Born in Brooklyn, Nilsson moved to Los Angeles as a teenager to escape his family's poor financial situation. While working as a computer programmer at a bank, he grew interested in musical composition and close-harmony singing and was successful in having some of his songs recorded by various artists, such as the Monkees. In 1967, he debuted on RCA Victor with the LP Pandemonium Shadow Show, followed by a variety of releases that included a collaboration with Randy Newman (Nilsson Sings Newman, 1970) and the original children's story The Point! (1971).
He created the first remix album, Aerial Pandemonium Ballet, in 1971, and recorded the first mashup song ("You Can't Do That") in 1967. His most commercially successful album, Nilsson Schmilsson (1971), produced the international top 10 singles "Without You" and "Coconut". His other top 10 hit, "Everybody's Talkin'" (1968), was featured prominently in the 1969 film Midnight Cowboy. A version of Nilsson's "One," released by Three Dog Night in 1969, also reached the U.S. top 10.
During a 1968 press conference, The Beatles were asked what their favorite American group was and answered "Nilsson." Sometimes called "the American Beatle," he soon formed close friendships with John Lennon and Ringo Starr, joining them in the Hollywood Vampires drinking club. He and Lennon produced one collaborative album, Pussy Cats (1974). After 1977, Nilsson left RCA, and his record output diminished. In response to Lennon's 1980 murder, he took a hiatus from the music industry to campaign for gun control. For the rest of his life, he recorded only sporadically. In 1994, Nilsson died of a heart attack while in the midst of recording what became his last album, Losst and Founnd (2019).
The craft of Nilsson's songs and the defiant attitude he projected remain touchstones for later generations of indie rock musicians. Nilsson was voted No. 62 in Rolling Stone's 2015 list of the "100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time," where he was described as "a pioneer of the Los Angeles studio sound" and "a crucial bridge" between 1960s psychedelia and the 1970s singer-songwriter era. The RIAA certified Nilsson Schmilsson and Son of Schmilsson (1972) as gold records, indicating over 500,000 units sold each. He earned two Grammy Awards (for "Everybody's Talkin'" and "Without You").
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Nilsson
Discography
Spotlight on Nilsson (1966)
Pandemonium Shadow Show (1967)
Aerial Ballet (1968)
Skidoo (1968) (soundtrack)
Harry (1969)
Nilsson Sings Newman (1970)
The Point! (1970) (studio album and soundtrack)
Nilsson Schmilsson (1971)
Son of Schmilsson (1972)
A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night (1973)
Son of Dracula (1974) (soundtrack)
Pussy Cats (1974)
Duit on Mon Dei (1975)
Sandman (1976)
...That's the Way It Is (1976)
Knnillssonn (1977)
Flash Harry (1980)
Popeye (1980) (soundtrack)
Losst and Founnd (2019)
Everybody's Talkin' (From
Harry Nilsson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't hear a word they're saying
Only the echoes of my mind
People stopping staring
I can't see their faces
Only the shadows of their eyes
Through the pouring rain
Going where the weather suits my clothes
Backing off of the North East wind
Sailing on summer breeze
And skipping over the ocean like a stone
The lyrics of Everybody's Talkin' seem to be about someone feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from society. The first line, "Everybody's talking at me," gives the initial premise that the singer is surrounded by noise, but not actually hearing anyone or anything. The phrase "Only the echoes of my mind" suggests a feeling of isolation, as if the singer is trapped in their own thoughts and unable to fully connect with others.
The second verse continues with this theme of isolation, with nobody's faces being visible, just the shadows of their eyes. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for a lack of true communication, as if the singer is only able to see a small glimpse of what others are thinking or feeling.
The last verse appears to be a yearning for escape and relief from the overwhelming noise and isolation. The description of going where the sun shines through the pouring rain suggests a desire for positivity and lightness in a difficult situation. The desire to "back off of the North East wind" again symbolizes getting away from something negative, and the idea of "sailing on a summer breeze" and "skipping over the ocean like a stone" give a sense of freedom and possibility.
Overall, it seems that the song is exploring themes of isolation, disconnection, and a yearning for freedom and escape.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody's talking at me
Everyone is speaking to me, but I do not feel like listening to them.
I don't hear a word they're saying
I am not paying attention to what they are saying.
Only the echoes of my mind
My mind is preoccupied with my own thoughts, and I only hear their echoes.
People stop and stare at me
When I pass by, people stop what they are doing and look at me.
I can't see their faces
I cannot see their expressions clearly.
Only the shadows of their eyes
I can only see the shadows reflected in their eyes.
I'm going where the sun keeps shining
I am traveling to a place where the weather is always sunny.
Through the pouring rain
Even in the rain, the sun will continue shining.
Going where the weather suits my clothes
I am traveling to a place where the climate is suitable for the clothes I am wearing.
Backing off of the North East wind
I am avoiding the harsh North East wind, which is blowing in the opposite direction.
Sailing on summer breeze
I am enjoying the gentle wind of summertime, which is taking me further away from the North East wind.
And skipping over the ocean like a stone
I am crossing the ocean effortlessly, as if I am throwing a stone across the water's surface.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: FRED NEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@catherinebrimant8581
" Everybody's talking at me
I don't hear a word they're saying
Only the echoes of my mind
People stopping, staring
I can't see their faces
Only the shadows of their eyes
I'm going where the sun keeps shining
Through the pouring rain
Going where the weather suits my clothes
Banking off of the northeast winds
Sailing on a summer breeze
And skipping over the ocean like a stone
I'm going where the sun keeps shining
Through the pouring rain
Going where the weather suits my clothes
Banking off of the northeast winds
Sailing on a summer breeze
And skipping over the ocean like a stone
Everybody's talking at me
Can't hear a word they're saying
Only the echoes of my mind
I won't let you leave my love behind
No, I won't let you leave
I won't let you leave my love behind ".
@Laritalia26
Everybody's talking at me
I don't hear a word they're saying
Only the echoes of my mind
People stopping, staring
I can't see their faces
Only the shadows of their eyes
I'm going where the sun keeps shining
Through the pouring rain
Going where the weather suits my clothes
Banking off of the northeast winds
Sailing on a summer breeze
And skipping over the ocean like a stone
I'm going where the sun keeps shining
Through the pouring rain
Going where the weather suits my clothes
Banking off of the northeast winds
Sailing on a summer breeze
And skipping over the ocean like a stone
Everybody's talking at me
Can't hear a word they're saying
Only the echoes of my mind
I won't let you leave my love behind
No, I won't let you leave
I won't let you leave my love behind
@michaeltowle2607
I walked endlessly with this song echoing in my head. I was content. No one could deter my path.
I sought the shining sun and the pounding surf. I found them.
They were bright, clear and pure.
I bathed in their glory.
They enveloped me and we became one.
I am with you, always, just above.
Lift your eyes.
I gaze down and reach to you with love.
Don't falter, I am here for you.
@ABritInThePhilippines
One of my all time favourite songs, and i loved the film too, but this also reminds me of a clip from my favourite comedy show "Only Fools and Horses" and the episode "The Jolly Boys Outing"...
@thewalkingman777
Watching it right now !
@maxter4685
Best episode of only fools and horses !!!
@hwoodward884
Maxter 46 Couldn’t agree more
@joeritchie7286
I lost my dolphin
@carrroad13
Joe Ritchie 😂😂😂😂
@sarahallen3733
Iv just sat holding my nans hand in hospital watching her pass away. And this song was playing on smooth radio, for sure everyone was talking at her and she couldn’t hear a word , it chuckled me as tears rolled down my face. Love and miss her millions but this song definitely hits differently now 😍
@philipnorris6542
Love you, Sarah, although we've never met; keep on keeping on, and there is always something to live for.
@lizstraub6621
She won’t let you leave your love behind… she’s taking it with her and wrapping it around you until you meet again. Believe it. ❤️
@donnademko6352
Actually...
That's quite Beautiful.
Sorry about Your Nan.
❤️