Top 10 Nick Drake Songs

His first album was called Five Leaves Left. Five years later, in 1974, he died. A prolific writer and classically-trained musician, Nick Drake wrote melancholy folk songs that are as beautiful as they are prophetic and haunting. Here are some of his highlights.

10. One of These Things First - from the album Bryter Layter

I could have been your statue...Could have been your friend...A whole long lifetime...Could have been the end, Drake sings on one of his more upbeat tunes that exemplifies the existential questions Drake's lyrics often pose. The song is off his second album, which incorporated a list of studio musicans to fill up the pastoral sound of Drake's first album, which didn't do so well, with more bass and drums. Veteran producer, Joe Boyd, claims it is the only album he's produced in which he wouldn't change a thing.

9. Pink Moon - from the album Pink Moon

This was the first song I heard by Nick Drake, as I may assume is the story for many others. It was featured in a great Volkswagon commercial where a group of kids are on the way to a party on a beautiful evening. As they listen to Nick's calm and elegant song about the apocalypse, they opt to not go to the party and enjoy the evening and music (and car!) in peace. Great commercial...and a greater song!

8. Fruit Tree - from the album Five Leaves Left

Fruit tree, fruit tree...No-one knows you but the rain and the air...Don't you worry...They'll stand and stare when you're gone. It's eerie when you know Nick Drake's story to hear this prophetic song that is obviously about coming to terms with his lack of commercial success. Drake was very passionate about his music and it plagued him that he couldn't achieve some sort of reasonable success. This haunting song is all to accurate with its predictions of his posthumous success. He's sold more and more albums every years since he died.

7. Black-eyed Dog - 1974

Nick Drake in 1969.

Credit: Clint McMillen

Copyright: n/a