Neil Young Reimagines Folk Anthem to Criticize Elon Musk’s Influence on Social Media
Legendary rock musician Neil Young has once again turned his artistic spotlight on tech billionaire Elon Musk, repurposing the classic American folk song “This Land Is Your Land” to voice his growing concerns over Musk’s influence in the digital age. In a recent live performance and accompanying online post, the 78-year-old music icon delivered a pointed message against Musk’s control over social media platforms, particularly X, formerly known as Twitter.
Young, known for his activism and outspoken views on technology and corporate power, altered the lyrics of Woody Guthrie’s beloved protest anthem to reflect what he sees as a troubling shift in the landscape of free speech and public discourse. His version includes new verses aimed directly at Musk, portraying him as a gatekeeper of information and a central figure in the erosion of public trust in online platforms.
“This land is your land, this land is my land, but now it’s owned by a Musk-brand island,” Young sang during the performance. “From the tweets of chaos to the AI command, this land was made for you and me.”
The Canadian-American artist has a history of challenging tech giants. In 2022, Young made headlines when he pulled his music from Spotify in protest over COVID-19 misinformation on the platform. His latest move against Musk continues a pattern of using his music as a tool for advocacy and resistance.
In his post, shared on his official website and social media channels, Young elaborated on his criticism, accusing Musk of transforming X into a “megaphone for misinformation” and “a platform where truth is auctioned to the highest bidder.” He also voiced concerns over the increasing role of artificial intelligence in shaping human communication, an area Musk has invested heavily in through ventures like xAI.
“Elon Musk has taken one of the world’s most open platforms and turned it into a place where algorithms rule over facts, where money amplifies voices, and where fear and division spread faster than hope or truth,” Young wrote.
Reactions to Young’s performance and message have been mixed. Supporters praised him for continuing to speak out against what they perceive as dangerous concentrations of power in tech. Critics, however, accused Young of oversimplifying complex issues and unfairly targeting Musk, who has long championed free speech and claims to have democratized Twitter by reducing censorship and increasing user engagement.
Nevertheless, Young’s revival of “This Land Is Your Land” has sparked renewed interest in the song’s protest roots. Originally written by Guthrie in 1940 as a critique of economic inequality and exclusion, the anthem has been used by generations of artists and activists to call attention to social justice issues. By reimagining it in the digital context, Young underscores the enduring power of music as a form of protest.
As debates continue over the role of tech moguls in shaping public discourse, Neil Young’s reworked anthem serves as a stark reminder that the battle for the soul of the internet is far from over. Will his message resonate with the masses or be drowned out in the noise of the digital age? Only time will tell.
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