Inspired by Albumism, I’m doing my own version of Flying Solo with individual tracks. Band breakups and hiatuses are never fun, but these solo jams were defining moments in my life’s soundtrack.

I think of Neil Young primarily as a solo artist who just happened to insert himself into a couple of band lineups from time to time, most notably with Buffalo Springfield and CSN&Y. But really, Young has flown solo for most of his career—and he’s done it on his own terms.

His harmonica, tenor voice and guitar work are all signature elements of the rock & roll landscape. And they all came together so naturally and so simply on “Heart of Gold”. It was a bad back that forced Young to put down his electric axe, pick up his acoustic guitar and create some of the most well-known work of his career. Any song that’s envied by Bob Dylan has to be considered a great one.

“I want to live. I want to give. I've been a miner. For a heart of gold.”