Some songs capture the essence of a generation with just a few words. Neil Young’s “My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)” is one such track, often celebrated for its lyrical simplicity and depth. Its message has echoed through decades, cementing its place in music history.
However, not everyone was a fan of the song’s message, even at the height of its popularity. John Lennon, known for his own lyrical brilliance, openly expressed disdain for one particular line. His reaction, shared during an interview, sparked curiosity and debate among fans of both artists.
What was it about Young’s words that struck such a nerve with Lennon? The answer reveals a fascinating clash of perspectives between two of rock’s most iconic voices.
He Hated a Particular Line in the Song
John Lennon’s dislike for the lyric stemmed from the values it seemed to glorify. He didn’t want his son, Sean Ono Lennon, to grow up embracing what he saw as harmful ideas. In All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Lennon discussed his distaste for the “self-destructive” tendencies idolized by some.
During a 1980 interview, Lennon was specifically asked about Neil Young’s famous line, “It’s better to burn out than to fade away.” His response was direct and unapologetic.
“I hate it,” Lennon stated firmly. “It’s better to fade away like an old soldier than to burn out. If he was talking about burning out like Sid Vicious, forget it. I don’t appreciate the worship of dead Sid Vicious or of dead James Dean or dead John Wayne. It’s the same thing.”
Lennon’s View on Celebrity Worship
Lennon didn’t hold back when discussing the glorification of rock stars who died young. “Making Sid Vicious a hero, Jim Morrison — it’s garbage to me,” he said. Instead, Lennon admired those who endured, citing icons like Gloria Swanson and Greta Garbo, both still alive at the time.
He also believed Neil Young’s “My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)” fell short of its own message. Lennon criticized the lyrics for romanticizing destruction, a value he found empty and harmful.
For Lennon, the stakes were personal. “I don’t want Sean worshipping John Wayne or Johnny Rotten or Sid Vicious,” he remarked. “What do they teach you? Nothing. Death. Sid Vicious died for what? So that we might rock? I mean, it’s garbage, you know.”
Lennon’s Challenge to Young
John Lennon questioned the authenticity of Neil Young’s infamous lyric, “It’s better to burn out than to fade away.” “If Neil Young admires that sentiment so much, why doesn’t he do it?” Lennon asked. “Because he sure as hell faded away and came back many times, like all of us. No thank you. I’ll take the living and the healthy.”
Neil Young, on the other hand, often reflected on the meaning behind “My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue).” According to Young, the lyrics weren’t about destruction but stemmed from a fear of becoming irrelevant in the ever-changing music industry.
While Lennon dismissed the message, Young’s words resonated with many artists facing the same existential struggle. The song remains an anthem for those navigating the fine line between fading away and burning out.