The youngest of three sons, Dan was born in Peoria, Illinois, the son of Margaret (née Irvine), a classically-trained pianist, and Lawrence Peter Fogelberg, a high school band director, who spent most of his career at Peoria Woodruff High School and Pekin High School. Dan Fogelberg's mother was a Scottish immigrant and his father was of Swedish descent. His father would later be the inspiration for the song Leader of the Band. Using a Mel Bay course book, Dan taught himself to play a Hawaiian slide guitar his grandfather gave to him; he also learned to play the piano. He started his music career at age 14 when he joined his first band, The Clan, which paid homage to The Beatles. His second band was another cover combo, The Coachmen, which in 1967 released two singles on Ledger Records: "Maybe Time Will Let Me Forget" and "Don't Want To Lose Her." Another was the blues band, Frankie and the Aliens, who toured regionally during the 1980s covering songs by Cream and Muddy Waters, among others.
After graduating from Woodruff High School in 1969, he studied theater arts and painting at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and began performing as a solo acoustic player in area coffeehouses including the Red Herring Coffeehouse where he made his first solo recordings as part of a folk festival recording in 1971. There, he was discovered in 1971 by Irving Azoff. Fogelberg and Azoff – who started his music-management career promoting another Champaign-Urbana act, REO Speedwagon – moved to California to seek their fortunes. Fogelberg became a session musician who played with pop-folk artists like Van Morrison. In 1972, he released his debut album Home Free to lukewarm response. His second effort was much more successful: the 1974 Joe Walsh-produced album Souvenirs and its hit song "Part of the Plan" made him a major star.
Following Souvenirs, Fogelberg released a string of gold and platinum albums, including Captured Angel (1975) and Nether Lands (1977), and found commercial success with songs like "The Power of Gold." His 1978 Twin Sons of Different Mothers was the first of two collaborations with jazz flutist Tim Weisberg. 1979's Phoenix reached the Top 10, with "Longer" becoming a #2 hit and wedding standard in winter 1980. This was followed by his Top 20 hit "Heart Hotels."
The Innocent Age, released in October 1981, was Fogelberg's critical and commercial peak. This double album song cycle included four of his biggest hits: "Leader of the Band," "Hard To Say," "Run for the Roses", and "Same Old Lang Syne," based on a real-life accidental meeting with a former girlfriend (Jill Anderson). In 1984, he rocked a little again with the album Windows And Walls.
later years:
Fogelberg released High Country Snows in 1985. Recorded in Nashville, it showcased his (and some of the industry's best) talent in the bluegrass genre. Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Doc Watson, Jerry Douglas, David Grisman, Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen were among those who contributed to the record. In a world defined by "life in the fast lane" Fogelberg described the music as "life in the off-ramp." 1987 heralded a return to rock with Exiles, while 1990's The Wild Places was a tribute to Earth preservation. In 1991, he released the live album Greetings from the West.
River of Souls, released in 1993, was Fogelberg's last studio album for Sony Records. In 1997, Portrait encompassed his career with four discs, each highlighting a different facet of his music: "Ballads," "Rock and Roll," "Tales and Travels" (which displayed his talents as a narrative songwriter) and "Hits." In 1999 he fulfilled a career-long dream of creating a Christmas album called First Christmas Morning, and in 2003, Full Circle showcased a return to the folk-influenced, 1970s soft rock-style of music for which he and other singer-songwriters from his era had gained popular recognition.
Fogelberg also used his music to address social issues, including peace and Native American concerns. He was particularly outspoken about his commitment to the environment and to finding alternatives to nuclear power. To that end, Fogelberg included "Face the Fire" on the Phoenix album and performed at a number of the Musicians United for Safe Energy "No Nukes" concerts in 1979 and 1980.
His live concerts won acclaim across the nation over the years. Fogelberg said one of his proudest moments came in 1979 when he played New York City's Carnegie Hall for an audience including his mother and father. Most summers, Fogelberg would perform with full band or in solo acoustic setting; the formats allowed him to show the breadth and depth of his talent as a singer, guitarist, pianist and bandleader. In 2002, fans showed their appreciation by choosing Fogelberg to be one of the first 10 inductees into the Performers Hall of Fame at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado.
In May 2004, Fogelberg was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. He underwent therapy and achieved a partial remission, which did not eliminate his cancer but reduced it and stopped its spread. On August 13, 2005, his 54th birthday, Fogelberg announced the success of his cancer treatments and he thanked fans for their support. He said that he had no immediate plans to return to making music but was keeping his options open and enjoying spending time with his wife, musician Jean Fogelberg.
Fogelberg maintained residences in Deer Isle, Maine and at Mountain Bird Ranch, a 610-acre property near Pagosa Springs, Colorado that he bought in 1982. The ranch was put up for sale in 2005.
After battling prostate cancer for three years, Fogelberg died on December 16, 2007 at his home in Maine with his wife Jean by his side.
Soon after his death, Fogelberg's wife, Jean, announced that a song written and recorded for her by Fogelberg for Valentine's Day 2005, Sometimes a Song, would be sold on the Internet and all proceeds would go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. The song was released on Valentine's Day 2008. She further announced that this song would be included in a collection of eleven previously unrecorded songs (nine originals) to be released on a CD provisionally entitled "Love In Time".
The Long Way
Dan Fogelberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I thought I was found
Even so I tried
To bring her in...
She was young
And I had just begun
To learn that even
We went the long way
We went the long way
We went the long way...
Or maybe just the wrong way
I`ll never know.
Overnight
We were shown the light
Neither of us knew
To look away...
So we burned
And far too late we learned
That lifetimes can`t be lived out
In a day.
We went the long way
We went the long way
We went the long way...
Or maybe just the wrong way
I`ll never know.
So, goodbye
At least me made the try
Something can be said for
love that`s pure.
If and when
We ever try again
One thing will be known to us
For sure...
We`ll go the long way
We`ll go the long way
We`ll go the long way...
Or maybe just the wrong way
I`ll never know.
The lyrics to this song, The Long Way by Dan Fogelberg, reflect on a relationship that ultimately did not work out. The opening lines suggest that the singer believed he had found his way in life, but when he met the girl he loved, she was lost. Despite this, he tried to bring her in, to be her guide and support, perhaps feeling that this relationship was his calling in some way. However, he also recognizes that he was young and inexperienced. Losing men suggests that he had a lot to learn and that this relationship was part of his growing process.
The phrase "we went the long way" is repeated throughout the song, as the singer reflects on the journey he and his love took together. They burned in the fire of passion, but it was far too late for them to realize that they were living lifetimes in a day; they had rushed into things and not taken the time to breathe and live in the moment. The line "maybe just the wrong way" suggests that deep down, the singer knew that the relationship was not meant to be. Finally, the song concludes with the singer acknowledging that their love was pure, and if they were ever to try again, they would take a different path - one that could lead them on the long way or the right way.
Overall, the song is a reflection on the ups and downs of love and relationships, and the importance of taking the time to slow down and truly appreciate life's journey.
Line by Line Meaning
She was lost
The girl was confused and didn't know what to do.
And I thought I was found
The singer believed he had his life under control and knew where he was going.
Even so I tried
Despite his own uncertainties, the singer attempted to help the girl.
To bring her in...
To offer the girl guidance and support.
She was young
The girl was inexperienced and naïve.
And I had just begun
The singer was just starting to learn about life and the world around him.
To learn that even
The singer was realizing that despite his own struggles, he could still provide help and support to someone else.
Losing men can win.
Even when he wasn't sure what he was doing, the artist still found success in taking care of someone else.
We went the long way
The artist and the girl took a difficult, winding path through life.
Or maybe just the wrong way
The artist isn't sure if the path they took was actually helpful or productive.
I`ll never know.
The singer will never have a clear answer if their choices were the right ones.
Overnight
Things changed suddenly and unexpectedly for both the artist and the girl.
We were shown the light
They both gained a new perspective or understanding of their lives and the world.
Neither of us knew
Both the singer and the girl were unaware of what was happening or how they should react.
To look away...
To turn their heads or divert their attention from the situation they found themselves in.
So we burned
Both the artist and the girl suffered the consequences of their choices.
And far too late we learned
They only realized their mistake well after the fact.
That lifetimes can`t be lived out
They learned that some things take time to achieve and can't be rushed or forced.
In a day.
Nor can someone expect to fix everything in an instant.
So, goodbye
The artist and the girl parted ways.
At least me made the try
Despite everything, the artist still believes they tried their best.
Something can be said for
There's still value or merit in what they did.
love that`s pure.
Their intentions and feelings for each other were genuine and true.
If and when
If there's a chance in the future...
We ever try again
If they reunite and take on a similar challenge...
One thing will be known to us
They'll be more aware and knowledgeable next time.
For sure...
They'll be a clearer outcome, no matter what it is.
We`ll go the long way
If they pursue their goal again, they'll take the difficult path again.
Or maybe just the wrong way
But they might still make the same mistakes or take the same non-productive route.
I`ll never know.
The uncertainty of life is a constant theme throughout the song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAN FOGELBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Crown Limo LA
Maybe the most gut-wrenching song I've ever heard. Dan's outlet for exressing his pain was his music. This one goes all the way down to his soul. You can hear it in his voice as he tries to keep it together to even finish the song. A musical genius and a good-hearted man who will never be forgotten.
Rebecca Donovan
This song still brings tears to my eyes all these years later. Dan, you are deeply missed. When we lost Dan we lost an amazing poet...no one else will ever come along who can express their emotions as beautifully and poetically as this wonderful man.💕
Tony Dee
I am sitting here crying like a child that has lost his mama, which I do at a lot of Dan's songs. He is the diamond among the rocks in my life.
moodylicious
yeah. Before I clicked start I said, "this'll get me howlin'"
really tugs at the heartstrings.
Lloyd Davis
One of the most beautiful songs ever written. I always think of my wife that passed away in 1996. Wonderful song.
Stanley Hanson
God Brother I can't imagine your pain.Im sorry Man
Jean Shea
In my heart, I will never really believe he is gone. Every time I listen to his songs.. he is here and in concert and recording albums.. he is my all time favorite artist of my lifetime. I first heard him when I was all of 17. I am going on 59. There were never be another brilliant, sensitive, gorgeous crafter of songs and stories that touch your soul and heart and stay there forever.. EVER ON.
Wayne DeGaramo
One of the greatest musical talents in history!! Very underrated!! Greatly missed by millions!!✝️♾💔😇❤!!
Rebecca Donovan
I feel the same Jean, I can't believe he is gone... Don't think I ever will. Thanks for your beautiful words about our beloved poet, Dan Fogelberg.♥️♥️
Tony Westbrook
His songs take you to a place in your mind and heart that you couldn't get to otherwise.