Jackson Browne

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Jackson Browne is a singer-songwriter in the pop genre. He started writing and singing music approximately 1973 and is still active.

His specialties include epic ballads, Silly Love Songs, AntiLove Songs that were mistaken for Silly Love Songs, protest songs and syncopation.

His first hit single — at least the first one the classic rock stations are likely to play — is "Doctor My Eyes." "Take It Easy" was written and recorded by him with the help of The Eagles' Glen Frey, and recorded by them with his permision, but his version was Covered Up by theirs'.

His magnum opus is probably The Pretender, which contains "Here Come Those Tears Again", "Linda Paloma" and the title track. Others might also like For Everyman or Late for the Sky the best.

Lawyers in Love came in 1984. It is another classic, containing the title song and "In the Shape of a Heart".

His career suffered in the late 1980s and early 1990s, partly because the musical climate was changing, partly because of allegations of domestic abuse. An investigation cleared him, but the allegations hurt his rep. He still has a fanbase out there, though.


Jackson Browne provides examples of the following tropes:
  • Age Progression Song: "Running on Empty": 1965, 1969, present.
  • American Dream: "The Pretender" is about the second variety of this
  • Anti-Love Song: Quite a few.
  • Christmas Songs: "The Rebel Jesus"
  • Concept Album: "Running on Empty", about life as a musician on tour. Included a few live songs and one recorded literally on the road — you can hear the engine of his tour bus under the song, and the drum kit was packed away so the bass drum you hear is actually a cardboard box.
  • Creator Breakdown: Browne's first wife, Phyllis, committed suicide just before recording The Pretender.
  • A Date with Rosie Palms: The aptly-named "Rosie".
  • Darker and Edgier: "Lives In the Balance" featured a number of quite cynical political numbers, including the title track and "For America".
  • Epic Rocking: "Hold On Hold Out" most prominently.
  • Grief Song: "Song For Adam", "For A Dancer", "Of Missing Persons", "In the Shape of a Heart".
  • Rockstar Song: Running on Empty was basically a "rock star album," but the last two songs, "The Load-out" and "Stay," which are meant be played as one song, most exemplify the main point of the album, which is that underneath all the fame, traveling, and Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll, what the rock star really lives for is playing on stange in front of a loving audience.
  • Unrequited Love: "Somebody's Baby".