Philadelphia

Joe writes: One of my favourite tracks of the year, Song For Zula by Phosphorescent, owes a debt to Streets of Philadelphia by Bruce Springsteen, which reminded me how remarkable it is that the film Philadelphia featured two wonderful original songs with Philadelphia in the title.

Here's Springsteen's:



And here's Neil Young's Philadelphia:

 

Thanks to Streets Of Philadelphia, Bruce Springsteen is on the short list of legendary artists who have written one of their biggest songs well into middle age (see also Bob Dylan - To Make You Feel My Love and Leonard Cohen - Hallelujah).

Throw Your Hatred Down

Joe writes: Another thing I found while sorting through some old possessions was a set of tracklistings for cassettes I'd made for friends when I was in my teens. Many of the songs on there are still close to my heart but I'd completely forgotten this one by Neil Young from the Mirror Ball album made with members of Pearl Jam. Now I've listened afresh the lyric speaks to me and it's a beautiful melody only partially buried under a non-production.

A Man Needs A Maid - Another great Neil Young song (there are so many)

Neil Young - The Needle & The Damage Done (live on Johnny Cash's TV show)

Love and War

Joe writes: I hadn't quite gotten round to listening to the last Neil Young album but I will now I've listened to this wonderful song thanks to Dorian Lynskey's Twitter recommendation