Neil Young — Words (Between The Lines Of Age)

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Total ratings: 1996
Length: 6:31
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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
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 (305)add comment
His voice is insufferable. Perhaps in his bondage-dungeon-cum-studio the clamps were too tight.
...gosh how many times I've listened to this album straight through?! Brilliant.
HonduranRed wrote:
OK. I will bite. What on earth do the lyrics mean?
I love the lyrics,...so simple and full of life!
OK. I will bite. What on earth do the lyrics mean?
I love the lyrics,...so simple and full of life!
To me Neil should be 8 or above
I guess the can’t all be legend.
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.
Eww.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..............

bought this album LP last week. one of the greatest recording ever
great album cut
Someone and someone and something and stuff
Writing these lyrics can sometimes be tough
Writing these lyrics can sometimes be tough
one of neil's best slow-burn leads. never gets old
words!


This was my favorite song in High School. I think it still stands up well after all these years.
expatlar wrote:
Yup. Between the lines of age indeed. But any day on this side of the dirt is a good day, eh?
Highlow
American Net'Zen
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?

Highlow
American Net'Zen
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
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.
DrLex wrote:
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.
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.
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.
Dr Lex...yep!
It's so freakin unique but with hooks and trippy grooves, that are universal.
It's so freakin unique but with hooks and trippy grooves, that are universal.
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.
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.
boxofrain wrote:
A true masterpiece for sure, maybe even the best song Neil ever made. But not so different from Alabama to my ears.
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.
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
one of my favours.
saw neil this summer in montreux. The man still keeps it going for 3
Hous standing tall and rockin
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.
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.
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!!
Ptijoc 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 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!
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Can't sing. Can't much play his guitar. Writes pretty good songs though. May have a future in front of him.
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.
A TEN if ever there was one...
NeilBlanchard wrote:
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
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
ziggytrix wrote:
Agreed.
Still curious about what NY may have been hinting at.....
The lyrics seem somewhere between nonsense verse and word salad to me.
Pretty tune tho. :)
Pretty tune tho. :)
Agreed.
Still curious about what NY may have been hinting at.....
The lyrics seem somewhere between nonsense verse and word salad to me.
Pretty tune tho. :)
Pretty tune tho. :)
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?
westslope wrote:
It's about 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

What is this, an audience or an oil painting? Don't forget to tip your waitress.
So what is this song about? ...
It's about 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

What is this, an audience or an oil painting? Don't forget to tip your waitress.
westslope wrote:
Someone and someone. ; )
So what is this song about?
Someone and someone. ; )
Words and the cover job is exceptional.
So what is this song about?
People who wish they were of much higher socio-economic status?
People who wish they were of much higher socio-economic status?
9? what were we thinking? absolute 10.
Even wore out the CD of this album
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.
beautiful lyrics
kingart wrote:
Thank you, kingart!
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!

clelaed 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.
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.
Warren Haynes does a nice cover of this song.
I find it amazing, the chugging, Time-bending wrenching of musicality that Neil Young wrangles and wrestles in his incendiary musings
Great poetry, but sadly I can't get past the simply appalling sound of his voice.
beasty7 wrote:
Well said, beasty7!
I am so with you.
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.
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!!!
Whiniest voice I have ever heard....who is this guy
Oh yeah. I just remembered why I skip this track off of this excellent effort.
Delawhere wrote:
SO TRUE!
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!
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
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.
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.

One of my all time favorite records, though not my favorite song. How about a little "Out on the Weekend"?
Sounds like it was recorded in a basement. Perfect trashy sound.
C'mon...play the VU version. Or play "Heroin" or "Waiting for my man"
One of the greatest albums of the glorious 1970s!
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.
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.
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!)
(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!)
Stand, Salute and Turn it up. Sing along with the chorus. That feels mighty fine. Thanks Neil.
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."
chadlymn wrote:
As soon as you see the giant font and the puke emoticon you know you're dealing with the simple-minded.
COME ON....Enough Neil Young.
Worst vocalist ever!!!!!
Where's the mute button?
Worst vocalist ever!!!!!
Where's the mute button?

As soon as you see the giant font and the puke emoticon you know you're dealing with the simple-minded.
chadlymn wrote:
where's the puke emo when you need it the most...
COME ON....Enough Neil Young.
Worst vocalist ever!!!!!
Where's the mute button?
Worst vocalist ever!!!!!
Where's the mute button?

where's the puke emo when you need it the most...

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.
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!
Can't wait to see and hear you again, Neil! Aug 5, Red Rocks, YEAH!
My HERO

One of the best albums evah
10
Man, I wore out this album back in the 70's playing it on the console stereo. Still sounds awesome...
Old Man look at my life, I`m a bit like you.Man needs a Maid,Needle and the Damage Done.Ha brilliant.
Brilliant
Still love it 40 years later.
YES! 

mistabird wrote:
I'm not sure what the F you said, but I'm pretty sure I agree! ; )
lang , lang ist`s her. diese geile Zeiten heut gute erinnerungen 

I'm not sure what the F you said, but I'm pretty sure I agree! ; )
lang , lang ist`s her. diese geile Zeiten heut gute erinnerungen 

chadlymn wrote:
(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...
COME ON....Enough Neil Young.
Worst vocalist ever!!!!!
Where's the mute button?
Worst vocalist ever!!!!!
Where's the mute button?

(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...

turned f——— UP!! 

w3weasel wrote:
" pitchy, off-key, off-timing, repetative and just flat-out annoying"
God I love Neil Young
" pitchy, off-key, off-timing, repetative and just flat-out annoying"
God I love Neil Young

Never tire of any track from Harvest. 

Always knew this from the Decade album. That's an awesome album too.
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
I could listen it for months when I was much younger but I stil really enjoy listening it again
Thanks RP
I hate it when RPreads my mind against the stream, as it were, of the internet...
YES! dont know why, but this has been one of my fav NY songs since this album came out. Thanks rp!!
RipperP wrote:
Still works in July...
Wow nice set, culminating in the transition from Low to Neil...
Still works in July...
I just changed my last rating from 8 to 9!! Keep playing this, and I'll get it to 11....
Thx!
Thx!
pannaramma wrote:
...anyone into bananaramma might think so, maybe...
tedious
...anyone into bananaramma might think so, maybe...
black321 wrote:
Genesis. It. The lamb lies down on broadway.
gotcha :-)
It's only rock and roll, and I like it.
Genesis. It. The lamb lies down on broadway.
gotcha :-)
sandpebble wrote:
John Harris, James McMahon, or Jack Nitzsche
Could that be Nils on piano?
John Harris, James McMahon, or Jack Nitzsche
Sounds as good today as it did when it came out.
Timeless.
Timeless.
It's only rock and roll, and I like it.
Wow nice set, culminating in the transition from Low to Neil...
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.
Thanks Bill !!!! 

Did anyone hear this transition?
Low - On the Edge Of
Neil Young - Words

Bill ... brilliant
Low - On the Edge Of
Neil Young - Words

Bill ... brilliant
tedious
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
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
Great song and Radio Paradise Rocks !!!!
COME ON....Enough Neil Young.
Worst vocalist ever!!!!!
Where's the mute button?
Worst vocalist ever!!!!!
Where's the mute button?

Sublime guitar solo.
Good song! It's just that I think the song could be about 24 minutes shorter.
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!
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!
One of his best songs off one of his best albums...Love it 

Could that be Nils on piano?
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.Used to listen to this LP and other Neil Young LPs on an old mono-player. Ah the memories.
Darlington wrote:
Color me green w/ ENVY! That will be a great show. Love his acoustic concerts. Enjoy!
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!
Tickets on sale Saturday for his solo accoustic show in Spartanburg, SC over Labor Day weekend. Can't wait!
Great song, great album. As fresh now as it was in 1972. 


yodasan_magoo wrote:
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.
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.
ambrebalte wrote:
agreed...this song and this entire album have to be some of the most emotive rock music in history
outstanding 9
I love everything in this one
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



outstanding 9
I love everything in this one
I love everything in this one
Neil singing and playing the blues
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.
Awesome song... near perfect album!
An easy 9
An easy 9