The word “dream” is used prominently throughout Neil Young’s “Harvest” song. And some critics have indeed referred to the lyrics as being similar to a dream, insofar that the song is “full of recognition yet… short on sense”. That’s another way of saying that whereas the listener can make out all of the words being spoken and picture what is being said in mind, the lyrics are symbolic and don’t necessarily make logical sense. But the popular understanding is that they allude to the life of Carrie Snodgress (1945-2004). Carrie was an actress Neil Young was dating at the time of this song’s release (and who during the same year gave him a son, Zeke). As the story goes Neil and Carrie used to get high on acid together. And during such episodes, he would implore her to talk about her mother Carolyn, who was a troubled soul. And by extension the song is about that lady also.

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So with such an understanding, the “young girl” in the lyrics would obviously be Carrie. The “mother” would literally be her mom, Carolyn. And the narrator would be Neil Young himself. And through it all, the singer is more or less pondering the trajectory of his relationship with the “young girl”. Or stated differently, he is able to ascertain that this lady has serious issues. Much of it is attributable to being haunted by her mother, so to speak. But also the addressee’s own personal past has been less than ideal. So ultimately, the title points to the narrator once again wondering if he will “harvest”, i.e. inherit, the same type of emotional distress this lady whom he loves is burdened with.

Quick Facts about “Harvest”

This is a track which Neil Young wrote and co-produced. It is derived from his album also entitled Harvest. And the other co-producer of the tune is Elliot Mazer.

Neil released it on 1 February 1972 as part of the aforementioned album. And it was put out by Reprise Records.

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This track is a Neil Young favorite and his personal favorite on the entire Harvest album.

According to Neil Young, he was “offered millions of dollars” to do a Harvest tour as recently as the late-2010s. However, since all the musicians he played with on the project had died, he opted not to do so.

This song and album were recorded in Nashville’s famous Quad Studios.