During the recording of a concert at Canterbury House in 1968, Neil Young talked to the audience in an intro to a beautiful acoustic version of this song. He told them that the song came to him like a radio transmission, and was complete in 5 minutes.
This one took only five minutes…all you are is...
[Verse 1]
Oh hello Mr. Soul
I dropped by to pick up a reason
For the thought that I caught
That my head is the event of the season
Why in crowds just a trace
Of my face could seem so pleasing?
I'll cop out to the change
But a stranger is putting the tease on
[Verse 2]
I was down on a frown
When the messenger brought me a letter
I was raised by the praise of a fan
Who said I upset her
Any girl in the world could have easily known me better
She said, "You're strange, but don't change"
And I let her
[Verse 3]
In a while will the smile on my face turn to plaster?
Stick around while the clown who is sick
Does the trick of disaster
For the race of my head and my face
Is moving much faster
Is it strange I should change?
I don't know, why don't you ask her?
Is it strange I should change?
I don't know, why don't you ask her?
Is it strange I should change?
I don't know, why don't you ask her?
Is it strange I should change?
I don't know, why don't you ask her?
Mr. Soul was written by Neil Young.
Mr. Soul was produced by David Briggs & Neil Young.
Neil Young released Mr. Soul on Wed Dec 29 1982.