10 Best Jackson Browne Songs

Jackson Browne started his music career in his teens. He joined the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and, at 17, he became a staff writer for Elektra Records’ Nina Music. He dated Nico – she covered Browne’s ‘These Days’ on her album Chelsea Girl.

Browne signed with Asylum Records and immediately broke through with the hit ‘Doctor My Eyes’. The 1977 album Running On Empty, featuring new songs recorded live, boosted his profile. He’s continued to release earnest, literary songs.

Browne is especially talented as a lyricist. These ten songs underline his preoccupations – some of his best songs dissect relationships, while a constant search for redemption runs through many of these songs.

I had to leave out some terrific songs from this list. ‘These Days’ is Browne’s signature song, but other artists recorded better versions. I also had no room for the oddball 1983 single ‘Lawyers in Love’ or ‘Rock Me on the Water’ from his debut.

10 Best Jackson Browne Songs

#10 Jamaica Say You Will

from Jackson Browne (Saturate Before Using), 1972
The Byrds covered ‘Jamaica Say You Will’ a year before Browne included it on his debut album. It was also later the title track for Joe Cocker’s 1975 album.

Browne stated that the song was a fable, but also based on real-life experience. Browne was inspired by a girl who worked in an organic food orchard – they broke up when she wanted to go and see the world. Browne’s version features two Byrds – Clarence White on acoustic guitar and David Crosby on harmony vocals.

Jamaica was a sweet young one, I loved her true
She was a comfort and a mercy through and through
Hiding from this world together, next thing I knew
We had brought her things down to the bay — what could I do

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#9 In The Shape of a Heart

from Lives in the Balance, 1986
Browne recounts his relationship with his first wife, Phyllis Major, on ‘In The Shape of the Heart’. Major committed suicide in 1976, leaving Browne with a young son.

Browne’s not a great vocalist, but his plainspoken emotion suits this tender self-examination. It’s lovely when he holds the long “I”s leading the chorus.

People speak of love don’t know what they’re thinking of
Wait around for the one who fits just like a glove
Speak in terms of belief and belonging
Try to fit some name to their longing

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#8 Sky Blue and Black

from I’m Alive, 1993
Browne split with Daryl Hannah in 1992 – she accused him of domestic violence, although the claims were later dismissed as defamation. ‘Sky Blue and Black’ chronicles the breakup, with a gorgeous piano figure,

The song featured on the pilot episode of mega-successful TV series Friends.

You’re the color of the sky
Reflected in each store-front window pane
You’re the whispering and the sighing of my tires in the rain
You’re the hidden cost and the thing that’s lost
In everything I do
Yeah and I’ll never stop looking for you
In the sunlight and the shadows
And the faces on the avenue

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#7 Somebody’s Baby

from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, 1982
‘Somebody’s Baby’ is an uncharacteristically upbeat, straightforward song from Browne. It was the first single from the soundtrack of the teen comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High

The serious-minded Browne might seem like a strange choice for a 1980s teen comedy, but he does a top-notch job, delivering a sweet, memorable tune.

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#6 Stay

from Running on Empty, 1977
Browne covered the oldie ‘Stay’ as part of a medley for Running on Empty. Running of Empty is a live album featuring mostly new material. It’s used here to convince the audience to stay. It’s so fun – the guitar and piano are joyful and propulsive. Browne, Rosemary Butler, and David Lindley’s falsetto tag team the vocals.

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#5 For Everyman

from For Everyman, 1973
Browne wrote ‘For Everyman’ in response to ‘Wooden Ships’. ‘Wooden Ships’ was a post-apocalyptic fantasy written by David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Paul Kantner. It was recorded by CSN and by Jefferson Airplane.

Browne spent several months living on David Crosby’s boat, where Crosby and his friends fantasised about sailing to the South Pacific and starting a new civilisation. ‘For Everyman’ was a response to their unrealistic dream. Crosby clearly wasn’t offended, adding his harmony vocals to the chorus.

Everybody I talk to is ready to leave
With the light of the morning
They’ve seen the end coming down long enough to believe
That they’ve heard their last warning

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#4 Running On Empty

from Running on Empty, 1977
Browne clearly took some notes from Bruce Springsteen. ‘Running on Empty’ recalls The Boss’s big automotive anthems.

‘Running on Empty’ sounds like a metaphor, but Browne wrote it about forgetting to fill his car. He told Rolling Stone “I was always driving around with no gas in the car. I just never bothered to fill up the tank because — how far was it anyway? Just a few blocks.”

Runnin’ on empty, runnin’ blind
Runnin’ into the sun
But I’m runnin’ behind

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#3 Your Bright Baby Blues

from The Pretender, 1976
Unsurprisingly, a lot of 1976’s The Pretender deals with Phyllis Major’s suicide. I didn’t have room for the brief, solemn ‘Sleep’s Dark and Silent Gate’.

Browne assembled a terrific band for ‘Your Bright Baby Blues’:

• Chuck Rainey: bass
• Jim Gordon: drums
• Roy Bittan: piano
• Lowell George: slide guitar, harmony vocals
• Bill Payne: organ.

No matter how fast I run
I can never seem to get away from me

It’s almost gospel with the organ and George’s call-and-response vocals. The third verse is about Browne’s drug sessions with George, trying to numb the pain.

It’s so hard to come by
That feeling of peace
This friend of mine said
“Close your eyes, and try a few of these”
I thought I flying like a bird
So far above my sorrow
But when I looked down
I was standing on my knees
Now I need someone to help me
Someone to help me please

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#2 Farther On

from Late for the Sky, 1974
Jackson Browne attained peak Jackson Browness with 1974’s Late for the Sky. It’s a serious meditation on mortality and meaning, culminating in the apocalyptic ‘Before the Deluge’.

‘Farther On’ balances hopelessness and hope, Browne resolving to soldier on despite his doubts and setbacks. It’s like a dialogue between Browne’s boyish, thoughtful voice and David Lindley’s searching lead guitar.

Though I keep a watch over the distance
Heaven’s no closer than it was yesterday

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#1 Late For The Sky

from Late for the Sky, 1974
The title track from Late for the Sky is a lengthy meditation on a failed relationship. It’s rumoured to be about Joni Mitchell – Mitchell’s ‘Car on the Hill’ also examines their breakup.

Lindley’s guitar is again a key ingredient, adding some spark to Browne’s romantic dissertation. But the harmonies of bassist Doug Haywood are another key ingredient. Browne later explained:

It has this great harmony part by Doug Haywood that really makes the song. Doug, Don Henley, JD Souther, Dan Fogelberg, and I were really the best of friends back in the ’70s. Everybody has that group of friends in their life at the time they come of age, and these were mine. I had some of the most hilarious times standing around the mike with them.

I’m not a very exacting harmony singer and certainly was less so then, so when we did harmonies they’d have to send me on some errand just so they could get it done. “Hey, yeah, Jackson, know what? I left something in my car, would you mind going and grabbing it?” I’d come back and the part would be finished.

Jackson Browne in Bego, Mark (2005). Jackson Browne: His Life and Music.

How long have I been sleeping?
How long have I been drifting alone through the night
How long have I been running for that morning flight
Through the whispered promises and the changing light
Of the bed where we both lie
Late for the sky

Did I miss your favourite Jackson Browne song?

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