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Neil Young — The Last Trip To Tulsa
Album: Neil Young
Avg rating:
5.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 900









Released: 1968
Length: 9:25
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Well, I used to drive a cab, you know
I heard a siren scream
Pulled over to the corner
And I fell into a dream
There were two men eating pennies
And three young girls who cried
The West coast is falling,
I see rocks in the sky.
The preacher took his bible
And laid it on the stool.
He said: with the congregation running,
Why should I play the fool?

Well, I used to be a woman, you know
I took you for a ride,
I let you fly my airplane
It looked good for your pride.
'Cause you're the kind of man you know
Who likes what he says.
I wonder what's it's like
To be so far over my head.
Well, the lady made the wedding
And she brought along the ring.
She got down on her knees
And said: Let's get on with this thing.

Well, I used to be a folk singer
Keeping managers alive,
When you saw me on a corner
And told me I was jive.
So I unlocked your mind, you know
To see what I could see.
If you guarantee the postage,
I'll mail you back the key.
Well I woke up in the morning
With an arrow through my nose
There was an Indian in the corner
Tryin' on my clothes.

Well, I used to be asleep you know
With blankets on my bed.
I stayed there for a while
'Til they discovered I was dead.
The coroner was friendly
And I liked him quite a lot.
If I hadn't 've been a woman
I guess I'd never have been caught.
They gave me back my house and car
And nothing more was said.

Well, I was driving down the freeway
When my car ran out of gas.
Pulled over to the station
But I was afraid to ask.
The servicemen were yellow
And the gasoline was green.
Although I knew I couldn't
I thought that I was gonna scream.
That was on my last trip to Tulsa
Just before the snow.
If you ever need a ride there,
Be sure to let me know.

I was chopping down a palm tree
When a friend dropped by to ask
If I would feel less lonely
If he helped me swing the axe.
I said: No, it's not a case of being lonely
We have here,
I've been working on this palm tree
For eighty seven years
I said: No, it's not a case of being lonely
We have here,
I've been working on this palm tree
For eighty seven years
He said: Go get lost!
And walked towards his Cadillac.
I chopped down the palm tree
And it landed on his back.




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Comments (102)add comment
 itsme_bygolly wrote:

I don't understand the hate. Have you ever been to Tulsa? This is a song which embodies that experience and does it well.



I think it's just that people don't care for Neil Young.
I don't understand the hate. Have you ever been to Tulsa? This is a song which embodies that experience and does it well.
 BBoyes wrote:

This song is just... a trip. The lyrics, the offbeat guitar, and his voice. It's perfect. Or awful, depending on your taste. I give it a 10.



I've tried so hard to like Neil Young. Maybe in another decade.
 BBoyes wrote:

This song is just... a trip. The lyrics, the offbeat guitar, and his voice. It's perfect. Or awful, depending on your taste. I give it a 10.



A trip for sure! I used to drive a cab so I know what he's getting at. 
This is some great proto NY stuff.  Listening to this song makes me think of watching Roger Federer play in the U18 euro championships.
This song is just... a trip. The lyrics, the offbeat guitar, and his voice. It's perfect. Or awful, depending on your taste. I give it a 10.
I was incredibly lucky to find this great album for a loxw price in his original issue, trhree years ago in eastbourne (UK). I did'nt know this album before, it's the firs masterpiece from a young great artist with many gems, like "i've been weaiting for you", "the last trip to Tulsa", and many more, a must to have!
I love how he loses it to that really great LSD and does those Syd Barrett-style double-strums and odd syncopations and even totally seems to lose his train of thought in the middle of things. Like everything Neil does, it's about as authentic as it gets! If he wasn't tripping balls, then he was a damn good actor. IT'S A KILLER JAM!
From Neil's first solo album, so this was where he was at then. Not comparable to later solo / Crazy Horse LPs but as a point of time, it was unique & totally him. It's on my RP Favorites channel.
 frisbeepilot wrote:

That is one unusual ratings bar graph for this site.


I think I get the graph. It's not Neil's best song, and I could see how it could be off-putting to some. One thing I know...  we'll never hear it on another radio station.
Ha - my first rating was a 4. It keeps moving up as I fully appreciate this creative work.
Glad to be exposed to something different.

Like many in the comments, I'm a big NY fan, but I have to admit..  what comes to mind when I hear these lyrics is Phoebe singing her songs in Central Perk!


 skindy wrote:
Well. This is the first time I've heard this song. I consider myself a casual Neil Young fan (I know & like his more well-known material, but I'm not familiar with his more obscure stuff, like this). I LIKE IT. Sounds like a sad, wistful acid trip he had in Tulsa. Also like the cover art very much. Unlike what someone said, it's NOT amateurish at all. Just try painting a portrait sometime!

Oh, and...  to all the Neil Young haters.
 
Agree totally! They are the people now storming the Capitol.
Well I woke up in the morning
With an arrow through my nose
There was an Indian in the corner
Tryin' on my clothes.


Right.....
 gleongelpi wrote:
I never rate a song a one because that to me means complete tota garbage and that would be how I see a garage band trying to get their act together to perform free concerts. I wish there was such thing as a zero rating, and that I could rate in between, like for example a 1.5, 2.5, etc. In that case, I would never give anybody a ten. I rate most songs between a four and a six. If I rate a song a seven, they'll put in my favorites channel. 

I see songs as having three variables. 1.) The skill of the performer. By that I mean, does the musician has control of his instrument or voice. They are good mechanically. 2.) Does the musician have performing talent? He or she can bring out the soul in a song. 3.)  Are the song and the arrangement creative? Every song played here has the first two factors to one degree or another. What is lacking is the third factor. This particular song by Neil Young completely lacks number three. I give him a two because no matter what else, he has a very soothing voice.
 hummm... some see the glass half empty and others full.  To want to rate a song less than a 5?  I would skip it. and not rate it.  I like your breakdown of rating a song.  one thing you left out... does it move you? Does it get you movin' to the beat!  Just saying I've heard some that missed your 1 or 2, but they totally had me dancing in my chair. IMHO Neil hits your qualifications and exceeds mine...

I never rate a song a one because that to me means complete tota garbage and that would be how I see a garage band trying to get their act together to perform free concerts. I wish there was such thing as a zero rating, and that I could rate in between, like for example a 1.5, 2.5, etc. In that case, I would never give anybody a ten. I rate most songs between a four and a six. If I rate a song a seven, they'll put in my favorites channel. 

I see songs as having three variables. 1.) The skill of the performer. By that I mean, does the musician has control of his instrument or voice. They are good mechanically. 2.) Does the musician have performing talent? He or she can bring out the soul in a song. 3.)  Are the song and the arrangement creative? Every song played here has the first two factors to one degree or another. What is lacking is the third factor. This particular song by Neil Young completely lacks number three. I give him a two because no matter what else, he has a very soothing voice.
like strange syd barrett'song
 RabbitEars wrote:
I've always liked Neil Young, but I have to say the more I hear him... and I hear him a lot on RP... the less I like him. If I heard this song without knowing who he was, I'd immediately dismiss it as completely amateur. He's got some classics that I don't think I'll ever stop liking, but the more I hear him now, the more I think he's vastly over-rated. He's someone that had a right thing at the right time way of writing songs that became iconic of particular events and social shifts, and that's a big thing, but he's just relatively weak as a singer and musician. 
 
Lyrics like these and you dismiss the song as amateur?!?  Try some human ears.
 Amazon wrote:
intense poetry! too bad some people are afraid they won't be seen as "cool" if they get caught liking it
 

but what the devil is he rambling on about for this whole time?
 frisbeepilot wrote:
That is one unusual ratings bar graph for this site.
 
Luv and h8.
About 9:25 too long 
"What I Did This Summer (My Acid Trip)", by Neil Young. 
I love NY, I do not love this. Not his best work.
Is he in the left channel at all?
I can't figure out if this is pure genius or the worst garbage I've ever heard. 
 Aud wrote:

over NINE minutes of that voice would drive a lot of people to give him a "1'
 

Huh, just gave it a 9

This took some serious balls even for it's time
 Aud wrote:

over NINE minutes of that voice would drive a lot of people to give him a "1'
 
Just did
 frisbeepilot wrote:
 
 
over NINE minutes of that voice would drive a lot of people to give him a "1'
 uksminas wrote:
only 5,5 guys-Seriouslee...? C'mon
 
Fuck off Neil
That is one unusual ratings bar graph for this site.
 robertomiller wrote:
Well, that's an interesting bit of archeology… from 1968… 
 Well that oak of an Icon sure earned his rings ! 

Well. This is the first time I've heard this song. I consider myself a casual Neil Young fan (I know & like his more well-known material, but I'm not familiar with his more obscure stuff, like this). I LIKE IT. Sounds like a sad, wistful acid trip he had in Tulsa. Also like the cover art very much. Unlike what someone said, it's NOT amateurish at all. Just try painting a portrait sometime!

Oh, and...  to all the Neil Young haters.
 dublanica wrote:
Alas... when one considers the classical role of the Bard...
(Shakespeare was also oft reviled in his time) 

 
I like or love most of NY - just not this sample of his vast output. 
all things must pass    Tizmself wrote:
The best thing about this song is that eventually it ends.
 

I like it
 dublanica wrote:
what the f*** are you talking abut?

 

 RabbitEars wrote:
I've always liked Neil Young, but I have to say the more I hear him... and I hear him a lot on RP... the less I like him. If I heard this song without knowing who he was, I'd immediately dismiss it as completely amateur. He's got some classics that I don't think I'll ever stop liking, but the more I hear him now, the more I think he's vastly over-rated. He's someone that had a right thing at the right time way of writing songs that became iconic of particular events and social shifts, and that's a big thing, but he's just relatively weak as a singer and musician. 
 

I've always liked Neil Young, but I have to say the more I hear him... and I hear him a lot on RP... the less I like him. If I heard this song without knowing who he was, I'd immediately dismiss it as completely amateur. He's got some classics that I don't think I'll ever stop liking, but the more I hear him now, the more I think he's vastly over-rated. He's someone that had a right thing at the right time way of writing songs that became iconic of particular events and social shifts, and that's a big thing, but he's just relatively weak as a singer and musician. 
Kids these days :) I love this song.
The first time I have NEVER liked a Neil Young song.  Wow.  Please don't play this again so that I don't have to lose my outrageous admiration for him. ;)

On the other hand, I am feeling his angst.  Maybe it was time for him to breakaway and go independent.
not crazy about the song but has anyone commented on the album art - looks like it was painted by ....uhm... me! Not impressive and Neil looks like a demon. Maybe that was the intent.
 LinThizzy wrote:
a very wordy word exercise with many words of great wordiness
 
You have a way with words. Made me smile.
This is exactly what I want, a chance to hear the music I missed.  Thank you very much!!!
 LinThizzy wrote:
a very wordy word exercise with many words of great wordiness
 
Word!
a very wordy word exercise with many words of great wordiness
Well, that's an interesting bit of archeology… from 1968… 
 MrRedwood wrote:
So you're saying you should be excused for using words like "whiner" and "hater" because... what? Your feelings have been hurt by mean people? And you've earned the right to be bitter and do some whining of your own?
But then you have the gall to accuse someone of being judgmental?
In case you didn't notice, I didn't criticize you for your taste in music, but because you categorized those who disagreed with you as "whiners" and "haters".  So, then here's a new accusation: you're also hypocritical. 
 
As already explained, I have no problem with negative comments in general.
And no, I have no problem using words like hater for people who post relentlessly negative comments and have nothing positive to say. I have certainly heard worse descriptions used by others. I'm not sure how you made the leap from that to calling everyone who disagrees with me a hater? Obviously not the case. I thought I explained it fairly clearly.
And apparently it's OK for you to judge/label/criticize me, but I'm the hypocritical one, right? Too funny.
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Hmm, you sounded kinda judgmental, telling me how not judgmental you are.
For the record, I have no problem with people writing negative comments, for the most part.
As has often been discussed, that's kind of the point of these boards (ie to hear all viewpoints, good and bad).
What does eventually get to me is when the same people keep spewing the same negative comments about the same artists over and over again, usually with nothing remotely constructive or even humorous to say (prime example; U2/Bono).
Then it just seems kind of pathetic, and I find myself using words like whiner or hater.
So, that's a long way of saying, no, not liking a song does not make someone a hater.

So you're saying you should be excused for using words like "whiner" and "hater" because... what? Your feelings have been hurt by mean people? And you've earned the right to be bitter and do some whining of your own?

But then you have the gall to accuse someone of being judgmental?

In case you didn't notice, I didn't criticize you for your taste in music, but because you categorized those who disagreed with you as "whiners" and "haters".  So, then here's a new accusation: you're also hypocritical.  
 MrRedwood wrote:
Gosh, since I didn't like it, I guess I must be a "whiner" and a "hater", emerging out from under my rock.
But at least I'm judging music based on musical criteria, not other human beings based on something arbitrary that I think makes me special.
 
Hmm, you sounded kinda judgmental, telling me how not judgmental you are.
For the record, I have no problem with people writing negative comments, for the most part.
As has often been discussed, that's kind of the point of these boards (ie to hear all viewpoints, good and bad).
What does eventually get to me is when the same people keep spewing the same negative comments about the same artists over and over again, usually with nothing remotely constructive or even humorous to say (prime example; U2/Bono).
Then it just seems kind of pathetic, and I find myself using words like whiner or hater.
So, that's a long way of saying, no, not liking a song does not make someone a hater.
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Wow, I can't believe this got played.
Absolutely guaranteed to draw the haters and whiners out from under their rocks.
No question it's "of its time" and occasionally cringe-inducing, but at least it's not like every other Top 40 song on the radio.
7 for the song, 10 to RP for having the chutzpah to play it!

 
Gosh, since I didn't like it, I guess I must be a "whiner" and a "hater", emerging out from under my rock.

But at least I'm judging music based on musical criteria, not other human beings based on something arbitrary that I think makes me special. 
Wow, I can't believe this got played.
Absolutely guaranteed to draw the haters out from under their rocks.
No question it's "of its time" and occasionally cringe-inducing, but at least it's not like every other Top 40 song on the radio.
7 for the song, 10 to RP for having the chutzpah to play it!
There is a lot of NY that I like, but please make this one stop. {#Crashcomp}
Meh, Not my favorite. 
 gatorade wrote:
One of my favorite NY LPs and songs.

 
Yes, simple acoustic guitar, echo and the ecletic voice! truly wonderful song!
thanks RP
great when working on the laptop with quality full range cans on your head

{#Bananajam}
Wow, truly blessed to hear this, last play was October 2011! please play more often?
Not at all one of Neil's better songs. It's pretentious and kind of junky. Lame lyrics.
The gas station men were yellow the gasoline was green, how could I know that I was gonna scream. 
Neil's existential angst works against him here. Sometimes I'm glad he had CSN to back, lead and accompany him. 
 
Folks, ya had to be there.  Think "Meet the Beatles!".  Respect.
Sort of Peter Hammill "Chameleon in the Shadow of the Night", but without a grat vocal, and less ispiration, in my opinion

 KevinM wrote:
My 10 year old son can play the guitar better than this crap, and he just got his first guitar last week.
 
Very much the same as what lots of people say about modern art.

One of my favorite NY LPs and songs.
This reminds me of the crappy song about the Titanic, where the captain shouts "I'm gonna move you" at the iceberg. It's played by Dr. Demento just as this should be - in the Audio Torture Chamber. Self-indulgent crap.
Neil rocks it for me.

{#Wave}
Huh.  I'd never heard this before.  Not bad at all.  
 DaveInVA wrote:
This is one of my all time favorite NY tunes.

 

Same here!  The imagery and mood he creates with his lyrics is outstanding.
Shame it doesn't get much airplay here - sure glad I caught it though.
Big Neil fan, but this song is weak (perhaps decent in a small bar after a few drinks). "A little lengthy" and discordant, even for Neil.


This is one of my all time favorite NY tunes.


The older I get, the more I appreciate the true artists.
Neil Young has reinvented himself more times than any other artist I know. I Love his work. I sorta-kinda like this song but it does grate and it does go on and on and on :) but I gave it a six.
Give ME the axe. I know where to swing it. I can see this going over well in a concert setting. The kind where they sell beer in really, really big paper cups.
Guess it can be seen as poetry. I think it's word salad (or verse salad) and I can't attach a lot of coherence to it. However, it can be chalked up as youthful excess, seeing as how it's very early in his career (as I found from reading other messages). He's a power in many ways and this one is an experiment.
Sweet Fancy Moses. Neil Young just plain sucks. I hope this is his Last Trip to Paradise.
WTF?
...Spare me, Please. Hey Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young had some great sounds. I liked their sounds. They had classic sounds and tunes, but Neil Young...I don\'t think he had anyone to tell him to take some vocal lessons.
Originally Posted by KevinM: My 10 year old son can play the guitar better than this crap, and he just got his first guitar last week.
I could not have said it better myself...this crap sucks...
My 10 year old son can play the guitar better than this crap, and he just got his first guitar last week.
intense poetry! too bad some people are afraid they won\'t be seen as \"cool\" if they get caught liking it
Cool! If you don\'t like his voice, just turn the \"Balance\" on your stereo all the way to the right!
Obviously, Neil Young needed to get this out of his system at the time. Listening to it now, I think it doesn't really hold up. Apart from the lyrics, maybe.

Originally Posted by Patti_M.: Hopefully this will be The Last Time I will have to hear this song. pbm 8^)
Agree - sounds like mindless ruminations of a wild, disoriented ____?
Neil freakingYoung AMAZING
this is the kind of song for which we need STRS (spinal tap rating system)
How can someone who harmonizes so well, have such a terrible solo voice?
I actually saw Neil perform this at the Berkeley Auditorium a few years ago during his solo acoustic tour. It was the first time I\'d heard the song, and it blew me away.
reincarnation. It doesn\'t take acid to realize that. Dot
Just raised my rating on this one to an 8. I guess it just depends on the frame of mind you\'re in when you hear it. :D
Sorry, but I really like this song. Not sure why, just do.
Musically, this isn\'t one of his best, IMO. But the lyrics are interestingly strange. Here\'s a link, if you want to check it out: https://www.davemcnally.com/lyrics/YoungNeil/TheLastTripToTulsa.asp Probably wouldn\'t want to hear this too often, but once in a while is OK by me.
I believe this is off Neil\'s first post Buffalo Sringfield effort. The album has some moderately interesting stuff. Overall, however, it\'s unfocused and not up to his best work. When it came out, alot of people began to write him off. Shortly after he put out \"Everybody knows this in no where.\" People writing him off shut up.
The best thing about this song is that eventually it ends.