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
Gonna 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
Wierd 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.
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.
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.
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 !
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........... ;-)
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
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.
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.
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!
I don't think there's anyone else whose talent was so inversely proportional to the lack of fame he had.
He tops of the list of the the best artists most people have never heard of.