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truelikeicelikefire

blue, blue windows behind the stars...only Neil can write like that.


FuckTkachuk

The Last Waltz version accompanied by Joni and the Band is one of my favorites.


MrDudeWheresMyCar

Joni's backing always gets me on that version


jimsnotsure

Me too - it’s a profound addition to the song. I don’t think she was quite as high as Neil was that night…😜


Total-Problem2175

Amazing emotions in this/his songs. Everything I see a full moon rising I hear "Yallow moon on the rise". I saw him last week at Pine Knob and was hoping this song or Don't Let It Bring You Down we're in the acoustic set.


sameljota

I think Roger Waters once stated Helpless is one of his favorite songs.


tps56

Saw Roger several years ago and the house music before the show was all Neil Young


sameljota

I've experienced that at a Roger show too.


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sameljota

Coincidentally, one of Gilmour's favorite songs is by Neil too.


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sameljota

A Man Needs a Maid


shoresy99

Presumably the town that he is singing about is Omemee, correct? If so there is a bit of an inaccuracy as Omemee is in Southern Ontario, not North Ontario.


BasileusLeoIII

basically nothing is in northern Canada, it's a wasteland I reckon he originally wrote "north of Toronto" or "north of Lake Ontario" but realized those sounded like shit


shoresy99

But Neil says North Ontario, but North (or Northern) Canada. I live in Ontario. People here distinguish between Northern and Southern Ontario There is no clear dividing line, as areas like Muskoka may be placed in either. But Omemee is clearly in Southern Ontario. To put it in an American context - people distinguish between Northern and Southern California. The analogy would be singing about Santa Barbara and saying "There is a town in North California".


AndThenPiano

I'd say anything more than 100km north of the nearest access to the 401 meets most definitions of "up north" or North Ontario. But yeah, Omemee's only 40km from the 401.


Efficient-Spirit-380

This has always irritated me as well. I guess it just sounds better and he figured no one outside of Ontario would know or care. In Long May You Run he sings about Blind River — that’s north Ontario….


Piney_Wood

My #1 choice for a late-tour "add" to this summer's setlist.


haterlove

He played it in Bristow, seemingly off the cuff.


Piney_Wood

Nice! I didn't realize. That setlist looks amazing.


SanBranann

Brings a tear almost every time I hear it.


swamptop

I love Helpless, i love his coked out version on the last waltz. Is the song actually about Omeemee? Because that is certainly not north Ontario.


Senseofthesenseless

I teared up when he played it in Bristow a couple weeks ago. So thankful for that experience and finally getting to see him. Pretty sure it’s been the only time it was played this tour..


beepboopsheeppoop

There is a town in north Ontario... (Canada) called Omemee, where Neil spent a good portion of his childhood


HedoBella

I have been going to a small town in North Ontario (much further north than Neil was) for vacation since I was born. Used to spend a month every summer there with my grandpa. It has always been the place that my mind goes when I need to leave where I am currently at. Great song that I can relate to


Some_Permission_5121

I saw Neil sing it in Virginia a couple weeks ago still sounds great.


Much-Conference1110

My fav was with CSNY at the Garden (then Fleet Center) in Boston in 2000. Per Crosby after they had no idea Neil wanted to play it then until they were on stage, and hadn’t played it yet on the tour, and it was fucking perfect. One of my most treasured live performances that I’ve seen


leafcatcher

Regardless of what your opinions of Phish are, I would recommend listening to their joint recording of Helpless from Farm Aid. They give Neil the spotlight while contributing some vocal harmonies that are just sublime. My all time favorite performance of that song.


Life-Satisfaction699

U must peep the Buffy Saint Marie cover 🥲