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
Jamaica Say You Will
Jackson Browne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I played her well
As we lay in the tall grass
Where the shadows fell
Hiding from the children
So they would not tell
We would stay there
'Til her sister rang
Jamaica, say you will
Help me find a way to fill
These empty hours
Say you will
Come again tomorrow
The daughter of a captain
On the rolling seas
She would stare across
The water from the trees
Last time he was home
He held her on his knees
And said, the next time
They would sail away
Just where they pleased
Jamaica, say you will
Help me find a way to fill
These lifeless sails
And stay until
My ships can find the sea
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
Jamaica, say you will
Help me find a way to fill
These sails
And we will sail until
Our waters have run dry
The song “Jamaica Say You Will” by Jackson Browne is a beautiful and haunting love ballad about two young people, the singer and the girl Jamaica, who spend time together in a field. They are hiding from other children, who they do not want to find and disturb them. While in the field, they spend time together until they hear the evening bell rung by Jamaica's sister indicating that it is time to leave. The singer pleads with Jamaica to come back the next day and keep him company so that he may find a way to fill his empty hours.
The second verse describes Jamaica's family. Her father, a captain, takes her on voyages across the sea where she stares at the trees from the other side of the water. Jamaica's father had promised her that the next time they sailed away, they would sail wherever they pleased. The chorus is repeated, in which the singer pleads Jamaica to help him find a way to fill his empty hours and sails until the waters have run dry.
The lyrics of the song evoke feelings of love, longing, and wanderlust. The song is known for its beautiful melody accompanied by a guitar and a harmonica, and it is considered one of Jackson Browne's most popular songs.
Line by Line Meaning
Jamaica was the lovely one
Jamaica was a beautiful island that I was in love with
I played her well
I enjoyed spending time in Jamaica and knew how to make the most of it
As we lay in the tall grass
I spent time in the lush vegetation of Jamaica
Where the shadows fell
We found cool areas to rest where the sun wasn't shining directly on us
Hiding from the children
We tried to avoid being seen by the children who could tell on us
So they would not tell
In order to keep our secret safe, we tried not to be seen by anyone who could reveal it
We would stay there
We enjoyed our time there and wanted to remain in Jamaica
'Til her sister rang
We stayed as long as we could until we were interrupted by her sister
The evening bell
The signal that it was getting later in the day
Jamaica, say you will
Jamaica, please listen to me
Help me find a way to fill
Help me pass the time, make my life meaningful
These empty hours
My life feels empty and meaningless without something to do
Come again tomorrow
I enjoyed Jamaica so much, I want to return as soon as possible
The daughter of a captain
She was the daughter of a man who sailed the seas
On the rolling seas
Her father's work involved traveling on the ocean
She would stare across
She spent time looking out at the ocean
The water from the trees
The trees partially obscured her view of the water
Last time he was home
The last time her father was home
He held her on his knees
He spent some quality time with his daughter
And said, the next time
Her father made a promise for the future
They would sail away
They would go on another voyage together
Just where they pleased
They could choose any destination they wanted to go to
Jamaica was a sweet young one
Jamaica was a young island, yet to mature
I loved her true
I had a deep affection for Jamaica
She was a comfort
Jamaica was a source of solace for me
And a mercy through and through
Jamaica brought me relief from my troubles
Hiding from this world together
We found escape in Jamaica from the stresses of everyday life
Next thing I knew
Without realizing it
We had brought her things
We had packed our belongings
Down to the bay, what could I do
We ended up at the bay with all our belongings, but I didn't have any concrete plans
Help me find a way to fill
Please assist me in finding something to do
These sails
I need to find work to keep moving forward in life
And we will sail until
If we can find work on a ship, we'll keep going until
Our waters have run dry
We'll keep sailing and earning money until we can no longer go any farther
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jackson Browne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
therasunpy
Jamaica was the lovely one
I played her well
As we lay in the tall grass
Where the shadows fell
Hiding from the children
So they would not tell
We would stay there
'Til her sister rang
The evening bell
Jamaica, say you will
Help me find a way to fill
These empty hours
Say you will
Come again tomorrow
The daughter of a captain
On the rolling seas
She would stare across
The water from the trees
Last time he was home
He held her on his knees
And said, the next time
They would sail away
Just where they pleased
Jamaica, say you will
Help me find a way to fill
These lifeless sails
And stay until
My ships can find the sea
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
Jamaica, say you will
Help me find a way to fill
These sails
And we will sail until
Our waters have run dry
Emilie Marsac
Jamaica was the lovely one, I played her well
As we lay in the tall grass where the shadows fell
Hiding from the children so they would not tell
We would stay there 'till her sister rang the evening bell
Jamaica, say you will
Help me find a way to fill these empty hours
Say you will come again tomorrow
The daughter of a captain on the rolling seas
She would stare across the water from the trees
Last time he was home he held her on his knees
And said the next time they would sail away just where they pleased
Jamaica, say you will
Help me find a way to fill these lifeless sails
And stay until my ships can find the sea
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
Jamaica, say you will
Help me find a way to fill these sails
And we will sail until our waters have run dry
Stronger Than Every Woman On Earth Combined
I slept under a roof my father owned, in a bed my father bought. Nothing was mine. Except my heart. And my fears. And my growing knowledge...that not every road was going to lead home, anymore.
maryjbelle
I came here because I listened to this song and loved it and remembered it throughout important times in my life. Good songs make you remember that way-those were our own wonder years.
Stronger Than Every Woman On Earth Combined
Lovely comment. I hope you are still around.
Cathy W
Jackson Browne is the sound of my life. Memories flood over me.
Stronger Than Every Woman On Earth Combined
I slept under a roof my father owned, in a bed my father bought. Nothing was mine. Except my heart. And my fears. And my growing knowledge...that not every road was going to lead home, anymore.
Heidi Kaplan
Timeless beauty in a song
therasunpy
Jamaica was the lovely one
I played her well
As we lay in the tall grass
Where the shadows fell
Hiding from the children
So they would not tell
We would stay there
'Til her sister rang
The evening bell
Jamaica, say you will
Help me find a way to fill
These empty hours
Say you will
Come again tomorrow
The daughter of a captain
On the rolling seas
She would stare across
The water from the trees
Last time he was home
He held her on his knees
And said, the next time
They would sail away
Just where they pleased
Jamaica, say you will
Help me find a way to fill
These lifeless sails
And stay until
My ships can find the sea
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
Jamaica, say you will
Help me find a way to fill
These sails
And we will sail until
Our waters have run dry
Randall Polk
Bring back so many memories of sailing days things that really happened..... Thank u Jackson I love you so much.
michael Rodriguez
During the quarantine ages I was watching the wonder years on Hulu & I came across this beautiful song. Long live the Drive-ins
T Rawlins
Same