A stunningly beautiful song. Lyrically, no one writes with the emotional depth that Jackson Browne does. I have entered my 7 decade on earth and his songs have been with me for around 50 years. I love his music more today than ever.
Jackson is my all time fave and this song is one of the best. Even on my final plans to be played at my celebration of life. He has sooo many and has truly been the poet of our age.
Thanks for sharing this, Sarah. Here's what Jackson had to say about the song: "I wrote this for a friend of mine who died in a fire," Browne said of the poignant song in 2016. "He was in the sauna in a house that burned down, so he had no idea anything was going on. It was very sad. He was a really interesting guy. Besides being a great dancer, he was an ice skater - he had a job in the Ice Follies. And he was a great tailor - he would make his friends clothes. He was a Renaissance man. When I wrote him the song - it's a song I've sung many times, other times when people have died - but I was making a metaphor out of the dance. Just the idea that your life is a dance. And there's a line in it, 'In the end, there is one dance you do alone.' That's one of the songs I've sung all through the years, and for me, it's like going to that place, and dealing with the fact that life will end. It's a sad song, but at the same time, it feels good to sort through that reality and touch base with it, and then go on." Every time I here this song it reminds me of a friend I lost to suicide just after high school. Say hi To Christian for me. Dick
No one hits the heart like Jackson Browne.... What a genius and my favorite songwriter ever I think... And the man has always fought for what he believes in, has probably done hundreds of benefit shows for causes he believes in, a truly good soul...
He has written a couple of other songs for friends who have passed. Song For Adam, on his first album, was written for a friend who may or may not have killed himself. Of Missing Persons, was written about Lowell George of the band Little Feat, and is written as if speaking to George's daughter. Browne's first wife committed suicide when they had a very young child. He wrote the very moving Only Child to his young son, telling him to be kind to his mother's memory as he grows older and learns what happened. On the same album, Sleep's Dark And Silent Gate directly addresses Browne's grief.
Sarah. well now I am a wreck. My clown and dancer (she was both) was taken from me several years ago by a brain tumor. Every time I hear this song I come undone. She wells up in my heart again. But I'm glad that you got to hear this song. It is beautifully written and sung as only Jackson could. He is amazing. As always... thank you.
I was in a building across the street from the south tower of the WTC on 9/11. The opening words hit different now. I also think of all the dancers (and non dancers) we lost that day.
Sarah, I think you would really like the original studio version too, from 1974, when Jackson Browne was still a young man. The backing harmonies are a little different sounding too 👍
This song has given me comfort in trying times since it came out in the 70’s. In 1989, while sitting with my best friend as she was dying of cancer(she was 32), I wrote the lyrics to this song over and over. It gave me comfort. Such an awesome song! When I hear it today, I still think of my friend, and that makes me happy. Beautiful reaction.
This is from an album called "Late for the Sky". Every song is so good. You'll find that to be true with most Jackson Brown albums. Great reaction, you should listen the the studio version also.
known this song for over 40 years, it becomes more real and meaningful the older you become, its pure poetry. Never seen this live version before, it was wonderful. BTW your reactions are so genuine and heartfelt and appreciative. Thank you.
Jackson Browne was and is the great bard of the generation that came of age during the 1960s and 70s, so it always helps in deciphering the meaning of his lyrics to understand the history of those times and what that generation of young people experienced. And, for those of us who were there and traveled roughly the same road that Jackson did, he was/is our great lyrical historian, both in personal ways and collectively. Also, he has kept the faith politically as an artist over the years, remaining humble and dedicated to the values of the peace and environmental movements that he and the rest of us came of age with. I'd like to highly recommended three specific songs of his that demonstrate what I'm talking about: Before the Deluge, The Pretender, and Lives in the Balance. His catalog is vast and filled with impressive and meaningful work, but those three have long been among my very favorite Jackson Browne masterpieces. I also would recommend drawing from these albums for the versions to listen and react to.: Late For the Sky (1974), The Pretender (1976), Running On empty (1977) and Lives In the Balance (1986). And, I might add that I am not generally inclined toward celebrity worship or gushy nonsense, but Jackson is the real deal!
Listening to this 10x a day for the last 20 years has truly kept me alive after finding my best friend of 30 years murdered, shot in the head. Sadly, a many of days I have wanted to take the easy way out yet I endure
Thanks Sarah for sharing this beautiful, deep and rarely-reacted-to masterpiece of lyricism, one of Jackson's best, and there are quite a few of those.
I'm not sure that he wrote this song at the age of 15. He wrote "These Days" when he was a teenager. I feel like I grew up with Jackson Browne, but I never heard this live version. Exceptional!
Thank you for your heartfelt reaction/review. Jackson Browne has many other tracks that those of us, who were into his albums, were fortunate to discover back in the day. I recommend "Our Lady of the Well", "Your Bright Baby Blues", and "Call it a Loan", to name only a few of them.
Sarah, that was my mistake. It appears though he was 26 when he wrote it or at least when it was released. Anyway, another amazing reaction. This is such an incredible song.. in Venice just takes it to the next level as well with their incredible harmonies. And Jackson's piano is flawless
This kind of philosophical writing is a product of the hippy era - but anyone can feel it, just drop acid (or mescaline, my favorite) :) The Grateful Dead did a cosmic-themed song called Throwing Stones about the human condition - not as poignant but still thoughtful
This album (and Jackson Browne himself), is one of the greatest. I love your sincere reaction. But the captions, dear one, have the lyrics wrong in many places. JB is a poet for the ages.
A stunningly beautiful song. Lyrically, no one writes with the emotional depth that Jackson Browne does. I have entered my 7 decade on earth and his songs have been with me for around 50 years. I love his music more today than ever.
Jackson is my all time fave and this song is one of the best. Even on my final plans to be played at my celebration of life. He has sooo many and has truly been the poet of our age.
I feel so lucky to have grown up in a time when Jackson was a huge part of the soundtrack of my life
Jackson Brown is a musical genius.
And then some!
Thanks for sharing this, Sarah. Here's what Jackson had to say about the song: "I wrote this for a friend of mine who died in a fire," Browne said of the poignant song in 2016. "He was in the sauna in a house that burned down, so he had no idea anything was going on. It was very sad. He was a really interesting guy. Besides being a great dancer, he was an ice skater - he had a job in the Ice Follies. And he was a great tailor - he would make his friends clothes. He was a Renaissance man. When I wrote him the song - it's a song I've sung many times, other times when people have died - but I was making a metaphor out of the dance. Just the idea that your life is a dance. And there's a line in it, 'In the end, there is one dance you do alone.' That's one of the songs I've sung all through the years, and for me, it's like going to that place, and dealing with the fact that life will end. It's a sad song, but at the same time, it feels good to sort through that reality and touch base with it, and then go on." Every time I here this song it reminds me of a friend I lost to suicide just after high school. Say hi To Christian for me. Dick
No one hits the heart like Jackson Browne.... What a genius and my favorite songwriter ever I think... And the man has always fought for what he believes in, has probably done hundreds of benefit shows for causes he believes in, a truly good soul...
He has written a couple of other songs for friends who have passed. Song For Adam, on his first album, was written for a friend who may or may not have killed himself. Of Missing Persons, was written about Lowell George of the band Little Feat, and is written as if speaking to George's daughter.
Browne's first wife committed suicide when they had a very young child. He wrote the very moving Only Child to his young son, telling him to be kind to his mother's memory as he grows older and learns what happened. On the same album, Sleep's Dark And Silent Gate directly addresses Browne's grief.
Sarah. well now I am a wreck. My clown and dancer (she was both) was taken from me several years ago by a brain tumor. Every time I hear this song I come undone. She wells up in my heart again. But I'm glad that you got to hear this song. It is beautifully written and sung as only Jackson could. He is amazing. As always... thank you.
One of his best. The studio version is superb. Also try live unplugged version of “The Birds of St. Marks”
I was in a building across the street from the south tower of the WTC on 9/11. The opening words hit different now. I also think of all the dancers (and non dancers) we lost that day.
Sarah, I think you would really like the original studio version too, from 1974, when Jackson Browne was still a young man. The backing harmonies are a little different sounding too 👍
My first time hearing this too. It's so lovely. Thank you for sharing
This song has given me comfort in trying times since it came out in the 70’s. In 1989, while sitting with my best friend as she was dying of cancer(she was 32), I wrote the lyrics to this song over and over. It gave me comfort. Such an awesome song! When I hear it today, I still think of my friend, and that makes me happy. Beautiful reaction.
Jackson Brown is a fabulous writer and was underrated. "Running on Empty" is my favourite Album by Jackson Brown.
This is from an album called "Late for the Sky". Every song is so good. You'll find that to be true with most Jackson Brown albums. Great reaction, you should listen the the studio version also.
This song is from an album that has deep meaning to me. From vinyl to CD, the "Late for The Sky Album" has been with me on my journey.
known this song for over 40 years, it becomes more real and meaningful the older you become, its pure poetry. Never seen this live version before, it was wonderful. BTW your reactions are so genuine and heartfelt and appreciative. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful song. I have never heard this before. Love your emotional reactions. ❤️ ❤❤❤
😅playing the CLOWN is what I’ve always thought ??
I cried from the first note
Such a heartfelt song, and such a heartfelt reaction.
Jackson Browne was and is the great bard of the generation that came of age during the 1960s and 70s, so it always helps in deciphering the meaning of his lyrics to understand the history of those times and what that generation of young people experienced. And, for those of us who were there and traveled roughly the same road that Jackson did, he was/is our great lyrical historian, both in personal ways and collectively.
Also, he has kept the faith politically as an artist over the years, remaining humble and dedicated to the values of the peace and environmental movements that he and the rest of us came of age with. I'd like to highly recommended three specific songs of his that demonstrate what I'm talking about: Before the Deluge, The Pretender, and Lives in the Balance.
His catalog is vast and filled with impressive and meaningful work, but those three have long been among my very favorite Jackson Browne masterpieces. I also would recommend drawing from these albums for the versions to listen and react to.: Late For the Sky (1974), The Pretender (1976), Running On empty (1977) and Lives In the Balance (1986).
And, I might add that I am not generally inclined toward celebrity worship or gushy nonsense, but Jackson is the real deal!
Listening to this 10x a day for the last 20 years has truly kept me alive after finding my best friend of 30 years murdered, shot in the head. Sadly, a many of days I have wanted to take the easy way out yet I endure
My wife died in 2022 after struggling with Parkinson’s Disease. This song brings tears to my eyes every time.
Thanks Sarah for sharing this beautiful, deep and rarely-reacted-to masterpiece of lyricism, one of Jackson's best, and there are quite a few of those.
My first time hearing this song... so beautiful!
Gorgeous song!! 😊
That song blew me away
I'm not sure that he wrote this song at the age of 15. He wrote "These Days" when he was a teenager. I feel like I grew up with Jackson Browne, but I never heard this live version. Exceptional!
This song was written for his "Late for the Sky" album in 1974, when he was around 26 years old.
That was my fault. I miscalculated
One of my favs off of Late for the Sky
Beautiful reaction to a beautiful song !
Thank you for your heartfelt reaction/review. Jackson Browne has many other tracks that those of us, who were into his albums, were fortunate to discover back in the day. I recommend "Our Lady of the Well", "Your Bright Baby Blues", and "Call it a Loan", to name only a few of them.
Sarah, that was my mistake. It appears though he was 26 when he wrote it or at least when it was released. Anyway, another amazing reaction. This is such an incredible song.. in Venice just takes it to the next level as well with their incredible harmonies. And Jackson's piano is flawless
Late for the Sky is a great album.
It’s a brilliant song. It has been covered a number of times, but by far the most brilliant is by Clive Gregson & Christine Collister.
This kind of philosophical writing is a product of the hippy era - but anyone can feel it, just drop acid (or mescaline, my favorite) :) The Grateful Dead did a cosmic-themed song called Throwing Stones about the human condition - not as poignant but still thoughtful
for Nicolette Larson and others
This album (and Jackson Browne himself), is one of the greatest. I love your sincere reaction. But the captions, dear one, have the lyrics wrong in many places.
JB is a poet for the ages.
First time hearing him. Beautiful. (Gentle comment: not a fan of the captioning...somehow it bothers my eyes and makes me feel nauseous.)
Oh, sorry about that.
Life is painful.
He did NOT write this when he was 15 years old.