Neil Young, Son of Famed Reporter, Records "Impeach the President" Song

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[slowhand520]

Neil Young, Son of Famed Reporter, Records "Impeach the President" Song

By E&P Staff

Published: April 14, 2006 11:40 AM ET

The 60's relics are so precious ain't they? Is this guy even American?

NEW YORK As an E&P "Pressing Issues" column recently noted, rock star Neil Young is the son of a famed Canadian journalist, so it should not surprise many that he recently recorded a song in California with a very reportorial -- or at least pundit -- feel to it.

It’s called “Impeach the President,” so there can be little question what it is about.

Apparently it was recorded with a 100-voice choir. Rumors have circulated the past few days on the Web, but E&P has tracked down the strongest confirmation in a blog kept by Sherman Oaks, Ca. musician/singer Alicia Morgan.

Previous reports quoted hints by Young and Jonathan Demme (who directed the new documentary “Heart of Gold”) that Neil was working on a hard-rocking political or “anti-Bush” CD.

Last Friday, Morgan wrote on her LastLeftB4Hooterville blog that she had been “summoned” to a local studio to sing on the new record with 99 others. “I'm not going to give the whole thing away, but the first line of one of the songs was ‘Let's impeach the President for lyin'!’ Turns out the whole thing is a classic beautiful protest record. The session was like being at a 12-hour peace rally. Every time new lyrics would come up on the screen, there were cheers, tears and applause. It was a spiritual experience. I can't believe my good fortune at being a part of this.

“We finished the session by singing an a capella version of 'America the Beautiful' and there was not a dry eye in the house.

“Neil said it should be out in 6 to 8 weeks."

Harp magazine reported on its Web site Thursday that Demme had confirmed in an e-mail, “Neil just finished writing and recording -- with no warning -- a new album called 'Living With War.' It all happened in three days… It is a brilliant electric assault, accompanied by a 100-voice choir, on Bush and the war in Iraq… Truly mind blowing. Will be in stores soon.”

The magazine continued: “Details are pretty scarce, but the featured track, titled ‘Impeach the President,’ features a rap with Bush’s voice set to the choir chanting ‘flip/flop’ and the like.”

Young has always been a maverick politically as well as musically. Although he has recorded a few songs with a "liberal" slant, he also drew criticism from the left for pro-Reagan comments many years ago. Most of his albums contain few if any political songs.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- E&P Staff (letters@editorandpublisher.com)

[pissant]

Retarded dumbsh*t. Lynyrd Skynyrd put it best.

[Revolting cat!]

What the hell is that?

Actually, that's Jerry Seinfeld, second from left, and Dick Cavett, right next to him!

[luthers_inkwell]

Ronnie Van Zandt was a HUGE Neil Young fan! (it is true)

Neil Young was actually an honorary pallbearer at Ronnie's funeral. Such is the duality of the "southern thang." (with apologies to Patterson Hood)

[tertiary01]

Maybe living in liberalism central, Marin County, also had something to do with it.

[dennisw]

Neil Young has played in Oslo, and at the Kalvøya Festival several times.
These pictures are from his concert in Drammenshallen October 7. 1982, in his "Trance" period together with Nils Lofgren.
See also Neil Young,

I like Neil Young a lot but this "Impeach the President" tune is making it very difficult. I go to a concert and hear him sing this s**t?

[dennisw]

HuffPost comments in case you care

 

 

[GSWarrior]

Was it Dana Carvey who said that all Neil Young songs sound the same?

[pogo101]

Yes, but his career died two decades ago and was buried along with Carole King's and Joan Baez's.

[willyboyishere]

"Is Neil Young still alive?
"...finish your high school education"

---

1. Neil Young is OLD.
2. Last I heard from Neil he was doing a song
called "This Plug's for You", or somesuch, because he had just discovered the Show Biz had become
too commericialized. This was about 5 years ago.
Always takes him awhile to catch on.

[pogo101]

Yes! "Choppin' broccoli! Choppin' broccoliiiii ..."

[luthers_inkwell]

George Wallace was not a racist. Racism requires a root core of beliefs, and Wallace had none. He started his career as a very "progressive" judge, lost a political election in the early 60s when he waffled on segregation, and came back as a staunch segregationist. He was merely a demagoguing opportunist who rode the waves of racial prejudice until that wave played out, and then shifted to inclusive racial politics at a rate which would have stunned the NAACP if he had not had such a track record. He was a socialist/populist demagogue who played on class hatred and prejudice, until the winds had sufficiently shifted. The corruption in the Governor's mansion in his reign made Huey Long look like a boy scout. Wallace's last term in office came with 92% of the black vote in Alabama. I was a student at Alabama the first year that we had a black homecoming queen (1976 or 1977.... I don't remember). Wallace was there in his wheel chair presenting her with roses and kissing her for the presentation. I remember yelling "REMEMBER ROSA PARKS!!", which made most of the (white and black) students around me laugh, but got me hateful stares from the alum section.

Nope. George Wallace was no racist. He was merely another soulless politician who had the social genius of Bill Clinton in being able to figure out which way the parade was headed, getting out in front of it, and thus being a "leader." Thanks to him, my home state will forever be associated with racial hatred and stupid ignorant backwoods bigots. Thanks George.

[Revolting cat!]

Well the folk scene is dead
But he's holding out in the village
He's been writing songs speaking out
Against wealth and privilege
He says 'I dont believe in money
But a man could make him a killin'
Cause some of that stuff don't sound
Much different than Dylan
I hear down there it's changed you see
They're not as backwards as they used to be

He's gone country, look at them boots
He's gone country, but to his roots
He's gone country, a new kind of suit
He's gone country, here he comes

(written by Bob McDill)

[BunnySlippers]

What pro-Raegan comments?

:::: crickets ::::

[dighton]

The 'famed Canadian pundit' is unnamed.

Any relation to Rula Lenska?

[luthers_inkwell]

Interesting. I as well am a big Steve Earle and Neil Young fan. Steve nowadays just reminds me of a pissed off old man looking for something to rebel against, deciding it is too hard to find anything of note, so just settling down with some leftist cant. His earlier stuff was phenomenal, when he was just a drugged out white trash outlaw in a race between whether he could drink himself to death or o.d. first. Reminded me of myself in my very young days, but he definitely caught the zeittgeist of that slice of culture. If you are into that, you might try the Drive By Truckers and Southern Culture on the Skids. I know some of the guys in SCOTS personally, and they are super people.

[facedown]

Wow, I'm soooo impressed. A burned out ex-junkie Cannuck doesn't like our President. Phtui.

[Syncro]

Why did he leave Crosby, Stills and Nash?

He was too Young...

[drjimmy]

Yes! "Choppin' broccoli! Choppin' broccoliiiii ..."

I always have considered that an Elton John takeoff. My wife and I will break into singing "Chopping broccoli" when we hear Elton on the radio. Our other favorite from SNL is the Musicians for Free-Range Chickens sketch:

"Raise your hands, raise your voice,
Give the chickens another choice,
Join with me, set them free,
Brothers and sisters, let the chickens be."

[KevinB]

Scott Young died a year or two ago. My recollection is that he was quite famous in Canada, though some of the Canadian posters on this thread state otherwise (they should know).

I read Neil's biography, "Shakey." My overall impression of him after reading the book is that he's a selfish asshole. He will walk over anyone to get what he wants; everyone is disposable. He is generous with his disabled kids, but a large part of that is due to guilt. (He has had two kids with severe cerebral palsy from two different mothers, so he knows it's something in him that caused it.)

Here's an interesting quote from Young which appears on page 634 of the book:

"I have so many opinions that come out during my music that it's a battle for me. I try not to be preachy about what I'm sayin'. That's a real danger, because as soon as you start preaching, then nobody wants to hear ya, 'cause you're a jerk. I've slipped into that position many times and it's a danger of doing what I do ... I just want to be a reflection of what's going on. Let people make up their own minds."

Neil should obviously listen to his own advice.