Fork In The Road

Album: Fork In The Road (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Fork In the Road album was inspired by Young's LincVolt electric car project, in which the singer and biodiesel pioneer Jonathan Goodwin retrofitted a 1959 Lincoln with an experimental electric engine. Young told Rolling Stone: "My life's at a point where I'd rather get rid of my material things and turn them into money to do the LincVolt." The album was written whilst Young toured in the winter of 2008-09. It was recorded with the singer's touring band— Ben Keith (pedal steel guitar, keyboards), Chad Cromwell (drums), Rick Rosas (bass), Pegi Young (vocals/wife) and Anthony Crawford (vocals, guitar).
  • The song shifts tones multiple times, ranging from wryly self-aware ("I'm a big rock star, but my sales have tanked. But I've still got you, thanks, download this, sounds like s--t") to heatedly political ("There's a bailout coming but its not for me, it's for all those creeps watching tickers on TV"), to softly nostalgic ("On the radio, those were the days, bring 'em back.")

Comments: 2

  • George Trimmer from ArizonaThat is awesome Neil! Well done.
  • Ekristheh from Halath, United StatesThe latest entry in Oh Dear God, What's He Done This Time??? -- There's a lot of controversy about this album among Neil fans because of the primitive lyrics and melodies. (Hello? It's rock and roll. Progressive experiments with Bach notwithstanding, it isn't supposed to sound as if it belongs in a drawing room.) Ah, the endless search to figure out what it all means. Is Neil washed up? And if not, what in the world is he up to out there on the granola ranch? All I know is that when I watch the video to this track I laugh my balls off.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.

Commercials

CommercialsFact or Fiction

Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream?

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.