Johnny Rivers - Look To Your Soul Lyrics






I nearly lost myself
Tryin’ to be someone else
All of life I’ve been playing the game.

Gotta get out of myself it seems
Life’s not real when you’re in a dream
Hang on to your head and give it a try.

To live you must nearly die
Giving up the need to say I
Look to your soul for the answer
Look to your soul.

So many people passing by
Have a need to identify
All of us want to be satisfied.

Few people seem to care
Livin’ the life that goes nowhere
Nobody takes the time to try.

To live you must nearly die
Giving up the need to say I
Look to your soul for the answer
Look to your soul.





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Johnny Rivers Look To Your Soul Comments
  1. D.... t....

    My Mom turned me on to Johnny when I was a little girl. I lost my Mom in 1995, she was my best friend as well as the coolest Mom who really loved me & understood me. She turned me on to a few others, more than a few. I miss her. Playing this for you Mom, I miss you so much. I never have been the same without you. RIP Momma. Thanks for the great times.

  2. E.... A....

    Ele é tão lindo quanto as músicas

  3. M.... W....

    Still looking for the answer to who I am.

  4. D.... H....

    🥀Amazing oldies but goodie🥀My Mama loved this song🥀☝️

  5. T.... W....

    I only one of several pronouns . It's not just an I world.

  6. T.... W....

    Giving up the need to say I.

  7. C.... b....

    I love this song so beautiful I use to listen to this when was in Vietnam
    That was a fuck up time man , bad vibes !
    Coming from San Francisco!
    Oh I’m one in Boonie hat
    Vietnam, now retired man
    Great vibes now doing covers of songs!
    Press my picture take to my channel very Shagadelic:-)

  8. W.... ....

    Such a gorgeous song------------and album--------------" Realization " & " Rewind " were THE albums of my life, in the late 60's, & early 70's. They were------------& are, 4-ever, the albums of a girl named Tami---------------& the years, & tears, of Tami & I. ------------------------WolfSky9, 73 y/o

    W.... ....

    No mention of this album--------" Rewind ", or " Changes " should ever be made without grateful thanks to long time producer, arranger, Marty Paich, who's gorgeous arrangements & production made Johnny's music what it was in the late 60's------beautiful. Marty Paich was an " Old -Pro", a man who had been around in the business since the early 50's . he had worked with Gloria Lynne , Nina Simone, & Dinah Washington. He knew how best to bring Johnny's voice into the culture of the late 60's, & did so, with note-perfect arrangements, background singers, echo-chamber recording, & perfect orchestration. ---------He was a pro's pro. ---------WolfSky9

  9. W.... ....

    One of MY all-time Top 20 songs. -----------No, it was NOT a hit ------maybe it was just timing-------but for me, it's a timeless classic, as is this album. ------------Ohhhhhhhh -------the late 60's-----------& today, memories of Tami---------so many memories--------------------------------WolfSky9, 73 y/o

  10. M.... z....

    Difícil dizer qual disco dele é o melhor pra mim todos do primeiro até o de 1982

  11. A.... P....

    música linda e eterna...

  12. G.... P....

    "To Live you must nearly die"Only a few people who have been there has witnessed what he is really trying to say.Some know intuitively.Shed the ego is a good start.Narrow are the gates my friends.

    G.... P....

    ☺🖑

    G.... P....

    @Stratego Twilight Zone how do I get back

    G.... P....

    @Glenn Pennington go to the home page, your inbox, then messages.

  13. W.... B....

    UMA VERDADEIRA OBRA PRIMA CLÁSSICA DE JOHNNY RIVERS....REALIZATION UM ÁLBUM MAJESTOSO...

  14. I.... Y....

    Izzy love's rock 🎸 💘 Enjoy 1968.

  15. M.... C....

    So great to be in the best country of all time for those who don't believe fu

  16. J.... F....

    Sou fã de carteirinha deste grande cantor, recordo os bailinhos de minha adolescência quando a gente dançava de rosto colado com as meninas. Era Feliz e não sabia. Jason/Goiânia GO. Brazil

  17. I.... Y....

    Izzy loves rock 🎸 💘 Enjoy 1968.

  18. f.... b....

    all of my life I been playin the game !  johnny rivers you got me thru my younger life ! thank you for that !  I love all of your music. I miss the redwoods as I had to move away !

  19. f.... b....

    THANK YOU JOHNNY RIVERS YOU ARE AWESOME MAN WITH SOUL !

  20. S.... D....

    I think the CD is beautiful thank you Johnny Rivers for recording it

  21. j.... b....

    Got this album by mistake through a record club. Loved it.

  22. S.... E....

    😘😍

  23. f.... b....

    'TO LIVE YOU MUST NEARLY DIE GIVE UP THE NEED TO SAY I LOOK TO YOUR SOUL'PROPHETIC.  MY FIRST FAVORITE SINGER ! FOREVER TOO.

  24. R.... G....

    LINDA Música de Johnny Rivers 😘😘

  25. R.... D....

    saudade

  26. g.... ....

    The Lettermen do a great version of this, too.

  27. W.... B....

    ALBUM ANTOLOGICO DE JOHNNY RIVERS

  28. R.... G....

    Que voz maravilhosa, Linda música, Jhony rivers 😘😘,Meu pai tinha os discos de vinil, eu adorava ouvir essas músicas românticas 😘

  29. z.... ....

    I definitely owned this album.  In fact, I may still own this--it may be in my daughter's room.  Is this the one with Hey, Joe on it?  That's the main one I remember off of this one.  Slim Slo Slider was my favorite album.

  30. M.... C....

    Such a smooth sound; not much airplay back in the day. Perhaps JR'S best,IMO.

  31. J.... S....

    I loved this song, it meant so much to me when I was young.

  32. B.... B....

    My favorite song from "Realization"! This album was JR's "Song Cycle"album. My good friend,the late Larry Knechtel, played keyboards on the album.I amstill wondering why the title of the album was changed from "The Realization of Mr. Beelzebub" to "Realization".....

  33. F.... P....

    ****** UNE MERVEILLE ****** Merci!!

  34. D.... L....

    And yet another vivid reminder of opertunities lost in the confusion!

  35. S.... G....

    J.R. is one of my favorite. his music and his words relaxes me and I go back to happier times. Shoji G.

  36. t.... ....

    This album is one of my most cherished. What a great compilation of music by a truly great artist in JR.

  37. s.... m....

    My favorite!

  38. R.... G....

    I bought the single; didn't realize what went into this.. the great L.A. musicians.. Hal, Carol, etc...

  39. a.... ....

    Look to your soul is a great song and Johnny Rivers recorded it with soul. I never get tired of listen it.

  40. t.... ....

    Wonderful album, sweet old days... ❤️ Greetings from sunny Florianopolis, Brazil

  41. O.... K....

    I have owned this album since it came out. I've had it in LP, Cassette, 4 & 8 Track, CD and d/l. Timeless and one of the top 10 albums to have come out in the hippie era. Johnny Rivers is one of the least appreciated geniuses of the times and I hope he's had a great life!

  42. p.... ....

    Yo voto porque lo incluyan en el SALON DE LA FAMA, se estan tardando este artista es maravilloso , grandioso.

  43. 7.... ....

    Johnny should be in the RRHOF just based on this album alone, so say nothing of all the other great music he's made and is still doing to this day!

    7.... ....

    Johnny was one of the great voices in all of music and deserves to be in the RRHOF. The 60's and early 70's were a time when the music was real and truly came from the heart

  44. F.... R....

    Sitting in a cab on LSD, in Bing.NY watching the traffic light melt when this song came on, on the radio it was deep

  45. C.... V....

    Uma das mais lindas músicas que já ouvi . Feliz nós que crescemos ouvindo belas canções .

  46. L.... D....

    I think I wore this album out, one of my favorites. This song and The Way We Live are still so very relevant today.

    L.... D....

    To me its speaking of my essence. Yoga or being.

    L.... D....

    Best album ever.

  47. D.... ....

    For some reason you can't play it on the iPad.

    D.... ....

    Yes you can

    D.... ....

    +TALOOSH ? No I can not, because it says "this video is not available".

    D.... ....

    +DerekBayRoberts1 I'm on an iPad and the video works for me. You probably do have Internet connection because you just commented. Maybe you can download the YouTube app and watch the video there like I am.

  48. J.... K....

    One of the most "honest" albums by Johnny Rivers. After all check the album Title ! It also contains according to Bob Dylan, the best version of Positively 4th Street, he has heard. And that's not all ! Listen to this album with ears wide open & "with your Soul". This album is one that "talks" to one.

    J.... K....

    THATS A NICE MEMORY ...

    J.... K....

    Johnny's best album in my humble opinion!

  49. D.... B....

    Est-ce bien ce johnny rivers qui interpreté the ballad of john lee Hooker?Virage à 180°

  50. J.... G....

    Thanks I tube! For sharring Johnny Rivers greatess hits🎶🎵👍

  51. R.... G....

    It sounds like Hal Blaine... and Carol Kaye on the electric bass... Good chance it is 2 bass's... with Osborn on upright.

    R.... G....

    +Robert Gibson Hello Robert ... Yes, the GREAT Hal Blaine on the drums for entire album and Joe Osborn playing bass on the entire album. Larry K. on the keyboards.
    A truly GREAT album..... Roger C. San Diego

  52. J.... S....

    have Realization on vinyl...almost worn out...Spotify has the whole album free

    J.... S....

    Btw how do you pronounce your last name again? Lol

    J.... S....

    +Jack Schitt Do I know you?

  53. D.... G....

    wrecking crew: Jim Gordon, Drums. Glen campbell guitar? 

    D.... G....

    Not sure about guitar but Joe Osborn on bass, I think Hal Blaine was on drums. Him and Joe played together a lot.

  54. S.... ....

    Joe Osborn's tone with those labella flatwounds is astonishing. Great bass line as well. Joe is the master of that sound and style.

  55. D.... L....

    His songs on this album and the songs on his album Homegrown influenced me to be a better person when I was finding out who I was way back then.  Thanks, Johnny!!

  56. J.... R....

    This is his very best song.  There was a period of really good music from 1967-69 ("Summer Rain" to "Muddy River") when Johnny was at his best, even if they weren't his biggest hits.

    J.... R....

    @Jaime Ramirez This song is pure silk with meaning. People have no clue of his seeing how he is going to set up a song

  57. D.... W....

    THE GREAT STUDIO BAND  THE WRECKING CREW ON THIS TRACK JOE OSBORN ON BASS HAL BLAINE ON DRUMS, JOHNNY RIVERS ON ONE OF THE GUITARS

    D.... W....

    Dwight I second your comments Joe Osborn and the GREAT Hal Blaine.
    Roger C.

    D.... W....

    THANX ROGER NICE RESPONSE, I APPRECIATE IT!!

  58. g.... ....

    Is that Darlene Love (and the Blossoms) on background vocals??

    g.... ....

    YES IT IS!!

  59. 2.... ....

    Have been hypnotized by this Realization album and the feeling in Johnny's voice since 68. Don't completely understand why it doesn't affect everybody the way it does me. jab353

    2.... ....

    I understand what you are saying. This is one of the best LP's of all time.

    2.... ....

    22ratshot
    me also... it's a very powerful song

    2.... ....

    22ratshot : because, it speaks truth.

    2.... ....

    I agree it is one of the best albums of the early 70s.

    2.... ....

    22ratshot...I’m with you...certainly in my Top 10

  60. M.... D....

    I had this 45. I really love this song. It stands right up there with "Poor Side Of Town".

  61. J.... W....

    Johnny Rivers is the sage of the "free love" generation.  His songs are not only musically appealing, but contain words of wisdom for living and can truly warm the soul.

    J.... W....

    Well said!

    J.... W....

    No one can sing this good... He is playing with the words..His voice is a profound instrument in love with the emotion feeling and sound... It's a marriage of beauty, humanity and spirit... I cannot think of a more beautiful song than this one by any artist..a master
    at interpretation and sound.. The man is a fricken genius.. Johnny Rivers.

  62. A.... M....

    his  best EVER

  63. m.... s....

    My dad was a hip guy, and had some hip friends....I remember going to my "uncle's" house, and him putting a pair of headphones on me, and told me to just listen....through the haze of smoke, and beaded doors.......I was 6, and this album has stayed with me for 45 years.......

    m.... s....

    Thats a Great memory!!

    m.... s....

    AWESOME MOMENT THANKS FOR SHARING.....music always has a part to play in where we were, how we thought felt ...etc

    m.... s....

    Gumbs feeling it

    m.... s....

    Perfect. I love this song and it has stayed with me all these years and I'm now 66 yrs. young. :-)

    m.... s....

    I was introduced to this album by one of my parents friends too

  64. j.... b....

    Que música maravilhosa. Composição do Jimmy Hendricks. Letra divina e interpretação soberba do Johnny Rivers.  Que saudade!

  65. J.... ....

    Does anyone know the chords to that intro?

  66. O.... L....

    I agree!

  67. B.... S....

    No.James Hendricks............no relation to Jimmy Hendrix

    B.... S....

    Yes, but this Hendricks wrote several of Johnny's best songs around this time period: "Summer Rain", "Look to Your Soul" & (I think) "Muddy River".

  68. F.... T....

    very good

  69. g.... ....

    "Look To Your Soul" was written by James Hendricks, no relation to Jimi Hendrix. There was confusion, both songwriters, same era, similar sounding names.
    How grateful I am to be alive now, to experience the genius that is Johnny Rivers. Not enough ways to say "thank you" for the joy he has given us.

  70. R.... C....

    This song is so fantastic its hard to describe it, just experience it. Some music can't be manifested in words. They affect us in a spiritual way that can only be felt. This whole is on that plane and is one of the greatest albums of all time.

  71. E.... ....

    jimi hendrix wrote this

    E.... ....

    James Hendricks, a different gent

  72. s.... ....

    anytime i want to just mellow out i listen to this album. i think it's the greatest!

  73. a.... ....

    This song is a real musical gem!

  74. m.... r....

    I always go back to listen to my all time favorite album. Johnny Rivers will be in my heart forever!! ULTIMATELY THE BEST !

  75. B.... ....

    You got, my man. The music was so much better in our time. Welcome Home, my friend. Semper Fi.

  76. D.... ....

    Hey bro, I was in Nam, Danang a couple of years after and this song kind of kept me grounded, along with other things. This song is timeless. I hope young people hear it more and get something from it.

  77. M.... ....

    He's had his difficulties, he's only human. Oh, what I would''ve given to have seen him in concert had I not been so sheltered when I was young. Oh well, here we are and here is his music, some things you just have to be grateful for.

  78. M.... ....

    Such a beautiful person, man, inside and out I'd say.

  79. M.... ....

    Don't stop asking yourself important questions about why you think the way you do and why certain things happened and others didn't. I really believe that our answers lie in our past and will get us into the reality we need to go forward, after we get unstuck :) I am still getting unstuck.

  80. M.... ....

    I have LOVED this song for an eternity.

  81. r.... ....

    Great performer. Great song.

  82. M.... R....

    I first heard this song in the mid 80's in my early teens. I found it on a 45 in a thrift store. I always liked psychedelic music but this song was what made me want explore that kind of music further. This song had a huge influence on the way I viewed things. The greatest song ever.

  83. T.... ,....

    This might just be the greatest album cut with the most meaning that never became a hit. When I first heard this on 8 Track Tape it blew me away. Still like it a lot

  84. N.... ....

    sometimes.....but I have spent literally hours,,,days,,,and some things are still unanswered.But maybe after we die we find certain things..? I dunno,,,,Im tired of lookin thats for sure.But I DO certainly know about soul and some things seep deep into yr soul and change yr life and you cannot possibly let go of those things,,whatever they may be. People can be a part of yr soul. I have truly found that in recent years.It can be beautiful or painful.The pain can come from the beauty.For real.

  85. B.... ....

    Back in the Nam war, we all had Zippo lighters with the words, "To live you must nearly die" on them. This song was very popular to us who serve then.

  86. h.... ....

    My all time favorite Johnny Rivers song.

  87. 7.... ....

    I had to buy 4 copies of Realization, just because they got so worn out from playing.
    Johnny Rivers is my all time favorite singer, and always will be. I never get tired of his voice.
    I now have several cds of this album, including one Johnny released on his Soul City label a few years ago. He still performs live. Check out his web site for concert dates.

  88. r.... ....

    @richardcoll1 You sound like your parents! ;) But I agree.

  89. R.... C....

    This is MUSIC.
    Strings, Horns, not to mention the Great Percussionist on this Album.
    These are Musicians.
    Not this CRAP these kids call MUSIC. They couldn't read one page of A Music sheet. Makes me sick whats happen to our "Musicians".

  90. T.... T....

    @fmazzar Funny how music can be so important to us. My thoughts and prayers to your friend. Loved this album also.

  91. f.... ....

    My best friend died a few years back and this was his favorite album. He listened to it when he got home from school, and after supper and before school again. He tried to play the songs on his guitar and he loved especially, "positively 4th Street". We go back to the early 60's and we did everything together, we double dated, went through the hippie thing and we grew up and married and raised our kids together. This music reminds me how important friendship is and how it outlives even death.

  92. L.... D....

    I had this album but mine was "Look to Your Soul!" That's really weird. Wish I still had it!

  93. p.... p....

    Johnny was so ahead of this time of music and his standard setting for his material was just stunning. his sound in all bhis tunes at that time were unbelievable

  94. f.... ....

    I saw my Dad in a whole new way when he said this is his favorite song.

  95. T.... P....

    Yes would give anything to go back to change so many things. Love this Lp. Have this Lp.

  96. m.... ....

    a real soulman.

  97. D.... M....

    @pipefitter0127 I was twelve whemn this came out.It brings back a lot of memories.This will be still playing when that garbage that people call ''music''will be consigned to the discount rack or the landfill [where it belongs].I am 54 and I think that the best music to EVER come out was from the sixties and seventies,but that is just my humble opinion...