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Neil Young — Motorcycle Mama
Album: Comes a Time
Avg rating:
5.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 245









Released: 1978
Length: 3:04
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Motorcycle Mama
Won't you lay your big spike down
Motorcycle Mama
Won't you lay your big spike down
I always get in trouble when you bring it round
Motorcycle Mama
Won't you lay it down.

I'm runnin', I'm runnin'
I'm runnin' down the proud highway
Yeah, I'm runnin', I'm runnin'
I'm runnin' down that proud highway
And as long as I keep movin'
I won't need a place to stay.

Motorcycle Mama
Won't you lay your big spike down
Motorcycle Mama
Won't you lay your big spike down
I always get in trouble when you bring that round
Motorcycle Mama
Won't you lay it down.

Well I'm here to deliver
I hope you can read my mail
I just escaped last night
From the memory county jail
I see your box is open
And you flag is up
My message is ready
If there's time enough.

Motorcycle Mama
Won't you lay your big spike down
Motorcycle Mama
Won't you lay your big spike down
I always get in trouble when you bring it round
Motorcycle Mama
Won't you lay it down.
Comments (40)add comment
Nicolette Larson again on vocals?
Posted 4 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:
Hilarious!  I married a "Motorcycle Momma".

I vote 10, and has nothing to do with my marriage.  Y'all haters must have missed the anti-establishment vibes ricocheting all over everywhere back when this was recorded.  Neil was so very tuned in to it ......
 

Posted 8 years ago by p2h2d2: Could this less than mediocre song be a defiantly raised middle finger at Reprise to take whatever he brought them?

'Nuff said!

Posted 4 years ago by macadavy    [ Reply ]
Hilarious!  I married a "Motorcycle Momma".

I vote 10, and has nothing to do with my marriage.  Y'all haters must have missed the anti-establishment vibes ricocheting all over everywhere back when this was recorded.  Neil was so very tuned in to it ......
Posted 5 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 magnatar wrote:
This his worst song.
 
You obviously haven't heard this . . .
Are You Passionate?

Posted 12 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Could this less than mediocre song be a defiantly raised middle finger at Reprise to take whatever he brought them?
Posted 13 years ago by p2h2d2    [ Reply ]
 magnatar wrote:
This his worst song.
 
I was thinking the exact same thing.
Posted 13 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]
 magnatar wrote:
This his worst song.
 
worse than that

Posted 13 years ago by coy    [ Reply ]
This his worst song.
Posted 13 years ago by magnatar    [ Reply ]
 rickhoran wrote:


I have always thought of this as the worst on this great record. My opinion hasn't changed since this album came out. I still listen to it a few times a year. 
 

I came on to say the exact same thing.
Posted 13 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
I'm gonna see ol' Neil and the rest of Buffalo Springfield in a few days. Can't wait. {#Cowboy}
Posted 13 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
 MM_Prague wrote:
Not one of Neil's best...
 

I have always thought of this as the worst on this great record. My opinion hasn't changed since this album came out. I still listen to it a few times a year. 
Posted 13 years ago by rickhoran    [ Reply ]
Ms. Larson makes this track. She should get sole billing on it, instead of Neil.
Posted 13 years ago by linden    [ Reply ]
Not one of Neil's best...
Posted 14 years ago by MM_Prague    [ Reply ]
 Jazbo wrote:

As a motorcycle rider, it's not a very good idea to lay your bike down. Tragic.


 

I believe the lyrics are "Motorcycle Mama won't you lay your big spike down..."

I would imagine there's more than one way of interpreting that one.  {#Lol}{#Hearteyes}

Either way, someone's in trouble, for sure. 

Posted 14 years ago by Rooney    [ Reply ]
I remember seeing the video of Nicolette Larson doing "Rhumba Girl" and she had such an impish look in her eyes at the time - she left this earth too damned soon.

As for this song - not my favorite, but still very Neil.  (And I think he's singing, "Won't you lay your big spike down," referring to a knife, but I could be wrong...)
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:

She had a great voice - she passed away in 1997 - RIP Nicolette Larson. Her death was triggered by liver failure which (according to Wikipedia) may have been due to over use of Acetaminophen - Tylenol. This common pain killer can be fatal if over used - please follow the directions.

Nicolette Larson

 
I can't let pass without comment:  this is a sad indictment of our irrational drug policies.  Acetaminophen is more toxic than extacy or cannabis, or even several opiates which can be taken for chronic pain relief without liver damage, yet it's available over the counter, while the others are not.  Our stated goal with drug scheduling: ranking drugs based on their danger and medical benefits, is a good one.  Unfortunately the implementation could hardly be worse.  Just look at Acetominophen, which can be bought over the counter, and Cannabis which is Schedule 1 (very dangerous, no medical benefits).  Sheer insanity.  It's not just these two that are misscheduled.  There's hardly an example of single drug, which might be used recreationally, that's scheduled rationally within the united states.  Sheer insanity.

Posted 14 years ago by spacemoose    [ Reply ]
i think that one of the things i respect most about neil is that he puts nearly everything out.  whether or not it is his best, something he is really crazy about, something he mildly likes or something he just jammed in the studio.  when he is in the studio the tape is always rolling and he is putting it out.  he wants his fans to be able to hear him do all of what he does, even when it isn't "cinnamon girl" or "heart of gold".  he is not making music for the money, he is making music because it is what he was born to do and sharing all of it with those who care/dare to hear. 

 bam23 wrote:
I suppose Neil Young has, at some point in his career, decided not to release a recorded song, but possibly not often. Some artists have a somewhat better sense for what is genuinely good among their output, but maybe not Neil. In other words, he has done better than this.
 


Posted 14 years ago by freeone1    [ Reply ]
Nice Roadhouse groove! Can we hear some David Bromberg?
Posted 14 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
I suppose Neil Young has, at some point in his career, decided not to release a recorded song, but possibly not often. Some artists have a somewhat better sense for what is genuinely good among their output, but maybe not Neil. In other words, he has done better than this.
Posted 14 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
yup...he went all out on THOSE lyrics!
Posted 15 years ago by scott_bruce    [ Reply ]
 spigolli wrote:
How about that Nicolette Larson! 
 
She had a great voice - she passed away in 1997 - RIP Nicolette Larson. Her death was triggered by liver failure which (according to Wikipedia) may have been due to over use of Acetaminophen - Tylenol. This common pain killer can be fatal if over used - please follow the directions.

Nicolette Larson

Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
 suebee3 wrote:

Agreed.  I'm trying to recover from that Air's Radio #1 tragedy as well - this doesn't help.  Love Neil - but he went all wrong on this one.  YIKES!

 
Yep. I love Neil. Harvest is one of my favorite albums of all time. I saw him live in 1988 and he was amazing.

Posted 15 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
 crockydile wrote:
Absolute Crap, better than's Air's Radio #1, but not much.{#No}
 
Agreed.  I'm trying to recover from that Air's Radio #1 tragedy as well - this doesn't help.  Love Neil - but he went all wrong on this one.  YIKES!

Posted 15 years ago by suebee3    [ Reply ]

As a motorcycle rider, it's not a very good idea to lay your bike down. Tragic.


Posted 15 years ago by Jazbo    [ Reply ]
Absolute Crap, better than's Air's Radio #1, but not much.{#No}
Posted 15 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
 spigolli wrote:
How about that Nicolette Larson!  {#Motor}
 
Her vocals made me stop what I was doing to see who it was.  I own this, and apparently, I need to listen to it again!

Posted 15 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
{#Motor} c@@l
Posted 15 years ago by Wonderloaf    [ Reply ]
 spigolli wrote:
How about that Nicolette Larson!  {#Motor}
 


Posted 15 years ago by n4ku    [ Reply ]
 countyman wrote:
Shame on you Canadian.
You probably don't like Max Webster either.
 
{#Lol} No hate for Max. "Toronto Tontos Vegas Babies...Transit"
Although if I hear Kim Mitchell's "Patio Lanterns" one more time . . .

Posted 15 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Yes, for anything by Rush.
 
Shame on you Canadian.
You probably don't like Max Webster either.

Posted 15 years ago by countyman    [ Reply ]
 spigolli wrote:
 kalkin84 wrote:
Christ almighty... is there a -100 rating?
 
-100 is reserved for Neil & the Shocking Pinks
Neil & the Shocking Pinks

 
You like the variety Bill gives you?
Try it, you just might like it.

Posted 15 years ago by countyman    [ Reply ]
 kalkin84 wrote:
Christ almighty... is there a -100 rating?
 
Yes, for anything by Rush.


Posted 15 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 kalkin84 wrote:
Christ almighty... is there a -100 rating?
 
-100 is reserved for Neil & the Shocking Pinks
Neil & the Shocking Pinks

Posted 15 years ago by spigolli    [ Reply ]
How about that Nicolette Larson!  {#Motor}
Posted 15 years ago by spigolli    [ Reply ]
I've never heard of this album until now. Nice.
Posted 15 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
A great song and an even better album.  I am glad to get my Neil fix for the day.{#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 15 years ago by More_Barn    [ Reply ]
Love the days Bill launches a new series of great oldies.
Posted 15 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Christ almighty... is there a -100 rating?
Posted 15 years ago by kalkin84    [ Reply ]
So nice to hear this again!!!

Love this album, with Nicolette Larsen (RIP) singing with Neil throughout the album.

Posted 15 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
ha! finally.
Posted 15 years ago by zipper    [ Reply ]