This song is about two rock & roll artists
Rag-Land is halfway there with the 'King' referring to Elvis but 'this is the story of a Johnny Rotten' refers to Johnny Rotten frontman of the Sex Pistols.
The song is a comparison of Elvis and Johnny Rotten.
In the beginning Elvis was looked upon as fresh, rebellious, dangerous and he soon rose to the top. Around this time of 1978 the Sex Pistols were seen as the new fresh rebels of rock
Just before Young wrote 'My My Hey Hey' the Sex Pistols split up on Januray 17, 1978 - only two months after there debut album 'Never Mind The Bollocks' was released quickly reaching #1 in the UK.
"It's better to burn out Than to fade away"
In Young's opinion it was better to go out on top like the Sex Pistols did, than to go out while you are fading like Elvis did.
"The king is gone but he's not forgotten"
Young realizes that while Elvis is dead, he won't be forgotten. I also believe Young is hoping Johnny Rotten and the Sex Pistols won't be forgotten just because their group's career was short.
"Out of the blue and into the black"
Both the Sex Pistols breakup and Elvis death (well somewhat) came 'out of the blue' (unexpectably). Both will be missed 'into the black' (black is symbolic of mourning).
As for Kurt Cobain's suicidecough note the keyline was (I personally don't belief was a suicide note, instead a letter to his fans that he was quitting the music industry while still on top) 'its better to burn out then to fade away'. Why did he quote Neil Young? Because both Kurt Cobain & Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam revered Neil Young as the godfather of grunge. It was Kurt Cobain's way of saying thank you to Neil Young for the inspiration and that he was taking Young's advice.
@trukdellikyentruoc Amazing!I never thought of it that way!Well i too believe the letter was about quitting the music industry and not suicide and so I think he quoted this song to say that he agrees with Neil Young and he wants to give up the industry while being at the top.Like the sex pistols did.He didnt want to fade away but to burn out.Musicaly
@trukdellikyentruoc Amazing!I never thought of it that way!Well i too believe the letter was about quitting the music industry and not suicide and so I think he quoted this song to say that he agrees with Neil Young and he wants to give up the industry while being at the top.Like the sex pistols did.He didnt want to fade away but to burn out.Musicaly
This song is about two rock & roll artists Rag-Land is halfway there with the 'King' referring to Elvis but 'this is the story of a Johnny Rotten' refers to Johnny Rotten frontman of the Sex Pistols.
The song is a comparison of Elvis and Johnny Rotten.
In the beginning Elvis was looked upon as fresh, rebellious, dangerous and he soon rose to the top. Around this time of 1978 the Sex Pistols were seen as the new fresh rebels of rock Just before Young wrote 'My My Hey Hey' the Sex Pistols split up on Januray 17, 1978 - only two months after there debut album 'Never Mind The Bollocks' was released quickly reaching #1 in the UK.
"It's better to burn out Than to fade away" In Young's opinion it was better to go out on top like the Sex Pistols did, than to go out while you are fading like Elvis did.
"The king is gone but he's not forgotten" Young realizes that while Elvis is dead, he won't be forgotten. I also believe Young is hoping Johnny Rotten and the Sex Pistols won't be forgotten just because their group's career was short.
"Out of the blue and into the black" Both the Sex Pistols breakup and Elvis death (well somewhat) came 'out of the blue' (unexpectably). Both will be missed 'into the black' (black is symbolic of mourning).
As for Kurt Cobain's suicidecough note the keyline was (I personally don't belief was a suicide note, instead a letter to his fans that he was quitting the music industry while still on top) 'its better to burn out then to fade away'. Why did he quote Neil Young? Because both Kurt Cobain & Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam revered Neil Young as the godfather of grunge. It was Kurt Cobain's way of saying thank you to Neil Young for the inspiration and that he was taking Young's advice.
@trukdellikyentruoc Amazing!I never thought of it that way!Well i too believe the letter was about quitting the music industry and not suicide and so I think he quoted this song to say that he agrees with Neil Young and he wants to give up the industry while being at the top.Like the sex pistols did.He didnt want to fade away but to burn out.Musicaly
@trukdellikyentruoc Amazing!I never thought of it that way!Well i too believe the letter was about quitting the music industry and not suicide and so I think he quoted this song to say that he agrees with Neil Young and he wants to give up the industry while being at the top.Like the sex pistols did.He didnt want to fade away but to burn out.Musicaly
@trukdellikyentruoc Ahh. Makes sense.
@trukdellikyentruoc Ahh. Makes sense.