In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Sample and Hold
Hair, blonde
Eyes, blue
Weight, 1-1-0
Disposition, even
Mood code, rotary adjustable
I need a unit to sample and hold
But not the angry one
A new design, new design
I need a unit to sample and hold
But not the lonely one
A new design, new design
I need a unit to sample and hold
But not the lonely one
A new design, new design
Sample and hold
Sample and hold
We'll send it out right away
Satisfaction guaranteed
Please specify
The color of skin and eyes
We know you'll be happy
Sample and hold
Don't hesitate to give us a call
We know you'll be satisfied
When you energize
And see your unit come alive
We know you'll be happy
I need a unit to sample and hold
I need a unit to sample and hold
But not the lonely one, the lonely one, the lonely one
Sample and hold
Weight, 1-1-0
Perfection in every detail
Fabricated from the curl of the hair
To the tip of the nail
Because our units never fail
We know you'll be happy
I need a unit to sample and hold
Don't hesitate to give us a call
We know you'll be satisfied
When you energize
And see your unit come alive
We know you'll be happy
I need a unit to sample and hold
We know you'll be happy
We know you'll be happy
Sample and hold
But not the lonely one
A new design, new design
Sample and hold
New design, new design
Sample and hold
I need a unit to sample and hold
But not the angry one
A new design, new design
I need a unit to sample and hold
But not the jealous one
A new design, new design
New design, new design
Perfection in every detail
New design, new design
Perfection in every detail
New design, new design
Perfection in every detail
New design, new design
Sample and hold
Sample and hold
Sample and hold
Sample and hold
Sample and hold
Sample and hold
Sample and hold
Hair, blonde
Eyes, blue
Weight, 1-1-0
Disposition, even
Mood code, rotary adjustable
I need a unit to sample and hold
But not the angry one
A new design, new design
I need a unit to sample and hold
But not the lonely one
A new design, new design
I need a unit to sample and hold
But not the lonely one
A new design, new design
Sample and hold
Sample and hold
We'll send it out right away
Satisfaction guaranteed
Please specify
The color of skin and eyes
We know you'll be happy
Sample and hold
Don't hesitate to give us a call
We know you'll be satisfied
When you energize
And see your unit come alive
We know you'll be happy
I need a unit to sample and hold
I need a unit to sample and hold
But not the lonely one, the lonely one, the lonely one
Sample and hold
Weight, 1-1-0
Perfection in every detail
Fabricated from the curl of the hair
To the tip of the nail
Because our units never fail
We know you'll be happy
I need a unit to sample and hold
Don't hesitate to give us a call
We know you'll be satisfied
When you energize
And see your unit come alive
We know you'll be happy
I need a unit to sample and hold
We know you'll be happy
We know you'll be happy
Sample and hold
But not the lonely one
A new design, new design
Sample and hold
New design, new design
Sample and hold
I need a unit to sample and hold
But not the angry one
A new design, new design
I need a unit to sample and hold
But not the jealous one
A new design, new design
New design, new design
Perfection in every detail
New design, new design
Perfection in every detail
New design, new design
Perfection in every detail
New design, new design
Sample and hold
Sample and hold
Sample and hold
Sample and hold
Sample and hold
Sample and hold
Sample and hold
Lyrics submitted by danger bird
Sample and Hold Lyrics as written by Neil Young
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I can't believe I am the first to tackle this song as this might be Neil's most timely statement and most brilliant song. A dating service for robots is the surface meaning, but I believe at the root is a comment on how superficial our search for a soulmate is. We have our checklist of what we look for (blond, blue eyes, 110 pounds) and when the person is found that fulfills it we call it love, or at least lust, and sample and hold them happily because our list has been satisfied. In that sense we are only robots responding to "blank + blank = perfect partner" in a souless way without consideration for the surprises and intangables that surely go with any higher meaning of love. Think of the popularity of sites like E-harmony and the purely sex related ones. Or just the "sample and hold" mentality of today's hook-up culture. This song well predated all of that.
@finslaw, I think you did a great job analyzing the lyrics. This is certainly one of Neil's more prophetic moments.