Coupe de Ville

Album: The Note's For You (1988)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Cadillac introduced the first Coupe de Ville in 1949, boasting a two-door coupe style, leather interior, and a pillar-less hard-top. Offered at $3,497 - considered expensive for the time - it was one of Cadillac's most popular models, and by 1961 the company was selling over 20,000 of the vehicles annually.
  • This song talks about lost love, something Neil Young has much experience with. The song contrasts Young's love for his Coupe de Ville with his longing for a lost lover, drawing attention to how material possessions, no matter how nice, never really end up fulfilling you. "If I can't have you," he wails on the chorus, "I don't want nothin' else."
  • This song was included on the album Young produced with his new band, The Blue Notes. This caught the attention of musician Harold Melvin, who owned the rights to the "Blue Notes" name. While Young was on tour with his new band, Melvin sued him over the name rights and won. Young was forced to re-name his band "Ten Men Workin'" for the remainder of the tour.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.

Peter Lord

Peter LordSongwriter Interviews

You may not recognize his name, but you will certainly recognize Peter Lord's songs. He wrote the bevy of hits from Paula Abdul's second album, Spellbound.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.