Neil Young has shared a 2019 performance of "Southern Man" in response to ongoing protests against racism in the United States, noting that the song remains as relevant as ever now — 50 years since its initial release.
The track, which is about slavery in the American South, has effectively become an anti-racism anthem since Young first wrote it in 1970. Posting the performance to Neil Young Archives yesterday (June 3), the artist argues that the oppression of Black people across the entire country still exists.
Additionally, the artist called out for police reform in the wake of the country's ongoing instances of injustice and brutality.
"Here's me as an old guy singin' his 50-year-old song that was written after countless years of racism in the USA," he wrote. "And look at us today! This has been going on for way too long. It's not just 'Southern Man' now. It's everywhere across the USA. It's time for real change, new laws, new rules for policing."
Watch Young's full performance over at Neil Young Archives.
The song first appeared on Young's After the Gold Rush and was included on Crosby Stills Nash & Young's 4 Way Street.
Inter Arma recently delivered their own version of the track, which is set to be released as a part of their forthcoming covers album Garbers Days Revisited.
The track, which is about slavery in the American South, has effectively become an anti-racism anthem since Young first wrote it in 1970. Posting the performance to Neil Young Archives yesterday (June 3), the artist argues that the oppression of Black people across the entire country still exists.
Additionally, the artist called out for police reform in the wake of the country's ongoing instances of injustice and brutality.
"Here's me as an old guy singin' his 50-year-old song that was written after countless years of racism in the USA," he wrote. "And look at us today! This has been going on for way too long. It's not just 'Southern Man' now. It's everywhere across the USA. It's time for real change, new laws, new rules for policing."
Watch Young's full performance over at Neil Young Archives.
The song first appeared on Young's After the Gold Rush and was included on Crosby Stills Nash & Young's 4 Way Street.
Inter Arma recently delivered their own version of the track, which is set to be released as a part of their forthcoming covers album Garbers Days Revisited.
