Earlier this year 2015 Lynyrd Skynyrd performed their first two studio albums, “Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd” and “Second Helping”, live in their entirety for the first time, at two specially staged concerts at the Florida Theatre in their home town of Jacksonville, Florida.
The song is one of Lynyrd Skynyrd's most popular songs. Since the song became available for digital download, it has become Lynyrd Skynyrd's third best-selling digital song after "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird". It has sold 1,333,000 copies in the U.S. as of November 2013.
"Simple Man" is the last track on side one of Lynyrd Skynyrd's debut album (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd).
Lyrically the song is about a mother talking to her child about life, inspired by the passing of Ronnie Van Zant's grandmother. The chorus of the song includes electric guitars imitating sections of the arpeggiated intro progression. The guitar solo is performed by Gary Rossington.