Powderfinger (song)

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"Powderfinger" is a song written by Neil Young, first recorded on his 1979 album Rust Never Sleeps. It subsequently appeared on several of Young's live recordings, and has been covered by several bands, including Cowboy Junkies, Beat Farmers, and Rusted Root.

1 History
2 Lyrical themes
3 Cover versions
4 References

[edit] History

Young wrote "Powderfinger" sometime in 1977, and sent it to his friend, Ronnie Van Zant, of Lynyrd Skynyrd, who were to use the song on their next album.^[1] However, Van Zant died in a plane crash in October of that year, and Lynyrd Skynyrd never recorded the song.^[1] The song first appeared on Young's 1979 album Rust Never Sleeps.

[edit] Lyrical themes

[edit] Cover versions

Beat Farmers, on the Glad 'N' Greasy EP (Rhino, 1985). The track was re-released on the extended edition of Tales of the New West (Rhino, 2004)
Cowboy Junkies, on The Caution Horses (RCA, 1990). The track also appears on two compilations: Studio: Selected Studio Recordings 1986-1995 (RCA, 1996) and Cowboy Junkies: The Platinum and Gold Collection (RCA, 2003)
Rusted Root, on Live (Touchy Pegg, 2004)
Joe D'Urso & Stone Caravan, on Rock and Roll Station (SCR/Schoolhouse Records, 2000)