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Neil Young — Prairie Wind
Album: Prairie Wind
Avg rating:
5.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 186









Released: 2005
Length: 7:19
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Trying to remember what my daddy said
Before too much time took away his head
He said we're going back and I'll show you what I'm talking about
Going back to Cypress River, back to the old farmhouse

(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
(Trying to remember what Daddy said)
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)

I tried to tell the people but they never heard a word I say
They say there's nothing out there but wheat fields anyway
Just a farmer's wife hanging laundry in her back yard
Out on the prairie where the winds blow long and hard

(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
(Trying to remember what Daddy said)
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)

Late at night, lights dancing in the northern sky
Like the Indian spirits trying to show me how to fly
You can see into the future but it may be a mirage
Like a new car sitting there in your old garage

(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
(Trying to remember what Daddy said)

There's a place on the prairie where evil and goodness play
Daddy told me all about it but I don't remember what he said
It might be afternoon and it might be the dead of night
But you'll know when you see it 'cause it sure is a hell of a sight

(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)

(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)

Prairie wind blowing through my head
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
Trying to remember what Daddy said
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
Before too much time took away his head
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
He said we're going back and I'll show you what I'm talking about
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)

(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
Going back to Cypress River, back to the old farmhouse
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)

(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
(Trying to remember what Daddy said)
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)...
Comments (50)add comment
Just checking to see if I can rate this any lower than 1. I can't. So I will just have to comment as follows:-
Posted 18 years ago by algrif    [ Reply ]
Neil Young with backup singers? Don't like the backup singers. (Sorry, Jacksonstat, belatedly read your post.)
Posted 18 years ago by lester    [ Reply ]
Not a big fan at all. And this one doesn't help. Whining voice, Bad harp. And it just never seems to stop.
Posted 18 years ago by algrif    [ Reply ]
Enough of this song rotation already. It just dronesonandonandon.
Posted 18 years ago by z11355    [ Reply ]
I'm a big fan of Neil's work, but this, alas is not one of his better works.
Posted 18 years ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]
PatrickL wrote:
tired of hearing this one.
I agree, A little Neil is good for the soul, to much makes me nuts (more so than normal)
Posted 19 years ago by Olympus_mons    [ Reply ]
This song, like the entire album, is quintessential Neil Young. (Spoken as a hard-core fan and follower since he released "Harvest.")
Posted 19 years ago by gussie    [ Reply ]
I like Neil in this song, what I don't like is the backup singers. Put a cork in it ladies!
Posted 19 years ago by Jacksonstat    [ Reply ]
Gets real tough at the end.....
Posted 19 years ago by stevo_b    [ Reply ]
Don't wear it out!
Posted 19 years ago by wade44    [ Reply ]
tired of hearing this one.
Posted 19 years ago by PatrickL    [ Reply ]
ScottN wrote:
I wish I thought the new songs were better. I'll listen more--NY deserves that. I hope they grow on me--positively.
The album has grown on me, but this is probably one of the worst songs on it. Still since it's Neil I give it a 5. My NY bias shows.
Posted 19 years ago by Bocephus    [ Reply ]
I wish I thought the new songs were better. I'll listen more--NY deserves that. I hope they grow on me--positively.
Posted 19 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
normol's coments are well said and I agree, but I will admit that I was a bit dissapointed when I bought "Are you passionate?"
Posted 19 years ago by trempel    [ Reply ]
olesonb wrote:
Neil has always been, and still remains, my favorite male artist. With that said, I wish he would have stopped 15 years ago. IMHO, he's done nothing lately that comes close to his creative peek in the 70s. This is a great example, it's horrible.
I can hear bits and pieces of something that sounds like something, but it doesn't add up to anything, and those backup vocalists sound bored out of their minds. No matter how many horns and girl singers Neil piles on, this just doesn't go anywhere. DOA.
Posted 19 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
i liek this tune a lot. it sure has been getting its fair share of time around here.
Posted 19 years ago by Wisecrowe    [ Reply ]
Its fortunate that Neil Young never did care what critics say; if he did he would be performing Heart of Gold 300 times a year, like a needle on a damaged record. He continues on a personal journey that isn't dependent on whether others join along or drop out. Prairie Wind has bits of the journey throughout the song. Thoughts of his father and the sentiment of loss are prevelant, as are horn arrangements that remind me of the earlier Blue Notes album. I think the new album stands up well with his best albums. I've been along for the whole journey, no complaints, just appreciation for all the shared thoughts and melodies.
Posted 19 years ago by normol    [ Reply ]
How could somebody burst on the stage in L.A. with buffalo springfield and take this direction in his musical career? Sad ! from the Loner "On the day that she left he died but it did not show"
Posted 19 years ago by crawdad    [ Reply ]
I feel sorry for those backup singers when they do this song on tour. How many times can you sing "Prairie Wind going through my hair..." before wanting to shoot yourself on stage...
Posted 19 years ago by sirrus    [ Reply ]
Neil has always been, and still remains, my favorite male artist. With that said, I wish he would have stopped 15 years ago. IMHO, he's done nothing lately that comes close to his creative peek in the 70s. This is a great example, it's horrible.
Posted 19 years ago by olesonb    [ Reply ]
madtowner11 wrote:
Wow, a Neil Young song on RP with a rating of less than 7? It's fascinating to me how crappy his songs have to be before his sheep followers will admit they're crap. He could put out an entire album of his fingernails down the chalkboard (not too different from his voice, actually), and there would still be a pretty high percentage of people in here who call it genius. Blah.
Sorry. I'm really not an asshole, but Neil Young turns me into one (temporarily).
Posted 19 years ago by madtowner11    [ Reply ]
Wow, a Neil Young song on RP with a rating of less than 7? It's fascinating to me how crappy his songs have to be before his sheep followers will admit they're crap. He could put out an entire album of his fingernails down the chalkboard (not too different from his voice, actually), and there would still be a pretty high percentage of people in here who call it genius. Blah.
Posted 19 years ago by madtowner11    [ Reply ]
Posted 19 years ago by ryuujin23    [ Reply ]
Enough already with this song. It's uninteresting and monotonous. He has done other stuff, presumably good, right?
Posted 19 years ago by underarmor    [ Reply ]
blinkblink wrote:
Works for me.
Just the opposite for me. I've heard other things from Neil that are much more interesting and appealing. (Not a big NY fan, but he does have a few good ones in the catalog.)
Posted 19 years ago by tg3k    [ Reply ]
freeone1 wrote:
Agree that this is, once again, a solid effort from Neil, but this is not, by far, the best track on the album. I love #3, can't think of the title right now.... Can see the Harvest connection, but my friend and I rather think of this album as Silver and Gold #2.
I agree that this album really gets traction on the third cut ("Falling Off the Face of the Earth")...and think it becomes a gentle exploration, almost funny at times, on what life on earth will be without Neil Young. My favorite cut: It's a Dream, which I think is one of his greats. I agree this isn't in the same class as "Harvest," but to me it's more deeply felt than "Silver and Gold," which had two or three really good songs and some real clunkers.
Posted 19 years ago by softjeans    [ Reply ]
Bocephus wrote:
listen a while...it'll grow on you. Song is influenced by his father's recent death.
I don't know...fourth time around, still not clicking. I even heard an interview recently on NPR, Teri Gross's show, and Neil's a very interesting guy. But compared to his earlier stuff, this just is flat for me. Thanks for the encouragement, though! :)
Posted 19 years ago by shakitten    [ Reply ]
sasa1170 wrote:
As much as everyone rips on Neil's voice, I have to say it's the backup singers in this song that I find very annoying. I give the song a 6, but IMO would be much better without the chorus vocals. Like the other tracks played on this album much better so far.
i completely agree... they sing like chickens
Posted 19 years ago by atomm73    [ Reply ]
As much as everyone rips on Neil's voice, I have to say it's the backup singers in this song that I find very annoying. I give the song a 6, but IMO would be much better without the chorus vocals. Like the other tracks played on this album much better so far.
Posted 19 years ago by sasa1170    [ Reply ]
Not sure about this one...sounds kind of like a Frank Zappa parody of a Neil Young song...the lyrics may redeem it, but haven't gotten past the arrangement to really focus on them yet.
Posted 19 years ago by dadofsammy    [ Reply ]
Screature wrote:
We aprreciate a great artist and know one when we hear one. However, based on your comment I doubt very much if you would know a great artist if one climbed up into your ear and shouted hello and all he would hear would be an echo.
Ohh! A board fight! No worries, I am not offended. You like Neil Young!
Posted 19 years ago by cbonai    [ Reply ]
shakitten wrote:
Nope...thus far, doesn't do it for me.
listen a while...it'll grow on you. Song is influenced by his father's recent death.
Posted 19 years ago by Bocephus    [ Reply ]
Huge NY fan here, but this definitely isn't for me.
Posted 19 years ago by CBJr    [ Reply ]
SCJoniguy wrote:
The whole CD is currently available as a stream, I listened to it and while this is good stuff it's not near the best on the CD. This supposedly completes the trilogy of Harvest & Harvest Moon, don't know why that's the case though.
Agree that this is, once again, a solid effort from Neil, but this is not, by far, the best track on the album. I love #3, can't think of the title right now.... Can see the Harvest connection, but my friend and I rather think of this album as Silver and Gold #2.
Posted 19 years ago by freeone1    [ Reply ]
I thought this was from Greendale when I first heard it here. I can understand the complaints- if you don't get Neil, you won't like ANY of it. Those of us who get it- well, Neil is awesome.
Posted 19 years ago by ralphcanoe    [ Reply ]
Works for me.
Posted 19 years ago by blinkblink    [ Reply ]
Can't help myself... I love everything this mans produces musically. The older I get (which, BTW, isn't old... yet :) , the more I appreciate his talent.
Posted 19 years ago by Jacksonstat    [ Reply ]
cbonai wrote:
Christ...what have we done to deserve two Neil Young songs in one day?
We aprreciate a great artist and know one when we hear one. However, based on your comment I doubt very much if you would know a great artist if one climbed up into your ear and shouted hello and all he would hear would be an echo.
Posted 19 years ago by Screature    [ Reply ]
Glad to hear Neil get out of the acoustic and piano set.
Posted 19 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Christ...what have we done to deserve two Neil Young songs in one day?
Posted 19 years ago by cbonai    [ Reply ]
topcat wrote:
Neil Young meets Steely Dan. :-k
The horns and backup singers remind me of SD's "Gaucho." Doesn't really work. Far too long, too.
Posted 19 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
ChardRemains wrote:
disjointed and not very impressive. if it wasn't NY I'd give it a 2.
Oh, so close. Here's my rewrite: disjointed and not very impressive. because it's NY I'll give it a 2.
Posted 19 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
disjointed and not very impressive. if it wasn't NY I'd give it a 2.
Posted 19 years ago by ChardRemains    [ Reply ]
The whole CD is currently available as a stream, I listened to it and while this is good stuff it's not near the best on the CD. This supposedly completes the trilogy of Harvest & Harvest Moon, don't know why that's the case though.
Posted 19 years ago by SCJoniguy    [ Reply ]
Horns?? Okay, much more immediate than some of his stuff - like it was recorded in his bedroom with the whole band huddled around his computer desk. "Just a farmer's wife hanging laundry in her back yard, Out on the prairie where the winds blow long and hard..." He's still got the imagery (yeah, like he could ever lose that.) "Late at night, lights dancing in the northern sky, Like the alien spirits, tryin' to show me how to fly..." I hate how the words are mumbled at the ends of his sentences, but you get the meaning. Still like "Zuma" better, but this is good, intriguing stuff. Guess I'll have to check it out.
Posted 19 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
I will have to take a chance and buy this album, you can never tell from one song off a NY album to make a choice but this is pleasing.
Posted 19 years ago by Indigox2    [ Reply ]
topcat wrote:
Neil Young meets Steely Dan. 8-<
Not sure what you mean by that TC but I like the horns and the choir. Shoot let's go 8!
Posted 19 years ago by ppak    [ Reply ]
Neil Young meets Steely Dan. :-k
Posted 19 years ago by topcat    [ Reply ]
wow somthing new from NY
Posted 19 years ago by nojyor    [ Reply ]
Nope...thus far, doesn't do it for me.
Posted 19 years ago by shakitten    [ Reply ]