Five songs that prove Neil Young is a genius guitarist
The word ‘genius’ is thrown around freely these days, putting it at risk of not carrying as much weight as it used to. Such a title should be approached with trepidation, and to be called a genius, someone must have contributed a great deal to their craft and shone within it. Neil Young is one of the guitarists who can comfortably be considered a genius, and here’s why…
If you were to dissect the technique with which he plays, you likely wouldn’t find anything out of the ordinary, but the conviction and emotion he plays make him so good. Some musicians play with their heads, some their hearts, but it’s different for Neil Young. He plays music in the same way he eats, drinks and breathes; it’s a gut instinct, and he plays as if his very life depends on it.
There are several instances throughout his career, both as a solo artist and with Buffalo Springfield, where he proves himself a genius. His guitar solos ring true in a way that many musicians would aspire for as if the way he plays is as honest as the lyrics he writes.
This list will examine the five songs that prove Neil Young is a genius guitarist.
Neil Young songs that prove he’s a genius:
‘For What It’s Worth’
This song was composed by Stephen Stills and is about the early protests against the Vietnam War. It’s a beautiful track but was made into a classic when Stills brought the music to Young, who then added the harmonics and solos.
Young’s contribution to this track changed it from a good song to an instantly recognisable classic. He understands the piece well and knows how much emphasis there is on the lyrics, so he doesn’t over-complicate the instrumental but adds enough that it becomes more interesting. The high-pitched pluck and inclusion of the whammy bar make everyone recognise ‘For What It’s Worth’ the minute it comes on.
‘Cinnamon Girl’
A turning point in Neil Young’s career was when he picked up a 53 Gibson Les Paul. This guitar would become his go-to, one he would use on all recordings, and that would shape his style of play. It first appears on his second solo album, and arguably the best guitar playing on that record is present on ‘Cinnamon Girl’.
The riff is heavy, one which is easy to bang your head to, but not so heavy that all tone and melody are buried in grit. It’s an excellent driving record that makes you feel lighter when you listen to it. Then, of course, there is the one-note solo. Some would call it lazy; others would call it innovative. Using one note and the whammy bar to make a layered minimalist solo is brilliant and makes for a unique listen.
“People say that it is a solo with only one note, but, in my head, each one of those notes is different,” said Young, “The more you get into it, the more you can hear the difference.”
Southern Man
His Les Paul played through a ’50s Fender Deluxe Tweed, which embodies Young’s style more than any other guitar and amp combo, and this combo was used on the classic ‘Southern Man’. The song has on it arguably one of Young’s best solos, one of grit, played with so much passion it can be heard through the speakers.
The song resonated with a number of people, including Lynyrd Skynyrd, who dedicated their classic ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ to it. It also appears on the album After The Gold Rush, which is arguably the best album that Young has ever made.
‘Cortez the Killer’
Young had a distinguished control over distortion that would go on to inspire many musicians who came after him. Mastering a temperamental effect and making it sound so easy is one of the things that truly make him great, and it can be heard incredibly well on the Zuma hit, ‘Cortez the Killer’.
There is a blend of melody and noise in the solo for ‘Cortez the Killer’, not to mention the droning sound of his double drop D tuning, which would eventually inspire the likes of Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth and J Mascis.
‘Rockin’ In The Free World’
Finally, a song that shows just how much of a genius Neil Young is is ‘Rockin’ In The Free World’. This song has a lot of screeching distortion, all of which is intentional and shows just how good Young is at conveying emotion through sound alone. It’s one thing to be able to say, “I’m angry” in a song to get your point across, but to have that come through in a guitar solo is a different talent altogether.
Young wrote the track in protest to the first Bush administration, hence why it comes across as a rage-fuelled number. Another element of Young that goes on to further solidify his genius is his refusal to grow domesticated with age. 20 years after the start of his career and already a successful musician, he would be within his rights to churn out anything, but instead, he opts for thought-provoking and passionate pieces.
