I can't listen to too much of Nick Drake as his style just pulls me down to where he was . A very definite talent taken by depression a very very great loss as his playing was so delicate and intricate: Quiet and pleasant Unlike the noisy rock of which this was contemporary .
I discovered Nick in the mid 70's after randomly buying a compilation album of Antilles Music artist. Many great songs but the King of Melancholy's song Northern Sky got under my skin and stayed there until months later I finally bought his albums. His moving and bittersweet vibe reminds of looking at an old photo albums of memories next to a second rainy day window..
@wigginsdesign You aren't kidding !! This stuff should be avoided if you are Bipolar or suffer from depression.
Being Bipolar myself I had to stop listening to this type of music I am better if I listen to up beat Rock and anything that has fight in it an opposed to lie down and die !!
He had to have 20 guitars to play live, right? Insane tunings. What a unique guitarist. (syd barrett also, dig your name) Thanks so much for posting lyrics with these.
@newyorksalright Nick rarely played live shows at the beginning of his career because he only used one guitar, which would take a while to tune in between songs and at some point he stopped playing live completely.
I love the picture of him sitting in the living room with what looks like his Mum in the background talking to an elderly, again I assume, relative while he twiddles his guitar, again I'm guessing, for his sister Gabrielle. It always makes me laugh when I think about her in Crossroads, for non Brits (and ppl who don't watch soap operas) Gabrielle Drake was in a really really lame Brit Soap Opera called Crossroads.
god and jesus are just like father Christmas, a fairy story made up to make naughty children behave. I know how to behave myself without having a reward dangled in front of me, you are born you die, that's it. If you have faith good for you, it must be very comforting during the dead of the night when thoughts run to our inevitable demise, but don't ram it down others throats. Religion should be like stamp collecting or morris dancing just something that some ppl do, and not a way of life.
His family still says to this very day that his death was accidental! They were really the only people who knew him well....Enjoy what he left for us! Cyndi
How Drake got to this level is beyond me, from a yung actor to a global star!.. People already creditin me as a future charttopper and i'm winnin awards so holla at me plus dropped a mixtape!, got a song with Jason DeRulo on point AS WELL! CHECK ME out! Someone help this 16 year old brother out!
yes, there is a lot of garbage forced on the masses as 'good music', but there are also many amazing artists still writing music just like mr. drake did in his day. it just takes a little digging... finding local pubs and stages where struggling musicians are keeping it real
People are telling others how to think on here, then we have the occasional Eufreaka, where it all becomes exposed and we can lick bare bones. Should we, shouldn't we, doesn't exist, say what you want, I'm sure the OP can push delete, as can you or I if we're embarrassed enough by our ramblings, I never delete as I'm pairfecked.
He had a lot of problems with his managers; with this album he Said: "I dont know and I dont care why you make a problem with all the music... its more simple than you can belive; give me a guitar and Im going to tell you whan I mean"; after thata... he wrote this album...
This is my favourite Nick Drake song. He deserved a few more decades. It would be easy to feel cheated by his death, but he gave us so much in his short life.
for those that love Drakes music as I do try Lyle Lovett different admitedly but songs like " North Dakota" "shes already made up her mind" if you havent heard them you will love them
i think its about walkin by farmhouse mansions in the countryside (thick with pictures, rugs and carpets) and passing fields of cattle too (a typical picture of english countryside)...A stereotype picture of a wealthy social life is gettin dressed up for evening balls and charity do's etc... won't they give me a free ride? just my opinion people because nick is from the countryside and he probably walks past the grandeur of other peoples lives, staring through well lit and large windows.
@yousaiditzero The album wasn't recorded in one take. He recorded it over two nights, but there's no suggestion each song was recorded in one take. That takes nothing away from the album, but just to distinguish the truth from the myths...
"He arrived at midnight and we started. It was done very quickly. After we had finished I asked him what I should keep, and he said all of it, which was a complete contrast to his former stance. He came in for another evening and that was it. It took hardly any time to mix, since it was only his voice and guitar, with one overdub only. Nick was adamant about what he wanted. He wanted it to be spare and stark, and he wanted it to be spontaneously recorded."
if the artist wishes to be vauge then so too should be the interpretation. clearly the projection of a "thick carpet" and "pictures on the wall" is the suggestion of grandeur, religious in nature or not. the reference to cattle, and "seeing through" is calling that grandeur an illusion. and asking for a free ride is the attempt to break the chasm between the object and the illusion. religious ideals can be substituted in, but if it was intended, then a better reference would have been given..
I think its about drugs. After all, he was a dope and Cocaine addict. Nearly all his songs seem to reflect his habit and inner conflict. Especially Harvest breed and parasite.
@liamardo007 : Cocaine ? You are kidding ? He could barely even pay the rent. He did not have a `habit', he just smoked a lot of weed, which everybody did in those days.
@beebfader Check the facts 1st? He died from an overdose of Amitriptyline, tryptizol. He was a chronic drug user. He was also a public school student at Cambridge and his parents were very wealthy. He grew up in a rather large country home.
@liamardo007 : Prescription drugs perhaps, but no I don't believe Cocaine was around him, and certainly don't think his parents would have supplied money for drugs ! (He did of course cover the song `Cocaine' but that's by the by....). Cocaine would have been interesting as it has a tendency to inflate people's egos...something he desperately needed IMHO.
@beebfader I know the facts!! Just wiki to find out his interest in hallucinogens & Heroin:
Drake began to smoke cannabis, and that spring he travelled with friends to Morocco, because, according to travelling companion Richard Charkin, "that was where you got the best pot".[20] Drake likely took his first LSD trip while in Aix,[21] and lyrics written during this period — in particular for the song "Clothes of Sand" — are suggestive of an interest in hallucinogens.[22]
@HebusxJebus Its probably easier for people with extreme mood swings to find relief in drugs, especially anti depressants. I think cannabis is a depressant, add amitryptiline to the mix and ones state of mind becomes a very deep hole to climb out of. Addicts have inherent character disorders, defects that make them more vulnerable to drug abuse, no matter what the drug is.
@liamardo007 All good and correct , but as a former addict with depression,I smoked cannabis and was prescribed amitryptiline and on the scale of drug pleasantness, amitryptiline is not on the scale, it is a horrible unpleasantly retarded feeling where even a depressed addict would not want to be so would venture that he intentionally killed himself due to depression not as an accidental OD.
@HebusxJebus I have been Bipolar since I was about 15 and I have avoided all the prescriptive drugs since I was about 26 because the Bipolar stuff was enough to cope with without the side effects of the meds !!
I have managed my Bipolar down to the lower cyclothymia which is the thin end if you like. I did this by avoiding ANYTHING stressful that I didn't really have to do and by avoiding anything that I knew to be a trigger. A glass of red wine or lager with my evening meal seems to help too.
Trevor Dann has noted that while sections of "Northern Sky" sound more characteristic of Cale, the song was the closest Drake came to a release with chart potential.[46] In his 1999 biography, Cale admits to using heroin during this period,[47] and his older friend Brian Wells began to suspect that Drake was also using
Pictures on the wall, people at the ball, counting the cattle, thick carpet. It invokes something like a mansion or a castle. And yet he sees through it, the richness, and yet asks to be included. I think she's rich and he wants to be with her - but not because of it.
There's never been a truer statement...'' Not everthing is about religion'' Although, in this case I tend to lean towards the religious interpretation, It just fits the words and the music just right. That is only my opinion, all anyone can do is speculate to what Nick may or may not have been singing about.
I really like the religion interpretation. It sure does make the song far more poetic than my naive idea.
He could be looking for an afterlife. The pictures could represents insights of it. The carpet could represent life on earth, being "thick" i.e. being hard, to make the goal even more desirable.
I first heard of Nick Drake last night. I stayed up way too late and spent too many well spent hours being infatuated with his music. Amazing. His tone alone captivates me. Great stuff!
Me too! It's incredible isn't it?! When you listen to it alone just blasting it and nothing else can or could possibly be on your mind except what you're hearing... I only feel that when listening to Dylan. This is mind blowing.
That arguements been going on for decades. The only difference today is that more people think the same. Go out and do something about it if you don't like modern music
I "discovered" nick yesterday morning with my only exposure previous being the VW commercial of 2000, which I loved and since yesterday I have searched every song he has on you tube. Brilliant stuff. Interesting that most of the posts I have seen are pure emotion and focus on the art but this one is technical. Really interesting.
Nick Drake only recorded three studio albums in his life. All are brilliant from start to finish. Five Leaves Left, Bryter Lyter and Pink Moon. Every song on every one is great. He also did a 4 song demo that included Black Eyed Dog. There is also a collection of private recordings that is available. This is where you can find his version of Smoking Too Long. His music can be very inward looking and profoundly sad.
He is truly indescribable. his music is so technical and calm. Some songs are very hard to listen to though, like black eyed dog, simply because there is such depth, and you can feel his pain through every chord. but wow, what a brilliant man. Also another album of his is Way to Blue: An introduction to Nick Drake. has some beautiful songs.
The guitar at 0:58 is a Guild M-20. All mahogany 00 body. Great guitar that Nick used very oftenly but not on this track in my opinion. Many people say Nick also used a Martin D-28. (And a 000-18 after Pink Moon was ended) Thanks.
stam: I'd guessed a 000-28, but 000-18 is good too...you're probably right... definitely a liquidy Martin comes to mind... I had a Martin D18S that sounded a bit like this, tuned down to some scordatura.
legoe, There's a lot of differing opinion about which guitars he used, but I have a 1962 M-20 and it sounds amazing; it's very close in sound to Nick's recordings. I also have an all mahogany martin 000-15 that sounds very close.
Thanks!! I know about Nick and all mahogany guitar m 20..but I like very much the guitar sound on this track and think it is not an m20...sound like rosewood and spruce to my ears but im not sure...maybe a martin d28? The playing is so good!
the present m20 is made in china..seems like a good guitar anyway.. and the 15 Martins with the M&Tjoint with a metal bolt and a sound too brigh to me....questions.. THANKS!!
Lejoe, I've heard he played a Martin, but a d28 is pretty bright...certainly brighter than the 15 series, but who knows. My guess is maybe a vintage 000-18 with a mahogany body and an adirondack spruce top. Everyone's ear is different, but I play this song on my m-20 and it sounds close enough for me. Good luck with your search.
If by "stuff" you mean music with "soul" then you'll be glad to know its still alive underground and lives on in records, tapes, cds and youtube for those who reject modern mainstream music.
haha he couldn't even perform in front of a 50 people audience because he was to shy. If he had to perform at woodstock, he probably would have died on stage:) But still he was the greatest musician ever.
I discovered his music recently too, I found him in the top friends of a MySpace page. I had never heard of him, but I searched about his music and his life and I was enthralled. Now I'm a huge fan.
If John Keats was alive, he would be Nick Drake.
MrMercer123 2 months ago 3
found him because of an awesome vw commersial
BayouBluesMan 3 months ago
@BayouBluesMan I read about the VW commercial and his songs were also in a really good movie...THE LAKE HOUSE with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reaves.
hanna14394 1 month ago
I can't listen to too much of Nick Drake as his style just pulls me down to where he was . A very definite talent taken by depression a very very great loss as his playing was so delicate and intricate: Quiet and pleasant Unlike the noisy rock of which this was contemporary .
domnal 4 months ago
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search nicolas and the iceni summers end. they write beautiful folk which has echoes of denny and drake.
Blake788 4 months ago
he took amitrips??? wtf my doctor gave me those peace of shit things for depression
twinspeaksful 6 months ago
se "mi piace"???...
L'ADORO! ^ì^
TheFarfallo 6 months ago
I discovered Nick in the mid 70's after randomly buying a compilation album of Antilles Music artist. Many great songs but the King of Melancholy's song Northern Sky got under my skin and stayed there until months later I finally bought his albums. His moving and bittersweet vibe reminds of looking at an old photo albums of memories next to a second rainy day window..
wigginsdesign 6 months ago in playlist Nick Drake
@wigginsdesign You aren't kidding !! This stuff should be avoided if you are Bipolar or suffer from depression.
Being Bipolar myself I had to stop listening to this type of music I am better if I listen to up beat Rock and anything that has fight in it an opposed to lie down and die !!
domnal 4 months ago
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wigginsdesign 6 months ago in playlist Nick Drake
One of my favourites by him.
silencesfell 6 months ago
Everytime I hear this song it makes me think of a comment someone once said about Nick:
"Nick, you made being a teenager with a soul as old as the sky more bearable. Thank you."
TubaGirl01 8 months ago 20
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This video was just added to a music playlist at JustPlay.fm
justplayfm 8 months ago
He had to have 20 guitars to play live, right? Insane tunings. What a unique guitarist. (syd barrett also, dig your name) Thanks so much for posting lyrics with these.
newyorksalright 8 months ago
@newyorksalright Nope! He would play a song and then tune for another, and then tune to a different set for another song.
TubaGirl01 8 months ago
@newyorksalright Nick rarely played live shows at the beginning of his career because he only used one guitar, which would take a while to tune in between songs and at some point he stopped playing live completely.
LedZepGunsNSabbath94 5 months ago
1999. Beautiful. Thank you.
mielazul 9 months ago
:38
nick drake is the fucking man.
SoIncrediblyHigh 9 months ago
sweet souLs can bareLy tolerate this harsh world.....star children stick together!
TheCallforunity 9 months ago 2
Excellent video, you have some great photos
lydiabbc 9 months ago
Looks like I've found my new influence!
RaMbOwgINI 1 year ago
"Progressive Metal: Riff Building" 's comment brought me here.
RaMbOwgINI 1 year ago
I love the picture of him sitting in the living room with what looks like his Mum in the background talking to an elderly, again I assume, relative while he twiddles his guitar, again I'm guessing, for his sister Gabrielle. It always makes me laugh when I think about her in Crossroads, for non Brits (and ppl who don't watch soap operas) Gabrielle Drake was in a really really lame Brit Soap Opera called Crossroads.
yakacm 1 year ago
@yakacm But she was a babe nonetheless.
bazmitch 10 months ago
god and jesus are just like father Christmas, a fairy story made up to make naughty children behave. I know how to behave myself without having a reward dangled in front of me, you are born you die, that's it. If you have faith good for you, it must be very comforting during the dead of the night when thoughts run to our inevitable demise, but don't ram it down others throats. Religion should be like stamp collecting or morris dancing just something that some ppl do, and not a way of life.
yakacm 1 year ago
@yakacm
stamp collecting ? ok ....
MsHarrythedirtydog 10 months ago
@MsHarrythedirtydog Sorry, only good girls swallow, MARIA - you didn't swallow.
TheOldEchoes 10 months ago
i like that saying on his grave' "we rise and now we are everywhere" rings true' like jesus said "my father has many rooms"
jokeraces22 1 year ago
eerie calmness = acceptance of his fate.
georgelstein 1 year ago
this IS the best that life can offer...
goblu91 1 year ago 3
amazing song...for some reason it reminds me of like middle eastern music, almost like arabian stuff.
nickys15 1 year ago
its amazing how he was so depressed when he was still alive, when his songs have such an eerie calmness about them
leyway 1 year ago 2
Does anyone else think he resembles Jim Morrison?
DaysStrange 1 year ago
ALL THIS DID KASPAROFF!
watch?v=is4by4Ls_1g
watch?v=deIAXQ6TbBw
Abcider 1 year ago
why does scott walker redirect me to here?
MikeHuntagape 1 year ago
This guys is SOOOOOO fuckin good! Rest In Peace Nick, you were and still are awesome!
warprod 1 year ago
His family still says to this very day that his death was accidental! They were really the only people who knew him well....Enjoy what he left for us! Cyndi
MikeNC2371 1 year ago
@MikeNC2371 his sister thought it was suicide- she thought it would be tragic if it was an accident... odd way of thinking but whatever...
Kola1605 1 year ago
I discovered Nick by accident, It was like stumbling into a cave full of treasure.
hotdognights 1 year ago 90
@hotdognights that's a very nice way to put it
Syudu 1 year ago
@hotdognights I just discovered Nick the same way today, thanks to this song, and I share the exact same feeling.
Heuh999 10 months ago
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MartinDarrelltn 1 year ago
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vadonnelly 1 year ago
how have i lived 42 years and never heard of this guy? awesome
ronlowe1968 1 year ago 4
@ronlowe1968 every M.A.S.H. episode you heard him and didn;t even know it...haha..AWWW welcome into the light sir !
3whisperedwords 1 year ago
@3whisperedwords Nick Drake had nothing to do with M.A.S.H.
WillShakespeare2007 1 year ago
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How Drake got to this level is beyond me, from a yung actor to a global star!.. People already creditin me as a future charttopper and i'm winnin awards so holla at me plus dropped a mixtape!, got a song with Jason DeRulo on point AS WELL! CHECK ME out! Someone help this 16 year old brother out!
DJSugz 1 year ago
Did the Madcap really laugh at the man at the border?
kirkpatrick321 1 year ago
wat a beautiful artist
dannycefc 1 year ago
god so nice
buikremasters 1 year ago
Very soothing....the 'good' truly do die young :(
carrierasquinha 1 year ago
What to do with all this world..?
RoamingWind777 1 year ago
pure natural talent.....all i gotta say
pattykins10 1 year ago
Lovely song!!!! While many people may find his music depressing, I find it uplifting!!! Nice compilation of photos... Cheers!!!!
redwest01 1 year ago
yes, there is a lot of garbage forced on the masses as 'good music', but there are also many amazing artists still writing music just like mr. drake did in his day. it just takes a little digging... finding local pubs and stages where struggling musicians are keeping it real
setheson 1 year ago 9
I mean no disrespect, but some of his songs blow bob dylan's out of the water.
theredreceivers 1 year ago 6
This song is a depiction of his own self worth I feel.
peterkiggin 1 year ago
Amazing.
Zerrith 1 year ago
it doesnt matter what Nick Drake wrote the song about, all that matters is what memories and thoughts it provokes when you hear it.
soruche 1 year ago
was nick drake singing the first song in "blind side"? if so, which one?gabs
MsSdow 1 year ago
What a pity this man has never really broken through.
lucasvanrijn 1 year ago 2
He has now
demiser44 1 year ago
People are telling others how to think on here, then we have the occasional Eufreaka, where it all becomes exposed and we can lick bare bones. Should we, shouldn't we, doesn't exist, say what you want, I'm sure the OP can push delete, as can you or I if we're embarrassed enough by our ramblings, I never delete as I'm pairfecked.
davidoffon 1 year ago
ahhh stop trying to interpret it.
kels327 1 year ago
He had a lot of problems with his managers; with this album he Said: "I dont know and I dont care why you make a problem with all the music... its more simple than you can belive; give me a guitar and Im going to tell you whan I mean"; after thata... he wrote this album...
Delayer1000 1 year ago 3
This is my favourite Nick Drake song. He deserved a few more decades. It would be easy to feel cheated by his death, but he gave us so much in his short life.
Inamoratalimerence 1 year ago 3
i think everybody it taking it too literally. I think it's just about wanting to be accepted.
cosmojo72 2 years ago
where is he buried?
ohshiite 2 years ago
Tanworth In Arden, England
madcap66laughs 1 year ago 9
for those that love Drakes music as I do try Lyle Lovett different admitedly but songs like " North Dakota" "shes already made up her mind" if you havent heard them you will love them
48brianm 2 years ago
i think its about walkin by farmhouse mansions in the countryside (thick with pictures, rugs and carpets) and passing fields of cattle too (a typical picture of english countryside)...A stereotype picture of a wealthy social life is gettin dressed up for evening balls and charity do's etc... won't they give me a free ride? just my opinion people because nick is from the countryside and he probably walks past the grandeur of other peoples lives, staring through well lit and large windows.
cheechierocks 2 years ago
I completely agree with toothfairytats, all we can do is speculate, but I like the religious aspect of it all, it does suite the tone.
DylanTownesDrake 2 years ago
Well respected but shortlived. All his songs are "short and sweet".
rickzters 2 years ago
The fact that he recorded this last album in one take and the whole album is gorgeous is absolutely mind blowing....Here's to you Nick.....
yousaiditzero 2 years ago 65
@yousaiditzero The album wasn't recorded in one take. He recorded it over two nights, but there's no suggestion each song was recorded in one take. That takes nothing away from the album, but just to distinguish the truth from the myths...
Johnny6666 1 year ago
@Johnny6666 Yes he did record this album with no re takes
yousaiditzero 1 year ago
@yousaiditzero Where is your information from?
Johnny6666 1 year ago
@Johnny6666 Nick Drake The Biography Patrick Humfries
yousaiditzero 1 year ago
@Johnny6666
Pink Moon
"He arrived at midnight and we started. It was done very quickly. After we had finished I asked him what I should keep, and he said all of it, which was a complete contrast to his former stance. He came in for another evening and that was it. It took hardly any time to mix, since it was only his voice and guitar, with one overdub only. Nick was adamant about what he wanted. He wanted it to be spare and stark, and he wanted it to be spontaneously recorded."
John Wood
Kcinekard 1 year ago 5
@Johnny6666
John Wood, sound engineer for Pink Moon
Kcinekard 1 year ago
if the artist wishes to be vauge then so too should be the interpretation. clearly the projection of a "thick carpet" and "pictures on the wall" is the suggestion of grandeur, religious in nature or not. the reference to cattle, and "seeing through" is calling that grandeur an illusion. and asking for a free ride is the attempt to break the chasm between the object and the illusion. religious ideals can be substituted in, but if it was intended, then a better reference would have been given..
MrFubbels 2 years ago 5
I think its about drugs. After all, he was a dope and Cocaine addict. Nearly all his songs seem to reflect his habit and inner conflict. Especially Harvest breed and parasite.
liamardo007 2 years ago
@liamardo007 : Cocaine ? You are kidding ? He could barely even pay the rent. He did not have a `habit', he just smoked a lot of weed, which everybody did in those days.
beebfader 6 months ago
@beebfader Check the facts 1st? He died from an overdose of Amitriptyline, tryptizol. He was a chronic drug user. He was also a public school student at Cambridge and his parents were very wealthy. He grew up in a rather large country home.
liamardo007 6 months ago
@liamardo007 : Prescription drugs perhaps, but no I don't believe Cocaine was around him, and certainly don't think his parents would have supplied money for drugs ! (He did of course cover the song `Cocaine' but that's by the by....). Cocaine would have been interesting as it has a tendency to inflate people's egos...something he desperately needed IMHO.
beebfader 6 months ago
@beebfader I know the facts!! Just wiki to find out his interest in hallucinogens & Heroin:
Drake began to smoke cannabis, and that spring he travelled with friends to Morocco, because, according to travelling companion Richard Charkin, "that was where you got the best pot".[20] Drake likely took his first LSD trip while in Aix,[21] and lyrics written during this period — in particular for the song "Clothes of Sand" — are suggestive of an interest in hallucinogens.[22]
And....
liamardo007 6 months ago
@liamardo007 amitryptiline is not a drug of abuse, it is a fucking horrible feeling old school antidepressant, was it suicide ?
HebusxJebus 6 months ago
@HebusxJebus Its probably easier for people with extreme mood swings to find relief in drugs, especially anti depressants. I think cannabis is a depressant, add amitryptiline to the mix and ones state of mind becomes a very deep hole to climb out of. Addicts have inherent character disorders, defects that make them more vulnerable to drug abuse, no matter what the drug is.
liamardo007 6 months ago
@liamardo007 All good and correct , but as a former addict with depression,I smoked cannabis and was prescribed amitryptiline and on the scale of drug pleasantness, amitryptiline is not on the scale, it is a horrible unpleasantly retarded feeling where even a depressed addict would not want to be so would venture that he intentionally killed himself due to depression not as an accidental OD.
HebusxJebus 6 months ago
@HebusxJebus I have been Bipolar since I was about 15 and I have avoided all the prescriptive drugs since I was about 26 because the Bipolar stuff was enough to cope with without the side effects of the meds !!
I have managed my Bipolar down to the lower cyclothymia which is the thin end if you like. I did this by avoiding ANYTHING stressful that I didn't really have to do and by avoiding anything that I knew to be a trigger. A glass of red wine or lager with my evening meal seems to help too.
domnal 4 months ago
@beebfader: Further...
Trevor Dann has noted that while sections of "Northern Sky" sound more characteristic of Cale, the song was the closest Drake came to a release with chart potential.[46] In his 1999 biography, Cale admits to using heroin during this period,[47] and his older friend Brian Wells began to suspect that Drake was also using
liamardo007 6 months ago
Pictures on the wall, people at the ball, counting the cattle, thick carpet. It invokes something like a mansion or a castle. And yet he sees through it, the richness, and yet asks to be included. I think she's rich and he wants to be with her - but not because of it.
Not everything is about religion.
rvkan 2 years ago 3
There's never been a truer statement...'' Not everthing is about religion'' Although, in this case I tend to lean towards the religious interpretation, It just fits the words and the music just right. That is only my opinion, all anyone can do is speculate to what Nick may or may not have been singing about.
toothfairytats 2 years ago 5
I really like the religion interpretation. It sure does make the song far more poetic than my naive idea.
He could be looking for an afterlife. The pictures could represents insights of it. The carpet could represent life on earth, being "thick" i.e. being hard, to make the goal even more desirable.
fabviale 2 years ago 2
Our guitar player thinks it could be about religion and people wanting the "free ride" because of the pictures they keep on the wall (saints??)
bajacaca 2 years ago 2
im assuming it could be just an observation of all that he sees at home. all the isolation too.
Yuna 2 years ago 3
I love this song.
Do you guys have any ideas what are the lyrics about ?
Some sentences tell me he is talking about a prostitute. "free ride" "cattle ... go by the door" "people ... will come to the ball"
What do you think ?
fabviale 2 years ago
Cattle are the men, waiting for them, basically all queing up for a "free ride".
SSCxLGTxMTz 2 years ago 2
I met Nick Drake with the Royal Tenenbaums OST.
:) Proud of it.
Great movie, great sound, great director.
ninjabunnyhardcore 2 years ago
I first heard of Nick Drake last night. I stayed up way too late and spent too many well spent hours being infatuated with his music. Amazing. His tone alone captivates me. Great stuff!
sclan2 2 years ago
Me too! It's incredible isn't it?! When you listen to it alone just blasting it and nothing else can or could possibly be on your mind except what you're hearing... I only feel that when listening to Dylan. This is mind blowing.
toothfairytats 2 years ago 4
try josh ritter (thin blue flame or idaho as starting songs) he's the best lyracist of the 21st century bar none.
MrFubbels 2 years ago
What a legend. I can't believe I just recently discovered his music.
monoclethief 2 years ago 5
ditto man!!
slipknoter01 2 years ago
Too bad he's no longer alive, that sucks, but great music.
davemcann 2 years ago 2
how do you tune to this song AADEBE???? anyone
subocaj22 2 years ago
CGCFCE
righteousitis 2 years ago
tune the E string down to A thentune the G string down to E. Never tune up, always down.
Match the E string with the open A
match the G string with the open E
alejandro15187 2 years ago
A low E string down tuned to A is a massive drop
invictorium 2 years ago
genious.....thank you for giving my soul a free ride RIP
oldkingofthesouth22 2 years ago 3
Wow! Amazing!
cidastolz 2 years ago
Nothing comes even close to you Nicholas. You will always be The Best
adelski68 2 years ago 9
onya Nick RIP brother.
michaelivingstone 2 years ago
Perfect song, perfect guitar ! Because perfect artist !
AlecNRoll16 2 years ago 2
they all die at 26
rip
Walaman6 2 years ago
actually they all die at 27 (pigpen, janis, jimi, jim morrison, brian jones, kurt cobain)
nick drake and gram parsons were 26
sometimescharlie 2 years ago 7
i've had this stuck in my head for a couple of days now, awesome.
flozzylozzy 2 years ago
What a tune!
johnkungfui 2 years ago 3
What a great loss, but at least we can enjoy what we have of is spiritual talent.
maryebj 2 years ago 8
love that first picture with nick in that colourful clothes. that must have been taken in Burma...?
ptalex1976 2 years ago
hmmm.. he moved when he was four... did he go back? i dunno
Willdutchbro 2 years ago 2
great job
frank711firefox 2 years ago
Thanks so much MadCap for adding the lyrics.
magalator 2 years ago 2
No problem : )
madcap66laughs 2 years ago
When you think of the total and utter shit that is passed off as music nowdays and then you hear this piece of magic. Where did it all go wrong?
Punorss 3 years ago 61
Nothing went wrong. When you listen to the radio ... ok, maybe. But what about Radiohead, Keane (Perfect Symmetry!) or others - music will never die.
Espentree 2 years ago
I think exactly the same, for the most part - but there are some super bands around, especially in Radiohead
stroketheboat 2 years ago 3
That arguements been going on for decades. The only difference today is that more people think the same. Go out and do something about it if you don't like modern music
qwerly45 2 years ago
@Punorss idk man its horrible the new crap that we call music
takanuvathegreat 1 year ago
@Punorss
This actually sounds a LOT like some of the music released today. A whole lot.
LolCaramelz 1 year ago
@Punorss simon fucking cowell
joydivision808 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@joydivision808 May he burn in Hell.
Punorss 1 year ago
@Punorss
Without God, man is nothing.
psychkoala 1 year ago
@psychkoala Is that a fact.
Punorss 1 year ago
@psychkoala The only god on this page is nick drake. Please take your sermon some place else. Without man, god is nothing.
sellout87 9 months ago
@sellout87
Erin Go Bragh.
psychkoala 9 months ago
I bought his first album many years ago,when he was alive now for me he is a legend. thanks for every contribute!
villoncorbiere 3 years ago 4
I "discovered" nick yesterday morning with my only exposure previous being the VW commercial of 2000, which I loved and since yesterday I have searched every song he has on you tube. Brilliant stuff. Interesting that most of the posts I have seen are pure emotion and focus on the art but this one is technical. Really interesting.
vintagepremoon 3 years ago
Nick Drake only recorded three studio albums in his life. All are brilliant from start to finish. Five Leaves Left, Bryter Lyter and Pink Moon. Every song on every one is great. He also did a 4 song demo that included Black Eyed Dog. There is also a collection of private recordings that is available. This is where you can find his version of Smoking Too Long. His music can be very inward looking and profoundly sad.
RossM3838 3 years ago 3
I am in a similar situation as you! Same reflection on the posts, and same late-in-knowing. I've been crying a bit here ... yikes.
cadetstarnoodle 3 years ago
He is truly indescribable. his music is so technical and calm. Some songs are very hard to listen to though, like black eyed dog, simply because there is such depth, and you can feel his pain through every chord. but wow, what a brilliant man. Also another album of his is Way to Blue: An introduction to Nick Drake. has some beautiful songs.
ripHL14 2 years ago
stam: the guitar he wields at :58 looks a bit like a Guild headstock, small body like a 000... or OM...
songblam 3 years ago
The guitar at 0:58 is a Guild M-20. All mahogany 00 body. Great guitar that Nick used very oftenly but not on this track in my opinion. Many people say Nick also used a Martin D-28. (And a 000-18 after Pink Moon was ended) Thanks.
lejoe48 3 years ago
0.33 Yamaha classical. Supposedly used in "Horn" (Pink Moon).
lejoe48 3 years ago
Ah Nick...so very fine....
stam: I'd guessed a 000-28, but 000-18 is good too...you're probably right... definitely a liquidy Martin comes to mind... I had a Martin D18S that sounded a bit like this, tuned down to some scordatura.
Nick lives....
songblam 3 years ago
Wonderful pictures, thanks x
featherbliss 3 years ago
Would we wish to have moving pictures of Nick Drake?
jacomosfree 3 years ago 2
i don't know why more people don't know about Mr.Drake, he's amazing RIP
wasp714 3 years ago 2
I've just created a group on facebook about Nick Drake. Join it!
Penelaupe 3 years ago
Greatest!!!!!!---...What's the guitar model is Nick using here? maybe a guild m 20? or a spruce topped?...
I want that guitar! I love the sound. Thanks.
lejoe48 3 years ago
legoe, There's a lot of differing opinion about which guitars he used, but I have a 1962 M-20 and it sounds amazing; it's very close in sound to Nick's recordings. I also have an all mahogany martin 000-15 that sounds very close.
stamjojoda 3 years ago
oops! sorry I got your name wrong, Lejoe
stamjojoda 3 years ago
Thanks!! I know about Nick and all mahogany guitar m 20..but I like very much the guitar sound on this track and think it is not an m20...sound like rosewood and spruce to my ears but im not sure...maybe a martin d28? The playing is so good!
the present m20 is made in china..seems like a good guitar anyway.. and the 15 Martins with the M&Tjoint with a metal bolt and a sound too brigh to me....questions.. THANKS!!
lejoe48 3 years ago
Lejoe, I've heard he played a Martin, but a d28 is pretty bright...certainly brighter than the 15 series, but who knows. My guess is maybe a vintage 000-18 with a mahogany body and an adirondack spruce top. Everyone's ear is different, but I play this song on my m-20 and it sounds close enough for me. Good luck with your search.
stamjojoda 3 years ago
Thanks a lot!!
lejoe48 3 years ago
amazing musician
LiaTyson 3 years ago 2
So nice to ride with you Nick...
songblam 3 years ago 3
I wonder why this stuff is never made these days....
parachutes2005 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Niggas
Jetrodmatmat 3 years ago
huh? what are you talking about?lol
WhySoGr33n 3 years ago
What? lol! Drake rules ok
galsandlagher 3 years ago
If by "stuff" you mean music with "soul" then you'll be glad to know its still alive underground and lives on in records, tapes, cds and youtube for those who reject modern mainstream music.
qwerly45 2 years ago 3
Great tune!
Tir Na Nog did good job too!
outdemonsout 3 years ago
was he at woodstock?
whitepointer2 3 years ago
haha he couldn't even perform in front of a 50 people audience because he was to shy. If he had to perform at woodstock, he probably would have died on stage:) But still he was the greatest musician ever.
Enzaio 3 years ago 4
i've been on this planet for nearly 17 years and NOW i find Nick Drake!?! wow what the hell was i doing til now?
mypantsmetal 3 years ago 5
I was 30 before I found him -- I'm just glad I did -- and you too :)
limeginger 3 years ago
Great voice, nice song. So sad he died so young. Who knows how far he could have gone...?
kottmeier 3 years ago 4
amazing.
justmusic247 3 years ago 2
beautiful music, on my best memories is driving through Malvern in the middle of the summer listening to this music, good times sadly gone like him.
tomwgasa 3 years ago 4
just discovered it today thanks to a typo in my search bar.
thank god for typos.
brilliant music, very touching on a deep emotional level.
Tujdosen 3 years ago 4
I was reading a Nick Hornby book and he refered to Nick Drake, and the characters listened to and emotionally connected to him.
so i sought him out, and am now in love. especially with this song
samxtr3m3 3 years ago 5
same to me... good book.
heemanhey 3 years ago
just discovered him recently too,His talent is amazing!
lilc7zoso 3 years ago 3
I'm just discovering this guy's music right now and its amazing.
ibexr88 3 years ago 4
I discovered his music recently too, I found him in the top friends of a MySpace page. I had never heard of him, but I searched about his music and his life and I was enthralled. Now I'm a huge fan.
joaofelixsilva 3 years ago 2
Perhaps its just me, but parts of the guitar playing remind me of Mike Oldfield here...I'm thinking "Tubular Bells" .
Anyway - this song is just brilliant.
scotsburd63 3 years ago