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
Downtown
Jackson Browne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No, I wasn't thinking you would ever be more than a friend
The years I've seen that fell between my date of birth and yours
Fade before the altered shore of a river changing course
No, I didn't think that I would ever feel this way again
No, not with a story this long and this close to the end
And though I try to fathom why home feels strange to me
Minutes slip away, minutes become days
Minutes to Downtown, minutes to the Coast Highway
Forever on this freeway dreaming of my getaway
Don't know how I'm still in L.A.
Now, there may be nothing left for us but what pleasure can teach
Now, deep in the moment with the future so out of reach
I see that smile and even while it breaks my heart I laugh
That's because this heart was already torn in half
Minutes slip away, minutes become days
Minutes to Downtown, minutes to the Coast Highway
And I'm out on this freeway, still plotting my getaway
Don't know how I'm still in L.A.
In Jackson Browne's song Downtown, the artist is reflecting on a relationship that is reaching its end. The song starts with Browne acknowledging that he wasn't trying to find a new beginning or someone to spend the rest of his life with, he was just looking for a friend. However, as time passed, he found himself growing closer to this person until he was unsure whether he could continue on without them. The lyrics about the "altered shore of a river changing course" seem to suggest that Browne recognizes that life is uncertain and constantly changing, and that relationships can be swept away in the current.
As he reflects on his feelings, Browne recognizes that he is dreaming of "minutes to Downtown" and the "Coast Highway," indicating that he wants a change of scenery and a fresh start. However, he is still stuck in Los Angeles, unable to escape his current situation. Throughout the song, there is a sense of resignation as Browne acknowledges the reality of his circumstances and the limitations of his choices. He seems to accept that he may never be able to fully leave Los Angeles and that his relationship may ultimately come to an end, leaving him with nothing but memories.
Line by Line Meaning
No, I wasn't looking for a door into the morning again
I wasn't expecting to find a new beginning
No, I wasn't thinking you would ever be more than a friend
I never expected to develop a deeper relationship with you
The years I've seen that fell between my date of birth and yours
The age difference between us comes to mind
Fade before the altered shore of a river changing course
The past seems to be disappearing as time changes things
No, I didn't think that I would ever feel this way again
I never thought I would experience these feelings once more
No, not with a story this long and this close to the end
Especially considering my life story, which is near its conclusion
And though I try to fathom why home feels strange to me
Although I can't understand why I no longer feel at home in my own city
More and more the other shore is what I need to see
I'm increasingly yearning for something different, another place
Minutes slip away, minutes become days
Time passes quickly, as minutes turn into days
Minutes to Downtown, minutes to the Coast Highway
I'm constantly counting down the minutes until I can escape
Forever on this freeway dreaming of my getaway
I'm always on this highway, dreaming of my chance to escape
Don't know how I'm still in L.A.
I'm not sure how I've managed to stay in Los Angeles this long
Now, there may be nothing left for us but what pleasure can teach
Perhaps there's only the lessons that pleasure brings, and nothing else
Now, deep in the moment with the future so out of reach
Right now, I'm living in the moment, and the future seems so far away
I see that smile and even while it breaks my heart I laugh
Seeing that smile makes me both happy and sad, but I still find some humor in it
That's because this heart was already torn in half
My heart was already broken, so it's no surprise that it's still hurting
And I'm out on this freeway, still plotting my getaway
I'm still on the highway, thinking about my escape
Don't know how I'm still in L.A.
I don't understand how I've remained in Los Angeles this long
Lyrics © Red Brick Music Publishing
Written by: Jackson Browne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dave Williams
In my opinion the greatest singer/songwriter of all time. He doesn't get as much credit and recognition as some who aren't in his league. I've been a huge fan after getting "late for the sky "for my 12th birthday. Seen him live 24 times. Please come back to England ASAP!!
Devon Ull
Although, he really does have an impressive list of awards (see wiki) including appointment to the Singer/Songwriter Hall of Fame. Artists are hard to compare but easy to enjoy. I'm just saying he gets credit and recognition. We fans are the recognition if you ask me. To watch him here on youtube meticulously recreate his songs from his home studio, flawlessly, sparsely, precisely and at the end earnestly look at the camera to share the fun is an exceptional gift to us. Authentic artistry with an enduring recognition of his fans. No complaints here.
Karol Vanderhoff
Agreed!! Have celebrated some of my life’s best moments at a live JB concert. Like fine wine even more finely aged by time.
Dave Williams
@Devon Ull apologies. I didn't make myself clear in that I meant he doesn't get the recognition he deserves in the UK. I guess it's probably more of a "cult "type following, though his concerts are always sold out here. As I said, I'm a huge fan and aware of the awards he has received. Can't wait for him to tour here again, I'll be first in the queue as always. Just wonder, at the age of 73 how much longer he'll want to keep flying around the world. We also all know he doesn't rush to bring out new albums, but hope there are more to come
Rosie Pook
@Dave Williams I've been to his concert in Glasgow the last time he was here in 2017. Grew up on his albums from world in motion aged 5 but my dad abd I've said we dint think he'll be back we felt that was his last concert tour in thr uk particularly as he was then nearing 70 and is now 74 this year. Nobody and I mean nobody I talk to even in their 50s -70s has usually heard of jackson browne when I mention him. In fact one friend is exclusively classical music and doesn't even recognise or know 70s or 80s bands and she's 64. So talking about JB to folks my age 35-40 is mute as no1s heard of him but 1 of thr most underrated songwriters ever given many think the eagles wrote their songs yet I can hear ALOT of JB influence in them because of him and frey
Dave Williams
@Rosie Pook exactly the same here, everybody says "i thought he was dead " thinking I meant James Brown! Apparently they're in the process of arranging a UK tour next year! Fingers crossed. Usually see him 2 or 3 times when he comes. Last couple of tours saw him 2 days in a row at the Royal Albert Hall. I live in Brighton. Seeing James Taylor in October. Love J.T but for me J.B will be and always has been no 1
An Elusive Butterfly
So happy that Jackson is still in our lives giving us such great music.after all these years. 51 years I've been listening to him and his music has become the soundtrack to my life.
AFE
You me by 5 years🙋
Donna Ronio
Me too. I've loved his music a long time.
Lee Diamond
That’s amazing, but the pop music explosion of the late 50s-70s is deserving of our rapt attention & vibing.