The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
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'll help you some sunny day, ah yeah"
"Oh, take your time, don't live too fast
Troubles will come and they will pass
You'll find a woman, yeah, 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"
Oh yes, I will
"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
"Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say
And if you do this it'll help you some sunny day, ah yeah"
"Oh, take your time, don't live too fast
Troubles will come and they will pass
You'll find a woman, yeah, 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"
Oh yes, I will
"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
Lyrics submitted by magicnudiesuit
Simple Man Lyrics as written by Gary Robert Rossington Ronnie Van Zant
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Great version of a great song,
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Basically, live your life so that you'll love yourself for everything you do. Don't worry about worldly things, they come and go. Only do what you want to do, follow your heart, and be proud of all of your accomplishments.
what? no one wrote a comment about this song? this song is one of the best lynyrd skynyrd songs around. its a great song to play pool with and a great driving song. and if you listen to the words carefully you can kinda catch the drift of what the song is about, its about how to live and how to love. that's what i get outta it. long live Lynyrd skynyrd! long live rock and roll!!!
i cant believe so many people on here say they 1st heard it from a movie soundtrack. come on peoplke were you all born and raised in a friggin cave? skynyrd will never die. not even a plane crash can kill them off...rock on!
@mossyoak83 No, we weren't. Some of us aren't living in the southern states of the USA and breeding with out siblings. In metropolitan parts of the world, the only Skynyrd song that ever gets played is their biggest hit.
i just want to say that this song helped me in so many ways .while i was in iraq this song help me remember i have to be strong to stay alive so as to come home to my famaly.on top of the fact that it is the best song ever written.
This song has played a major role in my life. Anytime I ever felt like something wouldnt happen or work out for the best, this song always reminded me to be optimistic and try to see the good in life.
This one makes me cry sniff. Seriously there have been times in my life (loss of a job, failure of some other sort) where this song has really gotten me back on track. It reminds you me that all the stuff we collect doesn't mean a thing in the end. Only your integrity, your friends, and your soul matter. Don't lose them.
Any only child should recognise the lyrics of this song here. For me, many's the time that my mam and I have sat and talked like that. An amazing song and one that I can seriously relate to.
Great song. I listen to it when I'm frustrated or depressed, for example, after a terrorist attack, or a major political/sports scandal.
"be something you love and understand" Hard as Simple ...
Heard this song for the 1st time on a beer commercial...sucks thats how I found out about it. I just went through something huge in my life and this song made me feel like I made the right choices..."Troubles will come and they will pass" is right on. Nothing like some Skynyrd to feel good about music and yourself.