Originally David Richard Solberg, he was born the son of a Lutheran minister. His father, Dr. Richard Solberg, was a senior representative for Lutheran World Relief during the reconstruction of Germany after World War II, and the family moved frequently while Soul was growing up. Soul's brother is a Lutheran minister and social activist.
Soul first gained attention as the mysterious "Covered Man" on several appearances on The Merv Griffin Show in 1967 in which he sang while wearing a ski mask and explained, "My name is David Soul, and I want to be known for my music".
Soul then appeared as level-headed Joshua Bolt on the television program Here Come the Brides, and later Arthur Hill's law partner on, "Owen Marshal: Counselor At Law". Superstar status came when he portrayed Detective Hutchinson on Starsky and Hutch. He has also made guest appearances on shows such as I Dream of Jeannie, McMillan and Wife, Cannon, Gunsmoke, World War III (miniseries), Star Trek, and The Streets of San Francisco. His best known film appearance was opposite Clint Eastwood in Magnum Force (1973). Soul also appeared in the mini-series based on Stephen King's horror classic "Salem's Lot" (1978).
After a successful singing career, including hits such as "Don't Give Up on Us" and "Silver Lady", Soul fell into relative obscurity during the 1980s, fought a long battle with alcoholism, although frequently made guest appearances in various US television series, with the occasional small film role.
In the 1990s, Soul moved to London, and forged a new career on the West End stage. He also notably participated in the successful 1997 election campaign of Martin Bell. In September 2004, he became a British citizen, but has kept his US citizenship and ties with the US. He is a big fan of English football (soccer) and is an Arsenal supporter. He has been married four times, three of those marriages have been to actresses: Karen Carlson, Patty Sherman, and Julia Nickson-Soul. He has six children: five sons and one daughter. His brother, Daniel Solberg, is pastor of St. Paulus Lutheran Church in San Francisco, California.
On July 12, 2004, he took over playing the role of Jerry Springer in Jerry Springer: The Opera at the Cambridge Theatre in London, televised by the BBC in 2005. He returned to the West End in 2006, playing Mack in a new production of Jerry Herman's musical Mack and Mabel at the Criterion Theatre. The production co-starred Janie Dee and was directed by John Doyle. He also appeared in the TV series Dalziel & Pascoe (Game of Soldiers). He had a brief cameo in the 2004 movie version of Starsky & Hutch, alongside original co-star Paul Michael Glaser.
In August 2008, Soul appeared in the reality TV talent show-themed television series Maestro on BBC Two mentored by Natalia Luis-Bassa.
He appeared with Fred Ward and Willem Dafoe in the film Farewell directed by Christian Carion, which received its U.S. release in 2010.
In June 2012, Soul made a one-week appearance with Jerry Hall at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, in a reprise of the Pulitzer Prize-nominated play by A. R. Gurney, Love Letters. On July 29, 2012, he appeared in an episode of the British television detective drama series Lewis, playing a murder victim. He was also featured in the hit album by Fosseytango, singing on the track "Landlord". In 2013, Soul appeared in a cameo role in the Scottish film Filth lip-syncing his own recording of "Silver Lady". In 2014, Soul appeared in a British television commercial for National Express singing "Silver Lady" while driving a coach.
Soul died on January 4, 2024, at the age of 80.
Simple Life
David Soul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To light my way home
Leave a light on to shine
On the streets below
Say a prayer for me
So everyone will know
And say a prayer for everyone
On the streets below
I come to you
Seeking a place
Where love will last forever
In every heart
There is a vision of a simple life
Another place
Another time
In each of us
There are some memories
That we keep alive
A simple life
A simple life
There are doors open
There are doors forever closed
The paths are many
Oh, sometimes it's hard to know
So leave a light on
So that everyone can see
And let it shine down
Shine down on you
Let it shine down on me
And in the times of darkness
We will be as one
In a place where love will last forever
In every heart
There is a vision of a simple life
Another place
Another time
In each of us
There are some memories
That we keep alive
A simple life
A simple life
So say what you will
Say what you will
Say it but you're only asking questions
Say it for me
Say it for me
Say it 'til we understand the meaning
Remembering the feelings of
Of a simple life
In every heart
There is a vision of a simple life
Another place
Another time
In each of us
There are some memories
That we keep alive
A simple life
A simple life
David Soul's song "Simple Life" is an emotional plea for connection and community. The singer speaks of the difficulty in finding one's way through life's paths and asks for help and guidance from loved ones. He asks for prayers to be said for him and every person on the streets below. The song's central theme is the human desire for a simple life beyond the complexities of the modern world.
The lyrics are introspective and encourage the listener to reflect on their own memories and experiences. The line "In every heart there is a vision of a simple life" speaks to the universal human experience of yearning for a life without worry, stress, and uncertainty. The song suggests that community and connection are crucial in helping individuals achieve this vision of a simple life.
The song ends with a call to action, asking listeners to speak openly and honestly about their experiences and feelings. The singer begs listeners to "say it 'til we understand the meaning" and to never forget the feelings of a simple life.
Line by Line Meaning
Leave a light on
Remind me of home as I travel
To light my way home
To guide me back to where I belong
Leave a light on to shine
Illuminate the darkness around me
On the streets below
On the paths that everyday people walk
Say a prayer for me
Ask for divine intervention on my behalf
So everyone will know
So that all those around me will be aware
And say a prayer for everyone
Ask for divine intervention for all of us
On the streets below
On the paths that everyday people walk
Now in this moment of weakness
During this time of vulnerability
I come to you
I turn to you for support
Seeking a place
Trying to find somewhere
Where love will last forever
Where love endures eternally
In every heart
Within each person
There is a vision of a simple life
Each holds a mental picture of a less complicated existence
Another place
Somewhere different
Another time
In a different era
In each of us
Within every individual
There are some memories
There exist particular recollections
That we keep alive
That we choose to remember
A simple life
An uncomplicated existence
There are doors open
Opportunities remain available
There are doors forever closed
Some opportunities are permanently lost
The paths are many
There exist numerous avenues for us to take
Oh, sometimes it's hard to know
It can be difficult to determine the best course of action
So leave a light on
Provide guidance to others like me
So that everyone can see
So that all can perceive the way forward
And let it shine down
Illuminate the path clearly
Shine down on you
As you tread your own path
Let it shine down on me
As I cross new horizons
And in the times of darkness
During periods of obscurity
We will be as one
We will band together
In a place where love will last forever
In a location where love endures eternally
So say what you will
Speak your mind
Say it but you're only asking questions
Although you are posing queries
Say it for me
Speak up on my behalf
Say it 'til we understand the meaning
Keep on talking until we grasp the significance
Remembering the feelings of
Recalling the emotive response
Of a simple life
Linked to an uncomplicated existence
Writer(s): Alex Call
Contributed by Callie G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.