Simple Man (Lynyrd Skynyrd song)
Encyclopedia
"Simple Man" is the fourth track on Lynyrd Skynyrd
's first album, .
's grandmother and Gary Rossington
's mother died, they got together in Van Zant's apartment and shared stories about their mothers. Rossington came up with a chord progression, and Van Zant wrote the lyrics based on advice the women had given them over the years. They wrote it in approximately an hour. Even though the lyrics state, "Sit beside me, my only son," Ronnie was not the only son. He had two younger brothers along with one older sister and one younger sister.
recorded an acoustic version for their debut album Leave a Whisper
. Deftones
included a rendition on their compilation album B-Sides & Rarities
, and a version by Alessi's Ark
appeared on a bonus disc issued with the 2009 Notes from the Treehouse
album.
discussed this song in a track-by-track commentary to promote the band's 2010 CD/DVD Live From Freedom Hall. He said: "Well that's a great song and something that I think we all live by. I think anybody out there needs to respect their mother, and the words of their mother. It's mama talking to you in that song and I think it's probably one of my favorites if not my favorite to do live. It's just a great song and that one stays in the set and the crowd always goes crazy on that one."
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band prominent in spreading Southern Rock during the 1970s.Originally formed as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tune, Freebird...
's first album, .
Composition
Shortly after Ronnie Van ZantRonnie Van Zant
Ronald Wayne "Ronnie" Van Zant was an American lead vocalist, primary lyricist, and a founding member of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd...
's grandmother and Gary Rossington
Gary Rossington
Gary Robert Rossington is a founding member of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He plays lead and rhythm guitar. He is also a founding member of The Rossington-Collins Band along with former Lynyrd Skynyrd bandmate, the late Allen Collins...
's mother died, they got together in Van Zant's apartment and shared stories about their mothers. Rossington came up with a chord progression, and Van Zant wrote the lyrics based on advice the women had given them over the years. They wrote it in approximately an hour. Even though the lyrics state, "Sit beside me, my only son," Ronnie was not the only son. He had two younger brothers along with one older sister and one younger sister.
Cover versions
ShinedownShinedown
Shinedown is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed in 2001 and founded by members Brent Smith , Brad Stewart , Jasin Todd , and Barry Kerch . A few line-up changes followed, and the band's current line-up consists of Smith and Kerch, the band's only two remaining original...
recorded an acoustic version for their debut album Leave a Whisper
Leave A Whisper
Leave a Whisper is the debut album by Shinedown, a hard rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. The album was released on May 27, 2003, faring well due to the success of the singles "Fly from the Inside" and "45"...
. Deftones
Deftones
Deftones are an American alternative metal band from Sacramento, California, founded in 1988. The band consists of Chino Moreno , Stephen Carpenter , Chi Cheng , Frank Delgado , and Abe Cunningham . Currently Sergio Vega is standing in on bass while Cheng recovers from a car accident...
included a rendition on their compilation album B-Sides & Rarities
B-Sides & Rarities (Deftones album)
-DVD:# "7 Words"# "Bored"# "My Own Summer "# "Be Quiet and Drive "# "Change "# "Back to School "# "Digital Bath"# "Minerva"# "Hexagram"# "Bloody Cape"# "Engine Number 9"# "Root"-Credits:...
, and a version by Alessi's Ark
Alessi's Ark
Alessi's Ark is the musical project of Alessi Laurent-Marke , a singer-songwriter from Hammersmith in West London.-Career:...
appeared on a bonus disc issued with the 2009 Notes from the Treehouse
Notes from the Treehouse
Notes from the Treehouse is the debut studio album by the British singer-songwriter Alessi Laurent-Marke, otherwise known as Alessi's Ark, released in 2009...
album.
Live performance popularity
Frontman Johnny Van ZantJohnny Van Zant
John Roy "Johnny" Van Zant is an American musician and the current lead vocalist of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He is the younger brother of Lynyrd Skynyrd co-founder and former lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant and .38 Special founder Donnie Van Zant.Van Zant performed during the 1970s with...
discussed this song in a track-by-track commentary to promote the band's 2010 CD/DVD Live From Freedom Hall. He said: "Well that's a great song and something that I think we all live by. I think anybody out there needs to respect their mother, and the words of their mother. It's mama talking to you in that song and I think it's probably one of my favorites if not my favorite to do live. It's just a great song and that one stays in the set and the crowd always goes crazy on that one."