Neil Young rewrites Lookin’ For A Leader to support Black Lives Matter, condemn Trump
Well, it’s not unlike him to get political.
Image: Dave J Hogan / Getty
Neil Young has shared a new version of his 2006 song, Lookin’ For A Leader, with new lyrics updated for the current situation.
The song in its original form rebuked George W. Bush’s administration, expressing hope that the next president would be one to “re-unite the red white and blue / Before it turns to stone.”
Now, the song has been updated with several references to the current Trump administration.
The new lyrics of the song also make reference to Black Lives Matter, and the upcoming 2020 election – once again, expressing hope for unity rather than division.
Neil Young shared the new lyrics in full on his Archive, you can also view them below. He also uploaded a Fireside session of the song, which can be found here.
Young’s political engagement is nothing new – fifty years ago he penned both Southern Man and Ohio, responding, respectively, to the ongoing impact of systemic racism and police killings of unarmed students in the Kent State Shootings. He shared a performance of Southern Man recently, alongside an expression of support for Black Lives Matter.
If you’re thinking of penning your own protest song – as well you might be, at the moment – take a look at the second part of our guide to Neil Young’s approach to chords here.
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