Easy Livin'

Album: Demons And Wizards (1972)
Charted: 39
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Easy Livin" has long been a fun-time party song, a go-to for small-town cover bands on Saturday nights, sure to win over the crowds. It makes sense, as the lyrics seem to about living a comfortable, stress-free life. Like Joe Walsh's "Life's Been Good" and Dire Straits' "Money For Nothing," however, the song is actually meant to be ironic.

    Uriah Heep member Ken Hensley, who wrote this and most of the band's biggest songs, talked to Songfacts about the inspiration for this one.

    "After a few long days in the studio, some of us were sharing a taxi home, and the conversation drifted to the fact that most people see our lives as easy. That we just show up at a venue, play, collect a million dollars and go home!"

    The words "life" and "easy" stuck in Hensley's mind, and that night when he got back to his flat, he wrote "Easy Livin" in "about 15 minutes."
  • Hensley had no idea that "Easy Livin" would be such a hit. He told Songfacts, "I knew we had a great song for the band and it translated into a great live song but, since I never wrote (nor write) with a particular 'destination' in mind, I hardly ever considered that a song may succeed to any extent at all."
  • This was the only Uriah Heep song to crack the Top 40 in the United States. It was an even bigger hit in the Netherlands and Finland, two countries that proved to be longtime bastions of Heep fandom.
  • There's a live version of the song on the 1988 album Live in Moscow that was released as a single in the UK.

Comments: 5

  • Harry Lime from Usa WncNo question. This song is about the "easy living" that comes from the Salvation from Jesus. Maybe never easy, but easier if you have inner strength from Him. BTW, Mick Box is the most underrated rock guitarist. Just listen to Salisbury.
  • Im A Believer from This WorldAmen, Brothers and Sisters!
  • Believer from Planet EarthAnonymous I think nails it on the head peace. I've been forgiven since you taken you're place in my heart Thank you Lord.
  • AnonymousA song of salvation!
  • Bill from UsAnd lets not forget the guitar work of Mick Box on any of these songs.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.