For the Turnstiles

Hey there, Zoo Freaks! The Zoo Crew is spinning For the Turnstiles by Neil Young, a gem from his 1977 compilation album Decade. This track, originally from the 1974 album On the Beach, is a haunting folk-country blend with Young’s banjo guitar and Ben Keith’s dobro, laced with gritty lyrics about fleeting fame and life’s impermanence. One wild story behind the song comes from Young’s friend Sandy Mazzeo, who told him about the infamous Hooker's Ball, a fundraiser for the prostitutes’ rights group Coyote, where tickets cost a steep $10—a fortune back then. This sparked the song’s opening verse about “singin’ songs for pimps with tailors who charge ten dollars at the door.” Meanwhile, the melody? It was inspired by actress Carrie Snodgress, Young’s partner at the time, who was whistling a tune around the house that Young shaped into this classic.

Dive deeper, and you’ll find For the Turnstiles is layered with meaning. The song’s baseball imagery— “bush league batters left to die on the diamond” as “the home crowd scatters for the turnstiles”—is often read as Young’s jab at the music industry, comparing fading rock stars to minor-league players abandoned by fleeting fans. Music scholar Johnny Rogan noted in The Complete Guide to the Music of Neil Young that the song reflects Young’s own neuroses about staying relevant in the “mummifying arena of rock stardom.” Recorded at Young’s ranch with Ben Keith, who pushed his vocal range to the limit for those high harmonies, the track captures a raw, melancholic vibe. Keith later joked about barely hitting those notes, saying he must’ve been “sittin’ on a crack” during the session. The song’s been covered by artists like Piers Faccini, who called it a playful nod to mortality, and Yo La Tengo, who performed it live in 2024.

Now, let’s rewind to how Neil Young got his start. Born in Toronto, Canada, on November 12, 1945, Young grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, after his parents’ divorce. As a teen, he was already playing in bands, soaking up folk and rock influences. By the early 1960s, he was a solo act in Toronto coffeehouses, honing his raw, emotive style. In 1966, Young headed to Los Angeles, where he co-founded Buffalo Springfield with Stephen Stills and Richie Furay. Their mix of folk-rock and fuzztone guitar duels put them on the map, but Young’s restless spirit led him to a solo career by 1969. His debut album, Neil Young, was ambitious but didn’t sell big. It was Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, backed by Crazy Horse, that cemented his legacy with tracks like Down by the River. Young’s high tenor, distorted guitar, and deeply personal lyrics became his trademark, setting the stage for decades of genre-hopping brilliance.

Want to keep up with Neil Young? Check out his official site at Neil Young Archives for a treasure trove of his music and updates. He’s active on social media too—follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest news. Fans gather at the r/neilyoung subreddit, a lively spot for discussions about his work, including passionate threads about For the Turnstiles. Another great fan hub is Thrasher’s Wheat, a long-running site packed with Neil Young news, reviews, and community vibes. So, Zoo Freaks, keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let’s keep the Neil Young spirit alive!