Don't Let It Bring You Down

Album: After The Gold Rush (1970)
Play Video
  • Old man lying by the side of the road
    With the lorries rolling by
    Blue moon sinking from the weight of the load
    And the buildings scrape the sky
    Cold wind ripping down the alley at dawn
    And the morning paper flies
    Deadman lying by the side of the road
    With the daylight in his eyes

    Don't let it bring you down
    It's only castles burning
    Find someone who's turning
    And you will come around

    Blind man running through the light of the night
    With an answer in his hand
    Come on down to the river of sight
    And you can really understand
    Red lights flashing through the window in the rain
    Can you hear the sirens moan?
    White cane lying in a gutter in the lane
    If you're walking home alone

    Don't let it bring you down
    It's only castles burning
    Find someone who's turning
    And you will come around

    Don't let it bring you down
    It's only castles burning
    Just find someone who's turning
    And you will come around

    Don't let it bring you down
    It's only castles burning
    Just find someone who's turning
    And you will come around Writer/s: Neil Young
    Publisher: Hipgnosis Songs Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 10

  • Gnarshhh from StlOptimalaca, the line you are talking about is from the live album "4 Way Street" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
  • Alex from Slc, UtThe mentioned preface to the song as stated by young can be found on the album “4 way street” by CSNY
  • Optimalaca from Las VegasThis has been driving me crazy. Anyone know which album has the live version where he actually says "Here is a new song. It's guaranteed to bring you right down, It's called 'Don't Let It Bring You Down.' It sorta starts off real slow and then fizzles out altogether."?
  • Steve from UsaWhite cane lion. lions club established white canes in 1921 pertaining blind people, hence, white cane lion.
  • Steve Dotwood from BelgiumMemphisbelle from Memphis, I totally agree. When I heard it for the first time, and still.
  • Shari Mills from Fullerton CaWoke up an hour with Don't Let it Bring You Down in my brain. Wanted to revisit the lyrics and I found this site. Also learned that tomorrow is Neil's birthday. The universal "a little bird told me a secret" must have flown over my house. Rock on Mr. Young
  • Mig from Ellwood City Pa.I WAS a child when Neil went solo, but thankfully my best bud had older brothers who turned me on to NEIL I'm now 52 and still love NEIL!
  • Gábor from Székesfehérvár@Memphisbelle from Memphis, Tn: absolutely! one of my favorites from Neil
  • Larry from Philadelphia I am a musician and I find The chord changes for this tune to be very unusual for pop music. Great song.
  • Memphisbelle from Memphis, TnOne of Neil's finest. Y'all agree?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Vanessa Carlton

Vanessa CarltonSongwriter Interviews

The "A Thousand Miles" singer on what she thinks of her song being used in White Chicks and how she captured a song from a dream.

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)Song Writing

How a gym teacher, a janitor, and a junkie became part of some very famous band names.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.