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

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

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

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.