Aiming For The Heart
When less is more
You can say the sun is shining if you really want to
I can see the moon and it seems so clear
You can take a road that takes you to the stars now
I can take a road that'll see me through
I can take a road that'll see me through
You can take a road that takes you to the stars now
I can take a road that'll see me through
I can take a road that'll see me through
I can take a road that'll see me through
Sometimes, less is more. These are lyrics to Nick Drake’s sublime song, Road, clocking in at one second under two minutes. Despite its short length, as with all great works of art, it stays with you long after its final note disappears.
Road is the ethereal third track off his now highly regarded third and final album, ‘Pink Moon,’ released in 1972. It's a delicate piece of astounding beauty. Thus, the painful story of Nick Drake. He was a gentle but complicated, shy man who sadly allowed his dark shadows to isolate him and take over, leaving us when he was 26. Between 1969 and 1972, Nick Drake recorded three breathtakingly emotional albums - ‘Five Leaves Left,’ ‘Bryter Layter,’ and ‘Pink Moon,’ all sold poorly during his life but are now recognized as classics. Drake bared his heart and soul in his music, but our world wasn’t ready for him, and its vicious brutality crushed him.
I highlight this particular song as I often find myself returning to it. Over the years, I have included and shared Road on more mix tapes and playlists than any other song. Upon first listening, what sounds deceptively simple is surprisingly complex and intricate. Especially how Drake fingerpicks with his right hand, allowing the minimal, discordant guitar melody to flow like water during the first spring melt. Despite being English folk, the guitar tuning is deep and slightly off, giving it a sense of pastoral blues.
It has always spoken to me lyrically as a respectful understanding of differing perspectives. As with many of Drake’s songs, there is a heavy undercurrent of sorrow, but with Road, there is also a sense of spiritual clarity and introspective reflection. Its somber drone resonates through me like his guitar strings and its elegance never fails to bring tears to my eyes.
When my sister passed away in 2010, it was also this song that I came back to time and time again. As I struggled to find words for what I was experiencing and feeling, Road became my emotional outlet. Ironically, despite the sad tale of Nick Drake, Road helped lift me through my grief and provided light in my world at a time when it looked and felt increasingly dark.
Sometimes less is indeed more.
The BBC have a show running called Soul Music. Today's edition was on Nick Drake and well worth a listen for those that can access it. It's available on BBC Sounds and downloadable here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001ypsm
Thank you for this post. I agree less is often more and artists such as Nick Drake are prime examples.
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