Nick Drake can teach unknown musicians a lesson. MAKE YOUR MUSIC. Record it the best you can with the time and resources you have. Even if you're a total unknown, MAKE IT FOR YOU. Because remember, when Nick Drake died, he was a VERY obscure musician, known to an extremely small group of fellow folk musicians. And here we are decades later, and the QUALITY OF HIS ART has slowly made him become a very well known musician worldwide with millions of listens. It was like that with MANY musicians: folk artist Judee Sill, the punk band Death, and in some extreme cases like Sibylle Baier where her son literally found her recordings decades later in an attic and decided to release them. All these musicians now are highly revered decades later by hundreds of thousands of people and in some cases millions of people. So MAKE YOUR ART. Make it, and release it into the public like a message in a bottle being thrown into the sea. It will have its own journey in terms of being noticed, which is up to chance, but make sure whatever is in the message reflects the best music you can make.
I've greatly admired Nick Drake's music since 1998, when a total bad lady ended our relationship and a friend suggested that I should listen to '5 Leaves Left. Since then I've discovered Bryter Later etc. He's so unheralded, it's unbelievable. I've a huge diversity in music, but I don't know of anyone who has hit me like Nick Drake. I'm a huge Dylan fan, but if I had one option,i it would be Nick Drake.
Sitting on the bed watching the rain outside. Decided to put this on because of something that came up on FB recently. A friend of mine sent me this music 30 years ago without knowing that it probably saved my life. Sometimes just knowing that you're not alone on the bad days is enough.
For me, he is the Van Gogh of music. He gained spotlight after his death, although he never gain good reputation for his music in his lifetime. He suffered depression and his lyrics is pure poetry and emotions like Van Gogh's paintings.
Well. I've got nothing! For God sakes, I'm a player/song writer and now almost ashamed to say it without having this Giant of an artist in my life! I'm going to binge listen to him for the rest of my life! And I'm going to share share share!!!!
Weird story. I first time I heard this song was this morning. I was running late. So I decided to get an Uber to my destination. When I sat in the Uber this song was playing. I hardly talk to drivers but I could not help but ask what this piece of music was. This song was like it was sent from heaven and I'm not religious. It made my life make sense and I have never related to a song like this before, especially with my type of music being techno, house and rap. But what makes this story weird is that I was on my way to therapy for major depression. I searched for the artist of the song and soon as I got home and found out about his tragic battle with depression. This song feels too good to be true and It has potentially saved me. Its incredible how much I relate to this song, from the lyrics, singing style and the instrument. It is like it was written for me. And played at the perfect time to change my life around.
I hear people say this kind of music is too sad, or makes them feel sad, but for someone who suffers from depression, it is some of the most uplifting music
Dude, yeah, everyone listens to this music and doesn't get the same thing. Hope your depression is getting better. You might reach a tipping point like me and realize you are better than the corporate job you're heading to. Its sucking your blood. Theres more out there, people like us need to stick together. We know what's going on but cant admit it without freaking people out in defense of our security.
Hello friend.Brought together by our love of Nick's music -what a legacy!He wouldn't believe his popularity now as he was so ahead of his time and misunderstood.He was shy and didn't do showbiz parties -I related to him so much but I have managed to shift the black dog ... For now ❤
All of us are Nick Drakes. Living like a shadow, passing by a candle light, and sounding like a tiny whisper in this very place... People just don't know.
We are not all Nick Drakes, we all are not Mozart or Bach or Wagner or Hendrix. You are on to something but you phrased it like a socialist. Speak for yourself brother.
This comment means so, so much to me, for the single reason that my father's actual last name was Drake, and they both were Nick Drake fans so they named their firstborn son, you guessed it... Nick! They agreed that the main reason they went through with it was that some day, decades later, I could make a mildly funny joke about an entirely mid comment on future internet video streaming service RU-vid. Thank you all, for joining me on this journey.
Sid Clark it's never to late to find something wonderful. I'm finding out about some jazz classics now. Mingus' Goodbye Porkpie Hat strikes me like this Written about the life of Lester Young. So Long Frank Lloyd Wright is a song you might like by Simon & Garfunkle. You know them, but this is a deep cut you won't hear on the radio. Classical music is full of songs that convey this mood. Moonlight Sonata is famous. Happy listening.
@@GasFinger1 well i wouldnt really say that either, for any of them, considering they were still young when they passed. both phenomenal, but not quite masters
TIM BUCKLEYS FIRST ALBUM STANDS OUT AS A BRILLIANT CREATION NOTHING HIS SON DID ( AND I STRUGGLE TO THINK OF ANY SON OR DAUGHTER OF A GENIUS ARTIST WHO HAS ) COME CLOSE , NICK DRAKE WAS BRILLIANT BUT HIS VOICE RANGE COULD NOT COME CLOSE TO TIM BUCKLEYS , SO HE WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK IN A RUT FOR FUTURE CREATIVITY .
It's just absurd that this wonderful singer and songwriter was almost ignored during his lifetime. So many years later, his songs still touch me deep inside.
exactly. Don’t know why.. Maybe his focus on music/ his music was very personal, original for him. Enough of a story telling. Seems like people didn’t take it as... (back then)
If you measure success in purely monetary terms, Drake's career as a musician was an unqualified failure. If you measure success in terms of creating timeless, transcendent art, then Nick Drake is right up there with Bach.
@@aphextwintool He had some bad experiences playing live, because of his different tunings and how long it took to tune. The crowd would lose interest and he felt sleighted and gave up live performances. So he never was able to promote his music properly. I think he did one radio spot and that's it. He then spiralled into a deep depression, which led to his early death.
My boyfriend introduced me to this song 2 years ago. 3days ago he took his life. My life is forever altered but I will remember him through his immaculate taste in music. Thanks Jaan. (His name is Aravind, jaan is the nickname we gave each other out of sheer love)
This song reminds me of a girl I almost married and if i'm honest, had buried so deep in the past, sometimes I forget she existed. It was an intense relationship. We were together for 2 years. She played this song as part of a compilation one evening whilst giving me a massage and did it again many times. She found scars on my back I never knew were there and couldn't remember getting. She wondered what cruelty must have been inflicted on me in my childhood and by whom. I still don't know. I found out her scars too - she suffered from depression so deep and so dark it was like a black hole that threatened to suck me in as well. She wanted to get married. I did not. We were so young. I did not know how to deal with her depression. We seperated on mutual terms, still saying we loved each other and began writing letters and sending each other gifts for years, which tapered off. The way I felt when I saw her, I resolved that we would never see each other again. I put her in the past, like the boxes containing her letters. We crossed paths again last year at the most banal of places, a supermarket. Now in our 30s, both married with kids. We each bore the kinds of wounds you pick up in life, mine mostly physical; I was recovering from a car crash at the time and was in pain. We spoke and hugged and caught up and compared our scars as it were; hers seemed worse than mine. She helped me at the checkout and the thought occurred to me, where would we be now had we still been together? Perhaps in a supermarket on a friday night, her helping me at the checkout and each of us complaining about our scars. That black hole was still there and for a period, I felt myself being pulled once more into its orbit. I remembered how that felt. I could not pull her up; she only pulled me down. We parted ways as though we would see each other again the next day. I may never see her again. And that's ok. I remain thankful that in the intervening years I met and married my best friend, who is like a ray of light. We have a beautiful son together. Life is good. I wish the same for her. My wounds healed in time. I hope hers do too.
@@hanlon3957 I used to write. I am now a Police Officer, of all things! That is how I got injured in the crash at that time. I am better now. Thank you for your kind response. I didn't think anyone would read that. I wrote it for myself more than anything - like a message in a bottle, thrown into a stormy sea. Writing was the release. I never expected the sea to surrender it to anyone. But here you are. Thank you once again.
@@satyakigoswami1702 thank you, sir. That is a very kind thing to say! A few people have suggested that to me over the years and I am seriously considering it. If I ever do, I will try to get in touch with you to let you know! Thank you once again for your encouragement.
@@David-vw8wz just saw your reply now, I’m glad you are better now. Of course! You should definitely get back into it if your wanting to. Thank you for sharing your story with us!
+John Soutter Well it kind of does. I live in an area of two universities and the kids that are labeled as intelligent that attend these places speak another language! Thick as pig shit and I was the kid in the special needs classes!
I heard this song in 2015 after my father passed away. Before he passed he told me I needed to get ahold of our estranged side of our family; my Aunt Linda, Sandi and grandmother Wanda. He said; "search for them, you will find what you're looking for" I had just turned 50 years old. I found them only to find out that my grandfather was a famous country western recording star. Lucky White of the Dude Ranch Playboys. He toured with Bob Wills, Hank Williams, Little Jimmy Dickens, Les Paul and Mary Ford. Gonna see the River Man, tell him all I can, about the plan.... This song brought me to tears, I found what I was looking for.... Thank you Nick
This song helped me go through the passing of my fiancée since she loved this song. The days I spent crying while listening to this ( am tearing up as I type this. ) and thinking about her in my own way helped me cope with her passing though if I think about her the thought of her lose comes back but it doesn’t hurt as much though I wish she was still here with me and humming this song. I don’t know what possessed me to to listen to this beautiful song but I’m glad it did.
When I was about fifteen (1975 or so), I came across a copy of his self-titled album in a cutout bin. I mistakingly put on the b side first, which started off with this. I was already sold on the guitar, but when I heard his voice and those lyrics, I was mesmerized. I was almost in tears how a human being could produce something this beautiful, yet haunting.
Lyrics: Betty came by on her way Said she had a word to say About things today And fallen leaves. Said she hadn't heard the news Hadn't had the time to choose A way to lose But she believes. Going to see the river man Going to tell him all I can About the plan For lilac time. If he tells me all he knows About the way his river flows And all night shows In summertime. Betty said she prayed today For the sky to blow away Or maybe stay She wasn't sure. For when she thought of summer rain Calling for her mind again She lost the pain And stayed for more. Going to see the river man Going to tell him all I can About the ban On feeling free. If he tells me all he knows About the way his river flows I don't suppose It's meant for me. Oh, how they come and go Oh, how they come and go
@@dawnosguthorpe1 I agree with you. It's so beautiful and yet so sad. It reminds me of the music to Walkabout, not musically but just the feeling it gives me. If you haven't heard it, give it a whirl. Peace
Yes. I just heard this for the first time yesterday. For some reason it reminds me of the past which I increasingly ache for. I agree with your comment but in my case it also takes me to places that I've never been but perhaps wish I had. Also we almost have the same birthday. Mine is June 10, 1948 and Mr. Drake's was June 19, 1948. But I agree that this song is indeed hauntingly beautiful.
Your ear really wants that tritone to go to the 5th, but honestly I think some of the most beautiful chords and writing constantly teases with people's ears.
EJt You can see the only film of him on the Fairport Convention live in Kent. It's on Yt. 1970 I think,with Dave Swarbrick lead singing. What a time it was. I left England just before the putrid Glam rock and pseudo progressive era. Commerce can always sell you what you later find to be dross culture. They couldn't sell him.franciose hardy the french singer had a soft spot for him, he went to see her but hadn't the courage to knock on her door. Oh to have been at his elbow and pushed through that door. Sad.
I didn't want to like Nick Drake when I heard about him - I thought it was a hipster thing. But I finally listened these past few months. I WAS DEAD WRONG. As a musician/guitarist, I can say honestly this guy was a genius - no hype. His guitar tunings and patterns are so unique that the melody hangs above it almost detached - like the music floats. Combine that with his voice - like he has pillows in the back of his throat - and its all becomes amazing. Thank God for recorded sound !
of course man, I don't know why people are so inclined to categorize things and make assumptions upon those categories before hearing it or feeling it. for me, i rate artist by how self-expressive they are through whatever medium they choose to use. how much of their true selves is being articulated into musical melodies and words. secondly is, how much can i understand it or relate to it. everything else is unimportant to me. and Nick Drake is just purely awesome for whatever category of music anyone wishes to put him in, I don't care. simply great.
I always love to read or hear people talk about discovering Nick Drake. I was late to the party myself and didn’t discover him until the 80’s and then got everything by him. At the beginning I was a bit like “Have you heard the word of Jesus?” But then after time I still go back to his music and its as fresh as it was the first time I heard it.
his approach to playing guitar and constructing songs is so unique. he is a master at his craft, yet considered a hidden treasure. maybe too dark or too real for the masses.
In "Beeswing," Richard Thompson wrote that this song's string arrangement "is the greatest in popular music, better than 'Eleanor Rigby,' 'Kashmir,' or any other contender. It was all recorded live, with Nick singing and playing in the middle of a mere twelve string musicians, although it sounds huge."
It's so melancholic to see him, so lonely as if was waiting or expecting to be born in another world. His songs takes you to the other world (his world)...he was disappointed to not find the people he was speaking through his songs :( , but we are here 😊
I have a former girlfriend Jane to thank for introducing me to Nick,and his wonderful music.She sadly passed away a couple of years ago,we had 11 really great years together.She was always Hazy Jane,but River man is my favourite.Kept asking her to marry me,but she never did sadly.I don't often play Nick's music,but always nice memories of good times.
A genius who was not appreciated in his own time. A tragic cliché. All he wanted was to touch people with his music. It took some time, but it happened. RIP Nick Drake ! Many thanks 🙏
Nick Drake was very talented. The shifting rhythms, the use of minor to major tonality and the use of dissonance makes this song very interesting to listen to. Quite a musician's musician. He passed much too soon in his career.
I think this is my favourite song. Depression has been my foe and friend throughout my life. I've learnt so much from it and this man sings depression perfectly for me. This song is a blessing. For those of you on a similar path, much love.
Thank you for your brilliant comments,my family always critised me for listening to Nick,but as someone who has battled depression and anxiety and having been hospilised on numerous occasions, I seriously relate to his music,I played riverman recently when I had a panic attack in which I seriously thought was a heart attack and his music helped me,it is so sad that he was never appreciated when he was alive,whether he committed suicide or whether he played around with his antidepressants,which in those days was very dangerous, we will never know,he was never going to be like Elton John who came across when they were both starting out,not because of lack of talent,but because of the black dog which keeps us back all the time
Wow. That was the first time i ever heard this. Truly a beautiful song. I can see Beck borrowed a lot from this song when he wrote the Sea Change album. One of my all time favorite albums
I've been hearing it for fifty of mine. You can see him in a Fairport Convention film on YT,taken in 1970 in Kent.He was to meet Francoise Hardy the French singer, she had a soft spot got him. He hadn't the courage to knock on her door. She might have saved him. Oh to be at his elbow and push him through the door. Sad.
Never heard anything more beautiful. An Absolute in a world of disconnected, dangerous nonsense. This man was a sage, no less than Plato and his teachers
Nicks song are just perfect for autumnal listening. This is the time of year when I love to listen to his music.His songs capture the nostalgia for the going away of summer and heralding the arrival of autumn/winter. Sublime
Yes, I feel the same. I would call it melancholy beauty, as with the music and voice of Sandy Denny. Just so beautiful and moving. . .and yet strangely uplifting at the same time.
This song is like: u sitting on a chair on ur porch in the sunday afternoon in Feb month and u listen to the birds and dont know what is stress what is sadness all u feel is joy .its a master piece.when Im sad and so blue i listen to this music and walk with Nick drake in those street he took pics in.
I've been listening to this song for three days straight. Such a beautiful voice. Haunting song and nostalgic melody. He was like another Jim Morrison. Rest in peace Nick. I want to listen to this song at the beach on a cloudy lonely afternoon just by myself.
Ok, first try playing this guitar part over the 5/4 time - which is hard enough. Then try singing at the same time. Then try giving it the required atmosphere. Oh yeah, also try writing something this good. Then you will realize Nick Drake was a genius.
Someone in a doco (can't remember whether it was a friend or a sound engineer) described his method as 'machine-like' (it its precision, not its feel) - sadly by the time he did his last recordings he was no longer able to play and sing at the same time
This is by far the most melancholy track of my lifetime .. Beautiful and timeless .... Its truly shockingly good today as it was back in the day ......
I first heard this song on Facebook, posted by someone after they had heard the news that their friend, my son, had been shot and killed. Hearing it brings back the feeling of that terrible day. The river for Roland was the Gila River in New Mexico, he'd spent a lot of time near that river for many years; somehow the tribute of that one person who thought of him as the "Riverman" was comforting to me on that most devastating day. March 24, 2011.
First saw him play 2 songs in Les Cousins Greek St. Soho London,in the 70's..he was so poignant and articulate,so fragile.A rare artist for sure.He will always be remembered....always.
Whoa! Sonic memory there! There needs to be a site or book of quotes from people who saw him. That being said,they are already in the bios. You're so lucky!!🎼
If life is like a river, which it surely is, taking us as passengers from a point of origin, a birthplace, back to the immense body...the ocean source, which in turn may return us to the origin, then the river man, could be perhaps just a mystical friend, a man who ferries people across the river or could imply God .... one who understands and/or has dominion over the river. THAT is why this song always makes me tear up and wipe my brow. It is a work of genius...
Nick Drake was an artist from the future were we will live like a real brotherhood of people. Some artists come early in life and give us glimpses from this liberated world- we just have to thank them- and most times we don't....
It's so sad this amazing artist is no longer here. I feel such a connection to him thru his music. I feel like he understood all of us better than we understand ourselves. Like his mother's poem, The Shell. Rest in eternal peace, Nick. Love, a fan in Missouri, USA
I discovered Nick Drake 30 yrs ago. Every time I hear this song I get chills bumps and tears. There are some artists and songs that do that if you really listen.
The first time I heard this song was about 2 in the morning on radio 6 or something, the dj said that was Nick Drake, the river man, I got out of bed and wrote it down so I'd never forget it
Riverman is my favourite all time track....having worked with creativity and related mental health areas it is so poignant that this man achieved so much and he is loved for his deep sense of grappling with inner turmoil, and that should teach us all to be understanding and enjoy what he left us...he was a visionary, as so many individuals are, society does not understand how they fit in with the accepted norms...but there lies the twist!
Linn O'Carroll i'm in this camp. not by choice. always have been mostly outside it all like nick and others. thank you linn. this writer needs some sanity....mine has run very low. who to reach for?
+popularside percy That list wouldn't be complete without the sublime talent of Roy Harper. River Man by Drake & How Does it Feel by Harper have to be two of my favourites of all time
His song "Poor Boy" came up on my GooglePlay "Sophisticated 70s" channel. Had never heard him before... and I'm 59 ! WTF !!!? This is only my third song so far... ahhh... so much to discover. Here we go........... ;-)
A chance finding in a charity shop in the UK in the late 1980s on vinyl. I had never heard of him before this. We had no bloody internet to look shit up then. I obtained all his albums shortly before they started selling for daft money in the '90s! I had to talk to real people in record shops, many also had no knowledge of him or his music. He really was overlooked. All released on Pink Island, I played them to death. They were not re-released on vinyl until the 2000's some time. I picked them up again as my first pressing we in bad shape due to being used. If you can, listen to him on the black plastic, this was made for it, sounds much nicer!
I know you were way gone before my time, but I want to say that you were a true artist, Nick. It's a shame that so many artists don't get much of their recognition until it's too late. I'm sorry that you had to battle with depression for so long, and had to be misunderstood for so long during your life. There are so many like him who went through the same thing.
So sad he never got recognition for his genius whilst he was alive. His songs are pure magic. Betty could be the woman from Wordsworth's poem The Idiot Boy, a poem Nick loved along with Blake and Yeats. Nick was a genius musician and song writer He is one of my favourite artists ever ❤
Perfect on this rainy day. Fireplace roaring, sleeping cat, cup of coffee, big comfy chair, headphones amplifying every note and crackle. I am in heaven.
Yo amo "Northern Sky" es la melodia mágica que me ayuda a salir de mis estados down. Que gran talento el de Nick Drake 💫 y gracias por su música y que llegara a mi vida♥️
