In the past rocker Neil Young has been about as consistent with his political opinions as Barack Obama has been on the his relationship with Rev. Wright. The mercurial Young was on the top of his game yesterday during the “Charlie Rose Show”. At one point during the interview Young appeared to regret past remarks that castigated President Bush:
Criticizing the President and doing this and that and talking about things in the first person and getting right in there. It is like I got sucked into it. I was part of the turmoil myself. Which I wasn't happy about, and I am not happy about it now. But it happened.
After Young voiced his regret for having been one of President Bush’s most rabid critics he predictably contradicted himself and scolded the chief executive.:
This is not the way it should be. I felt like we were being lied to and things weren't true and we were getting told, sold a bill of goods and even, you know -- we know the story. We have seen the news. We’ve have seen the congressional or the senate subcommittees and the things they have discovered that were wrong, you know, things weren't as they were told to us to be.
Following that banal censure of President Bush, Young promptly attacked CNN for doing the exact same thing!:
“I am not CNN, I don't play it over and over.”
Actually Neil, you do play it over and over, just check the tape. Neil Young’s history of erratic opinions sounds like a broken record. In 2002 Neil Young recorded a deeply moving and patriotic tune titled “Let’s Roll”. The rocker followed that song up with his vitriolic 2006 album titled “Let Impeach The President”. This year Young again flip-flopped by defending President Bush (see related NewsBusters item). Young switches his political views as often as Madonna changes her wardrobe. With a past marred by flip-flops it seems rather fitting that Neil Young’s joined the Barack Obama bandwagon. The transcript follows:
Charlie Rose: This -- back to the USA Today. Your sense of outrage about the war was already there when you saw this?
Neil Young: Yeah I think it was, I, I, it is sad thing, and I see it like not -- I look at it Charlie like why? Why are we doing this? Why is the human race doing this? And its, you know, I try to step back and see it and, I, you know, in this record I got really involved in the present, which is like turmoil, it’s terrible to be involved in, you know, criticizing the President and doing this and that and talking about things in the first person and getting right in there. It is like I got sucked into it. I was part of the turmoil myself. Which I wasn't happy about, and I am not happy about it now. But it happened.
Rose: When being sucked into the turmoil is being part of the debate.
Young: Being part of living with war. I was sucked into it and I was, I got angry, I was angry about things that were happening and I, this is just not right. This is not the way it should be. I felt like we were being lied to and things weren't true and we were getting told, sold a bill of goods and even, you know -- we know the story. We have seen the news. We’ve have seen the congressional or the senate subcommittees and the things they have discovered that were wrong, you know, things weren't as they were told to us to be. So, but I don't want to harp on that. Where I want to go –
Rose: You have an album?
Young: Yeah, we did the album, I did the album, I said all of what I had to say and now I don't like to do it again. I don't like singing the songs, I did it, I am not CNN, I don't play it over and over.
Rose: I know how you feel about that. I’ve read that. Actually I agree with that.



















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After all those years
July 18, 2008 - 12:35 ET by FranksamApparently it is better to rust. Please go away Neil, and take Jesse with you. BTW, am I the only guy who notices a similarity between Jesse's puckered mouth and a you-know-what?
Franksam - Yeah Rust doesn't sleep it disintegrates
July 18, 2008 - 12:57 ET by Dee Bunkhe has disintegrated.
It's sad how he keeps thrashing around trying to be relevant.
Hey doesn’t he look like
July 18, 2008 - 12:57 ET by USA4freedomHey doesn’t he look like that guy that plays Earl on Saving Grace. Creepy either way, the kind of guy that would be thumbing on the side of the road and you think to yourself: Who the hell would pick up that guy..
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0728132/
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Romney / Jendil 2012 (if,we survive)
Or Billy Bob Thorntan
July 18, 2008 - 13:01 ET by Dee BunkCreepy looking - that is for sure
"Some people call it a
July 18, 2008 - 13:11 ET by SickofLibs"Some folks call it a sling blade, I call it a kaiser blade."
No wait, that was James Carville. Sorry.
Neil Dung...I mean Young
July 19, 2008 - 22:37 ET by adam"...you know, in this record I got really involved in the present..."
Fascinating stuff Neil, really, I'm hanging on your every "I'm like" this and "I'm like" that. Funny how Neil, may I call you Neil oh wise one?, is so enamored in the present but really doesn't seem to care about history, let alone the future. He's a run of the mill anti-Vietnam critic striving for the same crowd recognition. That being said, all too often I run into people that were born 20 years ago that want to stand for the same ideals. That's who he's targeting. He doesn't want to know what's going on now. All he knows is that war is wrong and that's that. Ahem...Mr. Young, July 19th 1941 is the anniversary of Winston Churchill using the "V" sign with two fingers signifying VICTORY, not peace. Retire to the shadows hippy. I respectfully shoot Neil Young a middle finger signifying that, "We're number one". Sit on it...
Neil Dung...I mean Young
July 19, 2008 - 22:37 ET by adam"...you know, in this record I got really involved in the present..."
Fascinating stuff Neil, really, I'm hanging on your every "I'm like" this and "I'm like" that. Funny how Neil, may I call you Neil oh wise one?, is so enamored in the present but really doesn't seem to care about history, let alone the future. He's a run of the mill anti-Vietnam critic striving for the same crowd recognition. That being said, all too often I run into people that were born 20 years ago that want to stand for the same ideals. That's who he's targeting. He doesn't want to know what's going on now. All he knows is that war is wrong and that's that. Ahem...Mr. Young, July 19th 1941 is the anniversary of Winston Churchill using the "V" sign with two fingers signifying VICTORY, not peace. Retire to the shadows hippy. I respectfully shoot Neil Young a middle finger signifying that, "We're number one". Sit on it...
Neil Dung...I mean Young
July 19, 2008 - 22:38 ET by adam"...you know, in this record I got really involved in the present..."
Fascinating stuff Neil, really, I'm hanging on your every "I'm like" this and "I'm like" that. Funny how Neil, may I call you Neil oh wise one?, is so enamored in the present but really doesn't seem to care about history, let alone the future. He's a run of the mill anti-Vietnam critic striving for the same crowd recognition. That being said, all too often I run into people that were born 20 years ago that want to stand for the same ideals. That's who he's targeting. He doesn't want to know what's going on now. All he knows is that war is wrong and that's that. Ahem...Mr. Young, July 19th 1941 is the anniversary of Winston Churchill using the "V" sign with two fingers signifying VICTORY, not peace. Retire to the shadows hippy. I respectfully shoot Neil Young a middle finger signifying that, "We're number one". Sit on it...
In the past rocker Neil
July 18, 2008 - 13:00 ET by NewsbusterbrownIn the past rocker Neil Young has been about as consistent with his political opinions as Barack Obama has been on the his relationship with Rev. Wright.
This is true. I remember him supporting Reagan during the '80s, but I doubt he brings that up much today.
“There are no easy answers' but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” - Ronald Reagan (1964 Republican Convention)
Neil is iconic for sure, but...
July 18, 2008 - 13:06 ET by SickofLibs... just pick a side Neil, A or B, and stick with it, at least for a while until your next metamorphosis.
"Neil Young’s history of erratic opinions sounds like a broken record." Not a criticism, I'm a fan, but the last 'hit' Neil had was ON a record. As in vinyl.
Why does the MSM continue to think that everyone cares about the political views of actors and musicians?
Hey, if I based my
July 18, 2008 - 13:19 ET by Ruths husband BenHey, if I based my listening and viewing habits on political viewpoint all I would listen to is Ted Nugent and I'd only go see Bruce Willis flicks (not that I don't do both).
I went to see Neil in concert for the first time in 1971 and I have seen him 6 times over the years. He always delivers and he is very serious about his craft.
and...that's all I have to say.
“it is not the role of this Court to pronounce the Second Amendment extinct.” - Justice Antonin Scalia
Oh, that was singing?
July 18, 2008 - 13:27 ET by fitzfongOh, that was singing? Thank God. For all those years, I thought he was torturing cats.
"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." -Ronald Reagan
fitzfong.blogspot.com
Hey,Hey,My,My, Poke a stick
July 18, 2008 - 13:34 ET by the strugglerHey,Hey,My,My,
Poke a stick in Bush's eye.
→ Hey Hey My MY
July 18, 2008 - 14:22 ET by Cool ArrowOh to live on Sugar Mountain
With Obama at the Kool Aid Saloon
We hope for change here on Sugar Mountain
Though your hope for change will change to hope too soon.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
That's pretty good Cool Arrow
July 19, 2008 - 20:35 ET by jefflebowskiI was thinking about the "The liberals and the damage done."
I'm a Neil fan for his music. As for politics, he is just another tortured hippie from the sixties that are now on their last legs.
Jeff Lebowski
www.angrywhitedude.c...
Shut up and Sing
July 18, 2008 - 14:13 ET by AmericanEnergistI used to like Springsteen when I was a teen. At 49, I wish he'd take Laura Ingraham's advice.
Neil is in the same boat. I like the music (when it's not too political) but then, they get all full of themselves and prove their utter lack of knowledge.
I appreciate when actor and rocker, Gary Sinese, gets on the USO tour and let's his performance do the talking. As I have seen and read, he's a big hit with our troops.
With their relevance dwindling, I suppose aging rockers have to rely on the heartstrings of the ex-hippie MSM journalists to get any press these days.
www.ArmchairEnergist...
Gary Sinese is here tomorrow night!
July 18, 2008 - 14:23 ET by Dee BunkI'm so mad that I'm going to miss it because I have tickets to another show. I went the last couple of years for his support the troupes rallies and they were sold out with thousands and not covered by the media.
He's such a cool guy and the concerts are just fun.
Gary Sinese is a hero too!
July 18, 2008 - 14:28 ET by AmericanEnergistNot only is Mr. Sinese talented, he's so damn down to earth.
www.ArmchairEnergist...
AmericanEnergist - I agree - I love him
July 18, 2008 - 18:45 ET by Dee BunkHe's also a founding member of a small theater group here in Chicago. I have a subscription there and he does appearances every so often. He also gives money. His band is made up of long time friends he had and they are just regular guys having fun. I'm really sad that I'm going to miss it this year.
It's such a happy event. I go to a lot of concerts and plays and I'm usually surrounded by Barrak the vote tables and Abu Grab passion plays and all kinds of negativity. This event is so uplifting because you see people who love this country and cheer loudly for the troupes.
I hope Neil Young will remember
July 18, 2008 - 14:29 ET by xyzzypoofsWell, I heard Mister Young sing about her
Well, I heard ole Neil put her down.
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
a southern man don't need him around anyhow.
(from "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd - 1974)
Canadian...
July 18, 2008 - 18:22 ET by TheDeuceHow southern can he be?
Young was a heavy drug user
July 18, 2008 - 14:30 ET by Delsaobviously his brain is fried.
"we"?
July 18, 2008 - 15:00 ET by winston smith"...I felt like we were being lied to and things weren't true and we were getting told, sold a bill of goods and even...."
"We" Old Man Neil? Aren't you still a "Canadian" citizen?
I went to see Neil Young at PNC in New Jersey a few years ago and I never saw so many old and aging hippies at one gathering in my life. We sat next to one guy who was actually wearing a clip-on pony tail. I felt kind of out of place, needless to say. Then Neil grabs his acoustic and starts strumming and singing:
Let's im-peach the pre-si-dent for lying and abusing power blah, blah, blah.....
And a whole bunch of people stood up and started cheering. But --
a whole bunch of people started booing him too! Some even headed for the exits. It gave me a momentary sense of pride that there are plenty of Rock & Roll fans out there that weren't afraid to offend old man Neil by standing up for their country and clearly making their sentiments known that they support their president in a time of war and will have no part in supporting some left-wing foreigner's call for his impeachment. So Neil sounds somewhat apologetic now? Sheryl Crow singing the National anthem at the All-Star game. What next --- the Dixie Chicks go on tour in olive drab BDU's? Maybe some of these former anti-war loud mouths have been experiencing the 'shock & awe' of lousy record sales and disappearing fan base.
da-dum, da-dumb
July 18, 2008 - 16:43 ET by Tyler Durbin...Keep on rocking in the schizophrenic world.
"Virtue is more to be feared than vice, because its excesses are not subject to the regulation of conscience."
Neil Young...
July 18, 2008 - 18:22 ET by TheDeuceDo you mean, Neil Percival Young of Toronto, Canada?
A) Why do we care what a musician thinks about politics?
B) Why do we give a flying flip what a Canadian musician thinks about American politics?
→ Yeah, it's sad
July 18, 2008 - 18:26 ET by Cool ArrowEverybody bought a guitar back in 1972 and a "Harvest" songbook.
The Emporer of Wyoming should have stuck to music.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
again...
July 19, 2008 - 22:49 ET by adam"...you know, in this record I got really involved in the present..."
Fascinating stuff Neil, really, I'm hanging on your every "I'm like"
this and "I'm like" that. Funny how Neil, may I call you Neil oh wise
one?, is so enamored in the present but really doesn't seem to care
about history, let alone the future. He's a run of the mill
anti-Vietnam critic striving for the same crowd recognition. That
being said, all too often I run into people that were born 20 years ago
that want to stand for the same ideals. That's who he's targeting. He
doesn't want to know what's going on now. All he knows is that war is
wrong and that's that. Ahem...Mr. Young, July 19th 1941 is the
anniversary of Winston Churchill using the "V" sign with two fingers
signifying VICTORY, not peace. Retire to the shadows hippy. I
respectfully shoot Neil Young a middle finger signifying that, "We're
number one". Sit on it...
Guitars, Politics, and Hillbilly Music (don't mix)
July 20, 2008 - 07:57 ET by DoktorFrankendeuce, I agree with your points. I was very disappointed the last time I went to see Bonnie Raitt (years ago) when she started in on her rant. Luckily it was at the end of her concert.
CA, I was a huge Neil Young fan (Crazy Horse, too) and knew most all of his songs on my Gibson acoustic. I can still play all of Harvest, if pressed into it. Heck, 'Old Man' came out when I was 24. It seemed as if it were written for, and about, me.
I wish that all of my heroes - David Gilmore, Joe Walsh, Eagles, heck, most all of them - would just ''shut up and play''. They can have opinions. I just don't care to hear them. Especially when I pay for their music or go to see them in person.