Darin was a very special and talented entertainer. He was a Grammy award winning singer ('Mack The Knife'), a respected member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ('Dream Lover', 'Splish Splash', 'If I Were A Carpenter') a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a successful record producer, an Oscar nominated actor and a strong supporter of the American Heart Association. Bobby was married to actress Sandra Dee from 1960-1967. They had one son, Dodd, born in December 1961. As a result of complications from a rheumatic heart, Bobby's life was tragically cut short in 1973.
Darin's mother, Vanina Cassotto, had given birth to him when she was 16, and as a result, her parents raised Darin as though he were their son while Vanina was presented off as his elder sister. Darin did not learn the truth about his parentage until he was 32.
For more on Bobby Darin, watch "Beyond the Sea," in which Kevin Spacey portrays the entertainer.
Simple Song Of Freedom
Bobby Darin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
We, the people here, don't want a war.
Hey, there, mister black man, can you hear me'
I don't want your diamonds or your game
And I will bet my life you want the same.
Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
We, the people here, don't want a war.
Seven hundred million are ya list'nin'
Most of what you read is made of lies
But, speakin one to one ain't it everybody's sun
To wake to in the mornin when we rise
Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
We, the people here, don't want a war.
Brother Solzhenitsyn, are you busy'
If not, won't you drop this friend a line
Tell me if the man who is plowin' up your land
Has got the war machine upon his mind'
Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
We, the people here, don't want a war.
Now, no doubt some folks enjoy doin' battle
Like presidents, prime ministers and kings
So, let's all build them shelves
Where they can fight among themselves
Leave the people be who love to sing.
Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
We, the people here, don't want a war.
I say ' let it fill the air '
Tellin' people everywhere '
We, the people here, don't want a war.
The lyrics to Bobby Darin's "Simple Song Of Freedom" are a plea for unity and peace in a time of political turmoil and war. Darin implores people of all races, nationalities, and political beliefs to come together and sing a "simple song of freedom." He wants individuals to drop their differences, and war-mongering leaders to "fight among themselves" while the people who "love to sing" live in peace.
Through the lines "Hey, there, mister black man, can you hear me?" and "Brother Solzhenitsyn, are you busy?" Darin speaks to specific groups of people, acknowledging their struggles and asking for their solidarity. He speaks of the importance of speaking one-on-one and the need to cut through the lies propagated by the media. From the line "Most of what you read is made of lies," it is clear that Darin distrusts the mainstream media and wants people to take a closer look at what they are being fed.
In summary, "Simple Song of Freedom" is a call for peace and unity in the tumultuous political climate of the time. By appealing to both specific groups and the larger population, Darin implores individuals to drop their differences and come together in a unique effort toward peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Encouragement to come together and express a desire for freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Sing with passion and enthusiasm
Let it fill the air
Let the song reach and affect people near and far
Tell the people everywhere
Spread the message of the song to everyone
We, the people here, don't want a war.
The people want peace instead of war
Hey, there, mister black man, can you hear me'
Addressing a black man in a friendly manner
I don't want your diamonds or your game
I'm not after money or material things
I just want to be someone known to you as me
I want to be acknowledged as myself
And I will bet my life you want the same.
I believe you also want to be recognized as yourself
Seven hundred million are ya list'nin'
Addressing a large group of people
Most of what you read is made of lies
Warning about misinformation
But, speakin one to one ain't it everybody's sun
Communicating directly with others is a basic need
To wake to in the mornin when we rise
Starting the day with honest communication
Brother Solzhenitsyn, are you busy'
Asking a famous writer if he has time to correspond
If not, won't you drop this friend a line
Requesting a letter from the writer
Tell me if the man who is plowin' up your land
Inquiring about the actions of an unknown person
Has got the war machine upon his mind'
Wondering if the person might be involved in a war
Now, no doubt some folks enjoy doin' battle
Recognizing that some people like fighting
Like presidents, prime ministers and kings
Leaders of countries are often associated with war
So, let's all build them shelves
Suggesting a solution to avoid war
Where they can fight among themselves
Giving them a place to conduct their battles without involving others
Leave the people be who love to sing.
Allowing those who prefer peace instead of war to go about their own business
I say ' let it fill the air '
Reiterating the importance of the song's message spreading far and wide
Tellin' people everywhere '
Asking for help in spreading the song's message
We, the people here, don't want a war.
Reiterating that the majority of people want peace
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOBBY DARIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@edithsymmans3273
One thing about Bobby Darin is that he could sing anything and did.... This is so beautiful and so moving, best ever version...
Bobby was the greatest singer of them all in my book, I loved him as a child of four in the mid 1950's, have done ever since......
He always sung from the very depths of his own heart and soul giving 1,000 percent and every bit of himself and then some....
Bobby was not afraid to write a song about something that meant a great deal to him and to sing it so movingly as well.....
I am not sure if people know this about Bobby, but he marched for equal when he felt it's cause was important to everyone....
Someone mentioned about Bobby Darin not having a grave.... The answer is that he donated his body to science, so shortly
after his passing his body was moved as to his request which Bobby made long before his passing....
The lyrics and music of "Simple Song of Freedom" is just as powerful today as when it was first recorded, way to go Bobby....
I still deeply miss, remember and love the greatest singer / entertainer of them all and of all time, Mr. Bobby Darin....
No one does it better that the great man himself, Mr. Magic as we called him here at home......
THANK YOU BOBBY FOR LEAVING AN EXTREMELY DEEP AND MEANINGFUL IMPRESSION ON OUR LIVES FOR THE BETTER YOU ARE TRULY THE MASTER WHEN IT COMES TO MUSIC AND YOU LEFT THEM ALL IN YOUR WAKE, BLESS YOU BIG GUY....
REST IN ETERNAL PEACE BOBBY DARIN.... YOU ARE LOVED TO THE MOON, THE STARS AND FAR BEYOND.
@rnhealer6044
I was surprised when Bobby Darin wrote and performed this protest song which is anything but simple The message was powerful then and still is today. Bobby was an incredibly talented singer, songwriter, and performer. I was so sad when he died. He is still missed.
@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward
❤👍🏼👈
@sandracliburn6109
truly truly truly
@jimsperlakis5634
Great song. Well performed. Too bad he got blackballed for it. War is big business in this country, and he spoke the truth.
@landrykkb
Bobby Darin was undoubtedly one of the most underrated talents ever!
@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward
👍🏼👈
@agataf1320
The wonderful Bobby Darin is my absolute favorite singer. He was the greatest of all and always will be. No one can ever be like him.
@antoniocelsosiqueiraarruda4490
Pra mim também e exemplo de superação. Uma vida sem limites veja o filme.
@dillonthompson5776
You guys must not know who Merle Haggard is. Because he’s 100000x better than mister Darin and I like him too
@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward
@@dillonthompson5776 👎👈🎶