Original Performance: Nick Drake
Written by: Nick Drake
Written by: Nick Drake
Versions:
- Parasite (4:14)
Available on Nick Drake Covers.
CreditsBrian Lebarton: Drums, Keyboard / Synthesizer
Beck Hansen: Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals
Lyrics:
Parasite [Version (a)]:
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
And hearing the trial of the people there
Who's to care if they lose?
And take a look: you may 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
And hearing no bell from a steeple tall
People all in dismay
Falling so far on a silver spoon
Making the moon for fun
And changing a rope for a size too small
People all get hung
Take a look and see me coming through
For I am the parasite who travels two by two
Lifting the mask from a local clown
And feeling down like him
I'm seeing the light in a station bar
And travelling far in sin
And I'm sailing downstairs to the northern line
Watching the shine of the shoes
And hearing the trials of the people there
Who's to care if they lose?
And take a look: you may see me on the ground
For I am the parasite of this town
And take a look: you may see me in the dirt
I am the parasite who hangs from your skirt
Mmmmm
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
And hearing the trial of the people there
Who's to care if they lose?
And take a look: you may 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
And hearing no bell from a steeple tall
People all in dismay
Falling so far on a silver spoon
Making the moon for fun
And changing a rope for a size too small
People all get hung
Take a look and see me coming through
For I am the parasite who travels two by two
Lifting the mask from a local clown
And feeling down like him
I'm seeing the light in a station bar
And travelling far in sin
And I'm sailing downstairs to the northern line
Watching the shine of the shoes
And hearing the trials of the people there
Who's to care if they lose?
And take a look: you may see me on the ground
For I am the parasite of this town
And take a look: you may see me in the dirt
I am the parasite who hangs from your skirt
Mmmmm
The Song:
In December 2005, Beck put up three Nick Drake covers on his website, including this hypnotic performance of "Parasite." (The other two are "Pink Moon" and "Which Will".)
In 2012, the song was released on a promo CD of cover songs also. The disc is just labeled as "BMG Covers Sampler 2012," but don't think it was ever really legit for sale.
Anyway, Beck's version of "Parasite" is one of my favorite covers he's ever done. It is fairly faithful to Drake's original, as it should be, but as such a long time fan of Drake's, Beck knows this song. He and Brian Lebarton get into the hypnotic nature of the music, and then his weary vocals are perfect.
In December 2005, Beck put up three Nick Drake covers on his website, including this hypnotic performance of "Parasite." (The other two are "Pink Moon" and "Which Will".)
In 2012, the song was released on a promo CD of cover songs also. The disc is just labeled as "BMG Covers Sampler 2012," but don't think it was ever really legit for sale.
Anyway, Beck's version of "Parasite" is one of my favorite covers he's ever done. It is fairly faithful to Drake's original, as it should be, but as such a long time fan of Drake's, Beck knows this song. He and Brian Lebarton get into the hypnotic nature of the music, and then his weary vocals are perfect.