Jim Adams is the harp-loving host of Song Lyric Sunday. Jim says:
This week we have something totally different where you are supposed to find a song with a harmonica in it and hopefully this will fit for everyone.
Here are the “rules”:
• Post the lyrics to the song of your choice, whether it fits the theme or not. If it does not fit, then please explain why you chose this song.
• Please try to include the songwriter(s) – it’s a good idea to give credit where credit is due.
• Make sure you also credit the singer/band and if you desire you can provide a link to where you found the lyrics.
• Link to the YouTube video, or pull it into your post so others can listen to the song.
• Ping back to this post or place your link in the comments section below.
• Read at least one other person’s blog, so we can all share new and fantastic music and create amazing new blogging friends in the process.
• Feel free to suggest future prompts.
• Have fun and enjoy the music.
Amazingly, this song was Neil Young’s only U.S. #1 single. He was also the first Canadian to have a #1 album in the US with it. When you think of his discography that simply boggles my mind. His next highest on the chart was “Old Man” at #31 on the Hot 100.
From wikipedia:
“Heart of Gold” was released from the 1972 album Harvest. In Canada, it reached No. 1 on the RPM national singles chart for the first time on April 8, 1972, on which date Young held the top spot on both the singles and albums charts. Billboard ranked it as the No. 17 song for 1972. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked it No. 297 on their list of the 500 greatest songs of all time, and No. 303 in an updated 2010 list.
The harmonica dominates. James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt, who just happened to be in Nashville for The Johnny Cash Show, were enlisted to sing backup vocals (at the end of the song.) Other musicians who were enlisted for the Saturday recording day were drummer Kenny Buttrey, guitarist Teddy Irwin, bass player Tim Drummond, and pedal steel player Ben Keith.
The song has been covered by a lot of well-known musicians and has been featured in several movies.
Young wrote about the popularity of the song in the liner notes of his 1977 compilation album Decade:
This song put me in the middle of the road. Traveling there soon became a bore so I headed for the ditch. A rougher ride but I saw more interesting people there.
I want to live
I want to give
I’ve been a miner for a heart of gold
It’s these expressions
I never give
That keep me searching for a heart of gold
And I’m getting old
Keep me searching for a heart of gold
And I’m getting old
I’ve been to Hollywood
I’ve been to Redwood
I crossed the ocean for a heart of gold
I’ve been in my mind
It’s such a fine line
That keeps me searching for a heart of gold
And I’m getting old
Keeps me searching for a heart of gold
And I’m getting old
Keep me searching for a heart of gold
You keep me searching and I’m growing old
Keep me searching for a heart of gold
I’ve been a miner for a heart of gold
Songwriter: Neil Young
Tao Talk 
I’ve always liked Neil Young. Great choice Li! 😊👍
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He’s one of a kind for sure. Glad you like this tune, Jen 🙂
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Oh yeah! I know it well. 😊
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I know that I am getting old, but I feel rejuvenated when I listen to Neil Young. Great music Li.
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He’s done a lot of good music. Glad you like the choice, Jim.
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Good choice Lisa! It was going to be this one or the other Neil Young favorite. I went with Harvest Moon 🥰. I love both.
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Neil Young Double Feature. It doesn’t get any better than that ❤
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I know right? 💕☺️
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Recorded at Quadraphonic Studios in Nashville. The studio is still in operation. Really nice choice, Lisa.
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Oh, the hallowed ghosts that walk those places. Glad you liked the choice, Ricky.
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I almost went with this song, but then I realized that I’d already used it in May 2018 for an earlier SLS prompt from back when Helen Vahdati still hosting it.
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That is amazing, that he never had another #1. I saw him on the “Rust Never Sleeps” tour–a loud one–what a discography he has. (K)
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So awesome you saw Neil live. Probably really good energy in the room.
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Yes indeed. I was young then too….
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Absolutely love this song. ❤ Thanks for sharing Lisa!!
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My pleasure, J. Glad you liked it 🙂
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Neil Young best voice ever 💜
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He’s a talented guy ❤
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He is amazing 💜
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Classic song – one of the first that crossed my mind. Great choice.
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Glad you like it, Maggie 🙂
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Loved it.
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Great choice! It is mind boggling to know that this was his only #1 hit. He will go down as one of the best songwriters in history though. Part of it could be because of him joining Crosby, Stills & Nash and some of his songs were hits for them. That would be interesting to research. 🙂
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And don’t forget the Buffalo Springfield years! Yes is is ❤ Glad you like the choice Lisa.
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Tru dat! 😊
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Such a classic, This will always be my favorite by Neil. Thanks for choosing it!
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Love this song. Reminds of 8th grade. Good choice, Li!
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Thanks Susan!
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“Heart of Gold” is possibly the first Neil Young tune I ever heard. I loved it from the beginning and still do. The entire “Harvest” album is timeless gem to me.
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Scoop: I think I just decided to do a Papa Neil album for my next pick. Not saying which one of course….
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Intriguing! 🙂
If compilations are allowed, which I guess is not the case, I would go with Neil’s first greatest hits album “Decade,” a fantastic collection of his work from the late ’60s to the mid ’70s.
In case only regular studio albums can be picked, I would either go with “Harvest” or “Harvest Moon”.
Not that I want to influence you, of course! 🙂
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🙂 No comment lol
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Of course, you don’t want to show your cards. Instead it’s much more fun to picture what the other participants may think now! 🙂
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🙂 It is fun isn’t it, this draft thing. Hans came up with a good idea for sure. Thanks Hans!
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You know how I feel about Neil. He is one of the few artists real artist like Dylan and Joni who does their own thing… oh and Bowie.
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I will be doing a Papa Neil album next. I really really hope there is at least one Bowie album in this draft. I guarantee there will be at least one one way or another!
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LOL yea…If I picked Bowie…it would be Hunky Dory…but my picks are full at the moment.
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I can’t make a list and commit to it, but I can commit to this. Talk about a commitmentphobic 🙂
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LOL…Thank you! you introduced me to a new word!
I turned mine in yesterday…a psychedelic pop one
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With or without C.S. and N. I’ve always so enjoyed Y. They’re from me all time very favorite era, during which I so wish I could have been around
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Nice to know, Larry. I like his solo work and also Nash’s solo work.
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I haven’t listened to the others’ solo stuff much. Maybe I should give them a chance
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