LogFAQs > #954548664

198. Nick Drake River Man (1969)
from the album Five Leaves Left

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ9JBwuO128

Key lyrics:
Betty said she prayed today
For the sky to blow away
Or maybe stay

Few artists of the 20th century feel as elusive as Nick Drake. After recording three albums to almost no commercial success, he died at age 26 of what may or may not have been suicide. Artists ending up in this position have a unique impact on popular culture instead of setting the music scene on fire like The Beatles or Ramones, Nick Drakes influence has slowly trickled throughout our culture. Though Drake operated firmly in the chamber folk scene for his first two albums, you can see shades of River Man in a diverse range of acts, from The Cure to Elliott Smith to Bon Iver.

On River Man, Drake sings with his typically fragile voice about the unbearable passing of seasons, at first backed largely by a guitar. Even in this pure folk section, theres an uneasy feeling caused by the 5/4 time signature. Then we reach the chorus and the strings begin to rise, drowning out Drakes voice until they briefly take center stage. Its a swelling, mesmerizing, despairing moment. As Drake returns, the strings remain, an ominous force at times threatening to snuff him out. This is a lush and altogether haunting arrangement, a sleeper hit that feels like the prototypical art rock piece.

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My top 100 games (with write-ups): https://foolfantastic.com/top-100-video-games-project/