A song for Nick Drake, using as many of his song titles in the lyric as I could. Thanks to Paul Tyler who made a video slide show for the song; check it out on my video page or on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTp8FMxTx1U&lr=1&feature=r
acoustic
nick drake
Story behind the song
The finger-picked acoustic guitar line for this song had been kicking around since 2003 but I had no idea for the lyric. Then I saw a documentary about Nick Drake on BBC4, which gave me an idea....
I ran a hot bath and listened to the music with headphones over and over again, and wrote down all the Nick Drake song titles I could think of. The plan was to use only his song titles in the lyric, but it wasn't going to happen because there weren't enough song titles for me to work with. But after three hours in the bath (sometimes it takes a LOT longer) I did what I could with what I had, and I hope you like the result.
Incidentally, his sister said in the documentary that she hoped his death was suicide because it would mean he was in control of his own destiny, instead of it being a tragic mistake.
With all due respect, I beg to differ. If his death was accidental, yes it's a tragedy. But if he killed himself, that would mean he was in so much inner pain and turmoil that death was a better alternative to the torture of staying alive. So I hope he died by accident, bless his soul.
R.I.P. Nick Drake
Lyrics
When the day is done there's things behind the sun
Time has told me the place to be is here with my loved ones
Do one of these things first, which will help if you fear the worst
Northern sky will be brighter later after this cloudburst
At the chime of a city clock
Three hours later it comes to a stop
A skin too few on the way to blue
With the River Man's black dog
Free ride
Free ride
Again, with the Nick Drake song titles in CAPS for you this time:
When the DAY IS DONE there's THINGS BEHIND THE SUN
TIME HAS TOLD ME the PLACE TO BE is here with my loved ones
Do ONE OF THESE THINGS FIRST, WHICH WILL help if you fear the worst
NORTHERN SKY will be BRYTER LAYTER after this cloudburst
AT THE CHIME OF A CITY CLOCK
THREE HOURS LATER it comes to a stop
A SKIN TOO FEW on the WAY TO BLUE
With the RIVER MAN's BLACK (eyed) DOG
FREE RIDE
FREE RIDE