It’s easy to overlook the classics—especially, when at the time of their release, they were never recognized as classics. Over the past ten years there has been a rediscovery of Neil Young’s post-Harvest albums. For whatever reason, Time Fades Away, On The Beach and Tonight’s the Night weren’t as well received as Young’s previous offerings (the re-release history may speak for itself: On the Beach was at least re-released in 2003, Time Fades Away and Tonight’s the Night have yet to receive a re-release. While these albums have become a part of the hipster vernacular they have yet to find a larger audience). 
Certainly the material on these albums is darker; and it doesn’t get much darker then “Revolution Blues.” Written from the perspective of Charles Manson the song seemingly follows the mass murderer’s descent into madness, inherent paranoia and obsession with fame and guns. The closing lines of the track go as follows:
Well I hear the Laurel Canyon is full of famous stars/
But I hate them worse them lepers and I’ll kill them in their cars
While much of On the Beach is comprised of slower moving odes to despair, “Revolution Blues” is a march through anger—led by a sort of super group: David Crosby plays rhythm guitar, while Rick Danko and Levon Helm of the Band play bass and drums, respectively. Ben Keith joins in on slide guitar while Neil delivers one of the album’s stronger guitar performances.
The song is haunting in performance and nature but more than anything the song carries a dark sense of humor: suggesting the need to accept the facts and understand their origin.
Take a listen: .“Revolution Blues”
