Blog

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A Quick History, Sheet Music, Lyrics, Chords, Harmonica Tabs, Plus Gear and Setup

The Needle and the Damage Done was written by Neil Young, and is yet another fabulous song from the Harvest album of 1972.

The song was written as a response to all the heroin use that was going on at the time including Crazy Horse guitarist Danny Whitten.
From Neil Young’s Decade liner notes about the song: “I am not a preacher, but drugs killed a lot of great men.”

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Sheet Music

If you are looking for the sheet music, there are a couple of different versions that I’ve found available that includes The Needle and the Damage Done.

The first one is for piano, vocal and guitar:
Neil Young – Greatest Hits by Neil Young. Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook. Softcover. 88 pages. Published by Hal Leonard

The second is for easy guitar:
Neil Young – Greatest Hits Easy Guitar with Notes and Tab. By Neil Young. Easy Guitar (Simplified arrangements for guitar). Softcover. Guitar tablature. Published by Hal Leonard.

You can check out all of Neil Young’s endeavours. In Canada, check out my Neil Young Canada Site.

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The Needle and the Damage Done

The Needle and the Damage Done music and lyrics are property and copyright of their owners and provided for educational purposes and personal use only.
The following is my transcription of my version of this awesome song. If you want how the author intended, check out the links above.

Chord Progression

D    D/C    G/B    Gm/Bb    C    F    Esus4    E

Lyrics, Chords, and Harmonica Tabs

(Note: I am tuned down a half step so my 6th string is Eb, 5th – Ab, 4th – Db and so on.
If you don’t tune your guitar down like I did, use a C harmonica to be able to play the melody. Otherwise a B harmonica will work when tuned down a half step.)

D D/C
I caught you knockin’ at my cellar door,
-6 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 7 -8 -8

G/B Gm/Bb
I love you baby can I have some more
-8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 7 -8 -8

C F Esus4 E
Oh the damage done
7 -6 -8 -8 -7

D D/C
I hit the city and I lost my band
-8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 7 -8 -8

G/B Gm/Bb
I watched the needle take another man
-8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -9 9 -8

C F Esus4 E
Gone, gone, the damage done
7 -6 -6 -7 -7 -6

D D/C
I sing the song because I love the man
-6 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 7 -8 -8

G/B Gm/Bb
I know that some of you don’t understand
-8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -9 9 -8

c F Esus4 E
Milk blood to keep from runnin’ out
7 -6 -6 -8 -8 -7 -7

D D/C
I’ve seen the needle and the damage done
-8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 7 -8 -8

G/B Gm/Bb
A little part of it in ev’ryone
-8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -9 9 -8

C F Esus4 E
But ev’ry junkie’s like a settin’ sun
7 7 7 7 7 7 7 -6 -6 -8

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Musical Instruments

Guitar
In the video, I am playing my Takamine EG Series Acoustic – Electric Guitar very similar to the picture above.

I bought this guitar in Charlotte, NC about 10 years ago. I had heard alot of good things about Takamine guitars and had tried a couple which I really liked so when I needed an affordable stage setup, I bought the guitar, hard-shell case, fender deluxe 90 amp, and an assortment of accessories for under a thousand bucks.
I like the rounded profile that is narrow at the waist and broad behind the bridge. This creates a soundboard with balanced frequency response – deep bass, clear treble, and a sweet, round midrange that projects well.
It includes 3-band graphic EQ and built-in tuner which is really handy.
From Takamine, “Built to Takamine designs in some of the most modern guitar shops in the world, G-series instruments are priced for every budget. The G-series guitar is every bit Takamine, from its acoustic performance to the latest in pickup and preamp design. These guitars are crafted from the finest handpicked tonewoods, hand-crafted by expert luthiers, all providing players with unmatched excellence and surprising affordability”
I know I’ve enjoyed every minute of mine

Flute

I’ve always wanted to hear how some flute would sound in this song so I decided to add a solo over the middle guitar break.
I play a Gemeinhardt flute which you can check out here:
Gemeinhardt flute.
I bought the Gemeinhardt flute from a music store in Vancouver, BC. My buddy Trev, who I had gone to music college with, worked there and got me a good deal. That was 20 years ago now and other than some minor maintenance, the flute has held up great. Plays easy.
From Gemeinhardt, “Durably constructed of the finest materials, Gemeinhardt flutes feature integrally drawn and rolled tone holes, power-coined keys, and our exclusive four post footjoint construction which make our flutes exceptionally strong. Other features include Gemeinhardt’s unique embouchure hole design, proportioned tone holes and pad cups to ensure even response and extraordinary tone throughout all registers. In addition, a Gizmo key (high C facilitator) is standard on every B foot model flute. Gemeinhardt flutes also feature superior key mechanisms for fast action and outstanding playability”
I hope you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching. Please leave a comment and share with facebook or twitter.
Here’s to more music. Cheers. Have a good day.