What is the meaning of Powderfinger by Neil Young?

“Powderfinger” is an inscrutable rock & roll koan: a song sung by a dead man, but full of life and longing. The narrator, just turned 22, was leaving boyhood behind by defending his family’s land against a gunboat coming up the river. The day he became an adult, however, was also the day he died.

Why is Powderfinger called Powderfinger?

Powderfinger started in Brisbane, Australia, in 1989. Ian Haug, John Collins, and Steven Bishop (drums), had been playing music with other bands, when they decided to form Powderfinger. The band’s name came from the song “Powderfinger” by Neil Young.

Why did Powderfinger stop?

After the WaveAid concert, from early 2005, Powderfinger had a period of hiatus. During the separation, most band members pursued other musical projects; on the personal front, Haug and Middleton each had children, and Fanning met his future wife.

Did Powderfinger have international success?

Despite regular touring and promotion throughout Europe and the US, Powderfinger have never had significant success overseas. Perhaps their very Australian-ness works against them in the international market.

What genre is Powderfinger?

Alternative/IndiePowderfinger / Genre

Did Lynyrd Skynyrd record Powderfinger?

Sadly, Lynyrd Skynyrd never got to cut “Powderfinger.” Van Zant died, along with the Southern rock group’s guitarist Steve Gaines and background vocalist Cassie Gaines, in the band’s infamous 1977 plane crash, on the way to a Baton Rouge concert from Spartanburg, S.C.

What is Powderfingers biggest hit?

Odyssey Number Five, 2000 ‘My Happiness’ is the first single from Odyssey Number Five and is their most successful; it peaked at number 4 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart, number 7 in New Zealand, and was the first Powderfinger song to chart in the US at number 23.

Is Powderfinger about the Civil War?

It’s about a Civil War era guy seeing a modern-day coast guard or police boat heading up the river. The Civil War guy doesn’t understand what the boat is about, so he describes it in Civil War era terms (it’s got numbers on the side, and a gun, and it’s making big waves).

Who wrote Powderfinger songs?

Neil Young
Powderfinger (song)

“Powderfinger”
Song by Neil Young
Label Reprise
Songwriter(s) Neil Young
Producer(s) Neil Young David Briggs Tim Mulligan

Did Lynyrd Skynyrd ever play Powderfinger?

He later sent the tape to his friend Ronnie Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd who were to use the song on their next album. However, Van Zant died in a plane crash in October 1977, and Lynyrd Skynyrd never recorded the song.

Is Powderfinger a very good band?

Powderfinger went on to be one of the most successful Australian bands of all time. Fame so big that it presented its challenges at the time, Fanning acknowledges.