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
The Barricades of Heaven
Jackson Browne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I was sixteen and on my own
No, I couldn't tell you what the hell those brakes were for
I was just trying to hear my song
Jimmy found his own sweet sound and won that free guitar
We'd all get in the van and play
Life became the paradox, the bear, the rouge et noir
Pages turning
Pages we were years from learning
Straight into the night our hearts were flung
Better bring your own redemption when you come
To the barricades of heaven where I'm from
All the world was shining from those hills
The stars above and the lights below
Among those there to test their fortunes and their wills
I lost track of the score long ago
Pages turning
Pages we were years from learning
Straight into the night our hearts were flung
Better bring your own redemption when you come
To the barricades of heaven where I'm from
Childhood comes for me at night
Voices of my friends
Your face bathing me in light
Hope that never ends
Pages turning
Pages torn and pages burning
Faded pages, open in the sun
Better bring your own redemption when you come
To the barricades of heaven where I'm from
Better bring your own redemption when you come
To the barricades of heaven where I'm from
The opening lines of the song 'The Barricades of Heaven' by Jackson Browne depict the memories of the times when he was a sixteen-year-old boy and driving along the towns near the shore. The lyricist is unable to comprehend the meaning behind the brakes and the reason they exist in his car. He explains how he was just looking to hear his song at that time. The lyrics then shift to Browne's friend, Jimmy, who discovers his inner music talent by winning a free guitar. They all play together, and as they begin their journey to Los Angeles, they experience a paradox in their lives, encountered through the experiences of the bear, the rouge et noir and the stretch of road to LA.
As the song progresses, the lyrics transform by drawing an analogy between the stages of life and the pages of a book. Life is a series of pages turning, some learned from a few years ago, and some pages that are yet to be discovered as time passes. There are too many challenges that Browne's been through and has accepted that his soul may never find redemption in this world.
Line by Line Meaning
Running down around the towns along the shore
I was travelling around the coastal towns on my own when I was sixteen.
When I was sixteen and on my own
I was only sixteen years old and travelling by myself.
No, I couldn't tell you what the hell those brakes were for
I was driving without really knowing what I was doing.
I was just trying to hear my song
I was listening to music as I drove, lost in thought.
Jimmy found his own sweet sound and won that free guitar
My friend Jimmy discovered his own special musical style and won a guitar in a competition.
We'd all get in the van and play
We'd often travel together in a van, playing music and having fun.
Life became the paradox, the bear, the rouge et noir
Life was full of contradictions and uncertainties.
And the stretch of road running to L.A.
We often drove on a long road that led to Los Angeles.
All the world was shining from those hills
The hills glowed with the lights of the city.
The stars above and the lights below
There were stars in the sky and lights on the ground.
Among those there to test their fortunes and their wills
There were many people trying to make their way in the world.
I lost track of the score long ago
I lost track of the number of people trying to succeed.
Childhood comes for me at night
Memories of my childhood often come to me when I sleep.
Voices of my friends
I hear the voices of my friends from my childhood.
Your face bathing me in light
I remember the face of someone who influenced me in a positive way.
Hope that never ends
I feel hopeful about the future.
Pages turning
The passage of time is constantly changing things.
Pages we were years from learning
There are many things we still don’t know or understand.
Straight into the night our hearts were flung
We threw ourselves into life with passion and enthusiasm.
Better bring your own redemption when you come
You must find your own sense of purpose and meaning in life.
To the barricades of heaven where I'm from
Life is a constant struggle, but it’s worth it in the end.
Pages torn and pages burning
Many things from the past are lost or destroyed.
Faded pages, open in the sun
Memories from the past are often bittersweet.
Better bring your own redemption when you come
You need to take responsibility for your own happiness and fulfillment.
To the barricades of heaven where I'm from
The path to a fulfilling life is not always easy, but it’s worth the struggle.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Luis Cristobal Conte, Jackson Browne, Mauricio Fritz Lewak, Scott Thurston, Mark Goldenberg, Kevin James Mccormick, Jeffrey Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AcousticOne
LYRICS
Running down around the towns along the shore
When I was sixteen and on my own
No, I couldn't tell you what the hell those brakes were for
I was just trying to hear my song
Jimmy found his own sweet sound and won that free guitar
We'd all get in the van and play
Life became the Paradox, the Bear, the Rouge et Noir
And the stretch of road running to LA
Pages turning
Pages we were years from learning
Straight into the night our hearts were flung
Better bring your own redemption when you come
To the barricades of Heaven where I'm from
All the world was shining from those hills
The stars above and the lights below
Among those there to test their fortunes and their wills
I lost track of the score long ago
Pages turning
Pages we were years from learning
Straight into the night our hearts were flung
Better bring your own redemption when you come
To the barricades of Heaven where I'm from
Childhood comes for me at night
Voices of my friends
Your face bathing me in light
Hope that never ends
Pages turning
Pages torn and pages burning
Faded pages, open in the sun
Better bring your own redemption when you come
To the barricades of Heaven where I'm from
Better bring your own redemption when you come
To the barricades of Heaven where I'm from
@michaelsteuber2633
Mr. Browne, I have been listening to you for 50 of my 63 years. Now, more than ever, you simply make me weep. Clearer and clearer you become. You're crystalline.
And your accompanying musicians are sublime. Thank you, artists, for giving.
Please don't stop.
@quilting
well said thank you he is a special gem
@andreaboyer6936
Yes, yes yes, exactly! When I first read your comment, I was a bit confused because it sounded like it was coming from my heart, but you stated it so much more beautifully than I could have!!Thank you!
@willemp6432
I get what you are saying Michael. I just found him and are like taking a ride on my new bicycle. I have to get to know this gentleman. I got this from learning more about Beethoven on Netflix. I am 56 now and still learning. Good on you and us big Fella...
@jetclntn
me too, I cried when I watched this
@kimber8568
Always appreciate Your artistry and your fellow musicians. Been a fan well over 50 yrs! MM M M Mm
@angelaapostolou5794
Old looking or not, he still sounds magic. Long may you continue, Jackson ❤
@cornstorm666
I'm proud to be old..❤
@patriciagallagher5071
I've always loved Jackson Brown. I'm just about his age, so I had the pleasure of going to his concerts and hearing him while we were young. He certainly is a treasure.
@davebryant8050
He was 72 when this was recorded. I'd say he looks pretty damn good and still holds his guitar exactly like did in the 1960's. Maybe you'd prefer he dyed his hair and cut like he did in 77 to make yourself feel better.