If you’ve ever found yourself deep-diving into the sprawling, often chaotic discography of Neil Young, you’ve probably hit that pocket of the late 1970s where things got... well, surprisingly polite. After the jagged, cocaine-fueled "Ditch Trilogy"—those raw albums like Tonight’s the Night that basically invented grunge before anyone knew what to call it—Neil took a sharp turn into the tall grass.
The result was Comes a Time (1978).
Nestled right in the middle of that record is Field of Opportunity, a track that sounds like it was written on a porch in Tennessee while the sun was setting over a literal field. Honestly, it’s one of those songs that feels like a warm blanket, even if the lyrics are doing something a bit more complicated under the surface. It's a song about farming, sure. But it’s also about failing, starting over, and the weird, rhythmic cycle of human relationships.
The Nashville Sound and the 200,000 Recalled LPs
You’ve gotta love Neil Young’s perfectionism, or maybe his impulsiveness. When he first recorded the tracks for what would become Comes a Time, it was basically a solo acoustic project. He was hanging out in Florida and Malibu, just him and a guitar. But then, the label heads at Reprise—who were probably terrified of another uncommercial "ditch" record—suggested adding some rhythm.
Neil actually listened.
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He headed to Nashville and brought in the "Gone with the Wind Orchestra." We’re talking about legends here: Ben Keith on pedal steel, Rufus Thibodeaux on the fiddle, and the incredible Nicolette Larson on harmony vocals.
Field of Opportunity is the quintessential product of these sessions. It’s got that "old-timey" country swing that makes you want to tap your foot, even if you’ve never seen a plow in your life.
"In the field of opportunity, it's plowing time again."
But here’s the kicker: after the album was already pressed and ready to ship—we’re talking 200,000 copies—Neil found a "flaw" in the master tape. Most artists would just shrug and fix it for the next run. Not Neil. He personally paid to have those 200,000 records recalled and supposedly used them as shingles for a barn roof or target practice. He literally wouldn't let the world hear a version he wasn't happy with.
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Plowing Time Again: What is Field of Opportunity Actually About?
On the surface, it’s a song about agriculture. Neil’s been a champion of the family farmer for decades (he's a co-founder of Farm Aid, after all), so the imagery isn't a stretch. But if you look at the lyrics, he’s talking about more than just corn and soil.
- The "Naughty" Subtext: Some critics have pointed out that the line "in the field of opportunity, it's plowing time again" is a bit of a wink-and-a-nudge. Coming off a divorce from Carrie Snodgress, Neil was back on the market. He was "cultivating" new relationships. It’s a rebound song, basically.
- The Cycle of Failure: He admits right out of the gate: "I’ve been wrong before, and I’ll be there again." It’s a very honest, very "Neil" way of saying that life is just a series of mistakes and restarts.
- The Seasonal Metaphor: He talks about waiting for springtime to "find a friend." It’s about patience. You can't force the harvest, whether it's a crop or a connection with another person.
It’s a "15-minute song." That’s what Neil calls his quickies. He famously told interviewer Paul Zollo that his best advice for songwriting is to "stop trying." Field of Opportunity feels like that. It’s not overthought. It’s not trying to be A Day in the Life. It’s just a guy with a pile of questions and a memory that left him stranded.
Why the Archive Releases Change Everything
For decades, we only had the Comes a Time version. It’s great. It’s lush. But in recent years, the Neil Young Archives have started spitting out the "lost" versions of these songs.
Specifically, the release of Oceanside Countryside gives us a different look at Field of Opportunity. In the earlier, more stripped-back mixes, you can hear the raw intent. Without Nicolette Larson’s angelic harmonies (which are amazing, don't get me wrong), the song feels a little lonelier. It sounds more like a guy sitting on his ranch, wondering where his life is going.
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The fiddle work by Rufus Thibodeaux—who played for George Jones—really pops in these archive versions. It reminds you that Neil isn't just a rock star; he’s a student of the blues and country traditions.
How to Listen Like an Expert
If you want to really "get" this song, you can't just play it on a tinny phone speaker while you're doing the dishes. You need to hear the interplay between the instruments.
- Listen for the Pedal Steel: Ben Keith’s playing on this track is masterclass stuff. It’s subtle, but it provides the "misty mountain" atmosphere that defines Neil's country-rock era.
- Compare the Versions: Put the Comes a Time version next to the Oceanside Countryside version. The latter is "Side Two: Countryside" and was recorded at Crazy Mama’s in Nashville. You can hear the difference in the room's energy.
- Check the Live Archives: Neil still pulls this out occasionally. He played a killer version with Promise of the Real (Lukas Nelson's band) on the Noise and Flowers live album. It’s heavier, dirtier, and shows how the song has aged into a classic.
Field of Opportunity might not have the name recognition of "Heart of Gold," but it’s a vital piece of the puzzle. It represents that moment when Neil Young stopped running from his success and decided to just be a songwriter again.
Actionable Insights for the Neil Young Fan
- Dive into the Archives: If you haven't subscribed to the Neil Young Archives (NYA) website, you're missing out on the high-res "master" versions of these tracks. It’s the only way to hear what Neil actually heard in the studio.
- Explore the "Gone with the Wind Orchestra": If you like the sound of this song, look up the other tracks Rufus Thibodeaux and Ben Keith played on. It’ll lead you down a beautiful rabbit hole of 70s Nashville session work.
- Listen to the Lyrics as Philosophy: Next time you’re feeling like you’ve messed up, throw this on. "I just don't have any answers my friend / Just this pile of old questions." It’s okay not to know. Just keep plowing.
In the end, that's the magic of Neil. He makes the mundane act of farming feel like a spiritual journey. Whether he's rocking on the porch or tearing it up with Crazy Horse, he's always looking for that next "field" to plant his seeds in.