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Neil Young — Unknown Legend (live)
Album: Unplugged
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1847









Released: 1993
Length: 4:35
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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She used to work in a diner
Never saw a woman look finer
I used to order just to watch her float across the floor
She grew up in a small town
Never put her roots down
Daddy always kept movin', so she did too.

Somewhere on a desert highway
She rides a Harley-Davidson
Her long blonde hair flyin' in the wind
She's been runnin' half her life
The chrome and steel she rides
Collidin' with the very air she breathes
The air she breathes.

You know it ain't easy
You got to hold on
She was an unknown legend in her time
Now she's dressin' two kids
Lookin' for a magic kiss
She gets the far-away look in her eyes.

Somewhere on a desert highway
She rides a Harley-Davidson
Her long blonde hair flyin' in the wind
She's been runnin' half her life
The chrome and steel she rides
Collidin' with the very air she breathes
The air she breathes.
Comments (114)add comment
 SpinyNorma wrote:

'She rides a Harley-Davidson'.

Yeah, but I bet she fancies an MZ...



MZ? MG!
Posted 2 months ago by MildGeorge    [ Reply ]
More Joe Rogan
Posted 2 months ago by MildGeorge    [ Reply ]
Just a fantastic song. The live version is pretty close to the original album version!
Posted 1 year ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]
Posted 2 years ago by drjoe    [ Reply ]
Posted 2 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:

There was a time when Harley wasn't a rich-white-guy-midlife-crisis punchline.  This song was written in that time.  It was close, though.


Its sad to see. I know a guy who bought one in his 50's and rides it about 200 yards and puts it away again.
Posted 2 years ago by Silvervanman    [ Reply ]
 Anatol wrote:

Stingray wrote: America's BEST MAN!
Excuse me, I'm correct you - Neil is Russian's BEST MAN, I'm insist!



Neil Young is actually Canadian, but America is happy to have him! 
Posted 2 years ago by Kajukenbo    [ Reply ]
Rode a Harley for years. Now I ride a Vespa. Guess I'm getting older, haha.
Posted 3 years ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]
beautiful lyrics - in my imagination she stands right in front of me
Posted 3 years ago by slandering    [ Reply ]
Neil likes the 'motorcycle mama' motif, doesn't he?
Posted 3 years ago by Ok_Sobriquet    [ Reply ]
Stingray wrote: America's BEST MAN!
Excuse me, I'm correct you - Neil is Russian's BEST MAN, I'm insist!
Posted 3 years ago by Anatol    [ Reply ]
Playing from My Favorites Mix . Great live version.
Posted 4 years ago by MarcsRadio    [ Reply ]
'She rides a Harley-Davidson'.

Yeah, but I bet she fancies an MZ...
Posted 4 years ago by SpinyNorma    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 years ago by Apostrophe    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:

There was a time when Harley wasn't a rich white guy midlife crisis punchline.  This was written in that time.  It was close, though.
 

This is touching to me since the day after I told my wife that the motorcycle turning in front of us that the particular bike was my favorite Harley in town. If it was the same bike and rider, he was killed the next day in a hit and run by an unlicensed, hit and run driver (who subsequently turned himself in). *sigh*
Posted 5 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
 expatlar wrote:
I love the shit out of Neil. This song just makes me shake my head. The music and harmonies are so great, and then '...she rides a harley davidson'?
 
There was a time when Harley wasn't a rich-white-guy-midlife-crisis punchline.  This song was written in that time.  It was close, though.
Posted 5 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
 triviagal wrote:
I'm not a big Neil Young-as-a-soloist fan, but this isn't too bad.

 
I'm assuming by "soloist" you mean this acoustic version.  You'll notice that there was a whole band playing with him on this song.

That said back in the day on one tour NY did a whole tour where the first night he'd play with Crazy Horse and the second night it would be him alone on a chair in the middle of the stage.  I saw that at Merriwether Post in Columbia MD back in the 80s.  I'm hard-pressed to remember which was better, but both were ... thunderous.
Posted 6 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
I love the shit out of Neil. This song just makes me shake my head. The music and harmonies are so great, and then '...she rides a harley davidson'?
Posted 6 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
I was amused to read, in yesterday's Guardian (a UK liberal newspaper), that Donald "Bouffant" Trump, that icon of modesty and self-effacement, at the launch of his presidential campaign, walked out to Neil Young's "Rockin' in the free world", which prompted NY to immediately rebuff the coiffed one. Given the lyrics of the song, plainly irony isn't Trump's strongest suit. Shades of Bush using Springsteen's "Born in the USA".

Neil Young to Donald Trump: old man, look at my life, I'm not a lot like you

 
CCR,  Fortunate Son
Posted 6 years ago by Shaggy27    [ Reply ]
 zunismyst wrote:

"great post!!" says one of millions of German who don't quite understand part of US people....
By the way, for this song, one of my favorite songs, NY gets a '10'. This is my first one

 
You don't need to be from Germany to not quite understand part of the US people....  we do it right here in the good ole USofA too.

NY get's a 10 from me as well.
Posted 7 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
Such a lovely song from the master, Neil.
Posted 7 years ago by boxofrain    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
I was amused to read, in yesterday's Guardian (a UK liberal newspaper), that Donald "Bouffant" Trump, that icon of modesty and self-effacement, at the launch of his presidential campaign, walked out to Neil Young's "Rockin' in the free world", which prompted NY to immediately rebuff the coiffed one. Given the lyrics of the song, plainly irony isn't Trump's strongest suit. Shades of Bush using Springsteen's "Born in the USA".

Neil Young to Donald Trump: old man, look at my life, I'm not a lot like you

 
"great post!!" says one of millions of German who don't quite understand part of US people....
By the way, for this song, one of my favorite songs, NY gets a '10'. This is my first one
Posted 8 years ago by zunismyst    [ Reply ]
Somewhere west of Laramie...
Posted 8 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]


JOHN SEED   Caravaggio's "Sacrifice of Issac"  johnseed@seedhuffpost.com

2016-01-22-1453440744-260305-issac_carson_mashup.jpg

 

Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
I was amused to read, in yesterday's Guardian (a UK liberal newspaper), that Donald "Bouffant" Trump, that icon of modesty and self-effacement, at the launch of his presidential campaign, walked out to Neil Young's "Rockin' in the free world", which prompted NY to immediately rebuff the coiffed one. Given the lyrics of the song, plainly irony isn't Trump's strongest suit. Shades of Bush using Springsteen's "Born in the USA".

Neil Young to Donald Trump: old man, look at my life, I'm not a lot like you
Posted 9 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
them unplugged sessions were just brilliant.. {#Cheers}
Posted 9 years ago by moodfood    [ Reply ]
 Stingray wrote:
America's BEST MAN!

 
America's best always seem to be from other countries. Canada in this case.
Posted 10 years ago by coyotexxx2    [ Reply ]
Neil nails this one...and not too much crowd distraction on this live recording.  Very nice.
Posted 10 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]

Neil Young performs a cover of "Changes" originally by Phil Ochs at the Farm Aid concert in Saratoga Springs, NY on September 21, 2013. Farm Aid was started by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp in 1985 to keep family farmers on the land and has worked since then to make sure everyone has access to good food from family farmers. Dave Matthews joined Farm Aid's board of directors in 2001.


Posted 10 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
 Forest267 wrote:
I saw the movie "Rachel Getting Married" recently. When the guy sang this song to his bride at their wedding, I got angry. I just couldn't put that scene and this song together. Perhaps I'm missing something...

 
Perhaps, also, because Rachel Getting Married was directed by Jonathan Demme, who also directed two Neil concert movies, Heart of Gold and Journeys. I would say that their collaboration transcends whatever dramatic or aesthetic purpose this song served in that scene alone. 
Posted 10 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
{#Kiss} luv it a lot  "G O D L I K E" -  as good as it gets
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
I just love this song. Some incredibly talented artists originated out of The 'Peg.
Posted 10 years ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]
America's BEST MAN!
Posted 10 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 triviagal wrote:
I'm not a big Neil Young-as-a-soloist fan, but this isn't too bad.

 

You prefer him playing in a 2-piece band? Or in an orchestra?

Neil is the personification of a solo artist!


Posted 10 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
I'm not a big Neil Young-as-a-soloist fan, but this isn't too bad.
Posted 10 years ago by triviagal    [ Reply ]
without doubt Neil's best collection......{#Shhh}
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
This was my earworm while pushing the cart up and down the aisle at the grocery store this morning! 
Posted 11 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
 Pieter wrote:
The silly lyrics don't get in the way of a great song.

 
Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs.  What's wrong with that? I need to know.
Posted 11 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
NEIL = 10
Posted 11 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
yeah I'm on that group ride too!

Bill + Rebecca toolin down that wide gorgeous 2 lane with a gang of us drifters rite behind man,  Love people!!! 
Posted 11 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
A teacher I work with heard this coming from my room one day. She stopped by and said that when she was a little, her dad used to take her on rides in a convertible with this in the tape deck, and they'd all sing along. She got pretty misty eyed telling me the story. The power of a good tune!
Posted 11 years ago by d-don    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:

Pearl Jam followed by their Uncle Neil.  Lovin RP this morning.


Make that four!
Posted 11 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:

Pearl Jam followed by their Uncle Neil.  Lovin RP this morning.

 
Me Three!
Posted 12 years ago by VanYork    [ Reply ]
Smoothly nice.
Posted 12 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:

Pearl Jam followed by their Uncle Neil.  Lovin RP this morning.

 

Me too!
Posted 12 years ago by jen3005545    [ Reply ]
 Pieter wrote:
The silly lyrics don't get in the way of a great song.
 
You got it. 
Posted 12 years ago by iTuner    [ Reply ]

Pearl Jam followed by their Uncle Neil.  Lovin RP this morning.


Posted 12 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Nice to hear this version.   Neil is such a GREAT artist!!  
Posted 12 years ago by musickat    [ Reply ]
Unreal timing. I literally just put down Jimmy McDunnough's biography of Neil entitled "Shaky". Sometimes you scare me, Bill... Surprised
Posted 12 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
Nice!
Posted 12 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]

If my life had a theme song, I think this song would be it. I just need the Harley. 


Posted 13 years ago by amoreena    [ Reply ]
i can imagine more than one got married to this sowng
Posted 13 years ago by coy    [ Reply ]
Love this song.  Love the way it was used in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED.
https://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMjA0NTY2NzQ1MF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNjU1NjAyMg@@._V1._SY317_.jpg


Posted 13 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
 WayUpNorth wrote:

That's because you don't really know me ...  {#Roflol}
 
Right on! You can never have too much chrome.
Posted 14 years ago by gatorade    [ Reply ]
I love this. Always something hopeful in a good highway tune.

Posted 14 years ago by Wisecrowe    [ Reply ]
and i love these silly lyrics...

 Pieter wrote:
The silly lyrics don't get in the way of a great song.
 


Posted 14 years ago by freeone1    [ Reply ]
The silly lyrics don't get in the way of a great song.
Posted 14 years ago by Pieter    [ Reply ]

Truly, the one and only Neil song I love. And boy do I love it.


Posted 14 years ago by Jamunca    [ Reply ]

Neil owns a big chunk of rock and roll history. Neil Percival Young's work ethic is second to none.
The fact that he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice speaks to his accomplishments.
Check him out on Wikipedia...He is an amazing guy!
Posted 15 years ago by That_SOB    [ Reply ]
 Hannio wrote:
When Neil is good, he is oh so good.
    And when stooped {#Moon} holes say,,he's not,,he still is,,, GOOD !





Posted 15 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
 Forest267 wrote:
I saw the movie "Rachel Getting Married" recently. When the guy sang this song to his bride at their wedding, I got angry. I just couldn't put that scene and this song together. Perhaps I'm missing something...
 
 I haven't seen the film, but maybe both characters just liked the song.
Posted 15 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
I saw the movie "Rachel Getting Married" recently. When the guy sang this song to his bride at their wedding, I got angry. I just couldn't put that scene and this song together. Perhaps I'm missing something...
Posted 15 years ago by Forest267    [ Reply ]


 WayUpNorth wrote:

That's because you don't really know me ...  {#Roflol}


ohh... i thought he was talking bout me... LOVE IT!!! 


Posted 15 years ago by eeke    [ Reply ]
When Neil is good, he is oh so good.
Posted 15 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 sfListener wrote:
I just don't see this girl on a Harley.
 
That's because you don't really know me ...  {#Roflol}
Posted 15 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
One of his finest..........
Posted 15 years ago by stevenv58    [ Reply ]
Love Harvest Moon. This song is good, but there's something a little embarrassing about the whole "diamond-in-the-rough-stripper-waitress" thing. At least it's not a blatant as "Mainstreet" by Bob Seger.
Posted 15 years ago by jnhashmi    [ Reply ]
{#Motor}
Posted 15 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
Well this is odd....I was listening to this song, but on my ipod, listening to Harvest Moon.  I surfed over to the RP website just to see what was currently playing, and lo and behold it's the very same song.  I did a double take, wondering if I was seeing things.  So strange...
Posted 15 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
I am thinkin' I heard this playlist already this week..  :(
Posted 15 years ago by dynamaniak    [ Reply ]
I just don't see this girl on a Harley.
Posted 15 years ago by sfListener    [ Reply ]

Anyone else notice the dude in the audience that belches out a very manly "Yeeeeeaaaaaahhh-Uuuuh!" right after one of the "She rides a Harley Davidson" choruses?  Made me laugh a little.


Harvest Moon is a favorite album.  Really just about perfect.
Posted 15 years ago by DownHomeGirl    [ Reply ]
 nigelr wrote:

My guess would be Nicolette Larson as main vocal harmonist.

 
And you would be correct. I would have bet that Nicolette would have quit recording by this point. May she RIP. {#Innocent}
Posted 15 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
that's some great song {#Clap}

Posted 15 years ago by buddyweiser    [ Reply ]
This track epitomises Neils' brilliance. How do you write a song this good? Simple and visceral.
My guess would be Nicollette Larson as main vocal harmonist.

Posted 16 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
rspauldi wrote:
Does anyone know who's singing background?
I don't know about this version since it was recorded live, but Linda Ronstadt is on the Harvest Moon version.
Posted 16 years ago by jbtidwell    [ Reply ]
So dreamy, a great one in the morning
Posted 16 years ago by drews    [ Reply ]
Does anyone know who's singing background?
Posted 16 years ago by rspauldi    [ Reply ]
Oh yeah, baby.
Posted 16 years ago by MsJudi    [ Reply ]
bullitt wrote:
A quote from David Bryne really sums this song up: "The better a singer's voice is, the harder it is the believe what he's singing."
Now why didn't I think of that...what a great line.
Posted 17 years ago by RobK    [ Reply ]
HazzeSwede wrote:
Is this song about me???
Of course, it's all about you.
Posted 17 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Is this song about me???
Posted 17 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
Thats a classic quote if I have ever heard one bullitt wrote:
A quote from David Bryne really sums this song up: "The better a singer's voice is, the harder it is the believe what he's singing."
Posted 17 years ago by eastcoast    [ Reply ]
IMHO Neil Unplugged is his best. True Neil from the older days without any nonsense
Posted 17 years ago by oldsinger    [ Reply ]
Love this album...loved Harvest moon...definately a finer moment in his career.
Posted 17 years ago by eastcoast    [ Reply ]
mcass wrote:
Harvest Moon accompanied me on several DE to OH drives. Great album, still one of my favorites.
Agreed. Funny coincidence to hear it on RP since I just listened to Harvest Moon this weekend for the first time in years.
Posted 17 years ago by ekalvi    [ Reply ]
those words, those images....colliding with the very air we breathe...
Posted 17 years ago by Alifreckles50    [ Reply ]
Classic tune.
Posted 17 years ago by Rickvee    [ Reply ]
Harvest Moon accompanied me on several DE to OH drives. Great album, still one of my favorites.
Posted 17 years ago by mcass    [ Reply ]
A quote from David Bryne really sums this song up: "The better a singer's voice is, the harder it is the believe what he's singing."
Posted 17 years ago by bullitt    [ Reply ]
Marina1 wrote:
Love this song.
... isn't it just gorgeous! ...............................
Posted 17 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
Love this song.
Posted 17 years ago by Marina1    [ Reply ]
tapatia wrote:
If you like this song and don't yet have it on CD, get "Harvest Moon" and not the "Unplugged" album. Harvest Moon is one of Neil's most outstanding solo works, and every song on it is a gem.
Agreed. Harvest Moon is one of my fav albums.
Posted 17 years ago by fire5soon    [ Reply ]
Road trip anyone?
Posted 17 years ago by Rendergirl    [ Reply ]
WIsh I were riding down that desert highway, wind in my hair...
Posted 17 years ago by volnomad    [ Reply ]
I thought he'd lost weight too! All that ridin I guess BuddhaPhilhole wrote:
This is my favorite Neil Young song -- I know I say that about ALL Neil Young songs, but, dammit, this time I mean it. Neil is a diety.
Posted 17 years ago by inindian    [ Reply ]
Woah, four years since this was last played? Wow!
Posted 17 years ago by MissAmy    [ Reply ]
orpheus wrote:
nice tune, never heard by me before :) :) :)
If you like this song and don't it on CD, get "Harvest Moon" and not the "Unplugged" album. Harvest Moon is one of Neil's most outstanding solo works, and every song on it is a gem.
Posted 17 years ago by tapatia    [ Reply ]
goosebumps.
Posted 17 years ago by pannaramma    [ Reply ]
CCinSB wrote:
YOU GOT THAT RIGHT!
Posted 17 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by CCinSB    [ Reply ]
nice tune, never heard by me before :) :) :)
Posted 21 years ago by orpheus    [ Reply ]
Posted 21 years ago by MsJudi    [ Reply ]
You mean, Niel helps you lose wieght?
Posted 21 years ago by Notelrac    [ Reply ]
This is my favorite Neil Young song -- I know I say that about ALL Neil Young songs, but, dammit, this time I mean it. Neil is a diety.
Posted 21 years ago by BuddhaPhilhole    [ Reply ]
Cheer up, Neil!
Posted 21 years ago by TheWizardOfUhs    [ Reply ]
Ah... thanks so much for playing this! There is just something about Neil Young, and especially his \"Harvest Moon\" work... You know that feeling you get when you\'re experiencing something truly beautiful (a painting, a photo, a play, a song) that also speaks to the very essence of what it means to be human? That\'s the best way I can describe this. Mmm.
Posted 21 years ago by skindy    [ Reply ]
This is one of the most \"image-evoking\" songs that can recall. Beautiful.
Posted 21 years ago by perikleshokie    [ Reply ]
Wonderful song from a great unplugged album. The original album (Harvest Moon), IMHO, is Neil's greatest work.
Posted 22 years ago by jeremyleo    [ Reply ]
...prefer the \"plugged\" version. Not much different but a better mood.
Posted 22 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]