In Other Words

Not me, Jackson Browne

And he turned 60 last week.

Singer/songwriter Jackson Browne turned 60 this past Thursday. If you were listening to popular music in the 1970’s, you are familiar with his music in one way or another. Already writing songs as a teenager, he started out (briefly) with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in California in the mid-1960s. He headed out to make a name for himself in Greenwich Village, supporting Tim Buckley and teaming up with the mysterious Nico, who recorded three of his songs.

Although I grew out of the melancholy colors and moods that he painted so well, Runnin’ on Empty is still one of my favorites.

Come to think of it, so is Dr. My Eyes, and his version of Stay, which was recorded just up the road from where I live, at Merriweather Post.

And, just to wax nostalgic, a little story. My brother the BBD, my sister and I were all home from college one week, many years ago, back in the days when I took my guitar everywhere. I had just gotten Jackson Browne’s Runnin’ on Empty album, and was busy mastering several of the tunes, and started strumming and singing Rosie in my parent’s living room. As it happened, both siblings had already bought the album and knew the tune and lyrics already, and spontaneously joined in, in three part harmony, no less. Mom heard us, and could not believe that we had never practiced that song together, or even tried, before (I could tell by the way her jaw dropped to the ground). Very nice.

But now I challenge both of them to check out the lyrics with which we serenaded our mother. No, at the time, we didn’t get it.

But rosie youre all right — you wear my ring
When you hold me tight — rosie that’s my thing

This entry was posted on October 12, 2008 at 11:33 am and is filed under music, Personal. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.