This Note’s For You (Live 1988)

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some righteous vibes as we spin "This Note’s For You (Live 1988)" by Neil Young & The Bluenotes from the Bluenote Café album! This track is a fiery live cut from Young’s 1987-88 tour, and it’s packed with stories that’ll blow your mind. The song itself is a bold middle finger to corporate sponsorship in music, with Young famously mocking Budweiser’s "This Bud’s for You" campaign. He wrote it on his tour bus, turning to his driver and saying, “Jesus Christ, this must be the most idiotic fucking song I’ve ever written,” yet it ended up reviving his career, proving the Zoo Crew knows a gem when we hear one! The music video, directed by Julien Temple, stirred up a storm by parodying corporate rock and even taking a jab at Michael Jackson, with a lookalike whose hair catches fire. MTV initially banned it after legal threats from Jackson’s team, but Canada’s MuchMusic aired it, and its popularity forced MTV to backtrack, eventually awarding it the 1989 Video of the Year. Talk about sticking it to the man!

Another wild tidbit from the Bluenote Café era is the band’s name drama. Originally credited as Neil Young & The Bluenotes, Young had to drop “The Bluenotes” after legal action from Harold Melvin of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes fame. The band was renamed “Ten Men Workin’” after the album’s lead track, inspired by a Men At Work T-shirt Young’s boat engineer wore while they recorded on Melrose Avenue, across from the Hollywood Cemetery. The live performances, like the one you’re grooving to, were a whole different beast compared to the studio album. Fans at shows, expecting classics like “Cinnamon Girl,” sometimes got rowdy—during a gig at The World in New York, some even hurled beers at Young for sticking to new material, but the Zoo Crew digs his fearless commitment to the vibe. The Rolling Stone review notes the live set’s “scrappy South Side of Chicago bar band” energy, with stinging guitar and loose horns that make this track a standout.

Let’s rewind to how Neil Young kicked off his legendary journey. Born in Toronto, Canada, on November 12, 1945, Young grew up in Winnipeg, where he was no stranger to the Blue Note Café, the namesake of this live album. As a teen, he was already jamming in bands like The Squires, playing instrumental surf-rock and early originals in church basements and high school gyms. His love for music was sparked by listening to rock ‘n’ roll on transistor radios, soaking up influences from Elvis to Dylan. In the mid-60s, Young hit the road with The Squires, but soon ventured to Los Angeles, where he co-founded Buffalo Springfield in 1966 with Stephen Stills and Richie Furay. Their hit “For What It’s Worth” put them on the map, blending folk, rock, and social commentary. After the band split in 1968, Young went solo, releasing his debut album and later joining Crosby, Stills & Nash, all while cranking out raw, emotional records with Crazy Horse. His willingness to experiment—whether it’s folk, grunge, or the horn-driven R&B of The Bluenotes—has kept him a trailblazer, and the Zoo Crew’s all about that fearless spirit.

Want to dive deeper into Neil Young’s world? Check out his official website at Neil Young Archives, a treasure trove of his music, films, and unreleased gems. Connect with him on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and X, where he shares updates and archival nuggets. For the Zoo Freaks looking to join the fan community, head to Thrasher’s Wheat, an unofficial fan site with news, reviews, and forum vibes since 1996. You can also join the Neil Young Fans Facebook group to swap stories and setlists with fellow devotees. The r/neilyoung subreddit is another hot spot for fans to rave about albums like Bluenote Café and debate Young’s wild career. Keep it locked to THE ZOO, and let’s keep the freak flag flying!