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Jackson Browne — For A Dancer
Album: Late For The Sky
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1921









Released: 1974
Length: 4:40
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Keep a fire burning in your eye
Pay attention to the open sky
You never know what will be coming down
I don't remember losing track of you
You were always dancing in and out of view
I must've thought you'd always be around
Always keeping things real by playing the clown
Now you're nowhere to be found

I don't know what happens when people die
Can't seem to grasp it as hard as I try
It's like a song I can hear playing right in my ear
But I can't sing
I can't help listening
I can't help feeling stupid standing 'round
Crying is they ease you down
'Cause I know that you'd rather we were dancing
Dancing our sorrow away
(Right on Dancing)
No matter what fate chooses to play
(There's nothing you can do about it anyway)

Just do the steps that you've been shown
By everyone you've ever known
Until the dance becomes your very own
No matter how close to yours
Another's steps have grown
In the end there is one dance you'll do alone

Keep a fire for the human race
Let your prayers go drifting into space
You never know what will be coming down
Perhaps a better world is drawing near
Just as easily it could all disappear
Along with whatever meaning you might have found
Don't let the uncertainty turn you around
(The world keeps turning around and around)
Go on and make a joyful sound

Into a dancer you have grown
From a seed somebody else has thrown
Go on ahead and throw some seeds of your own
And somewhere between the time you arrive
And the time you go
May lie a reason you were alive
That you'll never know
Comments (161)add comment
Update please…

 rtree wrote:

I first heard this song 27 years ago. My first wife and I were in the process of splitting up. We did, and in the intervening 27 years we each had totally different lives, kids, families, deaths, etc. Last year, we got back together, and I am certain we will not repeat the mistake. I still dance with joy to the songs on this album. Freedom. Awareness. Joy. Change.



 rtree wrote:

I first heard this song 27 years ago. My first wife and I were in the process of splitting up. We did, and in the intervening 27 years we each had totally different lives, kids, families, deaths, etc. Last year, we got back together, and I am certain we will not repeat the mistake. I still dance with joy to the songs on this album. Freedom. Awareness. Joy. Change.




Wondering how its going 15 years later...
Amazing how he was able to eloquently express what he felt at a young age.
Beautiful lyrics. 
his first four albums are quite good
Saw him and James Taylor a few weeks ago, they were great!
 ExpatLarry wrote:

Got a mouse in your pocket? Which "1 woman" that "we" know of are you referring to? If it's Daryl Hannah the actress, you should do some research.  The police put out a statement exonerating Browne in that incident, and she didn't want to press charges despite this alleged"beating" which conveniently meant he didn't get his day in court, just lots of "juicy" tabloid coverage. Consider those two facts and also ask yourself: Why would a woman with Daryl Hannah's financial resources and fame NOT press charges over something as egregious as physical abuse? Unlike far too many women, she was not in the position of being dependent on her abuser with nowhere to go.
I'm not normally interested in this 'Personal Lives of the Famous!' tabloid stuff, but for your comment to be at the top of the page unchallenged just seems wrong to me.


Which is the reason for the split of CSN&Y. Neil not appreciating Crosby bringing up Daryl Hannah's past abuse of Jackson's name.
 coyote620 wrote:

What a circle of life you encountered.  Glad it worked out again.



Wow.  There really is hope.
My brother-in-law put the lyrics to this song on the prayer card for his father who just recently committed suicide. After reading the card, which came in the mail, I heard this song on RP that same day and texted my brother-in-law. 

Now, whenever I hear this song I get a chill. Poignant. 

Love people now because you never know if you'll get that chance again. 
Love.
JB is a god among us.  Enjoy and celebrate his time on earth.
Changed this from 7 to 8. The lyrics are really resonating with me and I've always loved JB's voice
Not as good a version as on Late For The Sky, but still a wonderful song.
Brings back good memories! JB a great song writer: a solid 10!
I remember hearing this album when it came out and just couldn’t believe how someone could make an album with every song  perfect. Voice, arrangement, lyrics all just hit the right note then. And they still do. 

10
 rtree wrote:
I first heard this song 27 years ago. My first wife and I were in the process of splitting up. We did, and in the intervening 27 years we each had totally different lives, kids, families, deaths, etc. Last year, we got back together, and I am certain we will not repeat the mistake. I still dance with joy to the songs on this album. Freedom. Awareness. Joy. Change.
 
What a circle of life you encountered.  Glad it worked out again.
Uplifting wistful downbeat socially conscious inspiring, as just about no one from that era but Mr. Browne could ever write as if he inhabited every note and syllable. 
my favorite Jackson Browne tune
My favorite English teacher when I was in Jr. High used to use song lyrics from Jackson Browne and Bruce Springsteen as examples of modern poetry.  He wasn't wrong and all of the kids loved it and brought in other song lyrics from different artists for the class to evaluate as well.  Oh, the '70's.
This sounds like a live version and not the one from the album! Correct the artwork, or play the original instead..?
The type treatment on this album cover is by the great Rick Griffin.
 Grayson wrote:
So how many black eyes did Browne give at least 1 woman that we know of? So sad he ruined all his treacle-y AF songs all by himself. 
 
Got a mouse in your pocket? Which "1 woman" that "we" know of are you referring to? If it's Daryl Hannah the actress, you should do some research.  The police put out a statement exonerating Browne in that incident, and she didn't want to press charges despite this alleged"beating" which conveniently meant he didn't get his day in court, just lots of "juicy" tabloid coverage. Consider those two facts and also ask yourself: Why would a woman with Daryl Hannah's financial resources and fame NOT press charges over something as egregious as physical abuse? Unlike far too many women, she was not in the position of being dependent on her abuser with nowhere to go.
I'm not normally interested in this 'Personal Lives of the Famous!' tabloid stuff, but for your comment to be at the top of the page unchallenged just seems wrong to me.
So how many black eyes did Browne give at least 1 woman that we know of? So sad he ruined all his treacle-y AF songs all by himself. 
 Tomasni wrote:
For me only rating 7
 

For me only rating 10 because I can't make it a 20.  Love this, love Jackson, but this is one of his best.  
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Maybe try doing a little actual research before nailing someone to the cross.

Here is a statement made by Lt. John Miehle of
the Santa Monica Police Department in November 1992:

"The Santa Monica Police Department went to the house where Jackson
Browne lives regarding a possible disturbance. We resolved the
situation in about five minutes. There was never any assault. There
are no charges pending and no prosecution sought by or intended by the
District Attorney. It is this department's intention that no citizen,
regardless of who she is, suffer any kind of abuse, whether it be
domestic violence or any other kind of assault. But in this case,
absolutely no assault occurred. Our investigators tell us nothing happened.
Nobody has even alleged that Daryl Hannah was even touched.

If they had, we'd be investigating. We're not hiding anything. The
press is trying to make more out of this than there really is, and
it's unfair, not just to Browne, but to us. We did our job, and
repeat, no crime occurred here.  This whole thing is ridiculous."



 
Also, Daryl Hannah has said for YEARS he never hit her!!!!!!!!!  ugh, READ people!
For me only rating 7
Err, Phyllis Major didn't die until 1976! For a Dancer was written for an old friend of JB's long before his wife commited suicide. Interestingly, the time following his wife's suicide was when JB moved away from confessional singer-songwriter material and started to write more politically motivated songs. The track 'The Shape of a Heart' was written about Phyllis, and details their passionate and sometimes difficult relationship beautifully.  Cynaera wrote:

You need to listen to "Ready or Not."  Or "I Hear Your Heart Beating."  He has a very sly and fun sense of humor, and unless you listen closely, you might miss it.  And BTW:  Do you even KNOW what "Running On Empty" is about? Don't judge by titles - listen to the words. And BTW again, "Running on Empty" wasn't his biggest hit.  And "For A Dancer" was written for his first wife, Phyllis, who committed suicide. (Do with that what you probably will.)

Get your damned facts straight. And pull your head out of your assets.  Yeah, I'm tired and running a fever. I'll probably delete this comment tomorrow, if I remember that I posted it. {#Mrgreen}

And Stingray?  There are no words for your ignorance, so I'll make one up: Ignopsychomisanthrope.  There. A nice, big, juicy word for you to chew on for awhile. Maybe it'll give you time to consider thinking before you post. (I won't tell you the word I made up for myself to achieve the same result.)

 

 raenvald wrote:
"Go on and make a joyful sound."

What a splendid commissioning. 

 
Up lift this comment to the top!  More poignant as the years pass.  
Jackson just turned 70. I've always liked/loved his songs but he's almost always so damn wistful. Uplifting downbeat.  One has to be in the mood. 

OH My, those lyrics !!! Wow!   He sure can write a sad song, and many of them.  Regardless, he always takes me back to a time...

The old penny just keeps turning up...and it's still marginal.
i just came back after a few days and WHOA. this new site is fucking amazing. bill, you have made radio the way it's always supposed to be. we thank you for it. most appropriate for a really great song. quite existential for a pop song. 

edit. shoulda read the comments below first. 
This is the only song that compares with Sky Blue and Black. Tune is so so but the lyrics make living matter. That gets a 10 from me.
 AndyJ wrote:
Jackson Browne and Neil Young... I've never seen them together...Both were overplayed, and have a whiny nasal sound...Browne is a bit less...But their music has a "I need to write a hit" quality...Like watching losers at poker or baseball swinging for fences every time...

I'd rather hear some "Younger Brother" or "Lindi Ortega" or anybody under 50...

 
This might come a bit late but today's playlist fulfills both...

Younger Brother — Happy Pills
 lily34 wrote:
i love jackson browne. but i feel like his songs are so sad the majority of the time... i'm sure i'm wrong. yet...

 
He suffered the loss (suicide) of someone so dear to him during this period.  
The lyrics to this song give me goosebumps. 
i love jackson browne. but i feel like his songs are so sad the majority of the time... i'm sure i'm wrong. yet...
Launching me back, rocket like, into happier times.
Ok. ;-)

fair wnough~ 
"Go on and make a joyful sound."

What a splendid commissioning. 
Where street lamps has a name.
 shellbella wrote:
Jackson Browne can do no wrong.  That's just the way it is....  {#Heartkiss}

 

You are SOOO right shellbella.
I "found him" when I was 12 when he put out his first album that included such amazing songs as Song for Adam, Doctor My Eyes, Rock Me on the Water, My Opening Farewell.  My best friend's dad had been given the album by someone else and he didn't like it.  He didn't know him so gave it to me!!!!:)  Actually, no one I knew knew who he was! I became an ardent follower from that point forward.  I make a point of getting every single one of his albums/cds.  He is my chosen one, my muse.  We have grown old together.
{#Clap}
 shellbella wrote:
Jackson Browne can do no wrong.  That's just the way it is....  {#Heartkiss}

 
How right you are!
Listen to the live acoustic version: best song there is
What a wonderful song. 
{#Cheers}



{#Cheers}



{#Cheers}



{#Cheers}



{#Cheers}



{#Cheers}


{#Cheers}



{#Cheers}



{#Cheers}



{#Cheers}



{#Cheers}



{#Cheers}



 GODLIKE
 
Words to live by:

Go on and make a joyful sound
Into a dancer you have grown
From a seed somebody else has thrown
Go on ahead and throw some seeds of your own
And somewhere between the time you arrive
And the time you go
May lie a reason you were alive
That you'll never know
 chrisross wrote:
So sorry, I stopped listening to Jackson Browne after he beat Daryl Hannah!  Shame shame Jackson and RP for playing.
 
Maybe try doing a little actual research before nailing someone to the cross.

Here is a statement made by Lt. John Miehle of
the Santa Monica Police Department in November 1992:

"The Santa Monica Police Department went to the house where Jackson Browne lives regarding a possible disturbance. We resolved the situation in about five minutes. There was never any assault. There are no charges pending and no prosecution sought by or intended by the District Attorney. It is this department's intention that no citizen, regardless of who she is, suffer any kind of abuse, whether it be domestic violence or any other kind of assault. But in this case, absolutely no assault occurred. Our investigators tell us nothing happened. Nobody has even alleged that Daryl Hannah was even touched. If they had, we'd be investigating. We're not hiding anything. The press is trying to make more out of this than there really is, and it's unfair, not just to Browne, but to us.
We did our job, and 
repeat, no crime occurred here.  
This whole thing is ridiculous."


So sorry, I stopped listening to Jackson Browne after he beat Daryl Hannah!  Shame shame Jackson and RP for playing.
A little bit teary now. The music/melody is nothing special IMHO but the lyrics........
goosebumps!   total goosebumps sitting here listening to this right now....such a great, great album
Putting down my pen to sit back, listen, and wonder how she's doing.
{#Kiss}  G O D L I KE 

{#Yes}                                   {#Yes}                                          {#Yes}
"Always keeping things real by playing the clown."

Lyrical wisdom.




wow  

thank you for the lyrics, it's great to read and think along with JB's sweet music, his strong contemplations, get me all teary but also in a way stronger 
The music is wonderful, I want the car !
Jackson Browne can do no wrong.  That's just the way it is....  {#Heartkiss}
 nagsheadlocal wrote:
Oh, man, sitting around the old student ghetto with friends, listening to Jackson Browne, passing the buds and suds. 

I will always have a soft spot in my heart for this album, not only for the excellent music but for the memories. 

 
Here, here! {#Cheers}
 steeler wrote:

When I listen to these songs, there always are lines that make me stop and pause. And remember. And contemplate what may have been or what might be.       

 

I know just what you mean, brother (or sister, as the case may be).

"And while the future's there for anyone to change, still you know it seems 
It would be easier sometimes to change the past." 
Oh, man, sitting around the old student ghetto with friends, listening to Jackson Browne, passing the buds and suds. 

I will always have a soft spot in my heart for this album, not only for the excellent music but for the memories. 
Late for the Sky:  Jackson's masterpiece.


Each song represents a journey into the depths of one's soul.

When I listen to these songs, there always are lines that make me stop and pause. And remember. And contemplate what may have been or, possibly, what might be.       
 AndyJ wrote:
Jackson Browne and Neil Young... I've never seen them together...Both were overplayed, and have a whiny nasal sound...Browne is a bit less...But their music has a "I need to write a hit" quality...Like watching losers at poker or baseball swinging for fences every time...

I'd rather hear some "Younger Brother" or "Lindi Ortega" or anybody under 50...
 
Jackson Browne I can see...  But do you honestly believe that Neil Young was trying to write a hit every time?  That seems like one of the last things on his mind.  
JB has an amazing number of great songs.  A great American artist.  He just keeps growing on me, getting better with time.
Jackson Browne and Neil Young... I've never seen them together...Both were overplayed, and have a whiny nasal sound...Browne is a bit less...But their music has a "I need to write a hit" quality...Like watching losers at poker or baseball swinging for fences every time...

I'd rather hear some "Younger Brother" or "Lindi Ortega" or anybody under 50...
Been on a HUGE Jackson Browne kick this year.
exactly!  Bill you are on a roll today! 

Antigone wrote:
Another song I wish I could rate "10" more than once.
 


"Perhaps a better world is drawing near, just as easily it could all dissapear".

This should mean something to every man, and woman I think, it's called hope but also gaurd your happiness how you can, enjoy each day. 

K? Okay. Class dismissed.  
I know this tune means something to somebody...but I find this dull for Jackson Browne.
Another song I wish I could rate "10" more than once.
 Stingray wrote:
Since I read that he liked to beat his girlfriends in the face,
I cannot hear voice and lyrics of the guy the same way, any longer!
 
You already tried this bait several times, troll.
Time to come up with some fresh material.
 Cynaera wrote:
I would count it THE high point of my life to be sitting in an audience watching Jackson Browne perform with no accompaniment but his guitars and his piano.

Well, I guess the only other high point would be walking on the moon.
 
You would have loved when he played here years ago to mark the signing of the land line treaty. Three artists of the bill each played about an hour and did a few tunes together. Artist were Bruce Cockburn, Jan Arden and Jackson Browne.
 JrzyTmata wrote:

don't believe everything you read in the tabloids
The Non-Incident

Here is a statement made by Lt. John Miehle of the Santa Monica Police Department in November 1992:
"The Santa Monica Police Department went to the house where Jackson Browne lives regarding a possible disturbance. We resolved the situation in about five minutes. There was never any assault. There are no charges pending and no prosecution sought by or intended by the District Attorney. It is this department's intention that no citizen, regardless of who she is, suffer any kind of abuse, whether it be domestic violence or any other kind of assault. But in this case, absolutely no assault occurred. Our investigators tell us nothing happened. Nobody has even alleged that Daryl Hannah was even touched. If they had, we'd be investigating. We're not hiding anything. The press is trying to make more out of this than there really is, and it's unfair, not just to Browne, but to us. We did our job, and repeat, no crime occurred here. This whole thing is ridiculous."


 
bump for Stingray, since he doesn't seem to backscroll through the comments.

<thoroughly discredited BS deleted by admin>
Homage


 Cynaera wrote:
I would count it THE high point of my life to be sitting in an audience watching Jackson Browne perform with no accompaniment but his guitars and his piano.

Well, I guess the only other high point would be walking on the moon.
 
Do you have his live acoustic discs?  They are pretty much exactly as you described.  Can't remember if this one is on there but it's chock full of great tunes.

 peter_james_bond wrote:

I believe you are referring to Chris Brown, not Jackson Browne.

 
I believe that he was referring to the "incident" between Jackson Browne and Daryl Hannah.  Browne called the police because of Hannah's behavior one night, she accused him of getting physical, the police investigated and did not arrest anyone.  No charges were pressed and I believe that Daryl Hannah has since recanted her accusations.

Tired old sound - boring piano & percussion is particularly repetitive and lame
Jacksons best album ever!
Pretty timeless, eh?
Personell?

I would count it THE high point of my life to be sitting in an audience watching Jackson Browne perform with no accompaniment but his guitars and his piano.

Well, I guess the only other high point would be walking on the moon.
 elliotgoettelman wrote:

his voice and words can find the feelings that i didn't know were in my soul..........and let them out.

 
Sounds messy... but I think I know what you are getting at.  I like him too.

his voice and words can find the feelings that i didn't know were in my soul..........and let them out.


This is still one of my favorite Jackson Browne songs, and one of my favorite Jackson Browne albums (I waffle between "Late For the Sky" and "The Pretender," with both of his acoustic works in a class apart from his work with a band.) I think I have most of this album on my MP3 player, and since tomorrow is promising to be warmer, I might actually get a long day of work, so I'm looking forward to hearing JB a lot. {#Daisy}{#Music}{#Meditate}{#Sunny}


 Stingray wrote:
Since I learned that BROWNE beats woman,
I cannot buy into anything he sings any longer!

 
I believe you are referring to Chris Brown, not Jackson Browne.

Just saw Jackson at a solo acoustic show on Friday, March 25th. Just him, 17 acoustic guitars and an electric piano. He had no set list and basically just took requests from the audience. It was a great show.


Just saw JB 2 nights ago in Vancouver. Solo acoustic; Great show. His voice still sounds excellent.

Saw JB at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver on Saturday night, March 26, 2011.  Great solo performer.  His interaction with the audience is quite wonderful.  And his singing and guitar & Piano playing just seems to get better as he ages.  Great show Jackson.  :-)
 lemmoth wrote:
I like to call Jackson Browne "Mr. Depression."  It's a general tone to much of his popular work and of course when your biggest hit is called "Running on Empty"..........
 
You need to listen to "Ready or Not."  Or "I Hear Your Heart Beating."  He has a very sly and fun sense of humor, and unless you listen closely, you might miss it.  And BTW:  Do you even KNOW what "Running On Empty" is about? Don't judge by titles - listen to the words. And BTW again, "Running on Empty" wasn't his biggest hit.  And "For A Dancer" was written for his first wife, Phyllis, who committed suicide. (Do with that what you probably will.)

Get your damned facts straight. And pull your head out of your assets.  Yeah, I'm tired and running a fever. I'll probably delete this comment tomorrow, if I remember that I posted it. {#Mrgreen}

And Stingray?  There are no words for your ignorance, so I'll make one up: Ignopsychomisanthrope.  There. A nice, big, juicy word for you to chew on for awhile. Maybe it'll give you time to consider thinking before you post. (I won't tell you the word I made up for myself to achieve the same result.)

Perhaps his most introspective? Certainly one of his finest...can't help thinking of friends that are no longer here...

And somewhere between the time you arrive and the time you go
May lie a reason you were alive but you'll never know

 Randomax wrote:
I just can't believe people think this any longer....as you point out, it was explained and expunged years ago!  Stop it....he is amazing and unbelievably giving in concert!  . . .
 
Agreed. Sadly, the tabloid media never lets the truth get in the way of a juicy story.

 JrzyTmata wrote:

don't believe everything you read in the tabloids
The Non-Incident

Here is a statement made by Lt. John Miehle of the Santa Monica Police Department in November 1992:
"The Santa Monica Police Department went to the house where Jackson Browne lives regarding a possible disturbance. We resolved the situation in about five minutes. There was never any assault. There are no charges pending and no prosecution sought by or intended by the District Attorney. It is this department's intention that no citizen, regardless of who she is, suffer any kind of abuse, whether it be domestic violence or any other kind of assault. But in this case, absolutely no assault occurred. Our investigators tell us nothing happened. Nobody has even alleged that Daryl Hannah was even touched. If they had, we'd be investigating. We're not hiding anything. The press is trying to make more out of this than there really is, and it's unfair, not just to Browne, but to us. We did our job, and repeat, no crime occurred here. This whole thing is ridiculous."


 
I just can't believe people think this any longer....as you point out, it was explained and expunged years ago!  Stop it....he is amazing and unbelievably giving in concert!  Besides, wasn't there ever a time when any one of us wanted to slap Ms. Hannah (SORRY - just some humor - didn't mean any disrespect!!)  {#Taped-shut}

I'll just comment to move Stingray down.  Great song.
 Stingray wrote:
Since I learned that BROWNE beats woman,
I cannot buy into anything he sings any longer!

 
don't believe everything you read in the tabloids
The Non-Incident

Here is a statement made by Lt. John Miehle of the Santa Monica Police Department in November 1992:
"The Santa Monica Police Department went to the house where Jackson Browne lives regarding a possible disturbance. We resolved the situation in about five minutes. There was never any assault. There are no charges pending and no prosecution sought by or intended by the District Attorney. It is this department's intention that no citizen, regardless of who she is, suffer any kind of abuse, whether it be domestic violence or any other kind of assault. But in this case, absolutely no assault occurred. Our investigators tell us nothing happened. Nobody has even alleged that Daryl Hannah was even touched. If they had, we'd be investigating. We're not hiding anything. The press is trying to make more out of this than there really is, and it's unfair, not just to Browne, but to us. We did our job, and repeat, no crime occurred here. This whole thing is ridiculous."




 Stingray wrote:
Since I learned that BROWNE beats woman,
I cannot buy into anything he sings any longer!

 
Disagree and would like for you to provide evidence or retract that assertion, which damages his reputation recklessly. Every account I can find exonerates Jackson; in fact, he seems to have taken the high road and not dragged Daryl through the trash media.


Wow Bill, how did you know it was raining here in Toronto?
Since I learned that BROWNE beats woman,
I cannot buy into anything he sings any longer!



 lingchih wrote:

He'd seen too many Yes album covers?
 
Ha. Just say no to Yes.
This song and I were born in the same year. I hope I'm holding up better than it is.
A very bittersweet song...gives me chills every time I hear it. thanks Bill!
 ice-9 wrote:
 toterola wrote:
The best version I've heard is on "Solo Acoustic, Volume 1".
 

The Solo Acoustic albums are fantastic.  His songs sound great in a stripped down acoustic guitar/vocals/piano style.  Highly recommended.

 toterola wrote:
I love this song. I have another excellent version of it on the "Western Wall" album with Emmylou and Linda Ronstadt. I can't listen to one without reaching for the other.

Thanks for playing this, Bill. It fits my melancholy mood on a rainy Friday evening. {#Umbrella}


The best version I've heard is on "Solo Acoustic, Volume 1".  The album really demonstrates the strength of good music, without the extra "production", something I think Jackson's studio albums always suffered a little from.  There is an equally beautiful version out there somewhere on a tribute album to Nicolette Larson.

i don't remember a bad song jackson has put out. request him for ever...

Thanks for this jewel Bill & Rebecca.
Jackson Browne just soothes my soul and renews my commitment to fight the good fight.
His music is so much about life; good, bad, and indifferent and how we're all in it together.
Keep up the good music guys.


There's a very Sunday morning-like quality to Jackson Browne's voice.
...very Existentialist lyrics...
one of my favs, used to follow it up with One more cup of Coffee to help satisfy the violin fix.
Wow.  Being a teenager feels so close, but it was so many years ago....  Love this album!
Great song for moments of transition, like the end of GM or leaving work.
z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z.............

Sorry, great lyricist or not, Jackson's always done this to me.
I like to call Jackson Browne "Mr. Depression."  It's a general tone to much of his popular work and of course when your biggest hit is called "Running on Empty"..........

I love this song. I have another excellent version of it on the "Western Wall" album with Emmylou and Linda Ronstadt. I can't listen to one without reaching for the other.

Thanks for playing this, Bill. It fits my melancholy mood on a rainy Friday evening. {#Umbrella}

I hope calypsus doesn't object, I've included the lyrics. Slainte.

Keep a fire burning in your eye
Pay attention to the open sky
You never know what will be coming down

I don’t remember losing track of you
You were always dancing in and out of view
I must’ve always thought you’d be around
Always keeping things real by playing the clown
Now you’re nowhere to be found

I don’t know what happens when people die
Can’t seem to grasp it as hard as I try
It’s like a song playing right in my ear
That I can’t sing
I can’t help listening

I can’t help feeling stupid standing ‘round
Crying as they ease you down
Cause I know that you’d rather we were dancing
Dancing our sorrow away
(Right on dancing)
No matter what fate chooses to play
(There’s nothing you can do about it anyway)

Just do the steps that you’ve been shown
By everyone you’ve ever known
Until the dance becomes your very own
No matter how close to yours another’s steps have grown
In the end there is one dance you’ll do alone

Keep a fire for the human race
And let your prayers go drifting into space
You never know will be coming down

Perhaps a better world is drawing near
And just as easily, it could all disappear
Along with whatever meaning you might have found
Don’t let the uncertainty turn you around
(The world keeps turning around and around)
Go on and make a joyful sound

Into a dancer you have grown
From a seed somebody else has thrown
Go on ahead and throw some seeds of your own
And somewhere between the time you arrive and the time you go
May lie a reason you were alive but you’ll never know



What a blast from the past!  I used to have this album and pretty much wore it out.  Love this song - thanks for playing it Bill
It never happened. Stop passing along tabloid gossip as the truth. Daryl Hannah recanted the accusations. Police were there the night of the supposed incident and are on record that NOTHING happened.

 
segueman wrote:
Jeez, how could the same guy who wrote something this beautiful also be a wife beater. That was a real shocker and taints a lot of good music I used to enjoy.
 


JB has been one of my favorite lyricists ever since "Saturate Before Using."
It seems like there's been a bit more JB on RP of late. I like it!
apd wrote:
Wonder why the art director choose to pair such an understated photo with chrome-effect script type? An odd choice, to say the least...

 

There is some info about the album cover here:
https://website.lineone.net/~fred.taylor/lfts.htm
 apd wrote:
Wonder why the art director choose to pair such an understated photo with chrome-effect script type? An odd choice, to say the least...

 
He'd seen too many Yes album covers?

Wonder why the art director choose to pair such an understated photo with chrome-effect script type? An odd choice, to say the least...