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Graham Nash — Simple Man
Album: Songs for Beginners
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 854









Released: 1971
Length: 2:12
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I am a simple man
So I sing a simple song
I never been so much in love
And never hurt so bad at the same time

I am a simple man
And I play a simple tune
I wish that I could see you once again across the room
Like the first time

I just want to hold you, I don't want to hold you down
I hear what you're saying and you're spinning my head around
And I can't make it alone

The ending of the tale
Is the singing of the song
Make me proud to be your man only you can make me strong
Like the last time

I just want to hold you, I don't want to hold you down
I hear what you're saying and you're spinning my head around
And I can't make it alone
Comments (83)add comment
Written for Joni. Friend of mine had a long talk with him several years ago about this tune. He actually came back to him backstage while he was in a "meet and greet" line to specifically discuss this song after my friend mentioned it to him. My friend was dumbstruck.
 jazo wrote:

...but this is not the original version



Such a shame Sinéad completely ruining this 
I haven't heard this song in years...and it brings me back to my college days when a girl I was hoping to date turned me on to it. It didn't work out, but I still think of her whenever I hear it. Ah, youthful romantic memories!
Such a pretty song - I'll have to dig out my album - check out the violins!  or is my memory fading.
Used to play this on my college radio station. Love this. Such a beautiful piece. (WERS Emerson College, Boston. )
Nostalgic. Just not for me though.
Thanks for this great Radio Station....
Great RP.
 cathenley wrote:
I use to have this album...

 

I still have mine.  From 1975.
Great track - best on the album - saw GN live at Ally Pally, London last week  (or was it the week before!!) with his touring band (guitarist and keyboard player) - his harmonies are still fantastic - even without David Crosby – and he still hits the high notes.  Apart from some of the CSN&Y classics and just N&C tracks he also sang 'Day in a life' which was something I never thought I'd hear live.  Thanks Graham'

What a lovely song.
Just when I thought hardly anyone new about this...
one of my favourite albums
 Skydog wrote:
real disappointed with this album
after i played it i said there goes 3 and a half bucks down the drain 
 
$3.50 (chuckle, chuckle)
{#Meditate} still digging this and it still sounds good !
real dissapointed with this album
after i played it i said there goes 3 and a half bucks down the drain 
I love this album.  Military Madness makes me cry every time I hear it. 
Thanks.
Been quite awhile for this one. Wore out a couple of recordings of this.
{#Heartkiss}
Loved this song and album for many years-nostalgic.

Always loved this song.

A simple song striking at some deeper truths.   


 Cynaera wrote:

Agreed. RP is my only musical choice these days, although I have several stations bookmarked. I keep coming back here because every day, I hear something new, or something old that I'd forgotten I loved.  Bill's definitely "the man." {#Sunny}
 
Hear, hear!!  {#Cheers}
This song brings memories of being deeply in love for the first time. Shocked to hear it turn up here.
Wow, havent heard this in ages, such a beautiful song.
The First album I ever purchased and my favorite track.
wonderful album..thankyou
 
One very long introduction.
Play more Graham Nash
A simply beautiful song.
Instantly recognizable as Graham Nash, even though this is my first hearing. I haven't found a better musical mix anywhere, which is why RP is my main source of music! In Phoenix we have a commercial free classic rock station that plays deep album cuts, and I usually listen to it in the autos, but it's a poor second choice. Thanks Bill!

A plaintive plea.

Perfect.

 Rooney wrote:
Hmmm.  I never thought of "Lady of the Island" as sickly sweet.  Sensously lovely maybe, romantic perhaps...and I loved it.  He WAS a romantic man who loved deeply...Not just the "Chicago" guy that got political.  His voice added to the other two?  Heavenly.
 
Hey Rooney, there's no denying his vocals/harmonies were a big part of what made the band great, and I do like some of his songs. I'm just saying that of the 4 he was the weakest songwriter.

Wow. Nice.
 On_The_Beach wrote:
For me, Nash was the weak(est) link in CSNY. So many of his songs are just too sickly sweet for my tastes (Remember "Lady of the Island" from the first CSN album - ick). Pretty much everything by the other 3 was great (at least on the first 2 albums).

 

Hmmm.  I never thought of "Lady of the Island" as sickly sweet.  Sensously lovely maybe, romantic perhaps...and I loved it.  He WAS a romantic man who loved deeply...Not just the "Chicago" guy that got political.  His voice added to the other two?  Heavenly.
Although never one of the classic albums of that era or probably any other, there are several poignant ballads that are characteristic of the time. Thank you RP for playing it and reminding me of a less confusing time! 
 On_The_Beach wrote:
For me, Nash was the weak(est) link in CSNY.
 Me, too.


"I am a simple man and I play a simple tune. " Yep, that sums it up {#Sleep}

Hard Rock Calling 2010 Day 3 by loudpixels
Marc Broussely
https://www.flickr.com/photos/loudpixels/

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 27: Graham Nash of Crosby Stills and Nash Backstage on day 3 of Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park on June 27, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Broussely/Redferns) *** Local Caption *** Graham Nash

Copyright All rights reserved
.

 On_The_Beach wrote:
For me, Nash was the weak(est) link in CSNY. So many of his songs are just too sickly sweet for my tastes (Remember "Lady of the Island" from the first CSN album - ick). Pretty much everything by the other 3 was great (at least on the first 2 albums).

 

Wow, I love that song...and I love the sweetness his voice brought to the band
For me, Nash was the weak(est) link in CSNY. So many of his songs are just too sickly sweet for my tastes (Remember "Lady of the Island" from the first CSN album - ick). Pretty much everything by the other 3 was great (at least on the first 2 albums).

This song never fails to move me.  Thanks RP.
 cpascale wrote:
My husband just said "Bill's the man" as he wiped away a tear. Actually we say that often, with or without the tears :)
 
Agreed. RP is my only musical choice these days, although I have several stations bookmarked. I keep coming back here because every day, I hear something new, or something old that I'd forgotten I loved.  Bill's definitely "the man." {#Sunny}
meower wrote:
he wrote this when he & joni mitchell broke up. and she wrote the entire blue album
A good story when your children ask why pain and evil exist - they make beauty and goodness possible.

 cpascale wrote:
My husband just said "Bill's the man" as he wiped away a tear. Actually we say that often, with or without the tears :)
 
Tears here, too.  Fabulous, wistful nostalgia for much, much happier times. 

My husband just said "Bill's the man" as he wiped away a tear. Actually we say that often, with or without the tears :)
I LOOOVVEE THIS SONG! Thanks for it Bill.

David Crosby and Graham Nash - "Simple Man" & "Marrakesh Express" Live in BBC (1970)

"Despite its British source, Nash is one of the great American rock writers of all time and with David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Neil Young was a member of CSNY super group that revolutionized American music in the 60s. Originally published in 1971, "Songs for Beginners" is the debut album by Graham Nash and its publication was preceded by a breakup with Joni Mitchell. This separation is evident in songs like "Simple Man", "Better Days" or "I used to be a king." Nash came to compose and perform for the first time "Simple Man" a few hours before a concert in New York attended by the aforementioned. In addition to these emotional issues complexion, the disc features pieces sublime balladry like "Military Madness," "Chicago" or hit "We Can Change the World". "Songs for Beginners" is one of the great American rock albums of all time, a key element in the musical-library of any fan with concerns."

Always was a favorite and still is. Thanks for playing!

Graham Nash - interview

"Graham Nash maintains Social Conscience and talks about how he has never wavered in his political views"



I'm not sure who is more impressive; Graham Nash or Bill our DJ.
 philbertr wrote:


Thanks for this bit of history!  Buts both this and Blue in a whole new perspective!
 
Agreed!  What a tribute to the strong love they must have felt....

 jagdriver wrote:
Sorry... not my cup 'o tea. Never much cared for GN's lead vocals, much preferring his harmonies on David Gilmore's On An Island, CSN, CSNY, and early Hollies' hits.
 
Hey, thanks for that heads up....I have On An Island, but need to listen again, now that I know GN is singing harmonies!!

 meower wrote:
he wrote this when he & joni mitchell broke up. and she wrote the entire blue album

 

Thanks for this bit of history!  Buts both this and Blue in a whole new perspective!
This simplicity of the instrumentation and the vocal delivery are perfect.  The harmonies?  Sublime.  Could also be the memories I have of this time in music history....

Can this really still sound so fresh 30+ years later?



 jagdriver wrote:
MUTE
 

Your loss.
One of my all time favs...
MUTE
cathenley wrote:
I use to have this album...


I Cat, I still do! hope you are good.

I use to have this album...

work comes to a stop...
How nice to hear this. Like the others, haven't heard it in many, many years. I have this album but the vinyl doesn't get pulled out very often!
chills...
Simple and beautiful

 

 Cheers!  -    ** 10 **



Gee, Bill, haven't heard this in a couple of decades  - at least.  Thanks for playing one of those songs that makes me close my office door, turn up the volume, and think of people and places from long ago...
Sorry... not my cup 'o tea. Never much cared for GN's lead vocals, much preferring his harmonies on David Gilmore's On An Island, CSN, CSNY, and early Hollies' hits.
Thank you, Bill!  I haven't heard Graham in years—this is wonderful!
{#Daisy}{#Sunny}

 

 be simple; "everything what is simple is huge" -  

** 10 **



buddy wrote:
An outstanding LP!
True! What a blast! haven't heard this in prob 30 years! Most sincere thanks, loved this album so much! All his buddies on back-up, fabulous!
steeler wrote:
What a gem; an overlooked gem. Graham Nash has never received the credit he was due.
Damn straight!
pretty cool how he put so much effort into getting Dave C. cleaned up when DC had different plans. Nice to have friends like that.
just want to hold you dont want to hold you down.
steeler wrote:
What a gem; an overlooked gem. Graham Nash has never received the credit he was due.
From a Buddhist perspective, that's impossible. Everyone gets their due. One assumes he'll collect his credit in his next incarnation.
Beautiful song, just like everything Nash wrote, but this is not the original version
Wish there were more songs put together as well as this one is.
he wrote this when he & joni mitchell broke up. and she wrote the entire blue album
What a gem; an overlooked gem. Graham Nash has never received the credit he was due.
Beautiful song. A fav.
One of my faves from way back.
agree with you Bill....I love this song and thought it was a great opener for the movie.....