The Needle And The Damage Done

I caught you knockin’ at my cellar door: I love you, baby, can I have some more? Ooh, ooh, the damage done.

I hit the city and I lost my band: I watched the needle take another man. Gone, gone, the damage done.

I sing the song because I love the man! I know that some of you don’t understand [how you need to] milk-blood* to keep from running out.

* “milk-blood” most likely refers to the act of extracting heroin-laden blood, for reinjection at a later time. It usually is one’s own blood, but could also be the blood of someone who has just overdosed. It is done as “insurance” in case one’s heroin supply runs out. [source]

Old Man

Love lost, such a cost: give me things that don’t get lost, like a coin that won’t get tossed [while] rolling home to you.

[...]

But [now] I’m all alone at last, rolling home to you.

Old Man

Old man, look at my life: twenty-four and there’s so much more. Live alone in a paradise, that makes me think of two.

Old Man

Old man, take a look at my life: I’m a lot like you; I need someone to love me the whole day through. Ah, one look in my eyes and you can tell that’s true.

“I love old cars…”

I love old cars. Forties, fifties. Big cars. Heavy metal. I even love new cars. ‘Cause they get me where I wanna go. I love travel. I got hooked on those trips when I was five, six years-old. I think it was my dad. The highway bug. I’ve always loved it.

- Neil Young interviewed by Dave Zimmer, BAM, 22nd April 1988

Reference: McDonough, J. (2002). Shakey: Neil Young’s Biography. UK: Vintage Press. “Mr. Blue and Mr. Red”, p. 47-8

Love In Mind

Woke up this morning with love in mind. It was raining outside, but my love still shined: kept me warm till my plane touched the sky.

Welfare Mothers

Hard to believe that love is free, now – out on the street with the whole family, now.

Heart of Gold

I want to live, I want to give: I’ve been a miner for a heart of gold.
It’s these expressions I never give that keep me searching for a heart of gold;
And I’m getting old.

[...]

I’ve been in my mind, [and] it’s such a fine line that keeps me searching for a heart of gold.

Welfare Mothers

Welfare mothers make better lovers. Divorcee!

I Am A Child

You are a man, you understand. You pick me up and you lay me down again; you make the rules, you say what’s fair – it’s lots of fun to have you there.

[...]

You hold my hand, rough up my hair – it’s lots of fun to have you there.