Neil Young Scores His Only Top-20 Hit as a Solo Artist on This Date in 1972

Neil Young, the Icon, is who we see looking back at his career as a whole.  From Buffalo Springfield to solo success to a rebirth in the 90s with the help of Pearl Jam, Neil Young is the essence of the word, "Icon".

Despite the years of respect and success as a solo artist, Neil Young only scored one top-20 hit during his entire solo career.  "Heart of Gold" went to #1 on this date (March 18th) in 1972, where it would stay for an impressive three weeks.  It's hard to believe, given his career trajectory, that oung wouldn't follow that chart success throughout his career, now 40+ years later.

The song, from Harvest Moon, had a more acoustic sound than heard from Young prior.  To think we might not have had this acoustic sound from Young without a back injury that forced him to put down the electric and pick up the acoustic, which could be played while seated.  Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor, who were both in Nashville at the time for "The Johnny Cash Show", both contributed vocals on the song, which was being recorded in Nashville at the time.

Amazingly, for Young, the song ranks as the third-greatest Canadian song of all-time.  Even more amazingly, the two songs that rank above "Heart of Gold" come from the Barenaked Ladies and a duo you've never heard of, Ian & Sylvia. No Bryan Adams?  That's a real hose-job, don't you know?  You betcha.