts really shine through, and [I] had a ball coming up with the arrangements!"

There is a nice photo of Neil, Wayne & Spooner on Jackson's website.

Thanks to "Pontus" on Rust for the tip.

Neil Gets Out and About at Train Show

Good news on Neil Young's continuing health recovery from surgery.

Neil was spotted this weekend at a model railroad convention in Pennsylvania. Reports indicate that Neil looked good and seemed to be in fine spirits.

An attendee reported Neil was there strictly on behalf of Lionel, to show some continuity in Lionel's management, after Lionel Trains filed for bankruptcy last year. Also, the train fans are anxiously waiting for news on upgrades. Neil said at the meeting:

"Hang in there, it will be light years ahead of anything out there now."

Somehow Neil found time to file a United States Patent Application for a Model Vehicle Control Input Selection. Guess between surgery and recording an album, he had a little free time to invent a train device for Lionel. That Neil. What a Renaissance man.

More on trains and Neil.