Neil Young with Crazy Horse - Cinnamon Girl (1969)

Born in 1945, this Canadian singer-songwriter is one of the most influential artists to emerge out of the ‘60s music scene. In 1966, he co-founded Buffalo Springfield with Stephen Stills and Richie Furay. In 1968, he began to release what would become a very long catalog of solo work. In 1969, he joined Crosby, Stills & Nash. He has done countless charitable works for those in need, has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice (as a member of Buffalo Springfield and as a solo artist), and has even been labeled the “Godfather of Grunge” for his influence on the grunge music scene. Clearly, this man has more on his résumé than what this small space could indicate.

This song was written by Neil Young while suffering from a 103° fever. Before being released as a single in 1970, it appeared on his 1969 album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere. It was his first album to feature his backing group Crazy Horse, and, besides this track, also featured the hit song “Down By the River.”

Are you familiar with Paul McCartney’s current guitar player, Brian Ray? This song was written for (and about) his older sister, Jean Ray, from the folk duo Jim and Jean.

@ablyam_60smusic Thanks for the story on "Cinnamon Girl" and my late sister, Jean.. All true. B bit.ly/KDCx3d

— Brian Ray (@brianrayguitar) May 1, 2013

Neil Young with Crazy Horse - Cinnamon Girl (1969)

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Lyrics:

I wanna live with a cinnamon girl
I could be happy the rest of my life
With a cinnamon girl

A dreamer of pictures, I run in the night
You see us together, chasing the moonlight
My cinnamon girl

Ten silver saxes, a bass with a bow
The drummer relaxes and waits between shows for
His cinnamon girl

A dreamer of pictures, I run in the night
You see us together, chasing the moonlight
My cinnamon girl

Pa sent me money, now
I'm gonna make it somehow
I need another chance
You see, your baby loves to dance
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah