Jackson Browne's third album, 1974. This song, the title track, has been my anthem for this entire year of 2010. It's been a challenging year, emotionally, and this song really got me through a lot of moments. I cried a lot. Kind of every time I played it. Actually, this whole album is pretty mind-blowing. I couldn't decide if I wanted to post this one or "Fountain of Sorrow" because in my mind they are both totally incredible achievements. I love how genuine it is, how human it is, it is so frail and strong at the same time. That sound of the guitar is awesome, perfectly mournful for a death, in this case the death of a relationship which feels like the death of a person in many ways. Jackson Browne is one of my favorite lyricists of all time because of how truthful and poetic he is and how he shapes words and ideas together. Most importantly though, he is really honest in a way that's totally his own. "Late for Sky" might be the best breakup song in the universe.
Oh yeah, I love the movie "Taxi Driver" too.
Late for the Sky
All the words had all been spoken,
Somehow the feeling still wasn't right
And still we continued on through the night.
Tracing our steps from the beginning,
Until they vanished into the air
Trying to understand how our lives had led us there.
Looking hard into your eyes
There was nobody I'd ever known
Such an empty suprise
To feel so alone.
Now, for me, some words come easy
But I know that they don't mean that much
Compared with the things that are said when lovers touch.
You never knew what I loved in you
I don't know what you loved in me.
Maybe the picture of somebody you were hoping I might be.
Awake again, I can't pretend
That I know I'm alone,
And close to the end
Of the feeling we've known.
How long have I been sleeping?
How long have I been drifting along through the night?
How long have I been dreaming I could make it right,
If I closed my eyes and tried with all my might,
To be the one you need?
Awake again, I can't pretend
That I know I'm alone,
And close to the end
Of the feeling we've known.
How long have I been sleeping?
How long have I been drifting along through the night?
How long have I been running for that morning flight
Through the whispered promises, and the changing light
Of the bed where we both lie,
Late for the sky.
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A blog about music old and young
Intentions
This blog is intended to be a collection or catalogue of sorts, of music through the ages, that has inspired or moved me in one way or another. There is no precise method or chronology. Selfishly, it is a place where I can keep lyrics and performances - that I can view in one place quite easily -from anywhere in the world. That said, I hope it will be of some use to others, and perhaps even introduce some of what I consider to be the greatest singing and songwriting that I am aware of.
