Browne was born in Heidelberg, Germany, where American serviceman father was stationed. Browne moved to the Highland Park district of Los Angeles, California at an early age and soon began singing folk music locally. In 1966, his major career began as a part of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Often mixing catchy melodies with reflective, moody, and sometimes melancholic lyrics, some of his most popular hit singles include "Doctor My Eyes", "Running on Empty", and "Somebody's Baby". Considered a precociously-talented songwriter by many peers, Browne's solo career got its legs when he signed a publishing contract with Nina Music. His work have been performed by several artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Joan Baez, Larry Norman, Linda Ronstadt, Nico, and Tom Rush, among many others.
After moving to Greenwich Village, New York, Browne worked, for a brief period, in Tim Buckley's back-up band and on Nico's Chelsea Girl. This album includes two of Jackson's songs and the pair were reputedly lovers for awhile. After leaving New York City, Browne formed a folk band with Ned Doheny and Jack Wilce.
In 1971, Browne signed with Asylum Records and released Jackson Browne (1972), which included "Doctor My Eyes", a major hit and later coverec by the Jackson Five . He didn't sustain pop success, though, and his next album, For Everyman (1973), while considered of high quality, was a commercial failure.
Late for the Sky (1974) established a significant audience for Browne, and fans and critics often consider this Browne's best album. Highlights include the searching title song, the elegiac "For a Dancer" and apocalyptic "Before the Deluge", the pure arrangements featuring David Lindley's evocative violin and guitar playing, and the Magritte-inspired cover. The title track was also featured in Martin Scorsese's film, Taxi Driver.
Browne released his breakthrough album, The Pretender (1976) soon after the suicide of his wife, Phyllis. Featuring livelier production by Jon Landau, the title song is a vividly described account of trying to maintain one's ideals in the struggle against the realities of day-to-day life.
During this time, Browne produced and played on Warren Zevon's first two Asylum albums.
Browne began recording his next LP while on tour, and Running on Empty (1977) became his biggest commercial success. Breaking the usual conventions for a live album, it was truly made on the road, including tracks recorded on buses and in hotel rooms, with none of the songs having appeared on any of his prior albums. Running on Empty contains many renowned songs, such as the propulsive title track (Browne's biggest hit single), "The Road", "Rosie", and "The Load-Out/Stay" (Browne's affectionate and knowing send-off to his concert audiences).
In 1979, Browne was a founding member of Musicians United for Safe Energy.
Browne achieved less critical acclaim with Hold Out (1980), although it was commercially successful--his only number 1 record, and with his hit single "Somebody's Baby" from the Fast Times at Ridgemont High soundtrack. Lawyers in Love followed in 1983 and contained hints of a more political focus, especially in the mysteriously satirical title track.
Political protest came out full force in Lives in the Balance (1986), an overt condemnation of Reaganism and American policy in Central America. Flavored with new instrumental textures, it was a huge success with Browne fans, though not with mainstream audiences. World in Motion (1989) was even more politically-oriented and polarizing. Browne frequently played for causes he believed in, including Amnesty International (making several appearances on the 1986 A Conspiracy of Hope Tour), Farm Aid, and the Christic Institute.
After four years of silence and a break-up with his girlfriend, actress Daryl Hannah, Browne returned with I'm Alive, a critically acclaimed album with a more personal perspective that sold respectably, the title track being a modest radio hit. Looking East (1996) was released soon after, but was not as successful critically or commercially. The Naked Ride Home was released in 2002. On 11 May 2003, Jackson Browne made a celebrity guest star debut on the FOX series The Simpsons.
As a whole, Browne's work is marked by compelling melodies, simple, honest, and insightful lyrics, and a flair for composition rarely seen in the world of rock and roll. He is often referred to as "a thinking man's rock star."
Browne was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. He also participated in the Vote for Change tour in October 2004, playing a series of concerts in American swing states. These concerts were organized by MoveOn.org with the general goal of mobilizing people to vote in that year's Presidential campaign. Browne's appearances were joint performances with Bonnie Raitt and Keb' Mo', and in one instance with Bruce Springsteen. Three of Browne's albums were selected by Rolling Stone magazine as among its choices for the 500 best albums of all time.
Browne released "Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1"in 2005 and "Solo Acoustic, Vol. 2" in 2008, both on Inside Recordings. The "Vol. 1" album consists of live recordings of eleven previously released tracks and "The Birds of St. Marks," a song that does not appear on any of Browne's studio albums. The "Vol. 2" album contains roughly the same mix of twelve songs (popular hits vs. deep cuts). Interestingly, both albums also contain separately tracked "intros" to some songs, giving a brief glimpse of the intimacy between artist and audience at the shows where the songs were recorded.
"No one gives a shit but Jackson Browne." - Randy Newman in "A Piece Of The Pie"
Website: www.jacksonbrowne.com
Running On Empty
Jackson Browne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lookin' back at the years gone by like so many summer fields
In '65 I was seventeen and runnin' up 101
I don't know where I'm runnin' now, I'm just runnin' on
(Runnin' on) runnin' on empty
(Runnin' on) runnin' blind
(Runnin' on) runnin' into the sun
But I'm runnin' behind
Gotta do what you can just to keep your love alive
Tryin' not to confuse it with what you do to survive
In '69 I was twenty-one and I called the road my own
I don't know when that road turned onto the road I'm on
(Runnin' on) runnin' on empty
(Runnin' on) runnin' blind
(Runnin' on) runnin' into the sun
But I'm runnin' behind
Everyone I know
Everywhere I go
People need some reason to believe
I don't know about anyone but me
If it takes all night
That'd be alright
If I can get you to smile before I leave
Lookin' out at the road rushin' under my wheels
I don't know how to tell you all just how crazy this life feels
I look around for the friends that I used to turn to to pull me through
Lookin' into their eyes, I see them runnin' too
(Runnin' on) runnin' on empty
(Runnin' on) runnin' blind
(Runnin' on) runnin' into the sun
But I'm runnin' behind
Honey, you really tempt me, you know, the way you look so kind
I'd love to stick around, but I'm runnin' behind
(Runnin' on)
You know I don't even know what I'm hopin' to find
(Runnin' blind)
Runnin' into the sun but I'm runnin' behind
"Running On Empty" is a song by American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne, released in 1977. The song talks about the struggles and experiences of life on the road and the emotional toll it takes on the singer. The first verse talks about the singer looking out at the road rushing under his wheels, reflecting on all the years that have gone by like summer fields. He reminisces about being 17 in 1965 and running up 101, not knowing where he's running to now. In the chorus, he talks about running on empty and running blind, trying to keep up with life but always feeling like he's falling behind.
The second verse speaks about how the singer is trying to keep his love alive, but it's hard not to confuse it with surviving. He recalls being 21 in 1969, calling the road his own, but not knowing when he ended up where he is now. The bridge is about how people need a reason to believe, and the singer doesn't know about anyone else but himself. He's willing to take all night to make someone smile before he leaves.
The final verse is a reflection on the singer's life on the road, and how crazy it all feels. He looks around for the friends who used to pull him through, but sees them running as well. The chorus repeats, with the singer talking about being tempted by his love but still running behind, not knowing what he's hoping to find but running into the sun anyways.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels
As I drive along this road, I reflect on my life and everything that has passed by.
Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields
Reminiscing about the past, it seems like everything went by so quickly like a field of summer crops that have come and gone.
In '65 I was seventeen and running up 101
In 1965, at just seventeen years old, I was chasing my dreams and driving up the scenic Highway 101.
I don't know where I'm running now, I'm just running on
Despite the time that has passed, I'm still driven by the same passion, but I'm not sure where it's taking me.
Running on, running on empty
My life feels like it's been drained of all energy and purpose, yet I keep going.
Running on, running blind
I'm continuing forward without clear direction, hoping things will eventually become clearer.
Running on, running into the sun
As I chase my goals relentlessly, I'm moving towards an uncertain future, hoping that everything will work out for the best.
But I'm running behind
Despite all the effort, I feel like I'm still falling behind, still trying to catch up to where I need to be.
Gotta do what you can just to keep your love alive
It's important to hold onto the things that matter most, and to take whatever steps necessary to keep them going strong.
Trying not to confuse it with what you do to survive
But sometimes it's hard to distinguish what's truly important from what only serves to keep us afloat in our daily lives.
In '69 I was twenty-one and I called the road my own
A few years later, I was still chasing my dream and carving out my own path at 21 years old.
I don't know when that road turned onto the road I'm on
But somewhere along the way, I've ended up on an entirely different road than I intended.
Everyone I know, everywhere I go
No matter where I go or who I meet, it seems like people are seeking something to believe in.
People need some reason to believe
And who am I to judge? We all need something to hold on to in this crazy world.
I don't know about anyone but me
I can only speak for myself and what I need to keep going.
If it takes all night, that'll be alright
Even if it means going through a night of hardship, if it means making someone smile then it will have all been worth it.
If I can get you to smile before I leave
Making someone else happy might just be the guiding star I am looking for on this seemingly aimless journey.
I don't know how to tell you all just how crazy this life feels
I wish I could put into words the chaos of my life, but it feels like even that would not suffice.
Look around for the friends that I used to turn to to pull me through
At times like these, I miss my old friends, the ones who used to be there to help me through the tough times.
Looking into their eyes I see them running too
But even as I look into their eyes, I can see that they too are struggling to find their way in this crazy world.
Honey, you really tempt me
As much as I'd like to stay and soak in the comforts of love, there's still so much more that I am driven to chase after.
You know the way you look so kind
But I appreciate the kindness of my beloved, and how it continues to be a beacon of light in my life amidst all the chaos.
I'd love to stick around but I'm running behind
Despite my desire to stay, I know I can't because I still have so much that I need to accomplish.
you know I don't even know what I'm hoping to find
Though I keep moving forward, the destination remains unclear to me.
running into the sun but I'm running behind
And even though I continue charging ahead, I feel like I'm still missing something and trailing behind.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jackson Browne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind