He Ran Into A High School Girlfriend After He Was A STAR-Event Became An 80s HIT | Professor of Rock

Coming up a once upon a time a fledgling singer songwriter named Dan Fogelberg went back to his hometown for the holidays and ran into an ex girlfriend at a convenience store. He turned the fateful meeting of joy and sorrow in the the 1981 hit, Same Old Lang Syne from his album the Innocent Age. one of the most bittersweet story songs of the 80s. find out the real story beyond the poetic licenses that all artists take and celebrate one of the purest voices of the rock era including interviews next.
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​#80s #Rock #Story
Hey music junkies and vinyl junkies Professor of Rock always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest 80s songs of all time for the music community and vinyl community with music history video essay's. If you’ve ever owned records, cassettes and CD’s at different times in you life or still do this is your place Subscribe below right now to be a part of our daily celebration of the rock era with exclusive stories from straight from the artists and click on our patreon link in the description to see our brand new show there.
Christmas music is a very polarizing. Some love it. Some Hate it. Everyone has an opinion about it. Well my favorite Christmas song of all time, really isn’t a Christmas song per say. At least not a traditional one, but in my definition it transcends the holidays and gets straight to the deepest of human emotions that only great music can evoke.
it comes from one of the rock era’s purest and most angelic voices. He is one of the most realistic songwriter out there. . I’m talking about Dan Fogelberg and his classic 1981 top 10 hit . realized in 80 but hitting it’s peak position in early 81 Same Old Lang Syne. Today We are going to go in depth on that classic song and we also have an interview with one Dan’s foremost musical collaborator’s, Legendary Producer Norbert Putt Putnam. Sadly Dan passed away at just 56 years of age from Prostate Cancer. He has left a musical legacy that will last forever. So let’s get right into it.
Dan Fogelberg was born in Peoria, Illinois. The youngest of three sons born to musical parent. Mother MArgaret was a classically trained pianist, and his Father Lawrence Peter Fogelberg who Dan affectionally covered in Dan’s exquisite top 10 hit the leader of the band was in fact a band director at Woodruff High School in Peoria, at Pekin Community High School in Pekin,
and at Bradley University in Peoria.
Dan immediately gravitated toward music and taught himself to play guitar and the piUsing a Mel Bay course book, Dan taught himself to play a Hawaiian slide guitar that his grandfather had given him. He also learned to play the piano. When Dan was only 14 years old he joined a band called The Clan, which played mostly Beatle tunes Then he was in another band called The Coachmen, and in 1967, they released a single with both sides written by Fogelberg, After he graduated form High School, He studied theater arts and painting at the University of Illinois while at the same time playing live music with a folk rock band.
From there he started doing gigging as a solo acoustic artist around the town where he was discovered by now Music Mogul Irving Azoff., Azoff sent him to Nashville to to hone his craft. I spoke with his first producer and frequent collaborator Norbert Putnam about this here’s what he said: …

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: With Same Old Lange Syne as our guide, what are some other wholly relatable songs from the rock era?

[@jeffreykoger3978]

Jesse's Girl!

[@Fiona2254]

Subdivisions by Rush was a description of High School as I was still in High School. I was totally that nerd that wasn't in the cool clique but I was proud of it because I never related to girl drama. My best friends were the boys and rock music was always there, Rush Triumph Stix Journey Saga and so many more, a huge part of it. [Typo edit]

[@MyName-pl7zn]

Just to name a few off the top of my head. Time for me to fly by REO speedwagon One by U2 Just between you and me by April Wine In my life by the Beatles

[@thebouncinghearts]

'Born To Run' but then most of Bruce's anthems are ultra evocative.

[@RBS_]

...I think I'll 'win' this post today, Prof.; ...as we all know, MANY, if not ALL Songs are 'relatable' because they are open to interpretation...but, it depends on the SINGER 'relating'......WE, as listeners, 'slip' into what the Singer is going through, & interpret it..but when the Singer is like, "I've been there, Man..." is when it REALLY hits home... ...and I believe, Mike +The Mechanics' **THE LIVING YEARS*** , is THE one to beat, for anyone who's lost their Father.....mine is still alive (and STILL a p*sser), but when 'that call' comes, I know Paul Carrack will BE there for me.....

[@rubicon-oh9km]

You know a songwriter is truly gifted when he or she can paint a picture with words and make the listener feel like they are watching a scene unfold right before their eyes.

[@BADD400]

Absolutely right

[@sonicfoxxmusic4281]

Tell me what picture this song paints for you....be warned..it is very unique. "WHY?" by Jasmine Lamport. Find Steve Pledger's comment about this song...this man may just be ahead of a long crowd, long term.

[@psychotherapistspecializin6452]

Very well put my fellow Dan Folgerberg fan❣

[@brucewittig]

Gordon Lightfoot does that for me.

[@rubicon-oh9km]

@@brucewittig Absolutely. Gordon is amazing.

[@EnfinLibreNM]

I was introduced to Dan Fogelberg by a high school boyfriend and fell in love with his music. One of my favorite memories was attending a concert at the Greek Theatre where Fogelberg was doing a solo act with just a piano and guitar. He was sitting on a stool in the middle of the stage, playing, when suddenly from the top row of the Greek, a guy wearing a Hawaiian shirt started standing up, jumping up and down and yelling. Suddenly the guy dodged all the security, Fogelberg looked startled as the guy ran down the stairs, past security, leaped onto the stage and slid on his belly across the stage and started playing the piano. Fogelberg started laughing, stopped the security from dragging from the guy in the Hawaiian shirt off the stage, then introduced the guy as one of his best friends...Jimmy Buffett. We got to hear 2 concerts that night as Fogelberg completely changed his set and Buffett and Fogelberg extended the concert to include some of Buffett's songs also. From what I understand, they were great friends and were constantly playing jokes on each other. Best. Concert. Ever!!!! RIP Dan. RIP Jimmy.

[@johnholliday5874]

Wow! That is incredible!

[@witteney3334]

That is a heck of a story, lucky you!

[@painsangel516]

❤❤❤

[@musicismagic3001]

Wow! What an awesome story. Thanks so much for sharing.☺️

[@rich56ca]

Dan Fogelberg was one of the most underrated artists of his era. Left us way too young.

[@Whitleythe13th]

😥💔💜

[@JD-eq4dp]

Is he ?

[@recordman555]

Now I get it! "That old familiar pain". 39 years after, I found, and married my High School crush. Finding her has been the absolute cure to my heart's [familiar pain] desire. We're in our 60s now - been married just over 5 years, and every day is like a Honeymoon. Young man, don't let a "crush" go unresolved. Don't think "she wouldn't like me". Take that step of faith - you'd be amazed!

[@peetyw8851]

Very happy for you! Thank you for telling your story.

[@marycopeland4049]

Congratulations, God bless your lives together…Amen.

[@user-ks8pf5yk4m]

Wife and I had some friends in high school who were a great couple. But he went off to the Navy and she moved away and they drifted apart. Both went through rough marriages and divorces. And then, 30 years later, they reconnected and took right up where they left off. They're now happily married and like they were in the 80s--cheers to Scott and Sandi! I married my high school crush. We became a couple when I was 19 and not long out of high school and she was 16. We got married as soon as she graduated from college. We had some rocky episodes in our relationship but we always fought through them and always knew we were together for life. We're still together in our 50s and the passion's more exciting now than it was 40 years ago.

[@lauriebriggs9705]

I married a boyfriend from high school when we were in our late 50’s after we each had been divorced for a few years. He called me from Illinois and I was living in Oregon and we reconnected. Best thing that ever happened to us. We are now 68 and so very happy. I can totally relate to your story.

[@wandaarnt234]

This brings tears Blessings to you both 🙏🙏🙏🎚🎚🎚🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@gergled2846ify]

I like to say Dan saved my life. I was a big fan and was shocked to hear he died from prostate cancer at age 56. He was only a month older than me. I hadn't been to a doctor in 35 years but after hearing about his death I decided to go. A few years later I developed prostate cancer too but unlike Dan mine was caught early and I won't die from it.

[@rlord7053]

Such a blessing it was caught in time.

[@joelliebler5690]

I saw him in one of his last concerts before he found out that he had prostate cancer. I though he would recover though after not hearing much improvement that I feared the worst for Dan.

[@andresd6193]

😎

[@psychotherapistspecializin6452]

He is truly a gifted songwriter. I LOVED him as a young person. How many of us had these passionate first loves we will never forget &then our snow turned into rain............

[@joelliebler5690]

@@psychotherapistspecializin6452 I was lucky enough that my first love became my wife though sadly she passed away over twenty years ago!

[@FutureZek]

This song came out when I was home for Christmas break after my first semester in college. I went to a grocery store, and my ex-girlfriend from high school was working the register. We made some small talk and I left. After I pulled out of the parking lot, this song came on the radio. Hit me right in the feels. Talk about serendipity!

[@dgtwo3724]

Dan Kennedy isn't it amazing how the planets line up like that and you immediately hear a song which could have been written specifically for your own situation?

[@FutureZek]

@@dgtwo3724 Yeah, I was stunned to say the least.

[@carolharris2357]

I went to a local grocery chain store near where I lived and a guy i really liked in high school and went out with was the checker and he was already going bald in our ear early 20s. Shocking to me. Maybe I was too superficial but I was really surprised. Another time I ran into a guy I also really liked from a little later and he was married but to a woman who didn't seem to love him so i told him how to get her back. I guess it worked.

[@67marlins]

@Dan Kennedy Just curious Dan, did you keep in touch with her, hopefully regained a friend? Jr

[@jacquelinebarnard649]

Aaahhhh feel it 😊

[@TomJonesMN]

When my wife and I got married in 1980, we featured Dan Fogleburg's "Longer" in our wedding. My wife died in 1984, and whenever I hear "The Same Old Lang Syne" it brings back some pretty raw emotions. Each time it makes me wonder what it would be like to meet her again.

[@kathymorrison3222]

My husband and I chose Longer as the first dance at our wedding. He passed away eleven months ago. I know how you feel. Wishing you peace

[@SandraHof]

I am so sorry for your loss and that you had such a short time together. My husband and I were married in February 1981. "Longer" was the song we danced to at our wedding reception. We had 21 beautiful years together until he passed away in my arms from cancer in 2002. I never remarried. We were perfect together. Anyone else would be less than perfect.

[@SandraHof]

@@kathymorrison3222I am sorry for your loss.💔

[@YouTube_can_ESAD]

That’s heavy man… I can completely relate. Wishing you well.

[@CK-vp6hh]

Dan’s father was the leader of the band and chorus at my high school. He taught me how to sing 🎤… this song is a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man!

[@theofulk5636]

Back in the days when this was new, I thought only of Jesus !

[@elioraimmanuel]

Wow! How cool!

[@bunnybubs757]

School name ? Year? Leader of the band ! Yes!

[@CK-vp6hh]

@@bunnybubs757 Pekin (IL) Community HS 68-82

[@bunnybubs757]

@@CK-vp6hh WoW!! Very cool, thx

[@bryancaddy561]

Always one of my favorites, I believe that Dan is one of the most underrated singer songwriters of the 80s

[@debradillard315]

Couldn't agree more. I saw him in Detroit. MI and Birmingham, AL. 2 Different types of concerts. Both amazing. In Birmingham 2 hours of him and the guitar or piano. Still my favorite concert ever.

[@Heartwing37]

I agree! Anybody that hasn’t listen to his single albums, are missing a treat! Just beautiful!

[@denmar355]

And the 70’s.

[@markhudson1112]

I love his metaphor at the end of the song. “And as I turned to make my way back home, the snow turned into rain.” You can feel his tears of his loss from many years ago pouring out as “rain”.

[@yestfmf]

Seeing You Again is another of his songs that tears your heart out. It ends almost in a sob. Enormous talent.

[@alexnutcasio936]

It wasn’t a metaphor. Dan clearly said the snow literally turned into rain as they left in that Peoria night.

[@glenbard657]

@@alexnutcasio936 You are correct. I have seen the letter Dan wrote to a young fan about that line.

[@janisrobinson5740]

I'm from Central Illinois as well and am an avid Folgleberg fan. The day he died, as I was driving to work, the announcement of his death came over the radio. I had to pull over to the side of the road because I could no longer see through my tears. In that moment, my heart broke. RIP my friend.

[@Cheryltwin2012]

Me too! Peoria born and raised.

[@mrbluesky9891]

He captured the magic of love, of snow at Christmas, of loves lost, regret at the melting of magic, the melting of snow, the end of another year. Thank you Dan, for putting into words, a story we are all too familiar with. 💔

[@TomRoyce]

I am 56 and this song, along with "Cat's In The Cradle", brings tears to my eyes. It captures such deep emotions buried as we live our daily lives. Great share, Professor.

[@carlatate7678]

I can't even listen to Cat's in the Cradle! Love this one though.

[@leeshaver7825]

There is a verse in Cat's in The Cradle And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me He'd grown up just like me My boy was just like me This verse came to me when I hung up the phone after talking to my son Jake We lost Jake in March So you can imagine what the song does to me

[@TomRoyce]

@@leeshaver7825 Prayers, brother. I can not imagine the pain you are going through.

[@leeshaver7825]

@@TomRoyce thank you It's unlike any pain I've ever known

[@vaskylark]

Everyone loves Cats in the Cradle but it's not by Fogelberg it's by Harry Chapin.

[@purpleeinstein]

When the sax kicks in right after "and the snow turned into rain", gets me every time. Thanks Dan, thanks Prof.

[@crickettmoon7082]

The Saxophone gets me every time.

[@CheleBoxy]

Oh yes! Me too...

[@poldidak]

The one and only (late) Michael Brecker on soprano sax, another musician gone too soon

[@genon70]

Agreed...

[@bevalexander5897]

Dan Fogelberg and Jim Croce are two of the best folk rock songwriters from my early teen years. I love every song both have written, especially Operator and Leader of the Band. Harry Chapin Is another amazing songwriter from that era.

[@joed6952]

Completely Agreed!

[@johnnyt.sollitto512]

Too many - can't leave out John Denver, James Taylor, Barry Manilow - I mean that 70's era of singer song writers was INSANE - and the women were almost as deep - Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell, etc

[@joed6952]

@@johnnyt.sollitto512 I just saw Stevie Nicks 2 weeks ago in Boston with Billy Joel. I have seen Billy at least 15 times. But Stevie blew me away! At 75 she still has it!

[@johnnyt.sollitto512]

@@joed6952 Wow Billy & Stevie. Saw Billy a few times. Took my Mom a few years back to one of his shows at MSG here in NYC - but never saw Stevie live - she’s a legend. What songs did they do together?

[@kevinjoseph517]

jims widow said jim was difficult w regards to emotions. shy? moody?

[@darkbeach72]

My ex-girlfriend's mom was Dan Fogelberg's girlfriend in the late 90s between his 2nd and 3rd wives. He was a pretty reclusive guy and struggled a lot with emotional issues. What you hear coming through in his music is all genuine. His music makes you feel so much because he felt so much.

[@johnnyt.sollitto512]

Wow thanks for that little inside look at Dan brother. God bless

[@lonelyheroine]

I've read that he had serious problems with depression and you are so right that it was reflected deeply in his lyrics.

[@richardbullwood5941]

As of 53 year old man, in my lifetime, I have noticed that often brilliance can go hand-in-hand with negative issues, let's say.

[@univibe23]

I think if Dan were alive today and saw this he would be proud. You really did this song justice!

[@davidwaxman2285]

I've seen this song analyzed a dozen times. But the professor really nailed it.

[@ProfessorofRock]

So glad to hear it David. I love this wonderful artist!

[@colleenhoffman2817]

The Peofessor is gifted in taking us back to a special time, while being able to put into words the feelings we have!

[@barbararuby4464]

I was thinking exactly the same thing! I loved this analysis of this song. Thank you@@ProfessorofRock

[@tomritchie9808]

It’s a choker, every time I hear it I get choked up. I can feel Dan’s compassion in this song. The first time I heard the song it drew me in. A musician that was lost to early in life.

[@katkerz70]

This song has always been meaningful to me. Became friends with a guy in senior year…hung out on and off between his girlfriends and my boyfriends. ..I went through a tough time, and became distant, cut him off…heard from mutual friends couple of years later that he ended up getting married…always thought of him when this song came on during the holidays…missed him like crazy. 13 years later he called me, had divorced, and I cried at the sound of his voice. Met up at Starbucks for some coffee and we’re now happily married with 2 kids, 20 years later. Song has different meaning now 💗

[@thomasparrish429]

Good for you and God bless you and your family! I just started talking to my ex after 45 years I hope everything works out for us I've loved her from the first time I met her! 45 years ago!

[@kingjulian3997]

Beautiful

[@tymax6751]

I always tear up when he sings "Just for a moment I was back in school" until the end. Another song of his that's almost as heartbreaking is 'Hard to Say'.

[@michellebliss1876]

Lonely in Love is another sad one!!

[@klingonsexy]

When he followed it up with, "And as I turned to make my way back home, the snow turned into rain," that's when I cry my eyes out, every single time!

[@CodeBleu724]

@@michellebliss1876 Lonely In Love gets me every time. As I understand, it's about the pain of divorce. I've been through it and it's not fun.

[@michellebliss1876]

@@CodeBleu724 I figured it was about divorce now idk if he wrote this about him or just general

[@ronaldmccutcheon1329]

I love that. I'm 58, but hearing this takes me back to school too.

[@fragolina8391]

I was in Dan's Speech & Drama class, where there was no doubt of his incredible talent. Although I was in the class ahead of him, I aspired to his skill & perfection. I even remember these many years later, a monologue he gave in class. After graduation, I moved to London & only heard of his fame by accident. Dan was not only a great talent, but also a charming young man.

[@cindyjackson2457]

His lyrics take you through a story so easily, his music is timeless. RIP

[@raynorman5751]

Adam talks about the poetics in Dan Fogelberg’s lyrics, but he did a fine job of his own describing how these lyrics connect all of us. Well done. BTW, I married that high school girl. Ten years after. Both of us married other spouses, had kids, divorced. Her mom did some finagling. That was thirty six years ago. Thanks, Charlotte!

[@blebhan8213]

So you're the architect, eh?

[@michaelclark9762]

@@blebhan8213 No, he's the second husband after the architect. Also the high school sweetheart reunited ten years later after the architect.

[@Crunchycon01]

I know you’re not my brother, but that’s his story (except he didn’t marry someone else, but she did). They remarried 10 years after they broke up and are still married 30 years later. He had “true love waits forever” engraved inside her wedding band.

[@hbofbyu1]

"The snow turned into rain...." at the end of that song is the best single metaphor in all of popular music (IMO). What makes it so great is how many different interpretations and meanings it has for people. For me the snow is analogous to memories; they are crystallized, unchanging, unflowing, beautiful, suspended in time. And as T.S Elliot says: "winter kept us warm". When the snow turns to rain those memories have changed to something dynamic, something that has come back to life but is still not comfortable in that it gets us wet and we often run to get away from it. The "old familiar pain" coming back again. The last verse of that song tears me apart.

[@drdr76]

and I always read the metaphor as his eyes started to tear up for a part of his life that he was fond of but that had passed.

[@hbofbyu1]

@@drdr76 That's a great one. I hadn't thought of that specifically before.

[@xhaltsalute]

I have a particular grocery store in Martinsburg WV that I see every time I heard Old Lang Syne by Fogelbug. I see the whole story there, feel the whole story there. So vivid.

[@DrBeckyEm]

It always tears me apart too. My mother died in June. This song is sad anyways. But it is a beautiful song

[@stevesherman1743]

Yeah, it changes the tone. Snow is pretty and romantic and you think they might get back together. But the snow turned to rain. Rain is cold and wet, so any romance was extinguished and they went back to their families. And rain suggests tears.

[@pamelavanwart5647]

6 children in the family and there was one rule none of us could avoid. We each had to play an instrument. I played the Leader of The Band for my Father. It brought him to tears. He's passed, but that song always brings back his face to me.

[@davidforsyth5157]

I loved when you did "Sunshine Day" with your brothers and sisters, Marcia.

[@pamelavanwart5647]

@@davidforsyth5157 wrong bunch, they only sang.

[@joyflavell7385]

You got me right in the feels in my favorite emotion, laughter through tears in the best way. My dad loved music and we compared songs of his and mine. I was 10 when the Beatles came out so lots of changes lol. Well both learned to appreciate different forms of music. He really liked Leader of the Band. I miss him he's been gone since 96. But grateful for him and for Dan Fogelberg ❤

[@marterisher2335]

Dan Fogelberg had one of the sweetest voices ever heard on planet earth, and I loved the back story of how this particular song came to be written. It is my absolute favorite Fogelberg song. Thank you so much for your sensitive and illuminating treatment of one of the greatest troubadours to walk planet earth.❤❤❤

[@amandawilliams2266]

I agree ,it's so bitter sweet ❤️❤️

[@scottmuhlbaier1945]

Dan had one of the best voices and got some of the best recordings of the era. My personal favorite from his is definitely "Leader of the Band". What many people don't know that Joe Walsh played guitar on "Part of the Plan" and also Jay Ferguson's classic "Thunder Island" as well (which actually had Eagles production team behind it). I still listen to Dan Fogelberg and Eddie Rabbitt tracks all the time--both succumbing way too early to that infernal diease of cancer.

[@barbarasmith3794]

Eddie Rabbitt ❤️

[@carlosgalvan2174]

Man! You are an amazing storyteller! I loved Kasey Kasem growing up. YOU have taken the mantle of America's Rock curator and given this generation a solid resource for true and accurate information all the while making it interesting as hell! Rock on! 🤘

[@kenmahan3124]

I grew up and graduated with Dan and Jill from Woodruff High School in Peoria. When I hear this song I can in my mind actually see the area and them as it was during that time period of when we were eighteen and for me it is a great journey down memory lane!

[@melbelle2049]

So cool!

[@c.blakerockhart1128]

Any "Adult" who can not relate to this song, has Not actually paid attention to the lessons that life teaches. An Absolutely Beautiful song, with a Beautiful story behind it.

[@cjquinn729]

Fogelberg was a one of a kind. Rest in Peace, Dan.

[@jhopkins213]

Dan Fogelberg told a wonderful and incredibly detailed story in this 5 minute and 18 second song. His songwriting ability was simply astonishing. What a loss the music world suffered when he passed. RIP Dan.

[@ripley7t429]

Yep strange thing, same exact thing happened to me the next year, and the song actually started playing as we were sitting in the car. She has since passed away, but I always think of her when I hear this song. First love and first heartbreak, miss ya Lori.

[@stickywicket7585]

This is truly one of the most beautiful songs ever written and recorded. I make a point of listening to it every New Year's Eve. It reaches so deeply inside me and touches my soul. I cry from the moment it begins until it ends.

[@simpleagain1]

Crybaby

[@stickywicket7585]

@@simpleagain1 There's always at least one ass munch so let me congratulate you because you are it. You have every right to your opinion but I have every right to say your opinion sucks.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

I listen to it on NYE too!! Lol

[@davecolvin4534]

I got over my high school girlfriend a long time ago and have been happily married for years. Still, this song comes on and I'm whisked right back to that high school crush and the loss I felt when it ended.

[@DanielOrme]

"In Greek, nostalgia literally means 'the pain from an old wound.' It’s a twinge in your heart, far more powerful than memory alone." - Don Draper, Mad Men

[@dianevanderlinden3480]

oh boy now I'll have to binge-watch that again. Never get tired of that series; always see something new there.

[@CallmeMrKelly]

Beautiful..

[@Terk131]

Dan Fogelberg and Gorden Lightfoot are the 2 most amazing lyricists to ever walk this earth. We were blessed by these 2 men. You should do an episode on Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald. That would be epic by any portion. Side note, your EX is going to freak on the ending but that was great Adam. Thank you for all the great work you do. It means more to me than you can imagine.

[@solracer66]

I had never looked at him that way but you are right, Dan Folgelberg really was the American Gordon Lightfoot. Unfortunately he didn't have the chance to have the long and storied career that Gordon has had. I still hope that Gordon is still out there performing when the pandemic is over as I plan to travel wherever I need to to see him in concert.

[@cajuncooper8903]

Love them both!! Gordon was our last concert before lockdown. What a joy it was!!

[@sarahm.5356]

Solracer66, I had tickets to see Gord in Wisconsin in November 2021, but he cancelled. Sad.

[@niritzagofsky7473]

Yeah, how about Gordon Lightfoot? I was a freshman at SUNY at Oneonta in 1972 when I first heard his magical music.

[@TheMicahwitz]

Bro, Gordon Lightfoot songs are my go to’s when it’s karaoke.

[@emillion4470]

There's so many aspects of this song's lyrics, structure and production that makes it one of the most emotionally triggering and beautifully produced pop songs ever created. I'll mention one; that extended musical "reverie" just after Dan sings " we laughed until we cried..." This affords the listener time to get lost - pause a moment and catch a wave of their own bittersweet memories of the loss of a past love.

[@knitty781]

One of my favorite Holiday songs. The way Fogelberg describes the whole relationship in 3 minutes is so poignant.

[@jonrosenblum8371]

Dan Fogelberg is one of my favorite songwriters of all time. His voice and musicianship were amazing but songs like "Leader of the Band" and "Same Auld Lang Syne" are masterpieces with respect to emotion and word painting, in my opinion. Thanks for the video!

[@davidmoran2296]

I lost my father a couple of years ago and I can't listen to "Leader of the Band" without crying. That was the magic of Dan Fogelberg, he could bring forth that emotion.

[@jaymorris6951]

Me too

[@Trisha_B_done]

I'm tearing up just listening to sample the interview. Certain songs immediately invoke emotion.

[@joed6952]

I had a very similar experience. It was also Christmas Eve, midnight mass. I walking into church, sat down with my 6year old daughter. Looked over my right shoulder and spotted her! My old high school flame. We were together for over 3 years. I haven’t seen her since my high school graduation. There she was…. With her family. We caught eyes and there was a smile of acknowledgment, and a look of what could have been. This song reminds me of that night, with no words spoken…. But a look of gratitude and the wonder of what might have been. If you ever see this… I hope you are truly happy…. And thank you for the 3 years together.

[@brendafuller907]

It's so relatable because it's happened to many people. It's a real human experience. And Dan's heart & feelings come through his music & touch you. You knew it had to have happened to him.

[@jcbass2u]

Dan holds three of my all time favorite songs, same old lang Syne, Leader of the band, and run for the roses. All three are masterworks of storytelling.

[@terrywilliamson825]

Agreed wholeheartedly

[@islebob5417]

I would add Longer to the list. Didn't realize the guitar part on that song was in slack key for decades. So Dan had to re-work his guitar fingering while this song hit #2 on Hot Billboard. Adds another layer to his talent only few people know.

[@jcbass2u]

@@islebob5417 Definitely agree, I had forgotten about that one. Haven't heard it in years. Thanks for reminding me.

[@bridgetlyons876]

Me too!

[@donnahilton471]

What about the Last Nail?

[@islebob5417]

Dan Fogelberg is genuinely one of the greatest singer, guitarist, and songwriter who ever lived. Even compared with other greats, very few can do ALL 3 so exceptionally well. Truly God's music gift to human beings.

[@CodeBleu724]

Dave Letterman had Dan on a bunch of his shows. Dan rocked "Missing You" on Letterman's show in '87. Dan absolutely killed it!

[@MrJoeinz]

I can't listen to this beautiful ballad too often . . . it hurts too much ! It reminds me of the original love of my life. I was so in love with Nancy that it actually hurt ! I was a wreck when we broke up. I remained celibate for over two years afterwards. I learned, not too long ago that she had passed away from a rare immuno-static disease . . . she was married to her husband and had 4 boys. I'm certain it was a great loss to all of them. The memory of our chance get together a couple of years after . . . is made afresh every time I hear this song . . . that chance encounter was back in 1980.

[@tjm3774]

A similar situation happened to me back in the mid-90s. I was at the checkout line at a grocery store with my mother, when I happened upon my ex-girlfriend standing behind us. We just said hello and talked for about a minute, because my mother was ready to go home. Hadn't heard from her until 2010 when I connected with her on Facebook... we chatted a few times, and I was hoping we could get together again. Sadly, she passed away due to respiratory problems in May 2011 at the age of 32. I think of her every time I hear this song (my favorite Fogelberg tune). RIP, my sweet April... I love and miss you. And RIP, Dan... thank you for all your wonderful songs!

[@denniscarey1621]

I said this before, his 70s albums Souvenirs and Netherlands were masterpieces. He should be as revered as a songwriter as much as James Taylor and Jackson Browne

[@leerothman7570]

As a singer songwriter myself mainly during the 70's and 80's and also from Illinois originally, I totally agree. His Netherlands album was timed perfectly. I just had broken an engagement with a gal and was pretty torn up and decided to move out West to change my life, and it was as if he'd written that album for ME. Truly a amazing work of art that touched so many of us.

[@thomascanfield9165]

I got lucky when Dan played a nearby small venue for his Netherlands tour. The way he started the show was dramatic, with a single spotlight hitting him sitting behind a piano at the far right corner of the stage as he launched into the title track. I still recall the feeling of being taken aback, hearing it for the first time. What an energetic/ creative guy ! I feel blessed to witness him perform when he was only in his mid-20’s

[@namewitheld2568]

I love this song but The Leader of the Band makes me sob uncontrollably every time I hear it. I think of my fantastic grandfather. He survived Pearl harbor and was a true member of the greatest generation. He helped raise me and my brothers and sisters the most magnificent man. "And Pappa I don't think I said I love you near enough"

[@jodilewis5593]

That song has always brought tears to my eyes. Fogelberg was one of my favorites. His lyrics were always meaningful and his voice... I love your channel. As a Boomer, many of the songs you play take me on a trip down memory lane and remind me that, though my generation certainly has its faults, we sure did create some fantastic music!! Thanks for that.

[@RG-hf4et]

Brilliant ending using "Auld Lang Syne" as the closing melody. No words need to be sung. We all get it. Brilliant.

[@marktownsend6972]

Greetings from Peoria, Illinois. Thank you for covering one of the greatest songs by one of the most underappreciated artists of our time. I still get choked up every time I hear it. Now I'm going to have to binge my Dan Fogelberg catalog at work today. I was lucky enough to take my mother to see him play in St. Louis at the Kiel Auditorium back in the 80s. Amazing show! He had no backup band. It was just him and a few guitars and a piano. An unparalleled talent gone too soon.

[@shibolinemress8913]

I've loved Dan Fogelberg all my life. This song is also a Christmas staple for me. Thanks for giving his music the love it deserves so much!

[@jrsands]

I could imagine this song being the single played as we watch the clock count down to midnight on New Year’s Eve with it ending with that sax 🎷 & “‘Old Lang Syne”… then the clock strikes 12 Nothing but tears!

[@shibolinemress8913]

@@jrsands Me too! I should've thought of that yesterday! 👍

[@glo3139]

I’m so very happy, that you used the word BREATHTAKING to describe this song. It is just that indeed. I Love this song so much!!! I also really adore Leader of the Band, which he wrote about his dad. The story in that song is so beautiful and touching. I miss Dan Fogelberg. He was one very beautiful and talented singer/songwriter and MAN!!! Rest In Peace, Beautiful Man. You are truly missed!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏

[@Jenny-kg7zb]

I start crying uncontrollably when he says "We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to time..." I don't relate to a love lost in this song, but I do relate to lost innocence and lost time. After my dad (A leader of the band) passed away, those two lines mean more to me than anything I've ever heard.

[@rickelliott9441]

I’m happy Dan was able to live this song… and so perfectly share it with us all. David Bowie - “Ain’t there one damn song that can make me break down and cry” - Dan Fogelberg - Hold my beer…

[@Ldsyldsy]

This line from Bowie and how he sang it is one of the greatest moments in music history.

[@doplinger1]

RIP Dan Fogelberg, one of my top 5 all time favorites. NO ONE wrote lyrics quite like Dan.

[@kevinmoore8049]

This song is one of those master pieces that no matter how many times you hear it, you find tears streaming down your cheeks. Its that sentimental nostalgia remembering old loves that you had hoped would last forever, but didn't. It is not so much my tears are for that loss per se. I find that my tears are for the time in my life that was lost . . . the innocence, the dreams, the closeness, the fantasies, and it does really hurt on some level, so the tears well up, and I try to regain my composure. Dan Fogelberg is a master at lyrics, and I have songs from him that represent somebody I lost in the past. Another tear- jerker, but definitely a lovely song is Lonely In Love, from his album called Exiles. It is one of my all time faves . . ..

[@susane9514]

In college, my boyfriend (husband) and I would sit in his car and listen to Dan Fogelberg on cassette tape. “Longer” became our song in 1980 and it still is in 2023. Dan’s music was woven into our world. He was one of the best story tellers ever. Thanks Dan.

[@Awakened.for.good1967]

Dan Fogelberg is simply the most talented of them all yet so few realize it.

[@DaveRucci]

Dan is one of my favorite singer-songwriters. Not many can evoke SO much emotion in their music. 🙌🏻

[@ProfessorofRock]

So MUCH emotion. Very true. One of the greatest in my opinion.

[@DaveRucci]

@@ProfessorofRock indeed! Thanks for the reply brotha! 🤘🏻😎

[@shannonprintz3599]

As soon as the song starts to play, my heart breaks. It’s absolutely beautiful song. I’ve loved it since I was a young girl knowing nothing about a broken heart, but this song made me feel it. 💔

[@timothybruggeman9332]

I was such a fan of Fogelberg in the 70's and early 80's. This song was so heart wrenching. This, and "The Leader of the Band." Both of these songs choke me up, every time. The last line of the song, "...and the snow, turned into....rain." Really powerful, and sad. Speaks volumes.

[@michaelland4548]

He is so sorely missed by my generation. It's a shame that more people don't know about him or his amazing soul.

[@Raittway]

Dan Fogelberg has one of the most beautiful voices in music...ever. His passing was heartbreaking. I love the Souvenir album. Fantastic video and story. I had a similar encounter, so this song means that much more. Great T-shirt!! I would really like to find one, Love it.

[@monkeybarmonkeyman]

Agree... every song was memorable. Every one.

[@ProfessorofRock]

His voice is so pure and easy. Thank you. I got this shirt on Amazon.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Especially Leader of the Band.

[@Obamafan6861]

Professor of Rock I think I learned from you that he got to play that song for his father before he passed. Adds an entirely new layer when listening. Not a tribute, but a “Thank you Dad”.

[@jillwklausen]

I also had a similar experience. We ran into each other (though not literally) at a stop light. He followed me to my street and we went into my apartment to catch up. It was a sad and awkward encounter for all the reasons this song lays out.

[@danieloswald844]

This song is perfection, an absolute thing of beauty. It’s the kind of heart wrenching that reminds us we are alive. Thank you for this amazing piece Adam.

[@tamilu40]

I used to tour in a theater group and we had this cassette on our tour van. When I hear it, I’m 20 again and riding across America in a van singing with my tour mates. I love this song and this entire double album so much. ❤

[@christinechildress5021]

Isn’t magic how music can do that to you!

[@TheBigDumbWhiteGuy]

Want to know an odd feeling? That feeling when Adam 'The Professor' makes me respect and even like a song I HATED when it was on the charts. I love it that you can give us a new respect for profound talent and art we never gave a chance because we didn't like the style at the time....

[@RCLefty027]

Seriously, agree 100%.. He did that with his breaking down the song Rooster by Alice in Chains. I always thought it was about heroine and didn't care for grunge at the time. Turns out I was way off base and the meaning behind it actually blew me away. My father served in Vietnam.

[@skwrttj]

Sad! You missed out on so much great writing and singing.

[@Ghreybeard19]

One of the most beautiful love songs ever written. Now I know the backround and know why it has such a strong meaning to many people.

[@danielben-avraham1539]

A beautiful and unequaled and moving tribute to one of the best songs out there, Professor of Rock managed to capture and amplify many of the emotions this amazing song and songwriter shared with us through the years. The mystical Old Lange Syne enters our psyche and truly delivers "times fondly remembered".

[@haroldbrooks9821]

She was a teacher in suburban Saint Louis and one of her teacher friends found out she was the girl. From an old article in a Saint Louis newspaper, the friend apparently talked her into going to the concert, then talked her into going by the dressing room. When Dan let them in, he apparently instantly recognized her and the first thing he said was "I know your eyes are green" and then explained the rhyme. She and her husband became friends with Dan for the rest of his life and helped care for him at the end.

[@danj.kauppi3346]

I was lucky enough to see Dan Fogelberg in concert in the early 90's and, the entire show was awesome! The great Timothy B Schmit played with Dan and shared a couple of hits as well but... THIS SONG STOLE THE SHOW! Thank you, thank you Dan Fogelberg and thank you Prof of Rock for bringing this story to light!

[@deirdre108]

It must have been wonderful to hear DF harmonize with Schmit. Two wonderful singer-songwriters!

[@joyflavell7385]

One of my biggest regrets is that I never saw him live and I've loved his music for almost 40 years. I love Timothy B Schmitt too and imagine they were amazing together.

[@bonitajordan6825]

Cannot believe it’s been 14 years since Dan departed our planet. Thanks for featuring him again.

[@scarlettohara5030]

You actually feel what he is singing about....everyone can relate. It is beautifully written and tugs my heart every time.

[@martino5457]

Dan is my all time favorite artist. He is truly missed but never forgotten. His lyrics and musical mastery were incredible. Thanks for taking the time to recognize what I knew for years. DGF was one of a kind and has helped me get thru this life.

[@AnthonySipes]

Incredible Adam. This takes me back to when I was about 7yrs old my parents bought me a snoopy radio. I put it next to my bed and every night to go to sleep I would have it tuned in to our local easy listening station. This was definitely a golden Era of music. Another favorite of mine in this category is the great Gordon Lightfoot

[@Augfordpdoggie]

yea its a shame what happened to the world, music, and our lives.....

[@johntiggleman4686]

I've not seen all of Adam's videos, and wonder if he did one about Gordon. He also was a great story teller/musician. If not...there you go Adam. A new video.

[@Timon42]

Same here. I loved listening to radio … so much so that it has been my hobby and eventually became my career in for more than 53 years. I absolutely loved and now miss radio. Thanks to Adam, I get to relive and now understand some of the fantastic music I would listen to on my Panasonic 5 transistor radio with a single headphone.

[@poetsdreamsatc]

I LOVE Dan Fogelberg! I saw your title and I knew this was about Same Old Lang Syne. This story is told so very well I can even visualize this story unfolding before my eyes. Such a great song. I play his song every year. I miss Dan. His voice and his music. RIP Dan.

[@poetsdreamsatc]

@Anna Trail morning MUSTANG!! How are you my friend! I love this song. I play it all year round.

[@poetsdreamsatc]

@Anna Trail I’ll go check your comment! I had a huge crush on Dan Fogelberg back in the 70’s. And the guy could sing. 😊

[@poetsdreamsatc]

@Anna Trail Ditto!

[@SlitherWhisp]

I absolutely LOVE this song. And it makes me so nostalgic and melancholy.

[@jayphilbin2871]

A very similar experience happened to me. Though we had never been lovers in the physical sense (we had been just young enough and innocent enough to not have gone there), we still spent our time together in a very emotional way in junior high school. A number of years later I had bombed out of college and was home that following Christmas. We met in a liquor store just prior to New Years and ended up sitting in her car on the parking lot drinking a couple of beers over the course of an hour or so and reminiscing. It was in a word, bittersweet. Came the time for us to part we kissed like we had never kissed before but we still couldn’t take that fateful next step. As I got out of her car, what started as flurries switched over to rain as I watched her drive away out of the parking lot. I still think of that night every time I hear this song. Hoping you are doing well wherever you may be Judy H.

[@michaelmartin4552]

The last verse still gives me chills, just as it did when I first heard it in 1980.

[@Alwayslearnimg]

Me too…😢

[@ConglomerationCat]

"And the snow turned into...rain..." even makes me cry even when I type it out. Masterpiece.

[@terrywilliamson825]

Absolutely! I've teared up every time I hear that. I usually start at "just for a moment I was back at school..." And by the time " the snow turns into...rain" I'm sobbing

[@ConglomerationCat]

@@terrywilliamson825 Oh yeah, absolutely... his pauses between those verses is insanely affective. Sure don't capture that emotion in a lot of today's music, that's for sure. I use to shun this song when I was much younger because it seemed like for a time it was overplayed and didn't care for the commercial production. But as I got older, I finally sat down with it with headphones and I was a sobbing mess after it, lol...

[@terrywilliamson825]

@@ConglomerationCat yes, when I was younger, I wanted the jam tunes for driving fast in the car. It's hard to drive fast with tears in your eyes lol. At night is when I get the feels and songs like this really break my heart. But I gotta love them. Now when I hear it, I can't turn it away

[@terrywilliamson825]

@@ConglomerationCat The new song by Adele "Be Easy On Me" makes me think of my sister I lost in 2019. It makes me cry but I have to hear it when it plays. My sister loved Adele, and this song seems like it's about my sister.

[@mrw4165]

Masterpiece is the right word. And just beautiful.

[@macobo27]

Thanks for taking the time to review the song. Dan Fogelberg is an underrated singer-songwriter. I'm glad you too appreciate his contributions.

[@justtere]

As I was driving home from work on December 8, 1980, this song was playing on the radio when Howard Cossel broke in with the tragic news. The station started the song from the beginning. After the news, this song made me pull over and cry.

[@NoCanDu]

I cried the first time I heard this as an early teen and I’ve cried every time since. What a beautiful story from a beautiful man. I can’t believe he’s gone. ❤️

[@Ironink]

That’s a great story. It has a touch of sadness to it but he and she know that they’ll always have their memories to look back and reflect upon. He went his way, she went hers. And life goes on. It’s a very good song. Rest In Peace Dan.

[@KathrineJKozachok]

This song makes me cry. Every. Single. Time.

[@geoffsides408]

An amazing songwriter, singer, arranger and story teller. Every time I hear that song it makes me feel like I'm right there with them and I feel the emotion. Parts of that song give me chill bumps. It is a musical masterpiece that so many people can relate to. The first time I heard it, it stopped me in my tracks. When it was over all I could do was say "WOW".

[@J57music]

1. This song is in my top 10 fav songs of all time. 2. “Longer” was my parents’ Wedding Song. Definitely have a special place in my heart for Dan’s music

[@brymusic1542]

I sang "Longer Than" at a friend's wedding in the early 80s. Later I turned it into a parody about a co-worker's long lunches, when I left the company we worked at and I sang the parody as a farewell.

[@stephenbaker1362]

I made a video for my wife using Longer for our 40th wedding anniversary.

[@rlord7053]

There was always something magical about this song. Not many can capture this kind of human experience in lyrics so well. I think I cry everytime I hear it. Thanks for covering this one - you really honor him with this.

[@niritzagofsky7473]

Hi Professor! I only discovered you about a week ago, and I'm enjoying you big time! I grew up in the late 50s and 60s in Brooklyn, and you're really bringing it all back to me, the nostalgia - aaahhhh!!

[@kcctradio5751]

Dan Fogelburg is one of my favorite artists, his songwriting is second to none. I worked hard to learn this song on the piano. Leader of the Band still makes me cry knowing the story behind it.

[@lawrencepsteele]

This song "hit me" the first time I heard it and every time I've heard it since. I had always thought it was just a story Dan came up. I had no idea it was based on an actual event. Thanks for letting us in on the amazing backstory.

[@jaytrace1006]

Well done, Professor! This song reminds me of a woman I loved like no other. We split and she rushed into a marriage with a jealous tyrant. Now, she’s in an unhappy situation, and I am alone. I hear Fogelberg sing this song, and I think about Vanessa, and what might have been, what should have been. And, in my mind, the snow turns into rain…

[@terrywilliamson825]

I feel you, brother. At least my ex-wife is now in a good marriage so she's happy.

[@the_mighty_bearcat]

Hey Jay, why don’t you go try and win her back, man? If she is unhappy where she is in life, you might save you both.

[@jaytrace1006]

I appreciate your faith in my skills. But, she’s pretty religious and determined to make it work.

[@skwrttj]

Feel for you! 😢

[@dblack8956]

I was born a year after his encounter with his old lover and was 4 years old when the song came out. I remembered this song as a child and love it. Now that I am grown those same emotions come over me when I hear.

[@brucerissinger581]

I graduated high school in 1975. This story hit too close to home. You have done a remarkable job of really expressing the depth of the lyrics like I have never been so fortunate to hear. Have a great day.

[@elgonwilliams7624]

One of the best concerts I saw while at college was Dan Fogelberg. He brought out his friend Tim Weisberg to perform some numbers from their soon-to-be-released album. Good memories. I took a girl to the concert. She wasn't my girlfriend, but a close friend nevertheless. Sometimes I think about her and why we were only ever to be just friends. Maybe it was because we were too much alike, or perhaps it was the few things that defined our differences. But that is something we all deal with in relationships. In fact, at the time I probably went out with her more often than anyone else I'd ever dated. We had lots of fun going to concerts, movies, dinner, meeting for lunch between classes, or just hanging out to watch TV in her room or mine. We went out separate ways, eventually. I went to a different college to continue my education. She met a guy and they seemed to be serious. We exchanged letters from time to time. But over time that became a less frequent a thing. I ended up in Texas, she was in Louisiana. That was the closest the two of us would ever come before we lost touch. But as is always the case, whenever I listen to a Fogelberg song, I think of her, just as I did today while watching this video. Thanks for that memory.

[@joefunsmith]

I almost never see any reference to Tim Weisberg. I saw him as the warm up for a Spyro Gyra concert. The man is a top-notch flutist. As much as I liked his performance, I consider the Spyro Gyra concert to be the best I've ever been to. Although I owned a couple of their CDs, I wouldn't have gone to that concert if I hadn't been almost dragged there by some family members I almost never see. The crowd wasn't going crazy like at something like say a Def Leppard concert, but the incredible musicianship of the band was 20x more evident live than listening to a studio recording. They were so tight, they made two instruments, one brass, one percussion, sound like a single instrument you've never heard before.

[@johntiggleman4686]

I have that album, "Twin Sons Of Different Mothers." I can imagine it is not known by many, but it is a wonderful collaboration. Tim's flute playing is outstanding.

[@crusheverything4449]

Do you know they collaborated on a follow-up in the 90s called “No Resemblance Whatsoever”? True story.

[@melodymcdonald2140]

The No Resemblance album has some really nice instrumentals...County Clare is gorgeous. My favorite from the Twin Sons album is Tell Me To My Face...the musicianship on this one is so good! And the personnel...Willie Weeks (who played with the Doobie Brothers) is on bass, and Don Henley sang background! Almost all of the Eagles band members played with him at some point on a lot of his albums. I think one of his best story songs, though, is Tucson Arizona (Gazette) from the Windows and Walls album.

[@johnnash297]

Saw them both on tour in Minneapolis fall 1977. Dan's voice was everywhere on campus 76- 80

[@cammygram1]

I was in college in 77 when I was first introduced to Dan's music. I became an instant lover of his songs. Hardly a day goes past that I don't listen to his one of his tales of life on my collection of music I acquired over the years. I miss you and your music Dan. RIP

[@markthurston4779]

Dan Fogelberg was a gift on loan from heaven for way toi short of a time. One of the greatest, haunting, heartbreaking songs ever penned. Only Dan can do this song justice.