Neil Young- Don't Be Denied

Matt Kavanagh
Neil Young- Don’t Be Denied

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-972pm8AhQ

The song Don’t Be Denied by Neil Young was released on his 1973 live album Times Fade Away, which consisted of all new material. The album itself never made the transformation from vinyl to CD, so the only way to hear the album without an original record is to pirate it from the internet. Anyways, the album tour was a complete mess to say the least. Neil’s former Crazy Horse bandmate Danny Whitten had recently died of heroine overdose and Neil toured with a backing band called The Stray Gators, of who received poor reviews from audiences. Also, Neil and his fellow musicians proved to be intoxicated at all times and Neil was said to be mentally unstable as the tour ended.
This is the recording from the album as it was released more the thirty years ago. In the song, Neil sings about his childhood, everything from his Dad leaving home, and him trying to make it as a musician. The chorus sings “Don’t be denied” over and over inspiring the listener to never give up, just as Neil had to do has he faced his share of hardships while growing up.
I think this is definitely a form of emotionalist art for Neil Young is clearly putting all he has into trying to sing in key, as he also was suffering with a throat infection. Full of voice cracks and the possibility of a complete breakdown at any moment, Neil Young and the Stray Gatos put on an intense performance. It may be stretching it but this may also be instrumental art for it may inspire people. Maybe not this song in particular but Neil Young certainly has some songs that I’ve gained a strong connection to so in general, Neil could be called a instrumental artist as well as an emotionalist.
The reason I choose to do a Neil Young song for a blog is because he is my favorite artist and I believe he is pure genius. The song Don’t Be Denied relates well to last years Concept of Self class when we were all asked to design a self -portrait of ourselves. This song tells the story of Neil Young growing up until he was about the age we were when we did those projects so in a way it’s his own self portrait, just through song.

Source
Mcdonough, Jimmy. Shakey Neil Young's Biography. New York: Anchor, 2003. Print.
"Don't Be Denied"

When I was a young boy,
My mama said to me
Your daddy's leavin' home today,
I think he's gone to stay.
We packed up all our bags
And drove out to Winnipeg.

When we got to Winnipeg
I checked in to school.
I wore white bucks on my feet,
When I learned the golden rule.
The punches came fast and hard
Lying on my back
in the school yard.

Don't be denied, don't be denied.
Don't be denied, don't be denied.
Don't be denied, don't be denied.

Well pretty soon I met a friend,
He played guitar.
We used to sit
on the steps at school
And dream of being stars.
We started a band,
We played all night.

Don't be denied, don't be denied.
Don't be denied, don't be denied.
Don't be denied, don't be denied.

Oh Canada
We played all night
I really hate to leave you now
But to stay just wouldn't be right.
Down in Hollywood
We played so good

The businessmen crowded around
They came to hear the golden sound
There we were on the Sunset Strip,
Playing our songs
for the highest bid.
We played all night
The price was right.

Don't be denied, don't be denied.
Don't be denied, don't be denied.
Don't be denied, don't be denied.

Well, all that glitters isn't gold
I know you've heard
that story told.
And I'm a pauper
in a naked disguise
A millionaire
through a business man's eyes.
Oh friend of mine
Don't be denied.