Recognizing that his 2019 song “Shut It Down” has taken on new meaning during the COVID-19 crisis, Neil Young has re-released it as “Shut It Down 2020.”
The Canadian-born rocker shared a new video for the track, which intersperses footage of Young and his band Crazy Horse playing in studio last year with scenes from around the world showing the impact of the pandemic.
“Never before in human history has our planet come together in this way,” Young wrote on his website, “utilizing modern communications to ensure everyone understands that responsibility to our fellow man and the continuing life of Humanity depends on each persons (sic) actions.”
Young used the opportunity to criticize world leaders “who are too vain to wear masks.” He urged his fans to put their “own vanity away for the good of your fellow man” and “wear a mask in public to stop the spread.”
Watch the video below: