I’ve seen the needle, and the damage done/
A little part of it In everyone.

In Live at Massay Hall, Neil Young introduces his brand new song: “The Needle and the Damage Done”. He talks about how he has lost a bunch of friends to drugs– he says it is always heroin, so he decided to write this song. The lyrics are straightforward. It is about an addict coming around his house looking for drugs or money and how they will say anything to score.

It is sad how damaging a portrait Young paints. Young doesn’t chastise them, he empathizes them, and recognizes that there is a bit of them in all of us. He has a great line: “Every junkie’s like the setting sun”.

Young’s vocal on “Needle and the Damage Done” is haunting and moving. We can hear that this is a song that is meaningful to him. He sings as if he is reliving the hurts of his friend’s death. It is a very powerful and emotional performance.

The stripped-down arraignment of just the acoustic guitar adds an emotional intensity. It helps ground the song in folk and the blues sound and it also helps guide the listener to pay attention to the lyrics and the message.

Needle & The Damage Done Lyrics

I caught you knocking at my cellar door,
“I love you, baby, can I have some more?”
Ooh, ooh, the damage done.

I hit the city and I lost my band.
I watched the needle take another man.
Gone, gone, the damage done.

I sing the song because I love the man,
I know that some of you don’t understand.
Milk-blood to keep from running out.

I’ve seen the needle and the damage done,
A little part of it in everyone.
Every junkie’s like a setting sun.

I’ve seen the needle and the damage done,
A little part of it in everyone,
But every junkie’s like a setting sun.