Nick Drake is one of the great unsolvable enigmas. If only he could’ve known the intense comfort he has given so many with his unique art. He died unheralded, unknown and seemingly in great inner turmoil.
He only became appreciated after his death. His albums did virtually nothing when they were released. Most current followers only love him BECAUSE of his tragic story.
Anyone with clinical depression can recognize the disease in this song, and many others he wrote, kind of like how a mother can recognize the cry of her own child.
Nick Drake was such an outstanding talent, unrecognized in his short life. He indeed suffered from depression and died of an overdose of antidepressants (accidentally, it’s believed). The final of his three albums, Pink Moon, is a masterpiece.
Being about painfulness of life and living, still as relevant and powerful as when it was written more than 50 years ago. Nick Drake was a VERY special songwriter...
Nick took his sadness & turned it into unforgettable art. Even in his melancholy you see that he viewed the World with a sense of wonder. When I was deep in depression during My 20s, I found comfort in his work. Nick unfortunately suffered from the same condition. He died from an overdose of an anti-depressant he was prescribed. We're not sure if it was accidental or suicide. He died in 1974. His other music is also excellent. You should listen to a song of his called "At the Chime of a City Clock".
Nick Drake is one of the best songwritters of the 60-70's. I recommend the songs Fruit tree, At the chime of a city clock, Things behind the sun. Really an amazing artist to discover. Yes there is a lot of sadness in his music and his voice but so beautiful and deep
Nick was a great talent, but a troubled soul, you can hear the melancholy in his voice, his career was hampered by 2 issues the first issue being very shy and introverted Nick never did any promotional work or interviews to get his music more widely known, and his record company/management struggled to find a pigeonhole for his music, it wasn't Folk, or Pop, or Soft Rock, plus there was so much competition at the time for male singer songwriters such as Donovan, Cat Stephens, James Taylor, Gilbert O'Sullivan, even The likes of Bowie and Elton John, it made it very hard to market his particular genius. It is such a shame as we will never know the heights he could have achieved. But still he left us with 3 of the most beautiful albums ever recorded. And his influence on other artists is immeasurable. You should also check out one of Nick's great friends, John Martyn, who was also a great talent, songs like May You Never and Solid Air (written as a dedication to Nick Drake).
Kind of seems like he was developing schizophrenia, and that’s why he was isolating himself more and more. Such a beautiful song, such a beautiful voice, Such a beautiful person.
There is no going back from this now. Once you know him, he stays with you. I as so many people who picked up guitar to write their own stuff, will always connect with him on a deep and emotional level. Everyone who I have played anything form him to, though it was something new, like recorded not so long ago...that´s how good his music is.
The melancholy the permeates Nick Drakes music feels so real. It can make you feel real emotions… that’s a sign of a true artist. Nick had a truly tough life, and this was his outlet. It’s a window to his soul.
His life was not and was tough. He was raised in a reasonably affluent household, so not toughness there. Near the end, he did not know what made him so depressed. He had symptoms of someone who has smoked so much pot (which he did) that they developed schizophrenia, which of course is tough.
His first album titled ‘5 leaves left’ came out 5 years before his passing. 2nd album ‘bryter layter’ foreshadowed his posthumous fame. His third and final album titled ‘pink moon’ is an ominous sign In the end he took his own life
@@loke5551in the new book'The Life' which came out earlier this summer, it was revealed he took a bottle of antidepressants which was around 60 pills. I think the amount of at least 40 pills was found in his stomach. A year earlier he took 12 pills and went into half coma at home. These are written in letters by his parents so reliable information. I think it is safe to say he committed suicide.
Be careful opening the Pandora's Box that is Nick Drake, Harri. An extraordinary talent snuffed out at the age of 26, having recorded 3 albums for Island records ignored by both critics and the public until well after his death in 1974. Possibly the musical equivalent of Vincent Van Gogh.
Your reaction is so interesting. I find Riverman instantly calming and uplifting, personally. It's such a magical song, thank you for sharing your reaction.
Nick Drake is an absolutely phenomenal artist, there’s truly nobody else like him. His songs Pink Moon, Road, Which Will, and Far Leys are some really beautiful ones I’d recommend.
You are spot on harri. I see beauty in it. He starts his notes too soon and holds them too long, according to some. To me it's beautiful. His music was recorded in the 60s and early 70s. Nobody was doing this type of music back then. To those of us that have lived in a lot of darkness not of our choosing this type of music is very soothing and never uncomfortable. I'm sorry it me you uncomfortable. I believe he was 26 or 27 when he passed
@@junkyardheaven so right ! the time signature transports you away from the ordinary . I rarely hear praise for the absolutely stupendous STRING ARRANGEMENT made for this , by Nick's friend he knew from his high school years . The strings are atleast half of what makes this song so incredible & mysterious. •••••••• reminds me also of the cover of a song Colin Blunstone did on his album titled 'One Year'. The song is 'Misty Roses' Colin wrote a long , surprising , very inspired string section - just gorgeous.
No-one delivered melancholy with such a sweet tenderness as Drake, another triumph of this tune is the strings, a couple of folks had tried (and failed) to score something that gelled until the guy (whose name I forget) who'd scored many of the Hammer horror movies came on board and grasped the songs time signature (which had caused difficulty for the others before him) and brought a perfect sense of drama
Your reaction is excellent as a first experience with this song. I appreciate the way you express yourself here, responding well to the mood of the song and even your own inability to put into words the deep sadness that comes through in the song. The singer/guitarist Nick Drake produced three studio albums, mostly material as deeply melancholy as this song--an expression of his own troubled consciousness, solitary and increasingly depressive as time went on. And at the age of 26, he died from an overdose of antidepressants. No one is sure whether it was accidental or intentional, but it's clear that he was on a downward spiral. His final few songs, not on a studio album at that point, were a harrowing next stage after the bleak but beautiful "Pink Moon" album. Sadly, he didn't achieve the wider recognition and acclaim that he deserved until long after his death, and today he has a large cult following and has influenced a number of artists through his powerful music.
This is one of three favorite songs, by the tragic bard, along with "Pink Moon" and "One of These Things First". Not until tonight did I think that the river man from this song is the same river man at the end of Siddhartha...who ferries people to the other shore, so to speak. Nick was anticipating his own demise here, I feel sure, though not knowing the lyrics well enough. He was close to the edge, down by the proverbial river. Like Elliott Smith, he was taken too soon. You, Harri, have a keen intuition, and a soulful ear, for picking up on that sadness. What a great great song.
Love listening to Nick Drake when I'm chillin' on the deck with a cigar and a glass of fine Bourbon on the rocks. Great way to relax on a weekend evening.
Oh I can just see you melting into the song, the way your eyes closed when the birds sang. Your vibe just matches the song. I think he died by his own hand. 😥
@@dishields7808I’m a pretty big fan of Nick’s. Along with the tracks you mentioned, I also enjoy One of These Things First, Time Has Told Me and Way to Blue (amongst many others).
I bought a CD of greatest hits of Nick Drake on a whim at Virgin Records on Oxford St., while doing my Master's at UCL in London. I come form the Caribbean, and Nick Drake's music was my companion during those long London winter nights. It's a music so universal, so haunting, deep and beautiful, once I put it on it was like I've heard all of it before. Spoke to me of universal, even eternal, themes of melancholy, loneliness and sadness. It actually helped me a lot through my first year living alone, away from home, in a foreign land.
Listening to Nick gives you a desire to know more about him....especially after learning that he's not in this realm anymore. A couple of years ago when I first discovered him, I couldn't rest until I knew more of his story. Sadly, his fame came after his death. It leaves me with a longing to have known him personally. The little I've learned about his personality and shyness of perfoming in public, I'm not sure how he would have handled all of the intrustion that fame can bring into one's life. I hope that somehow he knows now how much pleasure he's brought so many with his dreamy music. Maybe we'll get to meet him in heaven one day.😔
A feature of this great mysterious song i love --- is the profound string arrangements which were written by a friend Nick knew when they both were in high school. Triumph of friendship ! I have the same kind of admiration for Colin Blunstone's cover of song 'Misty Roses' on his album title 'One Year'. I understand he wrote the incredible string arrangements himself !
To me Nick Drake was something of a genius, bringing a depth I've never ever felt with most if not all other artists. ( a bit of hendrix did that too...maybe.) Love your reaction cause it's sincere and talks true!
Nick Drake was amazingly talented. Tragic situation, depression is a killer disease. I stumbled into his stuff after reading an article in Record Collector, pre internet. Went on to search out his albums on vinyl. I'm eternally grateful for that magazine article. Nice reaction. Peace and love to you and yours
Listen to his friend John Martyn's song for him called "Solid Air" You'll hear not only a moving tribute to a great musician, but one of the most beautiful voices from the 60's and 70's, an outstanding guitarist and one of Britain's greatest double bass players, Danny Thompson, wrapped in a deep mesmerizing swirl of space and color and vibe. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UikPQOaJpfU.html
I love the way Nick Drake tuned his guitar. I listen to his music regularly. Cello Song and From The Morning are my favorite songs. Edit: You should give a listen to Alexi Murdoch. He sounds quite a bit like Nick Drake and so does his guitar work.
Good that you have entered into the music of Nick. He is admired, his music, verse and voice. He wouldn't be widely known in his own time. In 1987, the completion of his music, "time of no replay" was released -made my brother and I fans. We learned that Nick's three albums were influences on R.E.M., The Cure, Kate Bush and others. A advert for Volkswagen, used "Pink Moon" in 1999. A little Nick can be therapeutic -other moments, 'bliss', some a dark place you don't want to join, but Nick' tells you how it was. The Lad should be in the Rock Hall for his influence,...but, would he accept if still with us?
@@billythedog-309 "Time of No Reply" - complication of Nick Drake's music, 1987; Hannibal records -it existed; re-titled "Made to Love Magic" in 2004. Also, "Way to Blue" from 1994 (Hannibal/Island) is another great complication of Nick.
You have great insight into this song. The river is the River Styx, the riverman is the one that transports the souls to the afterlife and Nick Drake was extremely depressed. Was Betty a friend that was dying or did he see himself in that role as you noted? He died from a drug OD of anti-depressants at 26 years of age over 50 years ago. His music, and this one in particular, carries a sad emotional and thoughtful presence.
This is the saddest, most emotional song I’ve ever heard. It’s the one song that brings me to tears EVERY time I hear it. The River Styx. I’ve thought that as well. I liked your musings on the mysterious Betty as well. Great comment on a magnificent work. RIP, Nick. You left way too soon.
As a brazilian musician I was impressed the first time I heard this song: the texture of his voice, harmony, arrangement, 5/4 guitar compass, it's timbre. Weeks later, hypnotized, heard it repeatedly, ended up playing and singing it. Sincerely, now i find this song almost unbearable to hear... This dangerously comfortable sadness.
So glad you got to hear Nick’s music. He has a cult following, and deservedly so. He was ahead of his time I do believe. Other artists at this time were doing folk songs or delving into pyschodelia. Other song you might enjoy by him include Time has told me, Northern Sky, Pink Moon, Saturday Sun, Poor Boy
Good on you for sharing this amazing piece of an artist who is still to this day very much unknown. There is a reason why David Bowie and Robert Smith often mentioned Nick Drake as a major influence: these are artists that I would compare to Literature. And by the way Nick Drake studied Literature, poetry such as William Blake. Sadly, Nick Drake appeared in the era of Pop music. Nick Drake is not a pop artist, his influences are more folk, jazz and classical music quite clearly. He owes more to Donovan Lietch than to Elvis Presley. If you put Nick Drake back in the context he was in, it is in the mist of the Beatlemania. So, he is out of place. The opposition of style between Nick Drake and The Beatles is very relevant because it is the same opposition that we see between Literature and Cinema. If you look at the Nouvelle Vague movement in French Cinema circa the same era, their goal was to be recognized as a Major Art similar to Literature, Painting, Sculpture. That in my view is what defines Nick Drake, he was not fit for his era or for our era for that matter because he was not trying to make a statement. What do masses prefer: reading a book or watching movies? Reading a book calls for your full participation, your soul, your experience, your imagination, everything that makes you as a person is required to read a book. Cinema does not require your participation, they give you what it is and you just accept it. This is why we are so moved by The Riverman, it does create some soul searching. Compare this to Julia from the White Album of the Beatles which is THE album everybody agrees is their greatest album of all time and THE title people often refer to. Even if you know that John Lennon wrote the piece for his mother, does Julia really move you? For me it does not, I can definitely see all the key words that people from the Peace & Love generation wanted to hear are in there. If we are honest, Julia is a well thought after piece of writing, but it does not feel genuine and authentic. It could have been written by a child as a school project. In terms of literacy, it is poor but it is easy and accessible to the Mass nonetheless. It is pop music, it is meant to be like that. It is aiming to create emotions, not feelings. In all eras, geniuses are often being ignored by the Mob. And such is Nick Drake, he does not attempt to appeal to the Mass, he wrote what he fell deep inside but the tragedy is it is to intimate for the Mass to embrace and therefore the author feels even more isolated. His era was not ready for it, our era is not either because we live in a time of browsing, we don't live in a time of profound reflection and faith one might add. Our inability to focus on ourselves makes us impermeable to others. By faith I mean the belief that there is a meaning to our lives. We could be sheep grazing and we are to some extent except that unlike a sheep, we do have a conscience. Nick Drake for me is the Rimbaud or the Van Gogh of that era. He met no success because there was no design nor desire to please and meet the Mob. It is very unconventional music. Why do you read a book to a child? Because you want your child to develop feelings, imagination, creativity, resentment even. Or you can put your child in front of a screen, watching a movie and let others do the thinking and feeling and imagining. One is a process of self-awareness, personal development and autonomy, the other is a process of conformity and dependence. It takes two liars to make a lie come true, Nick Drake did not lie and therefore to the eye of the public, his albums did not come true. There is a reason why there is more than meet the eye with artists like Nick Drake and David Bowie. The genius of Bowie is that he was capable of being pragmatic. Nick Drake was not capable of any compromise which makes his music so intimate and unique but ultimately commercial failure which in turn accelerated his depression and schizophrenia. Again, listen to Julia by The Beatles and then listen to The Riverman and tell me which one moves you to the core. And I don't mean to be moved by some clever "tear jerking" wording to trigger your emotions, I mean be moved to the core, to the soul. Artists who can achieve this are extremely rare and very often you find them in jazz music or for us French people in chansons de texte. Nina Simone for instance, it is soul wrecking. Sometimes even with just an instrument like Miles Davis and Chet Baker. Or closer to my culture someone like French artist Daniel Guichard in "Mon vieux". A song does not need to be elaborate it just needs to be authentic and sincere. The genius of Nick Drake is that he managed to convey both, an exceptional piece of authentic and extremely well written poetry. Artists like these are the real Legacy of Music so thanks for sharing and I hope to see more artists like this on your channel.
Apparently there's a Betty in a Wordsworth poem and I'm sure Nick was very well read and familiar with the British poets. I would put the poetry of his lyrics up there with Wordsworth. The Wordsworth poem with a Betty in is called The Idiot Boy.
Thank you for this......Nick Drake was a depressive,a beautiful soul,gone before his time.......one of the best singer songwriters of all time.....an enigma.....once you have heard his work you won't look back....
Riverman is a beautiful song thats more wistful than straight out sad. His demo rendition played flawlessly on a borrowed classic guitar is a much better representation.
I read an article based upon a then new autobiography in Mojo Magazine back in the mid 90s right at the start of the "rediscovery" of his music. I came away from reading it knowing I had to hear this man's work so went away and rather than buying an album or a best of I chose to spend about £76 on the 4 disc Fruit Tree boxset instead. More than half of a week's wages back then fresh out of school and early in my first job. I was blown away by it, even the previously unreleased stuff on the 4th disc has some wonderful gems. He had an eclectic list of influences from classical music and jazz to old American blues and other folk artists from Britain and America - not to mention his mother whose fairly recently released home recordings show an enourmous influence on his overall sound. I think the music mainly from his first and third albums is best described as Autumnal Melancholy; it has all the hallmarks if sadness and depression but it is remarkably beautiful and inspiring, like walking in a forest of naked trees surrounded by fallen gold and red leaves. His second album is musically much more upbeat but its failure to break through affected him deeply.
Don't know this artist or song. I'm not sure if it deals with depression. It kind of reminds me of a movie theme song. Good reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and DiShields. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
I had never heard of Nick Drake before this, thank you for sharing your reaction. He indeed does have a mournful sound that is exquisitely beautiful. Interestingly, at the first note, it reminded me of Ben Harper’s “Morning Yearning” which is not mournful but has the same beautiful musicality and Ben’s voice has that same soft comforting sound. You should react to his video for “Morning Yearning” which is also visually beautiful and directed by the late Heath Ledger a couple of years before his untimely death.
Great take on the song Harry. Nick Drake is like Karen Carpenter for me, he is one of those people that you just want to hug and tell them everything is going to be OK. I think he saw and experienced life so vividly that he couldn't help but see the defining factor, which is death. I'm glad he tried and he gave us so much great music, just like Karen.
Nick lived a tragic life in that he battled with mental depression and extreme introversion which he lost. He died in his twenties of an overdose of antidepressants.
Catch Nick's eye movement while sitting on the bench in the old photograph near the end, animated...effective. Nick Drake was brilliant, troubled, an artist....
I discovered Nick Drake when i was doin' a radio programme for Westport Radio years ago... I just love the song River Man my first impression was melancholy, beautifull intricately woven guitar, rhythmically delivering a vocal mystery...
We lost a true genius when Nick passed. Beautiful, soulful, haunting. To me his classic Fruit Tree and Cello song bring forth memories but always the sense of deep melancholy. I have all his material and never a day passes that I don't play at least one of his tunes. R.I.P. Nick
For many years I thought this song was about a psychiatrist or therapist that Nick was seeing. However, it is said to be inspired by Herman Hesse's book Siddhartha, in which a ferryman Vasudeva is Siddhartha's spiritual guide. In his later years Siddartha returns to live out his life by the river to be at one with nature. The book also inspired Yes's Close to the Edge, with its refrain of "close to the edge, down by the river". "I don't suppose it's meant for me" is perhaps the saddest line in this song.
Harri, I urge you to listen to the album track, as the sound effects were added for the video. I have been listening to Nick Drake since 1980 and his music is so wonderful, introspective and haunting, but I don't feel sad, even knowing how his life ended. Instead I feel blessed that he left us with all this gorgeousness. Please explore more, it is worth your time and your fans will appreciate it! 🎵❤️🎵 Debbie
I have a strange and beautiful connection with his music. I can't explain, it just drag me inside into it. it's pureness you can find in only few, very few artists.
And remember harri Art is inherited, and he certainly got it from his mother Molly who was a talented songwriter- listen to her and compare and contrast.
There's beauty in melancholy and no one can come close to Nick .Listening to Nick is like an emotional roller coast of a ride which can connect you to your inner self Despite some of the darker lyrics of Nicks it strangely as the power to heal and unite people .
A difficult song to "get" on first hearing - and even on the 100th. It's so deep, so rich, in every aspect: melody, words, time signature, imagery, mystery, that it took me a good while to become blissed out by it's sheer beauty.This is Top three of his songs for me - It's totally unique to Nick - you couldn't mistake it for anyone else. Harri mate - let it get to you, take you deep. There's treasure in the dark, too. 😀
River Man is absolutely ethereal and human all at once. My guess is that Betty is contemplating suicide, and the River Man is God. The River is the totality of time and the universe, and the line “ohhh, how they come and go,” I suspect means all the lives that have ever been lived. Regardless of how one may interpret the lyrics, this song is just magic. And your reaction is perfect!
I've always thought he was singing about the river man who takes the dead across the river Styx, he want's to follow his love into the underworld. It is deeply sad.
