The Monsanto Years cover art

  Studio Album · No. 35

The Monsanto Years Songwriting Credits by Neil Young

2015 9 tracks 51 min
RockFolk rockProtest song
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 9 of 9 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 9 / 9 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 9 tracks with documented writers, by whether Neil Young carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
9 trackswritten by Neil Young 0 tracksoutside writers
Neil Young's roles on this album

Share of the 9 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

9
Tracks
1
Lyricists
2
Producers
Roughly 18,000 copies in its first week in the United States; about 41,000 copies sold in the US by June 2016.
Worldwide Copies Sold
2015
Released
Data Insight

Neil Young wrote every song on The Monsanto Years, his first studio album backed by Promise of the Real, the band fronted by Willie Nelson's sons Lukas and Micah Nelson. It is an openly political protest record aimed at corporate agriculture, with the title track and "Monsanto Years" attacking the seed company over genetically modified crops and patents, while "A Rock Star Bucks a Coffee Shop" calls out Starbucks for opposing a Vermont GMO labeling law and "Big Box" targets large retailers and their labor practices. The album was cut largely live at Teatro in Oxnard, California, the same room where Willie Nelson recorded his Teatro album, giving the songs a loose, road-band feel. Young uses the loud guitars and direct lyrics to argue that mainstream music had grown afraid to confront pollution and corporate power, a point he makes explicitly on "People Want to Hear About Love."

"The Monsanto Years" is a 2015 rock concept album by Neil Young criticizing agribusiness, genetically modified organisms, and the lack of GMO labeling requirements. The album marked Young's first partnership with Promise of the Real, the band fronted by Lukas Nelson with brother Micah Nelson, sons of Willie Nelson, along with Corey McCormick on bass and Anthony Logerfo on drums. Neil Young produced the record with John Hanlon, recording it in early 2015 at the Teatro Theater in Oxnard, California, where Willie Nelson's "Teatro" was made. Songs include "A Rock Star Bucks a Coffee Shop," addressing Starbucks' stance on GMO labeling, and "Wolf Moon." Released June 29, 2015 on Reprise Records, it debuted at number 21 on the Billboard 200 with about 18,000 first-week copies sold and reached number 2 on the Folk Albums chart.

Track Listing & Credits 9 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
A New Day for Love
Neil Percival Young Neil Percival Young Neil YoungJohn Hanlon Neil Young (Lead Vocals, Guitar)
2
Wolf Moon
Neil Percival Young Neil Percival Young Neil YoungJohn Hanlon Neil Young (Lead Vocals, Guitar)
3
People Want to Hear About Love
Neil Percival Young Neil Percival Young Neil YoungJohn Hanlon Neil Young (Lead Vocals, Guitar)
4
Big Box
Neil Percival Young Neil Percival Young Neil YoungJohn Hanlon Neil Young (Lead Vocals, Guitar)
5
A Rock Star Bucks a Coffee Shop
Neil Percival Young Neil Percival Young Neil YoungJohn Hanlon Neil Young (Lead Vocals, Guitar)
6
Workin' Man
Neil Percival Young Neil Percival Young Neil YoungJohn Hanlon Neil Young (Lead Vocals, Guitar)
7
Rules of Change
Neil Percival Young Neil Percival Young Neil YoungJohn Hanlon Neil Young (Lead Vocals, Guitar)
8
Monsanto Years
Neil Percival Young Neil Percival Young Neil YoungJohn Hanlon Neil Young (Lead Vocals, Guitar)
9
If I Don't Know
Neil Percival Young Neil Percival Young Neil YoungJohn Hanlon Neil Young (Lead Vocals, Guitar)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 3 contributors

NP
Neil Percival Young
Writer
On this album9 written
JH
John Hanlon
Producer
On this album9 produced
NY
Neil Young
Producer · Vocals
On this album9 produced

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Frequently Asked Questions The Monsanto Years

When was Neil Young's The Monsanto Years released and on what label?
The Monsanto Years was released on June 29, 2015, by Reprise Records. It is credited to Neil Young + Promise of the Real and reached number 21 on the Billboard 200.
Who is Promise of the Real, the band backing Neil Young on The Monsanto Years?
Promise of the Real is the band fronted by Lukas Nelson, with his brother Micah Nelson also in the lineup. Both are sons of Willie Nelson. Young began playing with them after jamming together around Farm Aid in 2014, and they became his backing band for this album and the supporting tour.
Who wrote the songs on The Monsanto Years?
Neil Young wrote all nine songs on The Monsanto Years himself. The record contains no covers or co-writes, and the lyrics carry a single connected protest theme about corporate agriculture and food.
What is The Monsanto Years about?
It is a protest album aimed at corporate agriculture, focusing on the seed and chemical company Monsanto, genetically modified crops, and food labeling. Young also widens the target to other corporations he saw as part of the same system, including Starbucks and large retailers, framing the record as a call to confront pollution and corporate power.
What is the song A Rock Star Bucks a Coffee Shop about on The Monsanto Years?
The song criticizes Starbucks for its role in opposing a Vermont law requiring labeling of genetically modified food. The title is a pun on the Starbucks name, and Young uses it to attack the company's stance on GMO labeling.
What does the title track Monsanto Years criticize?
The title track is the thematic centerpiece, taking direct aim at Monsanto over genetically modified seeds, patents, and their effect on farmers. It is the longest and most pointed statement of the album's argument against the company's agricultural practices.
Where and how did Neil Young record The Monsanto Years?
Young recorded the album mostly live with Promise of the Real at Teatro in Oxnard, California, between late January and mid-February 2015. Teatro is the same venue where Willie Nelson made his Teatro album, and the live approach gives the record a raw, in-the-room sound.
Did The Monsanto Years win any awards or earn a certification?
No. The Monsanto Years did not win or receive a nomination for any major award, and it has not been certified by the RIAA or another sales body.
How did The Monsanto Years perform on the charts?
The album debuted at number 21 on the Billboard 200, selling about 18,000 copies in its first week in the United States. It also reached the upper positions of Billboard's rock and folk album charts.

Sources

Wikipedia: The Monsanto Years Wikipedia - A Rock Star Bucks a Coffee Shop Billboard - Starbucks, Walmart & More Respond to Neil Young's Lyrical Claims on The Monsanto Years MusicBrainz - The Monsanto Years release group Cover Art Archive - The Monsanto Years front cover Cover Art Archive: The Monsanto Years by Neil Young