Lookout Joe
Neil Young · Tonight's the Night [1975]
A hip drag queen and
a side-walkin' street wheeler,
Comin' down the avenue.
They're all your friends,
you'll come to love 'em
There's a load of 'em
waitin' for you.
Lookout Joe, you're comin' home.
Old times were good times,
Old times were good times.
Remember Millie
from down in Philly?
She took my brain
and forgot my name.
The woman you were with
was about the same
She took your money and left town.
Lookout Joe, you're comin' home.
Old times were good times,
Old times were good times.
Glory Hallelujah!
Will I lay my burden down?
Singin' on the streets around:
Look at that crazy clown.
Remember Bill from up on the hill?
A Cadillac put a hole in his arm.
But old Bill, he's up there still,
Havin' a ball
rollin' to the bottom.
Lookout Joe, you're comin' home.
Old times were good times,
Old times were good times.
a side-walkin' street wheeler,
Comin' down the avenue.
They're all your friends,
you'll come to love 'em
There's a load of 'em
waitin' for you.
Lookout Joe, you're comin' home.
Old times were good times,
Old times were good times.
Remember Millie
from down in Philly?
She took my brain
and forgot my name.
The woman you were with
was about the same
She took your money and left town.
Lookout Joe, you're comin' home.
Old times were good times,
Old times were good times.
Glory Hallelujah!
Will I lay my burden down?
Singin' on the streets around:
Look at that crazy clown.
Remember Bill from up on the hill?
A Cadillac put a hole in his arm.
But old Bill, he's up there still,
Havin' a ball
rollin' to the bottom.
Lookout Joe, you're comin' home.
Old times were good times,
Old times were good times.
Lookout Joe
Neil Young's "Lookout Joe" stands as a defining track from the 1975 album *Tonight's the Night*, capturing the raw, folk-rock energy of his mid-career resurgence. Recorded in a sparse, acoustic-driven style, the song reflects Young's deep engagement with American folk traditions and his signature use of the harmonica. Released during a pivotal period that saw him reclaiming his artistic voice after years of commercial success, the recording showcases his ability to blend personal narrative with broader social commentary. The track remains a staple of his discography, illustrating the enduring power of his songwriting and the intimate, unpolished aesthetic that characterized this era of his work.