Debut album blending folk and chamber pop with melancholic string arrangements, including 'River Man' and 'Northern Sky'.
Artist page · 05/07/2026
Nick Drake
About
Nick Drake, English folk introspection from Yangon to Warwickshire.
Three studio albums on Island Records with multiple original UK pressings tracked live.
Raised in Tanworth-in-Arden, England, Drake picked up guitar and songwriting in his youth. After brief studies at Cambridge, he focused on music, gaining notice from figures like producer Joe Boyd and members of Fairport Convention. Signed by Island Records, he released three albums: Five Leaves Left (1969), Bryter Layter (1971), and Pink Moon (1972). These records showcase chamber folk arrangements, intricate guitar work, and introspective lyrics.
Drake recorded his final album in two short sessions in a country house provided by Island's president. Following his last release, he withdrew from music and died in 1974 aged 26.
Discography
Nick Drake — Discography
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
Hannibal Records · 1986
Island Records · 1972
Island Records · 1971
Island Records · 1969Playlist
Signature tracks
The tracks that sum up Nick Drake's career.








The essentials
The 3 Nick Drake albums you absolutely need
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
Sophomore album with jazz-infused folk rock and contributions from John Cale and Fairport Convention members.
Final solo album recorded in two brief sessions, featuring sparse acoustic guitar and minimal production.
Go further
Artists similar to Nick Drake
Artists who share part of Nick Drake's musical DNA.
Collectors
For vinyl die-hards
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
Market values (source: Discogs)
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
Notable pressings & editions
The “Why this rarity” column comes from our upstream sourcing work: for each album, we explain what makes this pressing sought after by collectors (limited run, specific matrix, withdrawn edition…).
Face B
Side B: the hidden stories of Nick Drake
Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.
Nick Drake's meticulous guitar playing and prosody influenced a broad spectrum of folk and rock musicians.— Contemporary folk commentary
Pink Moon recorded over two midnight sessions
In 1972, Pink Moon was recorded in just two sessions starting at midnight, yielding a concise album of 11 acoustic tracks without accompaniment.
Five Leaves Left original UK pressing
The original UK pressing of Five Leaves Left (1969, Island Records ILPS 9105) remains collectible with around two copies currently available around 928€ minimum price.
Bryter Layter produced with Joe Boyd
Bryter Layter in 1971 included production by Joe Boyd and contributions from John Cale of Velvet Underground and members of Fairport Convention.
Rare original US test pressing of Pink Moon
An original US test pressing of Pink Moon (Island Records SMAS 9318) is extremely scarce with no copies currently for sale and a want/have ratio of nearly 4:1.
Records by Nick Drake
See all
CDs by Nick Drake
Search all Nick Drake CDsFAQ
FAQ: Nick Drake on physical formats
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
What are the key Nick Drake albums available on vinyl?
Nick Drake's key albums on vinyl include Five Leaves Left (1969), Bryter Layter (1971), and Pink Moon (1972), all originally released on Island Records.
Which Nick Drake vinyl pressings are considered original and collectible?
Original UK pressings of Five Leaves Left and Bryter Layter from Island Records, as well as the US test pressing of Pink Moon, are sought after among collectors.
Where did Nick Drake grow up and what influence did it have on his music?
Nick Drake grew up in Tanworth-in-Arden, Warwickshire, England, a rural area that inspired the introspective and pastoral qualities of his folk music.
How long is the Pink Moon album and what makes it distinctive on vinyl?
Pink Moon runs about 28 minutes, recorded over two brief midnight sessions, notable for its sparse acoustic guitars and absence of accompaniment.
What is the price range for original UK pressings of Five Leaves Left on vinyl?
Original UK pressings of Five Leaves Left on vinyl typically range from around 700€ to over 1600€ depending on condition and availability.
Are there notable Nick Drake vinyl releases in France?
Nick Drake albums, especially reissues of his major studio works, are widely available in France through labels like Universal Music.
How did Nick Drake's music reach new listeners after his death?
His music gained renewed interest through reissues, documentaries, and use of tracks like “Pink Moon” in commercials and films.
Which tracks by Nick Drake have the highest vinyl play counts?
Tracks like “Pink Moon,” “Place to Be,” and “Northern Sky” are among the most played and recognized in vinyl circles.
Transparency
Sources & method
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
- Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.

