Studio Album · No. 11
Re·ac·tor Songwriting Credits by Neil Young
Holds writing credit on 8 of 8 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 8 / 8 documented
Scored across the 8 tracks with documented writers, by whether Neil Young carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 8 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Re-ac-tor is a loud, garage-rock record built entirely around Neil Young and Crazy Horse, with Young writing every song and sharing a single co-credit with guitarist Frank Sampedro on "Surfer Joe and Moe the Sleaze." The album leans into blunt, repetitive riffing and machine-shop imagery, most famously on the nine-minute "T-Bone," whose lyrics cycle almost entirely through the two lines "Got mashed potatoes" and "Ain't got no T-Bone." Shorter rockers like "Opera Star," "Motor City," and "Rapid Transit" stay terse and driving, while the closer "Shots" stretches the band's grinding attack past seven minutes. The result is one of Young's rawest and most divisive albums, valued by Crazy Horse fans for its unfiltered electric energy.
"Re-ac-tor" is the 1981 album by Neil Young and Crazy Horse, a hard rock record drawing on punk and heartland rock that was Young's final release for Reprise Records before his move to Geffen. It includes "Opera Star," "Surfer Joe and Moe the Sleaze," "Southern Pacific," "Motor City," and "Shots," which featured Young's first use of the Synclavier. The album was produced by David Briggs, Tim Mulligan, Neil Young, and Jerry Napier, with Crazy Horse members Frank Sampedro on guitar and synthesizer, Billy Talbot on bass, and Ralph Molina on drums. Its repetitive structure reflected Young's intensive involvement in therapy sessions for his son, who had cerebral palsy. The album peaked at number 27 on the Billboard 200, and its lackluster sales contributed to Young's switch of labels.
Track Listing & Credits 8 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Opera Star
|
Neil Percival Young | Neil Percival Young | David BriggsTim MulliganNeil YoungJerry Napier | Neil Young (Lead Vocals, Guitar) |
| 2 |
Surfer Joe and Moe the Sleaze
|
Neil Percival Young | Neil Percival Young | David BriggsTim MulliganNeil YoungJerry Napier | Neil Young (Lead Vocals, Guitar) |
| 3 |
T-Bone
|
Neil Percival Young | Neil Percival Young | David BriggsTim MulliganNeil YoungJerry Napier | Neil Young (Lead Vocals, Guitar) |
| 4 |
Get Back on It
|
Neil Percival Young | Neil Percival Young | David BriggsTim MulliganNeil YoungJerry Napier | Neil Young (Lead Vocals, Guitar) |
| 5 |
Southern Pacific
#70
|
Neil Percival Young | Neil Percival Young | David BriggsTim MulliganNeil YoungJerry Napier | Neil Young (Lead Vocals, Guitar) |
| 6 |
Motor City
|
Neil Percival Young | Neil Percival Young | David BriggsTim MulliganNeil YoungJerry Napier | Neil Young (Lead Vocals, Guitar) |
| 7 |
Rapid Transit
|
Neil Percival Young | Neil Percival Young | David BriggsTim MulliganNeil YoungJerry Napier | Neil Young (Lead Vocals, Guitar) |
| 8 |
Shots
|
Neil Percival Young | Neil Percival Young | David BriggsTim MulliganNeil YoungJerry Napier | Neil Young (Lead Vocals, Guitar) |