“Be sure to welcome failure!” Some advices from musician Neil Young to young filmmakers. Together with filmmaker Jonathan Demme in a rare public dialogue at the 2012 Slamdance Film Festival.

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29 Replies to “Neil Young speaks about Failure, Songwriting and Doubt”

  1. I love Neil but he seems to contradict himself here. First he says don’t fear failure and then he says if you feel doubt abandon what you’re doing.

  2. I love neil and his music but i dont have the same opinion about doubt. 
    I am a producer and artist and i think doubt is something really important. It isn't something bad. if you don't have any doubt about your work, than it hasn't a value for yourself. Don't let doubt destroy yourself but i take it as a big indicator that something is important for myself. If you start singing and never would have any doubt about your lyrics or vocals, than you will never progress, because it is important to you to be a good singer so you doubt. listen to steven pressfield the war of art. Wonderful book about life, art and creation process. on the other hand i can understand what he means. Maybe there are many forms of doubting something…

  3. THIS IS EXACTLY WHY NEIL YOUNG HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY COUNSELOR & THERAPIST THROUGH THIS LIFETIME, VERY WISE MAN & GREAT SPIRIT, MAY THE ALMIGHTY SPIRIT BLESS & KEEP YOU & YOURS NEIL, LOVE YOU ALWAYS ???

  4. It's easy to fail.

    Success isn't that great either.

    What is good is laughter. Tell your own story.

    "Where the eagle glides ascending there's an ancient river bending…"
    – Neil

  5. Neil! You gotta' quit sugarcoating this stuff!! Give it to the people STRAIGHT! Don't mince words and try to be so PC!!!! Awesome advice in this! Truly is!

  6. he means "the film" meaning "the movie", meaning your life story, your journey with whatever you do with your life. Hes talking in psychedelic terms. "Ken Kesey used to always say, "Stay in your own movie". At least I think thats what Neil is referring to.

  7. Neil,Youre in the very highest tier of singer songwriters,the very very highest.Gee the air must be thin up there…yup theres john lennon….at least you have good company….

  8. @Hal R.
    WTF does styrofoam or plastic have to do with songwriting,you imbecile moron of a new age liberal land activist.The difference between the new age politico activist and the developer is only one thing.The activist doesnt own his own home yet…???????????GOD BLESS ALL THE ENLIGHTENED PEOPLE(ILLUMINATI) AND ALL THOSE (yours truly) WITH A FAT LIFETIME STASH OF DOE WHO CAN DO THEIR HOBBIES EVERYDAY AND SUPPORT ZIONISM…..YEE HAH….TGIR…Thank God Im Rich….

  9. Neil,youre a genius.Youll always be a genius.Theres very very few as prolific and as good as you.Crosby is a mile beneath but graham nash and steven stills are tied at 20 miles beneath.What a joke those wankers are.

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