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Neil Young encountered Charles Manson when he was a "player" in the California music scene. After Manson and his "Family" committed their awful crime, Neil wrote "Revolution Blues." The line, "10 million dune buggies" is a reference to Manson's plan to assemble ample forces in the Mojave desert to carry our his race war. (thanks, Chris - Philadelphia, PA)

Neil Young recalled the time he spent mixing with the Manson Family to The Observer Music Monthly October 2008: "Spooky times. I knew Charlie Manson. A few people were at this house on Sunset Boulevard and the people were different. I didn't know what it was; I was meeting them and he was not a happy guy but he seemed to have a hold on girls. It was the ugly side of the Maharishi. You know, there's one side of the light, nice flowers and white robes and everything, and then there's something that looks a lot like it but just isn't it at all."

Comments:

Can someone explain to me what NY means by: "Yes that was me with the doves setting them free at the factory where you built your computer, love"? This is the only line in the song that I don't get. Are the doves and the factory supposed to be symbolic of something? Any help would be nice!
- Steve, Houma, LA

neil young may have mixed some facts to not elude to the facts of the case of manson so specificly, like the boys who was shot in the car wasnt a star,for example, the stuff about dogs im not so sure refers to manson, or i know atleast that manson wouldnt harm a dog or any animal for that matter(other than a human of course),and even if im wrong about these things one things for sure, and thats manson was a realy good musician and neil young could sense that i would presume.
- ray, new york, NY

and manson was sentenced in 70 or 71, didnt revolution blues appear in 74 or 75, i dunno but maybe quite an after thought,i also think that the songs lyrics deserve autonomy of any stigma of supposed content,it just an amazing poem, and an amazing song, oh yeah and i think on the beach may have been the album after the 3xditch albums, i believe..
- ray, new york, NY

That's 'dune' buggies dipstick.
- John, London, United Kingdom

Young once said in an interview that the single 'Heart of Gold' from 'Harvest', had taken him to the middle of the road where he became bored, so he headed for the ditch. What followed was the three so called 'ditch trilogy' albums, of which 'On the Beach' was easily the best, and remains, for many, his best work to date. This album is a delightfully world weary rant at just about everything. 'Revolution Blues' said to be about Charles Manson, contains an apocalyptic vision of doom buggies and celebrities being murdered in cars. Neil must have been in a dark place himself to have written such lyrics; he even, supposedly, suggested to his record company that they sign Manson up. The mood remains bitter and cynical throughout the album, on the last track, 'Ambulance Blues' Young reels off a list of bitter beefs, including a few choice words for his critics, a few more for Nixon, and the famous 'pissing in the wind' line about Crosby Stills Nash and Young. Listen in the dark, alone.
- John, London, United Kingdom

Does anyone else think he sounds sort of like Dylan, musically and lyrically? It could be because of Helm and Danko backing him.
- Hugh, Calgary, AB

This song is awesome. Neil is such the "antistar" but a "star" at the same time lol. He's one of those few guys so brilliant that you can love his work and dislike his work at the same tiem.
- David, huntington beach, CA

Shakey also says that this song made David Crosby very nervous. Something about wanting to kill stars in Laurel Canyon didn't sit right. ;-)
- David, , CA

Levon Helm and Rick Danko of The Band play on this track.
- Matt, Portola Valley, CA

Jeez, it does sound like Charles Manson. You're right, Stefanie.
- Johnny, Los Angeles, CA

No, Joe has it right. In Shakey: Neil Young's Biography, Neil says he gave Manson the motorcyle. Manson said Neil was the only one who remembered him.
- Cadence, Sacramento, CA

Joe, you've got it backwards. Manson gave Neil a motorcycle. Neil met Manson a few times at parties. He thought that Manson was a great musicain and with the the right band that he would have been huge.
- Dave, Toronto

Even to this day, Manson still speaks highly of Neil Young. While Manson was a part of the California music scene of the late 60's, Young once gave him a motorcycle.
- Joe, NE PA, PA

Hhyw creepy1 Just read the lyrics. It's definitely what Manson would say if he had written it.
- Stefanie magura, Rock Hill, SC