Tonight’s singer has been everywhere, looking for something. He has been to Hollywood, he has crossed the ocean, and he is still looking.
Learn from Songs · Unit 6: The perfect aspect · B1
Heart of Gold
Neil Young’s only American number one, about a long search for a good heart: the present perfect for experiences (I’ve been to…, I’ve crossed…), been to / gone to, and the present perfect continuous for a long activity (I’ve been searching), with Philo, Sophia, Marcos and Demetria.
SOPHIA
MARCOS
What is he looking for?
SOPHIA
A heart of gold: a truly good person. And he is getting old while he searches.
PHILO
Like Diogenes with his lamp, looking for an honest man.
Before you listen: the song
Nashville, 1971
Neil Young is a Canadian singer and songwriter. In 1971 he had a bad back injury and couldn’t stand to play the electric guitar, so he played the acoustic guitar and the harmonica sitting down. Those quiet songs became the album Harvest (1972).
“Heart of Gold” was recorded in Nashville, with James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt singing in the background. It became Neil Young’s only number one in America. Bob Dylan said that he didn’t like hearing it on the radio, because it sounded like him!
In the song, the singer has been to many places and has crossed the ocean. He has been searching for a heart of gold for a long time, and he is getting old. He hasn’t found it yet, but he keeps searching.
Have you ever met a heart of gold?
Listen: the search
PHILO
Listen once. Where has he been? What is he looking for? Has he found it?
SOPHIA
Then answer Section A. Listen for the harmonica.
💛 Listen to the song: “Heart of Gold” (Neil Young, 1971), sung by Neil Young.Find the recording →
📜 Read the words while you listen: “Heart of Gold”, Neil Young.Read the lyrics →
Present perfect: experiences
MARCOS
I’ve been to Hollywood. I’ve crossed the ocean. Have you ever been to Rome?
SOPHIA
For life experiences, with no time: have / has + past participle, with ever in questions and never for “not at any time”: I’ve never been to Japan.
Been to or gone to?
DEMETRIA
He’s been to Hollywood (and come back). He’s gone to Hollywood (he’s there now).
SOPHIA
been to = visited and returned. gone to = went and is still there. Where’s Marcos? He’s gone to the stadium.
Present perfect continuous
PHILO
I’ve been searching for a long time. How long have you been waiting?
SOPHIA
have / has been + -ing for an activity that started in the past and is still going on: I’ve been learning English for three years. With for (a period) and since (a starting point).
Sophia’s comparison: Diogenes’ lamp
SOPHIA
Diogenes walked through Athens in the middle of the day with a lit lamp. When people asked why, he said: “I’m looking for an honest man.”
PHILO
And the prophet Jeremiah was told to run through the streets of Jerusalem and search for one person who does justice and seeks the truth.
MARCOS
Did either of them find one?
Sophia’s summary
| Words and forms | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| have / has + past participle | experiences, no time | I’ve crossed the ocean. |
| Have you ever…? I’ve never… | ever and never | Have you ever been to Rome? |
| been to / gone to | returned / still there | He’s gone to the stadium. |
| have / has been + -ing | a long activity still going on | I’ve been searching for years. |
| for / since | period / starting point | for three years / since 2020 |
Practice
Listen to the song for Section A, then do the rest. Press “Check my answers” at the end. You can try again as many times as you like.
A · Listen: the song
Listen to the song and choose the best answer.
1. What is the singer looking for?
2. Has he found it?
3. What is happening to him while he searches?
4. Why did Neil Young play sitting down?
5. Which instruments can you hear?
6. Who sang in the background?
B · Grammar and vocabulary
Write the missing word or words.
7. I’ve to Hollywood. (be)
8. Have you been to Rome?
9. I’ve been to Japan. (not at any time)
10. Where’s Marcos? He’s to the stadium.
11. I’ve been for a heart of gold. (search)
12. I’ve been learning English three years.
C · Right or wrong?
Is the sentence correct English?
13. “I’ve been to Hollywood last year.”
14. “Have you ever crossed the ocean?”
15. “I’m searching for it since 2020.”
16. “She’s gone to Paris. She’s there now.”
Talk and write
Discussion and writing
Have you ever…? Walk around the class asking: Have you ever been to…? Have you ever met…? When someone says yes, ask a past simple question: When did you go?
Discuss. 1. What does “a heart of gold” mean to you? 2. Who is the kindest person you have ever met? 3. Is it better to search or to stay at home?
Write (100–120 words). My search. Write about something you have been looking for (a place, a friend, a job, an answer). Where have you been? How long have you been looking?
Now play the gamebook: forty years of searching for a lost brother.Play the gamebook →