"A Rock Star Bucks a Coffee Shop" is a song recorded by Neil Young and Promise of the Real. It is a protest song aimed at the companies Starbucks and Monsanto. The piece comes from the concept album The Monsanto Years, which primarily criticizes Monsanto.
Background and lyrics The song was released as a single in May 2015 and is the first song on the album The Monsanto Years.Albany Times Union People in the news: Young says Trump can't use his song By Soraya Nadia McDonald, The Washington Post Thursday, June 18, 2015The Australian Arts, Reviews: Neil Young, Lau, The Milk Carton Kids, Major Lazer, Mike Nock and Roger Manins The Australian June 27, 2014 Mahir Ali
It refers to the lawsuit by Monsanto against Vermont due to the state's attempt at passing a GMO labeling law.Rolling Stone Neil Young Unveils Starbucks-Mocking Music Video, Rocker takes aim at GMO giant, defends Vermont in first single off 'The Monsanto Years' BY DANIEL KREPS May 31, 2015 The song also references "the poison tide of Monsanto" and a farmer who signs a GMO deal when Young sings, "I want a cup of coffee but I don't want a GMO. I'd like to start my day off without helping Monsanto."WTTV TV Neil Young's new album blasts Walmart, Monsanto and more JUNE 20, 2015, By CNN WireThe Huffington Post Neil Young Releases Anti-Starbucks, Anti-GMO Anthem 'A Rock Star Bucks A Coffee Shop', The Huffington Post | By Ed Mazza 06/01/2015
In a brief review of the song, Stefan Schmidt in The National Singles Round-Up also remarked that song did not hold back against critiquing Starbucks and Monsanto and suggested that Young had not lost his appetite for tackling political issues.The National Singles Round-Up May 30th, 2015 - Stefan Schmidt
Venue Young also introduced an acoustic version of the song in Maui while performing at "OUTGROW Monsanto", a festival held to protest Monsanto's business practices in Hawaii.Eco Watch Neil Young Blasts Starbucks for Supporting Monsanto and GMOs in Rock Anthem Cole Mellino | June 1, 2015
Moreover, the song was also featured in Young's July and October 2015 tours, for which Promise of the Real served as his backing band.Food Consumer Video Of The Week, A Rock Star Bucks A Coffee Shop
Personnel Neil Young – guitar, whistling, vocals Lukas Nelson – guitar, whistling, vocals Micah Nelson – guitar, whistling, vocals Anthony LoGerfo – drums Corey McCormick – bass, whistling, vocals Tato Melgar – percussion
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