“Harvest” by Neil Young
The word “dream” is used prominently throughout Neil Young’s “Harvest” song. And some critics have indeed referred to the lyrics as being similar to a dream, insofar that the song is “full of recognition yet… short on sense”. That’s another way of saying that whereas the listener can make out all of the words being spoken and picture what is being said in mind, the lyrics are symbolic and don’t necessarily make logical sense. But the popular understanding is that they allude to the life of Carrie Snodgress (1945-2004). Carrie was an actress Neil Young was dating at the time of this song’s release (and who during the same year gave him a son, Zeke). As the story goes Neil and Carrie used to get high on acid together. And during such episodes, he would implore her to talk about her mother Carolyn, who was a troubled soul. And by extension the song is about that lady also.
So with such an understanding, the “young girl” in the lyrics would obviously be Carrie. The “mother” would literally be her mom, Carolyn. And the narrator would be Neil Young himself. And through it all, the singer is more or less pondering the trajectory of his relationship with the “young girl”. Or stated differently, he is able to ascertain that this lady has serious issues. Much of it is attributable to being haunted by her mother, so to speak. But also the addressee’s own personal past has been less than ideal. So ultimately, the title points to the narrator once again wondering if he will “harvest”, i.e. inherit, the same type of emotional distress this lady whom he loves is burdened with.
Quick Facts about “Harvest”
This is a track which Neil Young wrote and co-produced. It is derived from his album also entitled Harvest. And the other co-producer of the tune is Elliot Mazer.
Neil released it on 1 February 1972 as part of the aforementioned album. And it was put out by Reprise Records.
This track is a Neil Young favorite and his personal favorite on the entire Harvest album.
According to Neil Young, he was “offered millions of dollars” to do a Harvest tour as recently as the late-2010s. However, since all the musicians he played with on the project had died, he opted not to do so.
This song and album were recorded in Nashville’s famous Quad Studios.
Every 100 years or so a musician comes along that defines a period of time, some short and some last for decades. Neil is one that lasted from the 60s thru 2022, and I hope will last for even more. He started with one of the first super groups, the Buffalo Springfield; this group spawned many different groups, Poco, Loggins& Messina, Stills/ Young band, CSN, CSN&Y, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Neil Young & POTR band, Crosby / Nash… Neil and these guys have been writing, singing, playing instruments, recording and producing and engineering songs that stand the test of time while showing how, when, where it started and the journey it took to be in their position to date. I only hope they can continue to inspire new folks to their musical genius. They really stood the test of time and even through all the adversity came out on top, especially Neil Young and Stephan Stills….
This album and After the Gold Rush go me into Neil Young . as a kid my brother would bring home a record every week from Led Zepplin to Black Sabbath to Deep Purple. Laying in bed I would listen to the music and was deeply taken by “I believe in you “ that changed my perspective to where I would listen to the lyrics and found I had a liking for ballads with his country feel. I later picked up playing the guitar , harp and keyboards to which I still do today and Neil is still rocking around the world. I wrote a song about how i got into Neil Young which a named “Feeling Shakey”after reading a biography of Neil. His lyrics in my mind are some of the best written. I know his mentor was Bob Dylan and I think he’s up there with him . I’ve used many of Neil’s song teaching English for the figurative , abstract method for his messages in his lyrics.Sadly never seen him live.
The song Harvest is not about Carrie. It is a song written about a morning that Neil was visited by me and my 2 year old daughter, in his hotel room in Hollywood. Neil called me after he recorded thigh song and told me to listen to it and that I would know why. He draws a veery clear picture of the morning. By the way I am “Vicki” that he mentions in his books and that “Expecting To Fly” was dedicated to. ( Donna and Vicki).