I am a simple man
So I sing a simple song
Never been so much in love
And never hurt so bad
At the same time

I am a simple man
And I play a simple tune
Wish that I could see you once again
Across the room
Like the first time

Just want to hold you
Don't want to hold you down
Hear what you're saying
And you're spinning my head around
And I can't make it alone

The ending of the tale
Is the singing of the song
Make me proud to be your man
Only you can make me strong
Like the last time

Just want to hold you
Don't want to hold you down
I hear what you're saying
And you're spinning my head around
I can't make it alone


Lyrics submitted by xanya

Simple Man Lyrics as written by Graham Nash

Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Simple Man song meanings
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8 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    Yes this is a love song, but if anything I believe it makes most sense to be about losing a lover. "Never been so much in love, and never hurt so bad at the same time" He loves her and he wants her back, but she no longer wishes to be with him. "Wish that I could see you once again across the room" She left, and he wants her to come back. "Make me proud to be your man, Only you can make me strong, like the last time" Last time being before he lost her, and He would be proud if he got her back and he'd be stronger. "Just want to hold you, Don't want to hold you down." he wants her but he cant force her to want him, He's letting go, to please her, so that she can move on.

    All together this song is beyond amazing. I fell in love with it the first time that I saw Reign Over Me. I can listen to it over and over.. and never get tired of it. It is simple, but so soothing :)

    Maddeneton March 13, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I might not be completely right about this but the reason this song really gets to me as much as it does is because of how much it reminds me about the girl i love. I loved her so much but it ended up not working and rather than going after her I let her go because I know it would make her happier. does that make sense to anyone?

    caseydm94on June 26, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i dont think there is too much connotation to mull over here.. i just saw reign over me.. its such a nice beginning. as soon as the song was over, i started the movie over again. and i did that, no shit, 20 times before watching the movie.. lolol.

    iyrnon August 01, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i really like this song. it's better than 99% of todays romantic songs.

    "Wish that I could see you once again Across the room"

    that part is so simple but also rather wonderful. i don't think its necessarily about a woman that leaves him.

    in conclusion, i love this song.

    captain amazoon June 04, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Graham Nash wrote this album after a brake up with Joni Mitchell, and more specifically wrote this song the afternoon after it happened. Pretty emotionally blunt song. Simple yet beautiful really.

    crewmancrosson January 04, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I love everything about this song. By far my favorite song. I can listen to it for hours on end, and never get tired of it. It just makes me feel good. :)

    ETMaddenon July 25, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i think the song is about a man who is so inlove with a woman, but she really hurt him, "Never been so much in love And never hurt so bad At the same time". and he knows that he needs her but understands that maybe things weren't meant to be and maybe its better if they break up. Just want to hold you Don't want to hold you down.

    I have had a love for this song since my dad played nash's vinyls from an early age. seeing it in reign over me really bought a tear to my eye.

    funkymonk3on September 09, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    when i do listen to this song i tend to listen to it over and over and over again. I think that its about a person being in love with someone they have known for a long time, but that have become distant either physically or emotionally. Perhaps also about being in love with someone who is dead, or that is with somebody else... there's a lot of possibilities for this song, all I know is that its one of my favorites and that it makes me sad...

    SVTristanon October 14, 2008   Link

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