Pink Moon, the last studio album of the great Nick Drake, is in my opinion (and that of many others) his absolute masterpiece.

The album differs from the previous ones, given that the only instruments present in the tracks are the guitar and the piano. The album begins with the title track, as tranquil and resigned as it is apocalyptic (does the pink moon actually represent death?). Already from the first track, the main characteristics of the work are present: a background melancholy that in the subsequent tracks will erupt into complete depression, Drake's empty and emotionless voice, and a resigned tone. From here on, all the tracks are pearls of rare beauty that represent the author's tormented soul, his broken hopes, the simplicity, the goodness, and the complexity of one of the best songwriters ever. To love Pink Moon, it must first of all be understood and in my opinion, it is not something for everyone and requires great sensitivity. Discovering this work is at the same time a wonderful and heartbreaking experience, one of the saddest and most touching albums ever.

Tracklist Lyrics and Samples

01   Pink Moon (02:06)

I saw it written and I saw it say
Pink moon is on its way
And none of you stand so tall
Pink moon gonna get you all
It's a pink moon
It's a pink, pink, pink, pink, pink moon...

02   Place to Be (02:43)

When I was young, younger than before
I never saw the truth hanging from the door
And now I'm older see it face to face
And now I'm older gotta get up clean the place

And I was green, greener than the hill
Where flowers grew and the sun shone still
Now I'm darker than the deepest sea
Just hand me down, give me a place to be

And I was strong, strong inside
I thought I'd see when day was done
Now I'm weaker than the palest blue
Oh, so weak in this need for you

03   Road (02:02)

You can say the sun is shining if you really want to
I can see the moon and it seems so clear
You can take the road that takes you to the stars now
I can take a road that'll see me through
I can take a road that'll see me through.

You can take a road that takes you to the stars now
I can take a road that'll see me through
I can take a road that'll see me through
I can take a road that'll see me through.

04   Which Will (02:58)

05   Horn (01:23)

Instrumental

06   Things Behind the Sun (03:57)

Please beware of them that stare
They'll only smile to see you while
Your time away
And once you've seen what they have been
To win the earth just won't seem worth
Your night or your day
Who'll hear what I say.
Look around you find the ground
Is not so far from where you are
But not too wise
For down below they never grow
They're always tired and charms are hired
From out of their eyes
Never surprise.

Take your time and you'll be fine
And say a prayer for people there
Who live on the floor
And if you see what's meant to be
Don't name the day or try to say
It happened before.

Don't be shy you learn to fly
And see the sun when day is done
If only you see
Just what you are beneath a star
That came to stay one rainy day
In autumn for free
Yes, be what you'll be.
Please beware of them that stare
They'll only smile to see you while
Your time away
And once you've seen what they have been
To win the earth just won't seem worth
Your night or your day
Who'll hear what I say.

Open up the broken cup
Let goodly sin and sunshine in
Yes that's today.
And open wide the hymns you hide
You find reknown while people frown
At things that you say
But say what you'll say
About the farmers and the fun
And the things behind the sun
And the people round your head
Who say everything's been said
And the movement in your brain
Sends you out into the rain.

07   Know (02:25)

08   Parasite (03:36)

When lifting the mask from a local clown
feeling down like him.
Seeing the light in a station bar and travelling far in sin.
Sailing downstairs to the Northern line
watching the shine of the shoes.
Hearing the trials of the people there
who's to care if they lose.

Take a look you might see me on the ground,
for I am the parasite of this town.

Dancing a jig in a church with chimes
a sign of the times today.
Hearing no bell from a steeple tall
people all in dismay.
Falling so far on a silver spoon
making the moon for fun.
Changing a robe for a size to small
people all get hung.

Take a look you might see me coming through,
for I am the parasite who travels two by two.

Lifting the mask from a local clown
feeling down again.
Seeing the light in a station bar
and travelling far in sin.
Sailing downstairs to the Northern line
watching the shine of the shoes.
Hearing the trials of the people there
who's to care if they lose.

Take a look you might see me on the ground,
for I am the parasite of this town.
Take a look you might see me in the dirt,
for I am the parasite who hangs from your skirt.

09   Free Ride (03:06)

10   Harvest Breed (01:37)

Falling fast and falling free you look to find a friend
Falling fast and falling free this could just be the end
Falling fast you stoop to touch and kiss the flowers that bend
And you're ready now
For the harvest breed

11   From the Morning (02:32)

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Other reviews

By zaireeka

 Listening is not enough.

 I listen to Pink Moon and embark on a journey at the end of my little night.


By joe strummer

 Nick’s voice penetrated my heart to touch the deepest strings of my soul, it motivated me immensely.

 This album has made my life less trivial, less flat and gray.


By maxgit

 "'Pink Moon' is the story of a defeat but also represents a victory."

 The image is one of free fall, into the void, without a parachute. But there’s no pain, no suffering, you simply let yourself be carried away.


By Louis

 I recognize that fantastically acoustic guitar, that familiar and unknown voice, beautiful and dangerous, perhaps the right thing at the wrong time?

 Tears are the blood of the soul.


By Frank Bermuda

 "Pink Moon is just like a sad phone call that goes deep inside you and injects you with a form of profound melancholy."

 "Nick Drake is the almost extinguished ember burning in the coal of a fireplace, but that will never fully go out."