Neil Young has been slammed by Elon Musk fans after he unveiled a politically-charged song attempting to ridicule the Tesla CEO.
The 79-year-old rock star continued his long tradition of political protest songs, dating back to the 1960s, with his new tune Let's Roll Again, which he performed at the Light Up the Blues benefit concert in Los Angeles last Saturday to support the charity Autism Speaks.
In his latest musical offering, the Canadian-American musician who has long been critical of US President Donald Trump delivered savage criticism of the tech billionaire.
The song comes as other artists thrash out in response to the current American political landscape, also inspiring recent protest performances from Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong and The White Stripes' Jack White.
Young has debuted a new song taking aim at Tesla boss Elon Musk
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In Let's Roll Again, Young calls on American automakers to return to responsible manufacturing. He sang: "Come on Ford, come on GM, come on Chrysler, let's roll again," and urged them to "build something special, that people need".
“Build us a safe way for us to live. Build us something that won’t kill our kids. Build us something that runs real clean. Come on America, let’s get in the race,” he continued.
The song also bizarrely praised China, crediting the authoritarian state with leading green vehicle production, with Young belting out: "China's way ahead, they're making clean cars".
After a harmonica break, Young delivered perhaps his most biting line: "If you're a fascist, get a Tesla. If you're a democrat, taste your freedom."
Some mocked the legendary musician for the 'terrible' song
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Young's claims against Musk stem from the South African billionaire's public support for Trump during the 2024 Presidential Election and later role as co-head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) within the administration.
Musk is expected to step down from his role, with some blaming reports of a 70 percent drop in Tesla profits for his decision to step back from a political role.
Regardless, many on social media were less than impressed with Young's put-down of Musk and shared their blunt opinions on the singer-songwriter's latest swing at his perceived political opponents.
“Painful stuff, from a quite terrible song. Young has become an embodiment/parody of NPC received beliefs and opinions in his old age,” one slammed, referencing the Non-Player Character meme that implies one uncritically regurgitates whatever opinion is in vogue at the time.
Another claimed the song was evidence that “the left has lost the plot,” while a third blasted Young and others as “disgruntled hippies are trying to relive their glory days.”
Regarding the criticism of Musk’s car giant, a fourth exclaimed: “This nonsense makes me want to buy a Tesla,” while another wrote: “Can’t wait to jam this tune in a Tesla. Love you Neil, but in no way are Tesla products or the employees that make Tesla remotely fascist." (sic)
Young has long been outspoken about politics, appearing at a rally organised by Bernie Sanders earlier this year
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Not all were disparaging of Young’s latest, with fans supporting the artist with how much they “loved” him and one extolling: “Neil keeps Rocking in the Free World while Elon tries to strip it for parts and sell it to China.”
Young has previously clashed with Trump, once attempting to sue him for using "Rockin' in the Free World" during his campaign. He was also recently spotted holding a "Hands off Canada" sign at a California protest, responding to Trump's comments about making Canada the 51st US state.
The musician, who has called Trump "a disgrace to my country," also performed at the "Fighting Oligarchy" rally organised by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Los Angeles. At that event, he was joined by Joan Baez and Maggie Rogers for performances of Rainbow Of Colours and Rockin' In The Free World.
Young's political stance extends to social media, where he announced a boycott of Musk's X platform two years ago over the political leanings of the tech billionaire.
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