We’ll write another day about Neil Young and our endless numbered nights and days spent lifted from the depths by his songs.  Let’s just start with the looks on these Bridge School kids faces in the above photo. Wow, that hurts and heals all in one motion.

Recently we’ve noticed contemporary artists unabashedly making good use of Neil’s stirring melodies to open their songs, and yet ultimately making these songs their own.  Put another way:  these artists have great taste in music and honor Neil with their open use of his themes, and especially by creating stirring originals stirred up by Young’s original melodies.  And no attribution is needed.  As Neil titled his second album:  everybody knows.  And Young admitted long ago (in song) to using the same tactics–he calls it a “Borrowed Tune.”

Below are three recent examples of such use, coupled with Young’s originals.  Please let us know of any other examples of others’ use of Young’s melodies in their songs.  Keep in mind we’re not talking about cover songs of or by Young, but instead uses of Neil’s melodies in others’ songs.

First up is Gillian Welch’s song, The Way It Will Be, off her new album, The Harrow & the Harvest. Check out Gillian’s open use of Neil’s harrowing melody from the title song off his album, “On the Beach.” Welch and David Rawlings begin with Neil’s melodic theme, but then add thereto to give us a great new song for the ages.

Gillian Welch–The Way It Will Be

[audio:https://www.thelefortreport.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/03-The-Way-It-Will-Be.mp3|titles=03 The Way It Will Be]

Here’s a visual of that song:

And here’s the audio of that original beauty:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKgj1FNToWY

Next up is Megafaun (whose new, eponymous album is in heavy rotation at Chez Lefort) with their stellar song, State/Meant. The song initially borrows heavily from Young’s Cortez the Killer, but then (like Welch) manages to mix in additional musical thoughts and throughlines to render a killer song of their own.

Megafaun–State/Meant

[audio:https://www.thelefortreport.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/State_Meant.mp3|titles=State_Meant]

Here’s a video of Megafaun delivering:

And here’s the real deal:  Cortez the Killer, as done by the great Young himself.  Don’t judge; just get out of the way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GDIkb5CDUY

Finally, we come full circle with Welch’s beau, David Rawlings, paying direct homage (from a Daytrotter Session with Bright Eyes’ Nate Wolcott on trumpet) to Young and to Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes’ leader) by crafting a medley of Oberst’s song, Method Acting, with Young’s Cortez the Killer.  In so doing, Rawlings honors Young doubly by covering Young’s great song and exposing Oberst’s similar use of Neil’s melody.  Oberst, Rawlings and Megafaun all know a worthwhile melody when they hear it.  Long live Neil Young.

David Rawlings Machine–Method Acting/Cortez the Killer

[audio:https://www.thelefortreport.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/003-Method-Acting-Cortez-The-Killer3.mp3|titles=003-Method Acting – Cortez The Killer]

And for you visual learners out there, here’s a video of the medley performed live:

Speaking of debts owed, the annual Bridge School Benefit Concert (at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View), put on by Neil and Peggi Young and a vast cast of good (musical) souls, is happening this coming Saturday and Sunday (October 22nd and 23rd).  Montreal’s fabulous Arcade Fire is the notable first-time addition to this year’s lineup, and the whole weekend is always a talent-filled love-fest.  The photo at top is from the 2010 Bridge School Benefit Concert.  Check out the lineup HERE and head on up.