Powderfinger (song)

"Powderfinger" is a song written by Neil Young, first released 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, Rusted Root, and Jazz Mandolin Project. The Australian rock band Powderfinger took their name from this song.

History

According to Young, he wrote the first line ("Look out, Mama, there's a white boat comin' up the river") years before the rest of the song while high on meth. Young recorded a solo acoustic version of "Powderfinger" in September 1975 (never officially released), and later sent the tape 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 1977, and Lynyrd Skynyrd never recorded the song.^[1] The song was officially released as an electric version with the band Crazy Horse on Young's 1979 album Rust Never Sleeps.

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)
• Acoustic Syndicate on Live from the Neighborhood (2002)
• Jeffrey Foucault & Mark Erelli on Seven Curses (2010)
• Yung Wu (Offshoot of The Feelies) on "Shore Leave" 1986
• Slobberbone has covered this song in numerous live performances.
• Fuzee cover version on upcoming album (2012)

References