“Big Time”
written by Neil Young
Recorded 3-25-1996.
Gonna leave the pain behind
Gonna leave the fools in line
Gonna take the magic potion
Gettin’ in an old black car
Gonna take a ride so far
To the land of sun tan lotion
Gonna take it state by state
Til I hit the golden gate
Get my feet wet in the ocean
I’m still living in the dream we had
For me it’s not over
Walkin on the bridge on day
Lookin out across the bay
I saw a rippling in the water
Once a big ship had passed
I borrowed a traveler’s glass
And focused on the ocean’s daughter
Kind of like a wave confused
Dancing in the sunset hews
She waved to me and called me over
I’m still living in the dream we had
For me it’s not over
Talkin’ bout a friend of mine
Talkin’ bout a gold mine
Richest vein in any mountain
Talkin’ bout the enemy
Inside of me
Talkin’ bout that youthful fountain
Talkin’ bout you and me
Talkin’ bout eternity
Talkin’ bout the big time
I’m still living in the dream we had
For me it’s not over
recorded March and April 1996.
“For the essence of a riddle is to express true facts under impossible combinations.”
― Aristotle, Poetics
The story begins, in 1966, 30 years before the song is written and recorded. The lyrics are universal and yet personal. The story, having closure, is never ending.
April 1, 2024
Victoria Cavaleri
copyright
