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Neil Young — Words (Between The Lines Of Age)
Album: Harvest
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2044









Released: 1972
Length: 6:31
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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Someone and someone were down by the pond
Looking for something to plant in the lawn
Out in the fields they were turning the soil
I'm sitting here hoping this water will boil

When I look through the window and out on the road
They're bringing me presents and saying hello
Singing words, words between the lines of age
Words, words between the lines of age

If I was a junkman selling you cars
Washing your windows and shining your stars
Thinking your mind was my own in a dream
What would you wonder and how would it seem?

Living in castles a bit at a time
The king started laughing and talking in rhyme
Singing words, words between the lines of age
Words, words between the lines of age
Comments (307)add comment
 aspicer wrote:
...gosh how many times I've listened to this album straight through?! Brilliant.
 
I had to flip it over, several times!
Posted 2 months ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:

OK.  I will bite.  What on earth do the lyrics mean?
From a Reddit post, quoting Neil from the book "'Waging Heavy Peace',

“Words” is the first song that reveals a little of my early doubts of
being in a long-term relationship with Carrie. It was a new
relationship. There were so many people around all the time, talking and
talking, sitting in a circle smoking cigarettes in my living room. It
had never been like that before. I am a very quiet and private person.
The peace was going away. It was changing too fast. I remember actually
jumping out the living room window onto the lawn to get out of there—I
couldn’t wait long enough to use the door! Words—too many of them, it
seemed to me. I was young and not ready for what I had gotten myself
into. I became paranoid and aware of mind games others were trying to
play on me. I had never even thought of that before. That was how we did
Harvest, in love in the beginning and with some doubts at the end.”
Posted 3 months ago by Jayesea    [ Reply ]
His  voice is insufferable. Perhaps in his bondage-dungeon-cum-studio the clamps were too tight.    
Posted 6 months ago by Far    [ Reply ]
...gosh how many times I've listened to this album straight through?! Brilliant.
Posted 1 year ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
 HonduranRed wrote:
I love the lyrics,...so simple and full of life!
 
OK.  I will bite.  What on earth do the lyrics mean?
Posted 1 year ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
I love the lyrics,...so simple and full of life!
Posted 1 year ago by HonduranRed    [ Reply ]
To me Neil should be 8 or above
Posted 1 year ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
I guess the can’t all be legend.
Posted 1 year ago by jukes1    [ Reply ]
I played this album and CSNY 4-Way Street continuously when I was a High School. This still sounds just as good now as when I first heard it.
Posted 2 years ago by rabaak    [ Reply ]
Eww.
Posted 2 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..............
Posted 2 years ago by givendale    [ Reply ]
bought this album LP last week. one of the greatest recording ever 
Posted 2 years ago by 4wel    [ Reply ]
great album cut
Posted 2 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
Someone and someone and something and stuff
Writing these lyrics can sometimes be tough
Posted 2 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
one of neil's best slow-burn leads. never gets old
Posted 2 years ago by bobdote    [ Reply ]
words!
{#Bananajam}
Posted 3 years ago by DocStrangelove    [ Reply ]
This was my favorite song in High School.    I think it still stands up well after all these years.
Posted 3 years ago by rabaak    [ Reply ]
 expatlar wrote:
Still makes me perk up my ears and reach over to turn it up after all these years. First album I ever bought, I was in the eight grade. The music has aged better than I.

 
Yup.  Between the lines of age indeed.  But any day on this side of the dirt is a good day, eh?  {#Cheers}

Highlow
American Net'Zen
Posted 3 years ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
Just saw him on a national tv broadcast from his hometown in Ontario, he did all his good stuff solo acoustic just him and his many guitars and harmonica...on after the hockey game of course 
Posted 3 years ago by vanillagorilla    [ Reply ]
Still makes me perk up my ears and reach over to turn it up after all these years. First album I ever bought, I was in the eight grade. The music has aged better than I.
Posted 3 years ago by expatlar    [ Reply ]
 DrLex wrote:
The rhythm is all over the place.
I think none of the instruments were accurately tuned.
It also seems the tape recorder had trouble maintaining a constant speed at times.
But still it's goddamn beautiful, maybe exactly because of all its imperfections.

 
The rhythm is not all over the place: there is "only" a change from 11/8 during the interludes to 4/4 in verse and chorus.
Posted 3 years ago by wyrd    [ Reply ]
Dr Lex...yep!

It's so freakin unique but with hooks and trippy grooves, that are universal.     
Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
The rhythm is all over the place.
I think none of the instruments were accurately tuned.
It also seems the tape recorder had trouble maintaining a constant speed at times.
But still it's goddamn beautiful, maybe exactly because of all its imperfections.
Posted 3 years ago by DrLex    [ Reply ]
 boxofrain wrote:
One of Neil's most overlooked songs — a true masterpiece.  Not sure how it ended up on this album as it's so different in tone than all the others.  THANKS RP for playing this one!!

 
A true masterpiece for sure, maybe even the best song Neil ever made. But not so different from Alabama to my ears.
Posted 4 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
Timeless - the athmosphere of this tune is still breathing!
one of my favours.
saw neil this summer in montreux. The man still keeps it going for 3
Hous standing tall and rockin


Posted 4 years ago by saellig668552    [ Reply ]
 SanFranGayMan wrote:

Agree. This whole album ranges in the sad, beautiful and soulfully engaging. My fav on this album is Man Needs a Maid. "Just to make his bed and go away." Yet, after all the angst and rejection of relationships, he says, "When can I see you again?" This covers the spectrum of the male-independent, yet oh so dependent. His vulnerableness is on full display-brilliant and honest. and the orchestration is for me, so mesmerizing. The bells, the cymbals-percussion and strings-all ring at just the right time.  The guy was on fire with this album-and many others!

 
I bought a used copy of this album as well.  I did a lot of hw to it in college.
Posted 4 years ago by netskink    [ Reply ]
One of Neil's most overlooked songs — a true masterpiece.  Not sure how it ended up on this album as it's so different in tone than all the others.  THANKS RP for playing this one!!
Posted 4 years ago by boxofrain    [ Reply ]
 Ptijoc wrote:
I can't explain what this song makes to me...the guitar is so sad and beautiful, the lyrics so strange, i hear it since 1974, i was 10 and the it still magic. One of the greatest song for ever and ever.

 
Agree. This whole album ranges in the sad, beautiful and soulfully engaging. My fav on this album is Man Needs a Maid. "Just to make his bed and go away." Yet, after all the angst and rejection of relationships, he says, "When can I see you again?" This covers the spectrum of the male-independent, yet oh so dependent. His vulnerableness is on full display-brilliant and honest. and the orchestration is for me, so mesmerizing. The bells, the cymbals-percussion and strings-all ring at just the right time.  The guy was on fire with this album-and many others!
Posted 4 years ago by SanFranGayMan    [ Reply ]
And as the moon rises he sits by his fire
Thinking about women and glasses of beer
And closing his eyes as the doggies retire
He sings out a song which is soft but it's clear
As if maybe someone could hear
Posted 4 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
Still like this song.  Strange beat in the bridge, though.  What is it,  11/4 ??

Just looked on wikipedia, it is 11/8!   I was close!

From wikipedia:  The song is notable for alternating between a standard 4/4 time signature for verses and choruses and an unusual 11(3+3+3+2)/8 for interludes.
Posted 4 years ago by rharvey658    [ Reply ]
I can't explain what this song makes to me...the guitar is so sad and beautiful, the lyrics so strange, i hear it since 1974, i was 10 and the it still magic. One of the greatest song for ever and ever.
Posted 4 years ago by Ptijoc    [ Reply ]
Can't sing. Can't much play his guitar. Writes pretty good songs though. May have a future in front of him.
Posted 4 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
9th July 2016 Neil Young + The Promise Of The Real in Amsterdam best concert I saw in my entire life: over 180 minutes long. This song was one of the highlights.
Posted 4 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
A TEN if ever there was one...
Posted 5 years ago by le_colonel    [ Reply ]
 NeilBlanchard wrote:
The recording quality on this is rip-roaring great!  I am guessing it is live - i.e. all the musicians played together, and no multiracking was used?

 
Sounds like it.  Neil was famously into "natural" sound and is decidedly anti digital.  

"From the early 1980's up till now, and probably for another fifteen years to come - this is the darkest time ever for recorded music. We'll come out on the other end and it'll be okay, but we'll look back and go, "Wow, that was the digital age.  I wonder what that music really sounded like.  We got so carried away that we never really recorded it.  We just made digital records of it.""
  - Neil Young 1992     
Posted 5 years ago by Cueburned    [ Reply ]
 ziggytrix wrote:
The lyrics seem somewhere between nonsense verse and word salad to me.

Pretty tune tho. :) 

 
Agreed. 

Still curious about what NY may have been hinting at..... 
Posted 5 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
The lyrics seem somewhere between nonsense verse and word salad to me.

Pretty tune tho. :) 
Posted 5 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
The recording quality on this is rip-roaring great!  I am guessing it is live - i.e. all the musicians played together, and no multiracking was used?
Posted 5 years ago by NeilBlanchard    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:
So what is this song about?  ...

 
It's about 6 minutes and 40 seconds.
{#Drummer}
What is this, an audience or an oil painting?  Don't forget to tip your waitress.
Posted 5 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:
So what is this song about? 
 
Someone and someone.  ; )
Posted 5 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Words and the cover job is exceptional.
Posted 5 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
So what is this song about?  

People who wish they were of much higher socio-economic status? 
Posted 5 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
9? what were we thinking? absolute 10.
Posted 5 years ago by LYS    [ Reply ]
Even wore out the CD of this album
Posted 5 years ago by oldman    [ Reply ]
I've said it once and I'll say it again:  compare Neil's work for the period 1967 - 1974. His only rival for a given seven period: Beatles.   
Posted 5 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
beautiful lyrics
Posted 5 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
who is this guy ... Merely one of the premiere '60s - '80s rock demi gods with a half dozen signature ax tracks, a dozen or more classic songs, and more collaborations or appearances with other demi gods than we can probably count.  Apparently Hendrix, McCartney, Springsteen, Emily Lou, among others, were/are enamored of NY's voice.
 
Thank you, kingart!  {#Cheers}
Posted 5 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 clelaed wrote:
Whiniest voice I have ever heard....who is this guy

 
who is this guy ... Merely one of the premiere '60s - '80s rock demi gods with a half dozen signature ax tracks, a dozen or more classic songs, and more collaborations or appearances with other demi gods than we can probably count.  Apparently Hendrix, McCartney, Springsteen, Emily Lou, among others, were/are enamored of NY's voice. 
Posted 6 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Warren Haynes does a nice cover of this song. 
Posted 6 years ago by vinylbob    [ Reply ]
I find it amazing, the chugging, Time-bending wrenching of musicality that Neil Young wrangles and wrestles in his incendiary musings 
Posted 6 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Great poetry, but sadly I can't get past the simply appalling sound of his voice.
Posted 6 years ago by sarah_mae    [ Reply ]
 beasty7 wrote:
Music as primal and pure as it gets…if you don't get it, I'm sorry…there must be something out there that rocks your soul, but this does it for me!!!
 
Well said, beasty7!
I am so with you.
Posted 6 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Music as primal and pure as it gets…if you don't get it, I'm sorry…there must be something out there that rocks your soul, but this does it for me!!!
Posted 6 years ago by beasty7    [ Reply ]
Whiniest voice I have ever heard....who is this guy
Posted 6 years ago by clelaed    [ Reply ]
Oh yeah. I just remembered why I skip this track off of this excellent effort.
Posted 6 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
 Delawhere wrote:
this one just sneaks up one you, say to myself "why haven't I listened to this song in so long", I leave the room, then the song is over. The only thing this song needs is to be longer. Thank you Neil

 
SO TRUE!
Posted 6 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
this one just sneaks up one you, say to myself "why haven't I listened to this song in so long", I leave the room, then the song is over. The only thing this song needs is to be longer. Thank you Neil
Posted 7 years ago by Delawhere    [ Reply ]
Wow, does this guy have a quiver of top-rated albums & songs.

But this one, perhaps one of my very favorite. Such class Neil guitar work. All guitarists want that sound that folks know who it is that's playing. Here, there ain't no question, and it feels so good.
Posted 7 years ago by k-man    [ Reply ]
{#Skull}
Posted 7 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
One of my all time favorite records, though not my favorite song.  How about a little "Out on the Weekend"?
Posted 7 years ago by Clark_Novato    [ Reply ]
Sounds like it was recorded in a basement. Perfect trashy sound.
Posted 7 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
C'mon...play the VU version. Or play "Heroin" or "Waiting for my man"
Posted 8 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
One of the greatest albums of the glorious 1970s!
Posted 8 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
If I was a junkman
selling you cars,
Washing your windows
and shining your stars,
Thinking your mind
was my own in a dream
What would you wonder
and how would it seem?
Living in castles
a bit at a time
The King started laughing
and talking in rhyme.

Singing words, words
between the lines of age.
Words, words
between the lines of age.

Love that poetry.
Posted 8 years ago by d-don    [ Reply ]
BTS —> Neil - LOVE!  solid '10'!

(I saw Neil a couple weeks back - my favorite moment - my friend turns to me & says, "Wow, this sounds like Neil Young."  If you get that, it's brilliant!)
Posted 8 years ago by Biscobret    [ Reply ]
Stand, Salute and Turn it up. Sing along with the chorus. That feels mighty fine. Thanks Neil.
Posted 8 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
Something I heard a long time ago might help the skeptics understand: "Neil doesn't sing because he wants to; he sings because he has to."
Posted 8 years ago by DaveDavis    [ Reply ]
 chadlymn wrote:
COME ON....Enough Neil Young. 

Worst vocalist ever!!!!! 

Where's the mute button?   {#Puke}

 
As soon as you see the giant font and the puke emoticon you know you're dealing with the simple-minded.
Posted 8 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 chadlymn wrote:
COME ON....Enough Neil Young. 

Worst vocalist ever!!!!! 

Where's the mute button?   {#Puke}

 

where's the puke emo when you need it the most...{#Lol}
Posted 8 years ago by MiracleDrug    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of the countless summer nights, early mornings I sat on the steps of my brownstone apartment in downtown Albany after getting off my shift, with Neil streaming gently from my speakers out into the city air.
Posted 8 years ago by black321    [ Reply ]
Words — Between the Lines of Age, indeed; you said it!
Can't wait to see and hear you again, Neil!  Aug 5, Red Rocks, YEAH! 
Posted 8 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
My HERO{#Notworthy}
Posted 8 years ago by dew34    [ Reply ]
One of the best albums evah
Posted 9 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
10
Posted 9 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
Man, I wore out this album back in the 70's playing it on the console stereo.  Still sounds awesome...
Posted 9 years ago by Stephenater    [ Reply ]
Old Man look at my life, I`m a bit like you.Man needs a Maid,Needle and the Damage Done.Ha brilliant.
Posted 9 years ago by 2tfrut    [ Reply ]
Brilliant
Posted 9 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
Still love it 40 years later.
Posted 9 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
YES!  {#Clap}
Posted 9 years ago by jersey_birdman    [ Reply ]
 mistabird wrote:
lang , lang ist`s her.   diese geile Zeiten heut gute erinnerungen  {#Sunny}
 
I'm not sure what the F you said, but I'm pretty sure I agree!  ; )

Posted 9 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
lang , lang ist`s her.   diese geile Zeiten heut gute erinnerungen  {#Sunny}
Posted 9 years ago by mistabird    [ Reply ]
 chadlymn wrote:
COME ON....Enough Neil Young. 

Worst vocalist ever!!!!! 

Where's the mute button?   {#Puke}

 

(A) Take mouse in hand
(B) Slide little arrow up to little red 'X' and click
(C) Don't come back w/o written permission from your Neurosurgeon...{#Beat}
Posted 9 years ago by linzie    [ Reply ]
 turned f——— UP!!  {#Drummer}
Posted 9 years ago by linzie    [ Reply ]
 w3weasel wrote:


" pitchy, off-key, off-timing, repetative and just flat-out annoying"

 
God I love Neil Young{#Notworthy}
Posted 9 years ago by oldman    [ Reply ]
Never tire of any track from Harvest. {#Sunny}
Posted 9 years ago by pauleywalnuts    [ Reply ]
Always knew this from the Decade album.  That's an awesome album too.
Posted 9 years ago by pomalley    [ Reply ]
This LP is a must-have

I could listen it for months when I was much younger but I stil really enjoy listening it again

Thanks RP

Posted 9 years ago by fioh    [ Reply ]
I hate it when RPreads my mind against the stream, as it were, of the internet...
Posted 9 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
YES! dont know why, but this has been one of my fav NY songs since this album came out. Thanks rp!!
Posted 9 years ago by keenevision    [ Reply ]
 RipperP wrote:
Wow nice set, culminating in the transition from Low to Neil...
 

Still works in July...
Posted 9 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
I just changed my last rating from 8 to 9!! Keep playing this, and I'll get it to 11....

Thx!
Posted 10 years ago by linzie    [ Reply ]
 pannaramma wrote:
tedious

 
...anyone into bananaramma might think so, maybe...


Posted 10 years ago by linzie    [ Reply ]
 black321 wrote:
It's only rock and roll, and I like it.
 
Genesis. It. The lamb lies down on broadway.
gotcha :-)

Posted 10 years ago by mineralBOB    [ Reply ]
 sandpebble wrote:
Could that be Nils on piano?
 
John Harris, James McMahon, or Jack Nitzsche

Posted 10 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Sounds as good today as it did when it came out.
Timeless.

Posted 10 years ago by meadowwoods    [ Reply ]
It's only rock and roll, and I like it.
Posted 10 years ago by black321    [ Reply ]
Wow nice set, culminating in the transition from Low to Neil...
Posted 10 years ago by RipperP    [ Reply ]

Any fans of Journey Through the Past?

This one also appears on that album but in a much longer format if I recall.

A white guy from Winnipeg, Manitoba does plodding, soulful electric guitar, and guess what?  He pulls it off.

 


Posted 10 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Thanks Bill !!!!        {#Clap}
Posted 10 years ago by jkhandy    [ Reply ]
Did anyone hear this transition? 

Low - On the Edge Of
Neil Young - Words

{#Good-vibes}

Bill ... brilliant

Posted 10 years ago by Beinte    [ Reply ]
tedious

Posted 10 years ago by pannaramma    [ Reply ]
I LOVE Neil Young as a song writer, and he has some amazing vocals on some of his songs.

This is by far THE most annoying, pitchy, off-key, off-timing, repetative and just flat-out annoying song in his entire catalog.

Just... yuk

Posted 10 years ago by w3weasel    [ Reply ]
Great song and Radio Paradise Rocks !!!!
Posted 10 years ago by SavetheTuna    [ Reply ]
COME ON....Enough Neil Young. 

Worst vocalist ever!!!!! 

Where's the mute button?   {#Puke}

Posted 10 years ago by chadlymn    [ Reply ]
Sublime guitar solo.
Posted 10 years ago by listen_n_sf    [ Reply ]
Good song! It's just that I think the song could be about 24 minutes shorter.
Posted 10 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 Bosami wrote:


Color me green w/ ENVY! That will be a great show. Love his acoustic concerts. Enjoy!
 
Dunno about that one, but the tickets for the other shows on the tour are crazy expensive...they START at $100 for obstructed view seating!


Posted 11 years ago by schrodingersdog    [ Reply ]
One of his best songs off one of his best albums...Love it {#Music}
Posted 11 years ago by DaveInVA    [ Reply ]
Could that be Nils on piano?
Posted 11 years ago by sandpebble    [ Reply ]
azdcryan wrote:
agreed...this song and this entire album have to be some of the most emotive rock music in history
Verily. The time and place of its creation is well preserved by the work itself. Except the Southern Man thing. That bit of slander was beneath the high standard - although the screamin' guitar solo does cause spontaneous skin grafts.

Posted 11 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
Used to listen to this LP and other Neil Young LPs on an old mono-player.  Ah the memories.
Posted 11 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
 Darlington wrote:

Tickets on sale Saturday for his solo accoustic show in Spartanburg, SC over Labor Day weekend. Can't wait!


 

Color me green w/ ENVY! That will be a great show. Love his acoustic concerts. Enjoy!
Posted 11 years ago by Bosami    [ Reply ]

Tickets on sale Saturday for his solo accoustic show in Spartanburg, SC over Labor Day weekend. Can't wait!


Posted 11 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
Great song, great album. As fresh now as it was in 1972. {#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 11 years ago by pauleywalnuts    [ Reply ]
{#Notworthy} 'nuff said.
Posted 11 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
 yodasan_magoo wrote:
For those who think Neil sounds off key and the singing...well bad...then listen to it right after a Bob Dylan song.  I think you might just enjoy it.
 
LOL! That's like saying herpes is an improvement after a dose of syphilis! Ok, perhaps a bit over the top - I don't want to liken yer man Young to a STD as he is a brilliant songwriter and a legend, but that voice really does my head in every time and is even worse than Dylan's.

Posted 11 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 ambrebalte wrote:
outstanding 9
I love everything in this one
 

agreed...this song and this entire album have to be some of the most emotive rock music in history
Posted 11 years ago by azdcryan    [ Reply ]
{#Drummer}..........................................{#Bananajam}......................................{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 11 years ago by ratman    [ Reply ]
outstanding 9
I love everything in this one
Posted 11 years ago by ambrebalte    [ Reply ]
Neil singing and playing the blues

Posted 11 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]