"Out On The Weekend" by Neil Young is a song that explores themes of loneliness, nostalgia, and the desire for a fresh start. Here's an analysis of the lyrics:
1. **Introductory Lines**: The song opens with the narrator contemplating leaving his current life behind ("Think I'll pack it in and buy a pick-up"). He wants to escape and start anew in Los Angeles.
2. **Desire for Change**: The lyrics express a strong desire for change and a longing to find a place to call his own and begin again ("Find a place to call my own and try to fix up, Start a brand new day"). This reflects a common theme in Neil Young's music, which often touches on the idea of escaping from the past.
3. **Lost Love**: The lyrics hint at a past romantic relationship that didn't work out ("The woman I'm thinking of, she loved me all up, But I'm so down today"). The narrator is still thinking about this person and the impact they had on his life.
4. **Yearning and Nostalgia**: The line "She's so fine, she's in my mind, I hear her callin'" suggests a sense of yearning and nostalgia for the woman he once loved. Even as he tries to move on, she continues to occupy his thoughts.
5. **Loneliness and Isolation**: The chorus introduces the image of a "lonely boy, out on the weekend" who is trying to "make it pay." This lonely boy represents the narrator's own sense of isolation and inability to find happiness or satisfaction in his current situation.
6. **Inability to Express Emotions**: The lines "Can't relate to joy, he tries to speak and, Can't begin to say" convey the idea that the narrator is struggling to find joy and is unable to express his feelings adequately. This adds to the sense of emotional turmoil in the song.
7. **Memories and Imagery**: The mention of "pictures on the wall" in the lyrics evokes a sense of memories and a connection to the past. These images from the past are still present in his mind, making it difficult for him to move forward.
In summary, "Out On The Weekend" is a reflective song that delves into the narrator's desire for change, the lingering memories of lost love, and the loneliness he feels in his current situation. Neil Young's lyrics often explore complex emotions and the human experience, and this song is no exception.
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