3 Things to Know About Neil Young’s ‘Ambulance Blues’ and Bert Jansch

Neil Young’s “Ambulance Blues” is based on Bert Jansch’s “Needle of Death.” Young later acknowledged this influence.

“Needle of Death” is a folk song by Scottish guitarist Bert Jansch. It was released on his 1965 debut album.

Young borrowed the melody and structure from Jansch’s song. He transformed it into his own 1974 track on the album On the Beach.