Fred Neil is generally remembered as the writer of Everybody's Talkin, which became a big hit for Harry Nilsson after it was featured in the film Midnight Cowboy. That's certainly a great song, but The Dolphins is something extra special.
The lyrics express the heavy weariness that the narrator carries around from a world of so much war and hate. He remembers his younger days when he felt carefree, but now he's older and longs to find a place where he can transcend all the crap and live in peace. In his mind, the dolphins have it pretty good, and they pull at his soul.
The music laps at the shore where he walks, sparkling sunlight dances off the water in the form of heavily tremoloed guitar, the bass follows thoughtfully behind him. The drums pick up after a minute, additional guitar/bouzouki floating above him like a seagull.
The song and music are fairly representative of Fred Neil's character. He was quite reclusive, rarely gave interviews, and did not seek fame. From the mid-60s until his death in 2001, he devoted his life to the protection of dolphins.
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