Niel Young Biography

Written to condemn the Kent State Shooting of 1970, the song “Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - and written by Niel Young - effectively supported the large number of anti-war protests held among students and young adults in America. On May 4, 1970, students of Kent State University gathered on campus to protest the American invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War. As students flooded the quad to exercise their constitutional right to protest, the National Guard - arms in hand - perceived their gathering as a threat and responded by fatally shooting four students and seriously injuring nine. This attack set off national shock, which caused the media to extensively cover the event, leading to songwriter Neil Young's awareness of the

In addition, it called out President Nixon’s actions explicitly, signifying the band’s apparent support of the anti-war movement. “Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young distinguishes itself as a unique anti-war song because of its direct criticism of President Nixon. “Ohio’s” explicit lyrics stood out from other anti-war songs because most others had vague lyrics and didn’t address the problem directly. This strengthened its effort of appealing to young adults which galvanized a movement that inspired activism further, solidifying its status as a standout among anti-war songs of its time. Protesting the Kent State Shooting of 1970, band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young released their song “Ohio.” The group recorded the song in May 1970 at Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles. The crew recorded it live in only a few takes, and released it in June that same year. Canadian band member Neil Young wrote the lyrics, and the supergroup produced the song alongside him. Young’s motivation to write this song stemmed from the Kent State Shooting’s controversy. It caused students nationwide to strike, forcing many universities to shut down

This attack on Nixon was an opinion shared by many Americans, but something other artists feared to call out. The song's controversy set it apart from other anti-war songs. Notably, “Ohio” differs from the lofty and vague lyrics of John Lennon’s “Imagine.” “Ohio” clearly states its stance on the war. In addition, the song’s focus on the death of regular civilians, not the death of soldiers, adds an element of personability to the listener. It conveys to them that the war spread far beyond Vietnam, and people in America are dying as a result as well. In addition to differing from the typical anti-war song, “Ohio’s” tempo is notably different from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s usual style. The guitar is dark and serious, indicating the song addresses something important. The song features haunting harmonies that add to the depth of the song’s lyrics. Contrasting its intense lyrics, the musical arrangement of “Ohio” is not complex. Its primary focus is on the words and guitar riff, which allows the meaning of the song to shine. By changing their style, CSNY showcased the song’s significance. Notably, Young – the song’s writer – is