LYNYRD SKYNYRD - SIMPLE MAN

SIMPLE MAN

LYNYRD SKYNYRD

SONGWRITERS: GARY ROSSINGTON & RONNIE VAN ZANT.

COUNTRY: U. S. A.

ALBUM: SIMPLE MAN

LABEL: SOUNDS OF THE SOUTH

GENRE: SOUTHERN ROCK

YEAR: 1973

Lynyrd Skynyrd (/lɛnərd ˈskɪnərd/LEN-ərdSKIN-ərd) is an American rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964. The group was originally named My Backyard and comprised Ronnie Van Zant (lead vocalist), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass guitar) and Bob Burns (drums). The band spent five years touring small venues under various names and with several lineup changes before deciding on "Lynyrd Skynyrd" in 1969. The band released their first album in 1973, having settled on a lineup that included basis Leon Wilkeson, keyboardist Billy Powell and guitarist Ed King. Burns left and was replaced by Artimus Pyle in 1974. King left in 1975 and was replaced by Steve Gaines in 1976. At the height of their fame in the 1970s, the band popularized the Southern rock genre with songs such as "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird". After releasing five studio albums and one live album, the band's career was abruptly halted by tragedy on October 20, 1977, when their chartered airplane crashed, killing Van Zant, Gaines, and backup singer Cassie Gaines, and seriously injuring the rest of the band.

Lynyrd Skynyrd reformed in 1987 for a reunion tour with Ronnie's brother Johnny Van Zant as lead vocalist. They continue to tour and record with co-founder Rossington (the band's sole continuous member), Johnny Van Zant, and Rickey Medlocke, who first wrote and recorded with the band from 1971 to 1972 before his return in 1996. In January 2018, Lynyrd Skynyrd announced its farewell tour, and continue touring as of October 2019. Members are also working on their fifteenth album.

In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Lynyrd Skynyrd Nº. 95 on their list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 13, 2006. To date, the band has sold 28 million records in the United States.

“Simple Man" is the last track on side one of Lynyrd Skynyrd's debut album Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd.

The song is one of Lynyrd Skynyrd's most popular songs. Since the song became available for digital download, it has become Lynyrd Skynyrd's third best-selling digital song after "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird". It has sold 1,333,000 copies in the U.S. as of November 2013.

Mama told me, when I was Young

Come sit beside me, my only son

And listen closely to what I say

And if you do this it will help you some sunny day

Oh, yeah

Oh, take your time, don't live too fast

Troubles will come, and they will pass

Go find a woman, and you'll find love

And don't forget, son, there is someone up above

And be a simple kind of man

Oh, be something you love and understand

Baby, be a simple kind of man

Oh, won't you do this for me, son

If you can?

Forget your lust for the rich man's gold

All that you need is in your soul

And you can do this, oh baby, if you try

All that I want for you, my son

Is to be satisfied

And be a simple kind of man

Oh, be something you love and understand

Baby, be a simple kind of man

Oh, won't you do this for me, son

If you can?

Boy, don't you worry, you'll find yourself

Follow your heart, and nothing else

And you can do this, oh baby, if you try

All that I want for you, my son

Is to be satisfied

And be a simple kind of man

Oh, be something you love and understand

Baby, be a simple kind of man

Oh, won't you do this for me, son

If you can?

Baby, be a simple, be a simple man

Oh, be something you love and understand

Baby, be a simple kind of man.