Neil Young Dropped A Surprise Album On Christmas Day - Noise11.com
Neil Young and Crazy Horse Greendale tour Melbourne photo by Ros O'Gorman

Neil Young and Crazy Horse Greendale tour Melbourne photo by Ros O'Gorman

Neil Young Dropped A Surprise Album On Christmas Day

by Paul Cashmere on December 27, 2021

in News

Neil Young has added a previously unreleased album to his archives. ‘Summer Songs’, released on 25 December 2021 is a fully sequenced by unreleased album from 1987.

Young plays almost all of the instruments on the album recorded at his Broken Arrow Ranch studio.

Two of the songs , ‘American Dream’ and ‘Name of Love’, would later appear on Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s 1988 ‘American Dream’ album.

‘Wrecking Ball’, ‘Hangin’ On A Limb’, and ‘Someday’ were included on 1989’s ‘Freedom’.

‘One of These Days’ was on the 1992 album ‘Harvest Moon’ and ‘For The Love Of A Man’ didn’t appear until 25 years later on ‘Psychedelic Pill’.

Summer Songs tracklisting

American Dream (eventually on CSYN ‘American Dream’, 1989)
Last Of His Kind
Someday (eventually on Freedom, 1989)
For The Love of Man (eventually on Psychedelic Pill, 2012)
One of These Days (eventually on Harvest Moon, 1992)
Wrecking Ball (eventually on Freedom, 1989)
Hangin’ On A Limb (eventually on Freedom, 1989)
Name of Love (eventually on CSYN ‘American Dream’, 1989)

‘Last Of His Kind’, the only previously unreleased song, popped up in 1993 and 1999 at Live Aid.

Neil Young posted the following ‘Summer Songs’ info:

Happy Holidays everyone! I think you will enjoy this very cool recording – lost for years, but not forgotten. Now a gift. NYA’s files reveal the whole history. American Dream feels more real than ever. How could somethin’ so good go bad so fast? Wow, that was a little sad. But things are still good down on the farm right? Not so fast. Thanks Willie, John, Dave, Carolyn, Annie, for all you’ve done.

It’s an honour being there with you. Replanting for next year? The farmer’s wife, the children, the animals. the birds. Kinda leaves you hangin’. We can win.

They’re pipin’ music in….yer gettin it…..someday. Remember the old songs? This ones for you! Rommel. We all have to fly.
God weren’t meant to comment.
We might see His face someday.
Some day. Lots of love folks.
Hold me baby. Give me all the love you have to give
We won’t have to wait someday

Let the angels ring the bells in the holy halls, may they hear the voice that calls to them….Down the dusty road to the forest church in the billowing sky ….for the love of man. DOWN THE DUSTY ROAD TO THE FOREST CHURCH…..IN THE BILLOWING SKY
FOR THE LOVE OF MAN

I’m gonna try to thank them all.
I’m gonna thank that old country fiddler.
like leaves from an old maple…..weak…strong….

booze. the words are all different. You always disappear.

When the melody through the window called,
he knew he had to go
she gave it all she gave…she taught him how to dance.

Do it in the name of love.
you hold the future in your hand.
to every boy and every girl,
you hold the future.

Produced by the Volume Dealers
Mastered by Tim Mulligan

Be the first to see NOISE.com’s newest interviews and special features on YOUTUBE and updated regularly. See things first SUBSCRIBE here: Noise11 on YouTube SUBSCRIBE

Noise11.com

Follow Noise11 on Social Media

Noise11 on Instagram

You’ll discover music news first following Noise11 on Twitter

Comment on the news of the day, join Noise11 on Facebook

Related Posts

The Korgis Coffee In New York
The Korgis Join Forces With Australian Guitarist Joe Matera For ‘Coffee In New York’ Album

English pop-rock survivors The Korgis are back in 2025 with a brand-new collaborative album, teaming up with Australian singer, songwriter and guitarist Joe Matera. The project, titled Coffee In New York, will be released on October 24, 2025, via Renaissance Records in the USA on both vinyl and CD.

1 hour ago
Bon Jovi, Photo By Damien Loverso
Bon Jovi Call On Friends For Forever (Legendary Edition)

Bon Jovi will return this October with a brand-new collaboration record, Forever (Legendary Edition), set for release on October 24, 2025. The 14-track album finds Jon Bon Jovi and the band reimagining the spirit of their 2024 record Forever with the help of an all-star guest list. The project arrives after Jon Bon Jovi’s vocal cord surgery, a setback that forced him to step away from touring while still creatively hungry to share music.

3 hours ago
Tom Araya of Slayer at Download Melbourne 2019 photo by Mary Boukouvalas
Slayer Announce One-Night-Only Headline Show at Hersheypark Stadium

Slayer will return to the stage this September for a rare headline show on the U.S. east coast, confirming a massive one-night-only concert at Hersheypark Stadium, Pennsylvania, on September 20, 2025.

23 hours ago
Mike Joyce The Drums
Mike Joyce Turns the Tables in The Drums: A Candid Beat from The Smiths’ Backseat

Manchester’s unsung pulse, drummer Mike Joyce, finally steps out from behind The Smiths’ jangly guitar riffs with his much-anticipated memoir, The Drums, due for release in November 2025.

2 days ago
Ali Campbell
UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell Announce Perth Show For Big Love World Tour

UB40 featuring Ali Campbell have added a Perth date to their Big Love World Tour after strong demand across Australia, bringing one of reggae’s most distinctive voices back to the West Coast. The show will take place at Kings Park & Botanic Garden on Sunday, 18 January 2026.

3 days ago
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds photo by Ros O'Gorman
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Announce Wild God 2026 Tour of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds will return home to Australia in January 2026 with the official announcement today of their Wild God Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand tour. The run of shows will be the band’s first in the region since 2022 and will bring their acclaimed Wild God album to life for local audiences.

3 days ago
Nick Cave photo by Ros O'Gorman
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Bring Wild God Tour Home to Australia in 2026

Nick Cave has let slip what Aussie fans have been hoping to hear for months: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds will return to Australia in January 2026 for the Wild God tour. In a recent post on his Red Hand Files website, Cave revealed the news with typical candour, writing:

4 days ago