We've been through some things together
With trunks of memories still to come
We found things to do in stormy weather
Long may you run

Long may you run
Long may you run
Although these changes have come
With your chrome heart shining in the sun
Long may you run.

Well, it was back in Blind River in 1962
When I last saw you alive
But we missed that shift on the long decline
Long may you run

Long may you run
Long may you run
Although these changes have come
With your chrome heart shining in the sun
Long may you run

Maybe the Beach Boys have got you now
With those waves singing "Caroline" (Caroline No)
Rollin' down that empty ocean road
Gettin' to the surf on time

Long may you run
Long may you run
Although these changes have come
With your chrome heart shining in the sun
Long may you run


Lyrics submitted by H-bomb

Long May You Run Lyrics as written by Neil Young

Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Long May You Run song meanings
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18 Comments

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  • +3
    General Comment

    I'm not really a Neil Young fan, but my dad is. I'm basically posting because this song was stuck in my head today and I'm from the town of Blind River (mentioned in the song.) I've always thought it was neat that he mentioned our town in his song...

    TickTockinglyon April 13, 2003   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    This is about Neil's first car, which I believe was an old funeral hearst.

    Stoneyon April 09, 2004   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    Actually the song could be about both. Stephen Stills apparently saw this hearse one day and he believed it to be the car of Neil Young. I’m not sure if he waited for Neil outside of the car or if he followed it around until he stopped, but I am almost positive that’s how they met.

    Fenderstrats90on September 04, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    it says on the Decade sleeve that its for his first car and his last woman. but i think its just his first car, as it doesn't have much about a woman in it. chrome heart shining, the empty ocean road, trunks full of memories. all car stuff. and also, the mentioning of the Beach Boys, who had many songs about cars.

    Kornoon September 23, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I understand that the old car he had broke down in Blind River and he couldn't repair it. So he just left his car there and hitched a ride to his destination. According to the DVD's Special features the producers of the horro movie "Final Destination" wanted to play this song in the funeral scene. However, either Neil Young and/or his manager wanted to be paid US$500,000 for the privilege. Unfortunately, as the price was so high the song wasn't used and many potential new fans missed out on hearing a great song.

    chrisb1on April 04, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I like to believe he found the girl with a chrome heart not the one with a heart of gold and she left him and that's why he is looking for the heart of gold. lol.

    NutzyPixeon October 03, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    The problem with the car was a broken-down transmission. So "we missed that shift on the long decline" makes perfect sense. In southern Cal.(which is where Neil was headed)in the '60s, the surfing craze was at it's height. Everyone knows that "woody" wagons are the quintesential surfer vehicle. But old hearses were also highly prized by surfers, & considered very cool. Hence, "maybe the Beach Boys have got you now" makes sense also. Of course, there may be multiple underlying meanings. But sometimes as Freud said, a cigar is just a cigar.

    OldCruiseron March 19, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    There is a video interviewing an old timer who remembers Neil and the Gang breaking down in Blind River Ontario, and how they were stuck there for a few days until they could afford to get the car fixed.

    youtube.com/watch

    madmaxvolon December 19, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    When I first started listening to this song. To me it meant a long and beautiful marriage. We've been through some things together. We found things to do in stormy weather. Being able to weather the storms and curve balls life can thro at u. After doing some research the song truly is about Neil's car. I don't think it really matters. It's a well written song like so many of Neil's songs the meaning is whatever it means to the listener. A good song writer has the ability to do that and Neil Young is the Master of this

    Seagull100on December 04, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is about Neil's first car, which I believe was an old funeral hearst.

    Stoneyon April 09, 2004   Link

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