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
Yeah Yeah
Jackson Browne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I don't feed you no lies
Yeah, yeah
And it's not up to me to tell you
What you see through your eyes
Yeah, yeah
You know girl sometimes I just don't know
Where it is you still think you can go
Yeah, yeah, (yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, (yeah, yeah)
That time that I met you
There's something that set you apart
Yeah, yeah
The smile on your face
Or your lips
Or the taste of your heart
Yeah, yeah
You followed me away from your home
And were out here in this world on our own
And it's too late to go back
And it's too late to leave me alone
Yeah, yeah (yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, (yeah, yeah)
Cause you paid for the love that we got
You paid
Yeah, yeah
And you made for the heart to be fought
And you stayed
Yeah, yeah
Was it strength or your pride
That sent you back inside
For the love that you paid for
Or was it for the love that we made
Yeah, yeah (yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, (yeah, yeah)
You know I don't need you
And I don't feed you no lies
Yeah, yeah (yeah, yeah)
Maybe I didn't come with instructions like some other guy
Yeah, yeah (yeah, yeah)
You see me standing at the window
With my world at my back
And my eyes down the road
Staring at the wreckage of a lifetime strewn along the track
And the seeds that were sowed
You think I'm wishing I was some other place
But in fact I'm right here
And my shoulder to lean on baby
And my heart in with you
Yeah, yeah (yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, (yeah, yeah)
And you can see that it's not always easy
Yeah, yeah (yeah, yeah)
Maybe that makes you crazy
Yeah, yeah (yeah, yeah)
But can you see that I've spent all I had
That you go on making me glad
That I found your love in this world after times were so bad
Yeah, yeah (yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, (yeah, yeah)
And you paid for the love that we got
You paid
Yeah yeah
And you made for the heart when we fought
And you stayed
Yeah, yeah
Is it faith or your will that keeps you hanging on still
For the love that you paid for
Or is it for the love we made
Yeah, yeah (yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, (yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, (yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, (yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, (yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, (yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, (yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, (yeah, yeah)
The lyrics of "Yeah Yeah" by Jackson Browne reveal a complicated relationship between two people. The singer is telling his partner that he doesn't need her and that he doesn't lie to her. He acknowledges that it's not his place to tell her what she sees through her own eyes. This reveals a level of respect for her autonomy, even as he articulates his own needs and desires. The singer also mentions that sometimes he doesn't know where she thinks she can go without taking his world with her, indicating that their lives have become intertwined. He seems to want her to understand something that she doesn't yet comprehend.
The lyrics also mention a moment when the two met and the singer noticed something special about her. He's not sure if it's her smile, lips, or the taste of her heart that sets her apart, but it's enough to make her stand out from others. They left her home together and entered into the world on their own. Now, they can't go back, and it's too late for her to leave him alone. He mentions that she paid for the love they have, and she made it through heartache and difficulty to get there. He wonders if it was faith or her will that kept her holding onto their love.
The lyrics paint a complex picture of a relationship where the participants are struggling to find their place with each other. There's a sense of honesty and respect between the two, but also an acknowledgment of the difficulties involved in loving deeply. Ultimately, the singer seems to recognize that their love is worth fighting for and that they need each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Well you know I don't need you
I want you to know that I am strong enough to be on my own
And I don't feed you no lies
I am truthful and honest in all that I say
Yeah, yeah
I affirm this statement
And it's not up to me to tell you
I cannot dictate how you see the world
What you see through your eyes
Only you can shape your own perceptions
You know girl sometimes I just don't know
I am confused by your actions and feelings
Where it is you still think you can go
I am unclear on where you see your future
Without taking my world well maybe you don't realize
You are not considering my feelings and the impact of your choices on me
That time that I met you
I remember when we first met
There's something that set you apart
You stood out to me for a certain reason
The smile on your face
Your smile was captivating
Or your lips
Your lips were alluring
Or the taste of your heart
Your essence was intoxicating
You followed me away from your home
You left your old life behind to be with me
And were out here in this world on our own
We are navigating the world together
And it's too late to go back
We cannot return to our old lives
And it's too late to leave me alone
You cannot abandon me now
Cause you paid for the love that we got
You put in a lot of effort and emotion to be with me
And you made for the heart to be fought
Our love was not easy, we had to overcome obstacles
And you stayed
You refused to give up on us
Was it strength or your pride
I am curious if you stayed due to your strength or stubbornness
That sent you back inside
Maybe it was an internal struggle that made you stay
For the love that you paid for
You sacrificed for our relationship
Or was it for the love that we made
Or was it because our love was worth it
Maybe I didn't come with instructions like some other guy
Maybe I am not perfect, but I am trying my best
You see me standing at the window
You see me lost in deep thought
With my world at my back
My past experiences shape who I am today
And my eyes down the road
I am looking towards the future
Staring at the wreckage of a lifetime strewn along the track
I am reflecting on the hardships and mistakes I have faced in my past
And the seeds that were sowed
The consequences of my past actions still affect me now
You think I'm wishing I was some other place
You may interpret my deep thought as regret or unhappiness
But in fact I'm right here
But I am content with where I am now
And my shoulder to lean on baby
I am here to support you
And my heart in with you
My heart beats for you
And you can see that it's not always easy
Our relationship has its challenges
Maybe that makes you crazy
Maybe it drives you insane at times
But can you see that I've spent all I had
I have put everything I have into this relationship
That you go on making me glad
But you still bring me joy despite our difficulties
That I found your love in this world after times were so bad
Your love brought light to my dark times
Is it faith or your will that keeps you hanging on still
I wonder what makes you stay with me
For the love that you paid for
I know you sacrificed a lot for us
Or is it for the love we made
But maybe it is ultimately because our love is worth it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jackson Browne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mary Truan
I love this song! Another masterpiece by the master.
Piotr X
thank you zen master for your wisdom
8th Fold
+Piotr X You are most welcome :)
Stargazer
Love your moniker, 8th Fold. I know that these are not the lyrics, but it is always the way I heard the lyrics for me : " Yeah, yeah, just say yeah".
Stargazer
+ Lori Anne. Thanks Lorie Anne. Just too many "yeah songs" for me to keep up with. I appreciate it. So good to know.
Lori Anne
No, it's "Just Say Yeah" on "Time the Conquerer"!
Stargazer
+ Lori Anne. Would it be the song "My Stunning Mystery Companion" ? Like to touch base with those who appreciate Jackson. Yes indeed.
Lori Anne
Stargazer, he has another song with lyrics like the ones you posted on another cd - not sure which one.
Karol O'Donovan
does anyone have the guitar chords for this?
8th Fold
hey man,I tried but with no luck...my suggestion is to go here https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/ and try to ask someone if they got em or are able to make them for you.It seems like a nice forum,good luck !