A Reason To Never Give Up - The Tragic Story of Nick Drake

In this short animated documentary type video we explore the life of the mysterious Nick Drake. While many people expected Nick Drake to have a succesful music carreer he never got to that point during his lifetime. However, at this point in time, almost 50 years after his passing were still talking about him. How did Nick Drake die? And what can his short life teach us?

Nick Drake released 3 albums during his life:

Five Leaves Left (1969)
Bryter Later (1971)
Pink Moon (1972)

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#videoessay #story #nickdrake

[clouddog]

Suffering with depression as a young man through the '70's and' 80's Nicks music touched and helped me through those lonely and difficult times . Now as an old man approaching my 70's l am still touched and moved by he's lovely music .

[shoozymusic]

I am so unbelievably happy that he's finally gotten the success he deserves. None of that "Well I listened to Nick before he was cool". He deserves this so much.

[lindadote]

Although I’ve loved Nick’s music for decades and knew his story, it breaks my heart all over again hearing he believed he’d failed. I like to think that somewhere, somehow, Nick can see the enormous impact his exquisite music has had on millions of fans worldwide. Thank you for sharing this.

[maryclark]

I've read that the antidepressants had a cummulmative effect and that is what killed him. I personally don't believe he meant to do himself in. He ate a bowl of cornflakes before he died. Bear with me here, but I just don't think he would have been interested in eating anything, even a bowl of cornflakes if he was in that state of despair. I've been severely depressed before and you lose interest in everything.

[inquiz-ahteev]

Nick Drake is a under rated musician and master of words. Suffering with depression, I can listen to his close my eyes. Sometimes with tears but always grateful for his artistry ❤

[JustaRandomGuy]

The use of Pink Moon in the Volkswagen commercial was so impactful for so many people that more people called to ask what song was used than people interested in the car

[thedarkknight]

'River Man' was, and still is a hauntingly great song... Heard it many years back and it still makes me think every time I play it...
😎🇬🇧

[gargoyled_drake]

I'm a musician. Lived a life much like Nick's. Felt like a failure around same age as he did. I did not commit suicide and instead turned things around. Not sure i feel less of a failure today in the specific areas that were so important back then to feel like a success in. But i've reached a point in life where i measure success and prioties in life much different. And Nick Drakes songs have become an important part of that daily life. His music fits so well into the acceptance of life as it is. And not chasing dreams unreachable, placed on mountain tops that has gatekeeping preventing you from ever climbing them.

I still play music, i still write songs. But chasing that dream specifically is no longer a desire. I just desire playing music for people and seeing people get together and smile.

[leahcimolrac]

Pink Moon should be its own genre, suicidal coffeehouse. I was in a pretty dark place some years back. Had no friends, no girl, massive debt, horrible chronic pain that required a surgery, and was on the verge of being jobless because the company I worked for was selling. I ended up coming across the album again after years of not listening to it. The crushing, crippling, nauseating, suffocating depression on that record is palpable. While listening I could feel it in the pit of my stomach. Poor guy must’ve really felt hopeless and alone but his playing and songwriting is uniquely beautiful. Wasted talent—could’ve produced so much more music if he didn’t die so young.

[merseydave]

Each night of November the 24th all through the night into the morning of the next day, I play his music and thank him ... I have done this for 25 years ( pre planning each year) I will keep doing this until I leave this physicle world.

[goblue]

It's sad some of the best artists are depressed 😔

[soijustlistenedto...]

My mom recommended him to me. There's nothing more heartbreaking than doing your best, exerting a lot of effort and working hard but still end up getting unappreciated.

Thank you for your music, Nick. It saved me.

[markbutler]

Nick will live forever and the fact that he never had success makes him more of an enigma, i have never personally heard anyone as a solo artist as good special in every way
Once you discover Nick Drake your life changes forever

[theena]

I came across Pink Moon in my early 20s, over a decade and a half back. I had dropped out of college, was after a particularly bad breakup, and was generally aimless in direction. Pink Moon wrecked me and then put me back together again over that year and a half. I don't revisit the album - or indeed the rest of Nick's work much these days, not because I think they have aged or because I've moved on musically, but because it triggers memories of that period, and I would rather not go back to that place emotionally.

Pink Moon is, in my view, the musical equivalent of a suicide note. It is immensely uncomfortable to listen to, and has no business being that beautiful and timeless sounding. Somehow it sounds like from the past and the future, and makes sense in the present for the listener. I don't know if that makes sense, but just the mention of Nick Drake stirs something deeply melancholic within me.

Pink Moon remains - and will remain - one of my top 10 albums, a desert island album for sure, and Nick remains my favourite lyricist ever. Ever? Ever.

Will stop now because I can go on for days on what Nick's music meant to the broken younger me. I will always be grateful to his music and words.

If there is an afterlife, I hope he is at peace knowing his work may have saved other young people's lives, decades after his passing.

[giuseppepiarulli]

I discovered Nick in 1973, when I was fifteen, thanks to a recorded cassette of Pink Moon, present from a friend a few years older than me.
and since then he has become a lyrical and musical reference of mine.
a great artist..
absolutely great.

[grahamhowes]

By some chance found myself talking Nick Drake with Richard Hawley in a Sheffield pub. I saw him live which was a rare event and I wondered why he looked at his shoes - apparently using one mike for guitar and vocals - also frequent retunes between songs … no banter … still mesmerising.

[Trevor]

Tragic that he died so young but at least he's remembered by millions. How many of us can say the same?

[Speedy-pftm]

What a nicely sensitive handling of Mr Drake’s tragic tale. A real touch of the Van Gogh about his life; another artist who never lived to see the fruits of their success. Nick’s story has a strangely uplifting narrative to it, as it really underlines the importance of doing your best each and every day, no matter how you may be perceiving things as going. Who knows where it will take you? Keep on keeping on, people 👍

[mendezsalvadormendez]

I'm 26 now, and I discovered his music almost 4 years ago, and as Joe Boyd said: "Once you've listened his music, you're gonna tell everyone about him". And I was just amazed about that quote, because that's what happened to me, once I listened his music, I could not stop talking about Nick's music to one of my two older brother's and some friends. I cannot put into words how much grateful I am with Nick, because his music and his 3 albums supported me when one of my two older brother's passed away (still quite young). Such a great content, thank you for this!!!

[jaykpjohnson]

One of my personal favorites, and like Van Gogh, a tragic hero who never got to realize the influence he would have on so many for decades to come. Pink Moon will forever be one of my favorite albums. His story is also a good reminder to treat everyone we meet with kindness and compassion: we never know what other people are going through, and life is always too short. Be kind and stay curious