Simple Man
Lynyrd Skynyrd
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I was cutting a rug Down at place called The Jug With a girl named Linda Lou When in walked a man With a gun in his hand And he was looking for you know who He said, "Hey there, fellow With the hair colored yellow Whatcha tryin' to prove? 'Cause that's my woman there And I'm a man who cares And this might be all for you I said, excuse me I was scared and fearing for my life I was shaking like a leaf on a tree 'Cause he was lean, mean Big and bad, Lord Pointin' that gun at me "Oh, wait a minute, mister I didn't even kiss her Don't want no trouble with you And I know you don't owe me But I wish you'd let me Ask one favor from you" "Oh, won't you Gimme three steps, gimme three steps, mister Gimme three steps towards the door? Gimme three steps, gimme three steps, mister And you'll never see me no more" For, sure Well the crowd cleared away And I began to pray And the water fell on the floor And I'm telling you, son Well, it ain't no fun Staring straight down a forty-four Well, he turned and screamed at Linda Lou And that's the break I was looking for And you could hear me screaming a mile away As I was headed out toward your door "Oh, won't you Gimme three steps, gimme three steps, mister Gimme three steps towards the door? Gimme three steps, gimme three steps, mister And you'll never see me no more" Show me the back door
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Written by: ALLEN COLLINS, RONNIE VAN ZANT
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Composition"Simple Man" is a song written by Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
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Album InformationThis track is included in Lynyrd Skynyrd's debut album, "Pronounced 'Leh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd", which was released in 1973.
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Song Inspiration"Simple Man" was inspired by a comment made by Ronnie Van Zant's grandmother when she told him to "be a simple kind of man."
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Posthumous ReleaseEven though the song was recorded in 1973, it received significant radio play following the 1977 plane crash in which Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and backup singer Cassie Gaines were killed.
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Remakes and CoversSeveral artists have covered or remade "Simple Man.", including Shinedown, The Deftones, and Charlie Daniels.
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Live PerformancesLynyrd Skynyrd typically plays "Simple Man" towards the end of their live performances as it is one of their most popular songs.
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Chart PerformanceDespite its popularity, "Simple Man" wasn’t released as a single and therefore didn't chart upon its original release. However, it has become one of Lynyrd Skynyrd's signature songs.
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Song Theme"Simple Man" subscribes to a common theme in rock where the guidance of a parent is given to a child, in this case urging the child to maintain modesty and humility in all endeavors.
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Song DurationIt is a long song, with a duration of 5 minutes and 57 seconds, which is typical of many Lynyrd Skynyrd’s tracks.
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Mourning TributeAfter Ronnie's death, the surviving members reformed the band in 1987 with Johnny Van Zant leading. They often close their shows with "Simple Man," turning it into a tribute to Ronnie and the others lost in the plane crash.
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