For the love of rock
Vol XI, Issue 1 – I don’t want to talk about it (01 Jan 2026)
www.intheloveofrock.com
Name of song– I don’t want to talk about it
Band – Crazy Horse
Writers– Danny Whitten, (Nils Lofgren)
Album- Crazy Horse
Release year– 1971
Resources– Wikipedia.org
I don’t want to talk about it
“Crazy Horse”, more popularly known as the back up band for Neil Young, perhaps never got the praise they deserved. Although they had very few albums on their own, their contribution to Neil Young’s solo albums is just indispensable. A talented band full of extraordinary band members including Danny Whitten, whose life just cut short, this band undoubtedly portrays the best of the seventies rock phenomenon.
Danny Whitten, born in Columbus, Georgia, had a troubled childhood and later migrated to Canton, Ohio. During his teenage years, he collaborated with Billy Talbot and Ralph Molina, subsequently forming “The Rockets.” They produced one self titled album which sold poorly, but caught attention of Neil Young. Young renamed them “Crazy Horse” and took them for his album “Everybody Knows this is Nowhere.” Although Crazy Horse was doing fine, Danny Whitten was deep into heroin addiction due to his rheumatoid arthritis and was beginning to have a negative influence on the band. Although Young wanted him desperately in Crazy Horse, he was way too deep with addiction and just could not be pulled out. During one of their tours one day, Young unwillingly sent Danny back home from his rehearsal. The same night, Whitten died due to overdose. Young was utterly devastated and could not stop blaming himself for Danny’s demise. Young later wrote “The needle and the damage done” describing Danny’s talent being wasted with addiction.
“I don’t want to talk about it” is the most well known song from Crazy Horse’s debut album in 1971. A painfully raw and sweet ballad, this song is perhaps one of the most tragically beautiful masterpieces created out of a dying talent. The song was Danny’s love child but he had not been able to complete it. Ultimately, his bandmate Nils Lofgren wrote the second verse for it and Crazy Horse finally recorded it, although Nils never claimed the cowriting credit for it. This song subsequently became more famous due to Rod Stewart’s version in his 1975 album “Atlantic Crossing.” However, Crazy Horse’s version deserves much more praise. The song is a short, heart wrenching expression of a miserable lover who just does not want to talk about it. Danny Whitten’s raspy voice could not be more suited to this ballad. Backing vocals by Nils Lofgren is equally impressive. Featuring Ry Cooder’s slide and Billy Talbot’s bass guitar, this song would mesmerize any human with feelings. Amazing words, woeful melody, soothing guitar, expressive slide guitar, haunting bass and Danny’s painfully beautiful raspy voice, what else could make this gem more valuable?
Yes, many would not want to talk about Danny Whitten and Crazy Horse’s version of “I don’t want to talk about it”; however, when it comes to originality, expression, and rawness, we definitely have to talk about Danny Whitten and Crazy Horse!
Happy listening!!!
Resources- Wikipedia.org, allmusic.com
I don’t want to talk about it
I can tell by your eyes
That you’ve probably been cryin’ forever
And the stars in the sky don’t mean nothin’ to you
They’re a mirror
I don’t wanna talk about it
How you broke my heart
If I stay here just a little bit longer
If I stay here, won’t you listen to my heart?
Whoa heart
If I stand all alone
Will the shadow hide the color of my heart?
Blue for the tears, black for the night’s fear
The heart and the stars don’t mean nothin’ to you
They’re a mirror
I don’t wanna talk about it
How you broke my heart
If I stay here just a little bit longer
If I stay here, won’t you listen to my heart?
Whoa heart
My heart
Whoa heart
I don’t wanna talk about it
How you broke my heart
If I stay here just a little bit longer
If I stay here, won’t you listen to my heart?
Whoa heart
My heart
Whoa heart
My heart
Whoa heart
My heart
Whoa heart
Lyrics – https://genius.com/Crazy-horse-i-dont-want-to-talk-about-it-lyrics
Video link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td7JviPv8hk