Rock legend Neil Young has treated fans to an extraordinary musical moment, performing "Pardon My Heart" for the first time in over five decades. The rare performance was shared through his Neil Young Archives website as part of his ongoing Fireside Sessions series.
The deeply personal track, which originally appeared on Neil Young & Crazy Horse's 1975 album Zuma, had only been performed live twice before - making this rendition particularly special for longtime fans.
Prior to this recent performance, "Pardon My Heart" was last heard live during a Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young reunion tour stop in New York on August 15, 1974. Its live debut came just months earlier at the Bottom Line in New York, where Young surprised audiences following a Ry Cooder show.
At that debut performance, Young introduced the song with characteristic candor, saying, "This is a love song I learned recently. I wrote it too. It's one of the saddest love songs I've ever heard." The emotional depth of the track stems from Young's relationship with Carrie Snodgress, which was ending at the time of its writing.
This latest performance comes as part of Young's recent creative surge, which includes the announcement of a new album titled "Talking to the Trees." The veteran musician is also planning a North American and European tour with his new backing band, the Chrome Hearts.
The resurfacing of "Pardon My Heart" follows another rare performance from the Fireside Sessions, where Young recently performed "Silver and Gold," demonstrating his willingness to explore the deeper corners of his extensive catalog.