Neil wrote this song for Lynyrd Skynyrd as an apology for Southern Man and Alabama and gave it to Ronnie Van Zant to record. Prior to Southern Man, Ronnie was a huge fan of Neil's and loved to wear his Tonight's the Night T-shirt. So, he was genuinely hurt by Neil's lyrics. Ronnie never got to record Powderfinger because of the plane crash that took his life. It's nice to know that Neil and Ronnie worked it out before Ronnie passed away and legend has it that Ronnie was buried in his favorite Tonight's the Night T-shirt. Great picking as usual and we miss you on here.
Ahhhh. Summer of 79. Just graduated from HS. Drinking beer in my 71 Camaro. Neil must love this song. I believe it is the 7th most played song in his history of touring. He has played this live more times than Cortez or Hurricane.
One of my all time favorite Neil Young songs. He is a folkie and a rocker. Amazed you had never heard it and even more so how quickly you figured it out. 10 million hours, maybe?
It’s also one of my all time favourite Neil Young songs.....love the line when the gunships appear up the river....”they don’t look like they’re coming to deliver.....the mail!”. Lots of live clips of this on you tube and I think he occasionally throws in a Cmaj 7 as well as C after the Bm. And that’s yet another great guitar you’re playing 👍
I was a fan of Leslie West from his previous band, The Vagrants. They did hard rock versions of R&B songs (similar to the Young Rascals), until Cream did their first US tour. I was there when Leslie stood in front of the stage with his mouth open watching Clapton. That was the beginning of the end for the Vagrants and the impetus for Mountain. A few months later, my band opened for Mountain and the headliner - The Chambers Brothers at Island Garden Arena in West Hempstead, LI. It was Mountain's first gig.
I love this song! Thanks so much! This is one of the few songs I actually know the words to. A lot of drunk singing took place to this one back in my younger days.
According to Neil Young Complete Music Volume III, the part that follows "I think you better call John because....." is Bm, C, Bm7, Cmaj7, Bm7, Cmaj7, Bm7, Cmaj7, D.
This is great for folks like me to make the jump to work out songs by ear, instead of being reliant on gifted sheet music or terribly transcribed internet chords. Thanks James - we are the of same generation and you inspire me to improve.
My favorite Neil Young song of all time!!! Legend has it that he wrote it for Lynyrd Skynyrd but they didn't record it. Such a beautiful song filled with loss and despair of a life lived too short. I love the Townsend Deluxe BTW!!!!
Thought there was kind of a feud between the Skynyrd boys and Young over Young's song "Southern Man". They even mention it in "Sweet Home Alabama". Or was is all bull shittery?
@@davidcudlip6587 It was just a bit of a sly jab at neil young's work, several photos of Ronnie Vanzant wearing a Tonight's the Night t shirt, he may have been buried wearing that shirt.
JJ, Tkx as always. I remember 1 st learning in 1974 , this was a song.that sounded easy to play. But I could never get it to sound right. Before tabs, we had books. I am self taught, never had a music lesson. So what I’m saying it , this song has for 40 years been The Hardest!!! To get good tabs on or lessens. Within 2 minutes you did a better. Job, then any other material I’ve looked thru ever. I swear There’s not one song out on tabs so wrong consistently than this one.. thank you , I finally have my White Whale...
Sad state of affairs of radio today that songs like this never get played, and in this case, this one never got played even back in the day when classic rock was more widely represented
Powderfinger has been covered by Band of Horses, Cowboy Junkies, Beat Farmers, Rusted Root, Jazz Mandolin Project, Drive-by Truckers, Feelies spin-off Yung Wu, Car Seat Headrest, and Phish. (Wikipedia)
As always, I am amazed by your ear and the ease with which you can pick up a song. I greatly appreciate what you do. I’m the exact opposite of you, though. I’ve always thought of Neil Young as a great electric guitarist who also is a great acoustic player. But’s my preference. I think we can both agree that he is an amazing songwriter, capable of great four-chord rock songs like this or something as complex and ethereal as “The Old Laughing Lady.”
Thanks again James, your ear and on-the-fly transcriptions amaze me. I wouldn’t classify Neil as acoustic or electric first. He’s both in one seamless package and seems to play both in the same way (yes with plenty of open chord first position moves) mixing up the rhythm and lead into his own fluid mashup (acoustic and plugged in together or separate). The folkie foundation is there, but it transcends so many genres ... only Young can jump from a duet with Nicolette Larson to another with Pearl Jam and make it all sound right at home.
Young said he wrote this song for Lynyrd Skynyrd, with whom he'd formed an unlikely friendship after he heard "Sweet Home Alabama" (he heard the guitars and said, "Wow, that's good" then heard them mention his name and said, "Wow, that's great!"). That's probably why it has that little two-guitar turnaround at the end of the verse. With the accident, it never came to be.
I recommend the studio version with crazy horse. Have you done a lesson on Alabama? I only ask because the live versions sound fine playing along with them, but the album version seems like it’s not in standard tuning or something. I’m about to have another crack at it and try to find out what it is right now. Rock on James!
Do you sometimes go from a B minor barre chord to a B minor just on the dgbe and then.your thumb over the Ea. Sure I've seen you do that before in other songs and not sure if you're playing a different chord voicing or different chord altogether.
@@jamesjames9275 nothing was meant by it its okay not to be into some musicians I for example have never been into the Boss yet I know he is very creative and loved by millions
![Neil Young & Graham Nash - Birds (Demo) [Official Lyric Video]](/img/n.gif)
Neil wrote this song for Lynyrd Skynyrd as an apology for Southern Man and Alabama and gave it to Ronnie Van Zant to record. Prior to Southern Man, Ronnie was a huge fan of Neil's and loved to wear his Tonight's the Night T-shirt. So, he was genuinely hurt by Neil's lyrics. Ronnie never got to record Powderfinger because of the plane crash that took his life. It's nice to know that Neil and Ronnie worked it out before Ronnie passed away and legend has it that Ronnie was buried in his favorite Tonight's the Night T-shirt. Great picking as usual and we miss you on here.
Ahhhh. Summer of 79. Just graduated from HS. Drinking beer in my 71 Camaro. Neil must love this song. I believe it is the 7th most played song in his history of touring. He has played this live more times than Cortez or Hurricane.
Were the same age, with a similar story. Except I had a 75 Firebird. Lol 😉
Always loved this song...”then I saw black and my face splashed in the sky.” What an incredible lyric.
What does that mean?
@@deborahstevenson9301 I always took it as him firing the gun, it backfired and it killed himself
Amen.
@@deborahstevenson9301 Got his head blown off...
@@deborahstevenson9301 I believe he was shot and witnessed his reflection falling into the water.
One of my all time favorite Neil Young songs. He is a folkie and a rocker. Amazed you had never heard it and even more so how quickly you figured it out. 10 million hours, maybe?
He's the Canadian Richard Thompson.
It’s also one of my all time favourite Neil Young songs.....love the line when the gunships appear up the river....”they don’t look like they’re coming to deliver.....the mail!”. Lots of live clips of this on you tube and I think he occasionally throws in a Cmaj 7 as well as C after the Bm. And that’s yet another great guitar you’re playing 👍
Thanks - One of my favorites Neil young songs 👍 amazing you could do it on the fly- love your lessons and song selection
I was a fan of Leslie West from his previous band, The Vagrants. They did hard rock versions of R&B songs (similar to the Young Rascals), until Cream did their first US tour. I was there when Leslie stood in front of the stage with his mouth open watching Clapton. That was the beginning of the end for the Vagrants and the impetus for Mountain. A few months later, my band opened for Mountain and the headliner - The Chambers Brothers at Island Garden Arena in West Hempstead, LI. It was Mountain's first gig.
I love this song! Thanks so much! This is one of the few songs I actually know the words to. A lot of drunk singing took place to this one back in my younger days.
Awesome song! Awesome job demonstrating the insight and clues to learn.
Thank You
According to Neil Young Complete Music Volume III, the part that follows "I think you better call John because....." is Bm, C, Bm7, Cmaj7, Bm7, Cmaj7, Bm7, Cmaj7, D.
This is great for folks like me to make the jump to work out songs by ear, instead of being reliant on gifted sheet music or terribly transcribed internet chords. Thanks James - we are the of same generation and you inspire me to improve.
My favorite Neil Young song of all time!!! Legend has it that he wrote it for Lynyrd Skynyrd but they didn't record it. Such a beautiful song filled with loss and despair of a life lived too short. I love the Townsend Deluxe BTW!!!!
Think their tragic deaths intervened.
Thought there was kind of a feud between the Skynyrd boys and Young over Young's song "Southern Man". They even mention it in "Sweet Home Alabama". Or was is all bull shittery?
@@davidcudlip6587
It was just a bit of a sly jab at neil young's work, several photos of Ronnie Vanzant wearing a Tonight's the Night t shirt, he may have been buried wearing that shirt.
10 thumbs up! I love how your guitar sounds, beautiful les Paul!
JJ, Tkx as always. I remember 1 st learning in 1974 , this was a song.that sounded easy to play. But I could never get it to sound right. Before tabs, we had books. I am self taught, never had a music lesson. So what I’m saying it , this song has for 40 years been The Hardest!!! To get good tabs on or lessens. Within 2 minutes you did a better. Job, then any other material I’ve looked thru ever. I swear There’s not one song out on tabs so wrong consistently than this one.. thank you , I finally have my White Whale...
This song is from 1979...
I love it: "I'm in the volume business". And we all benefit every day! Way to go, JJ!
Sad state of affairs of radio today that songs like this never get played, and in this case, this one never got played even back in the day when classic rock was more widely represented
Miss you Brother! Your left over videos are so helpful and thanks for that!
Your really brilliant man. A real teacher. Your approach is devoid of pretense. So much more than just learning a song.
Great tune thanks for playing it James!
Great tune with a great story. Thanks for sharing your tips again,
Powderfinger has been covered by Band of Horses, Cowboy Junkies, Beat Farmers, Rusted Root, Jazz Mandolin Project, Drive-by Truckers, Feelies spin-off Yung Wu, Car Seat Headrest, and Phish. (Wikipedia)
I always like this tune!
really appreciate your breakdowns of these songs
Thanks James....great tip about Neil Young being an acoustic player first - using mainly open chords
Ah man, I miss you! You have a great ear for figuring out songs; I don’t 😊
Good luck and know there are many people who care about you!
As always, I am amazed by your ear and the ease with which you can pick up a song. I greatly appreciate what you do. I’m the exact opposite of you, though. I’ve always thought of Neil Young as a great electric guitarist who also is a great acoustic player. But’s my preference. I think we can both agree that he is an amazing songwriter, capable of great four-chord rock songs like this or something as complex and ethereal as “The Old Laughing Lady.”
Nice work. Digging the shirt!
nice one. lots of Neil Young songs are good to start learning the basics, lots of open chords easy chord structures yes good one.
Thanks again James, your ear and on-the-fly transcriptions amaze me.
I wouldn’t classify Neil as acoustic or electric first. He’s both in one seamless package and seems to play both in the same way (yes with plenty of open chord first position moves) mixing up the rhythm and lead into his own fluid mashup (acoustic and plugged in together or separate). The folkie foundation is there, but it transcends so many genres ... only Young can jump from a duet with Nicolette Larson to another with Pearl Jam and make it all sound right at home.
Great tune, always in our set list!
Great video and I love your comments about people wanting to play it exactly the same way every time! It's R n R- improvise a little.
Wow thanks, this is a great how to learn a song by listening lesson.
The Cowboy Junkies did an excellent cover of this, all acoustic mind you!!!
Always a pleasure..
Great lesson video, thanks for posting this video
Rust Never Sleeps is always my 2nd fave Neil record. Number 1 vacillates between On The Beach, Zuma, and Everybody Knows This is Nowhere.
Young said he wrote this song for Lynyrd Skynyrd, with whom he'd formed an unlikely friendship after he heard "Sweet Home Alabama" (he heard the guitars and said, "Wow, that's good" then heard them mention his name and said, "Wow, that's great!"). That's probably why it has that little two-guitar turnaround at the end of the verse. With the accident, it never came to be.
One of the first songs I learned long ago when I played in a sort of band with some friends.
I recommend the studio version with crazy horse. Have you done a lesson on Alabama?
I only ask because the live versions sound fine playing along with them, but the album version seems like it’s not in standard tuning or something. I’m about to have another crack at it and try to find out what it is right now. Rock on James!
I Always enjoy your videos
Brilliant! Thank you! 👏👏👏👏👏
Always interesting to hear your insights into figuring out songs. I think some of it is starting to rub off - thanks!
You have a great ear JJ, thanks
Good tips for learning songs - thanks
Rust Never Sleeps at the Boston Garden was memorable.
Wow nice job, first time you listened and pick up chords, licks, that's impressive mate
Very nice! When I figured it out a while back I played a Cmaj7 after the Bm but I think it's probably a C maj. after hearing you.
I play the major 7 too .
It’s actually a Bm7, then a Cmaj7....but he doesn’t always play it that way. Either way works, just play them interchangeably
Love that song, very helpful thanks
Thank you! Probably the only song in the world that I knew how to play before you did.
IIRC, this is from 'Rust....', great recording....w/RE-AC-TOR the only Young I can listen to.
Hi James James. Just one thing: after the D chord and before the G, there's a C Chord.
Your vids are great man, thanks!
One of the Zillions! Nice one
Thanks for breaking this down!
So interesting. Thanks for this.
I’m still in shock you hadn’t heard this I thought every classic rock fan owned Rust Never Sleeps or Live Rust. Great lesson.
There's a band named Powderfinger who took their name from this but not sure of any covers
wait, Cowboy Junkies did a cover of this i think
Do you sometimes go from a B minor barre chord to a B minor just on the dgbe and then.your thumb over the Ea. Sure I've seen you do that before in other songs and not sure if you're playing a different chord voicing or different chord altogether.
Great stuff JJ..looks like someone’s taken down the previous Scarlet video tho ☹️
G string sounds fine Jimmy
A popular Australian band named themselves after this song.
Another one. Thanks mate!
Kool thanks
Check out the Beat Farmers cover. Best cover IMO.
Thanks!
Thanks James I’ll give it a bash latter.
Oh, and I've often wondered if the Emmy Lou he refers to is Emmy Lou Harris.
she died in a river?
cool
Volume business. LOL
"I think other bands have covered this, is that true?" Yes. Cowboy Junkies
django02 cowboy junkies version: terrific!
and Car Seat Headrest
Never heard Powderfinger? Huh!
Monetize. Hope you get some sliver of that ad revenue.
I guess Pete Townsend lost one of his guitars.
cowboy junkies the best
I get the feeling your not a fan of Neil Young that's to bad he has a lot of great songs
If being a fan means I have to know every song he's done over the past 55 years, then I guess I'm not a fan.
@@jamesjames9275 nothing was meant by it its okay not to be into some musicians I for example have never been into the Boss yet I know he is very creative and loved by millions