Check Out Neil Young's Anti-Starbucks Anthem

Ed Mazza
Updated

Rocker Neil Young has released a new anthem about Starbucks, but don't expect to hear it at any of the company's coffee shops.

In the tune "A Rock Star Bucks A Coffee Shop," Young rips into Starbucks for its alleged support of genetically modified organisms, a.k.a. GMOs.

"I want a cup of coffee but I don't want a GMO," Young sings. "I'd like to start my day off without helping Monsanto."

The tune has Young's vintage sound, from his trademark distorted electric guitar to his distinctive voice, and the video shows him and the band tossing their coffee cups.

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Check it out in the clip above.

The new song will be part of Young's upcoming concept album, "The Monsanto Years," which drops on June 30 and features Lukas and Micah Nelson, sons of country music legend Willie Nelson, as well as Lukas' band, Promise of the Real.

Young and the band performed an acoustic version of the title track at an event in Hawaii over Memorial Day weekend.

The Farm Aid co-founder has accused Starbucks of teaming up with Monsanto to try to derail a first-in-the-nation law in Vermont set to take effect next year that would require the labeling of products with genetically modified ingredients.

"Hiding behind the shadowy 'Grocery Manufacturers Association,' Starbucks is supporting a lawsuit that's aiming to block a landmark law that requires genetically-modified ingredients be labeled," Young wrote on his website last year. "Amazingly, it claims that the law is an assault on corporations' right to free speech."

Starbucks, which is an "affiliate member" of the GMA, has said it does not support the lawsuit and denies participating in it or aligning itself with Monsanto on the issue.

"Starbucks has not taken a position on the issue of GMO labeling," the company said in a statement released online. "As a company with stores and a product presence in every state, we prefer a national solution."

22

Although Neil Young has lived in Northern California on a ranch in La Honda since the 1970s, he has always retained his Canadian citizenship. He also has homes in Florida and Hawaii. He still loves Canada. He just doesn’t ever have to shovel snow from his porch or driveway.
Although Neil Young has lived in Northern California on a ranch in La Honda since the 1970s, he has always retained his Canadian citizenship. He also has homes in Florida and Hawaii. He still loves Canada. He just doesn’t ever have to shovel snow from his porch or driveway.

17

Young’s middle name is actually Percival. Just like King Arthur's legendary Knights of the Round Table or Dr. Cox from "Scrubs."
Young’s middle name is actually Percival. Just like King Arthur's legendary Knights of the Round Table or Dr. Cox from "Scrubs."

13

Neil Young is an avid paddle boarder during his free time. He said he loves paddle boarding because "it's a beautiful thing…I can't worry about the paparazzi. You can't see them anyway. They are taking pictures from behind trees. You can't think about that."
Neil Young is an avid paddle boarder during his free time. He said he loves paddle boarding because "it's a beautiful thing…I can't worry about the paparazzi. You can't see them anyway. They are taking pictures from behind trees. You can't think about that."

11

In a recent interview with Howard Stern, Young said he still smokes weed occasionally. He said that weed makes him paranoid, but he discovered that chewing two or three peppercorns before smoking resolves the paranoia.
In a recent interview with Howard Stern, Young said he still smokes weed occasionally. He said that weed makes him paranoid, but he discovered that chewing two or three peppercorns before smoking resolves the paranoia.

10

Young turned down $1,000,000 bucks to headline Woodstock in 1994. He felt that the event was too commercial and took away from the focus and spirit of the original from 1969.
Young turned down $1,000,000 bucks to headline Woodstock in 1994. He felt that the event was too commercial and took away from the focus and spirit of the original from 1969.

4

Back in 1995, Neil Young credited the late Kurt Cobain for inspiring him to renew his dedication to making music again during his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction speech.
Back in 1995, Neil Young credited the late Kurt Cobain for inspiring him to renew his dedication to making music again during his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction speech.

3

Neil Young has made such an impression on the music world that he has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. Once as a solo artist and once as a member of Buffalo Springfield. Eddie Vedder introduced his solo entry.
Neil Young has made such an impression on the music world that he has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. Once as a solo artist and once as a member of Buffalo Springfield. Eddie Vedder introduced his solo entry.

2

Neil Young is a model train collector. He once invested in Lionel Trains LLC, the world’s most famous model train company, to save it from bankruptcy. Young is now a part owner and the company does very well once again.
Neil Young is a model train collector. He once invested in Lionel Trains LLC, the world’s most famous model train company, to save it from bankruptcy. Young is now a part owner and the company does very well once again.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.