JACKSON BROWNE - The Pretender | FIRST TIME REACTION

[@robt7199]

...and we'll fill in the missing colors in each other's paint by number dreams.... One of my fav JB lines

[@jessicalee7119]

“Who started out so young and strong, only to surrender “ - all these years later that line still cuts to the bone.

[@meliplay]

For me it's the line where the ads take aim and lay their claim to the heart and the soul of the spender and believe in whatever may lie in those things that money can buy when true love could have been a contender

[@brianhildreth9099]

"I've been aware of the time going by, they say in the end, it's the wink of an eye"......

[@addemup4044]

I always liked when he's fading out, he changes it to, "Are you prepared for the pretender?" It's hard to really understand how easily it is to slip into that role until it's happened, but sooner or later, most of us are going to wind up pretenders.

[@dslocum61]

Jackson Browne is the master of, what I call, the tortured love song. One of his best is " In the Shape of a Heart"

[@kimn9802]

'...Fill in the missing colours in each other's paint by numbers dreams...' is an absolutely incredible line.

[@bobschenkel7921]

A pretty dark song for Jackson Browne, with a message about our inner selves, and "the struggle for the legal tender". Say a prayer for "The Pretender", and don't surrender.

[@randybaker6042]

Fill in the numbers of our paint by number dreams. Even our dreams are having to fit the predetermined order of things. The numbers tell us which color to use and sit within the borders where we are supposed to place the certain color. Pu it all together and we have a very pretty yet manufactured pictured. It's a great song with masterful lyric covering the age old conflict between love and art versus pragmatism and economics.

[@anthonyblakely399]

Bob Dylan was and still considered "The Prophet of the 60's." Jackson Brown influenced by Bob Dylan was and still is considered "The Prophet of the 70's" I love them both especially Jackson Brown. I saw Jackson Brown two time in concert. he was the opening act for Fleetwood Mac in one concert I saw and he was the opening act for Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers which I saw. Love me some Jackson Brown!!! Great reaction!!!!

[@rsmith2491]

The last decade he’s done a lot of shows with James Taylor. Talk about a great show! Those two on a spring evening at Wrigley Field is nearly perfect.

[@martinellis7156]

"I'm gonna be a happy idiot, and struggle for the legal tender.." seems like the story of my life.

[@2869may]

He was an "unofficial" Eagle...LOL

[@joannescrivens-p3b]

Incredible that he predicted the hippie turned yuppie change that occurred in the 80s. The pursuit of wealth and things instead of peace and love. Brilliant.

[@757optim]

Jackson's reflections on life are awesome.

[@kbiggs49]

After watching many reactions to this song Your only one who gets what the song is about .

[@karenj3611]

My favorite song from Jackson

[@tonybennett4159]

This brings to mind a parallel quote from Thoreau : "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation" That and Jackson's song paint a bleak picture of what might happen if you don't actively search out what is fulfilling.

[@debbiechang5781]

You hit the nail on the head. He’s definitely a poet and his songwriting is amazing. And he did many of these songs when he was extremely young. He was the complete package. Great lyricist/composer/pianist/vocalist and on top of that he’s great to look at. You know, for the ones looking. Wow! I love your channel 🌺✌️

[@wordstowordlessthings]

he also wrote These Days, which is much more spare musically but so world-weary and wise, at age 16! bonkers

[@mikefetterman6782]

I saw Jackson in concert back in 97. Highlights from the show are this song, Load out/stay-----Rosie, ----Rock me on the water..........and running on empty.

[@laurakali6522]

For a Dancer, These Days, In the Shape of a Heart, and Fountain of Sorrow.

[@martinellis7156]

"Late for the Sky" is hauntingly beautiful and sad and is my favourite song from this incredible artist.

[@clifton8929]

Thank you for playing Jackson Browne; he has good songs. Please keep going on to his masterpiece 'LATE FOR THE SKY' songs like LATE FOR THE SKY, FOUNTAIN OF SORROW, FARTHER ON, THE LATE SHOW, THE ROAD AND THE SKY, FOR A DANCER, and., BEFORE THE DELUGE. All amazing songs. Your thoughtful commentary always makes me smile. Your love of music shows in your eyes as it flows to your soul. Thanks again for all the hard work in bringing some light into our lives in the dark days.

[@2869may]

"These Days" is really good too...!

[@jeffjones6221]

Your philosophical thoughts hit this tune right on. Is suggest "the load out/stay"

[@joelliebler5690]

Great song; now here are his earlier seriously great ones; Late For The Sky, For a Dancer, Before The Deluge and Fountain of Sorrow. You will flip over these gems!Another great singer songwriter who touches the soul is Dan Fogelberg with Leader of The Band, The Reach, and my favorite, Netherlands. I believe you will become a big fan of Dan!

[@brianhildreth9099]

One of my favorites. Great reaction, thank you!!

[@g.e.5723]

Critical, if i remember correctly, you are the Reactor who said "i like sad songs", (just as I), if in fact it was you, Jackson Browne is your man. He's said it himself, "i dont have alot of happy songs, maybe 3 or 4". When/if you have time, dive deeply into his early albums.

[@z-man2343]

Jackson made a "comeback" in the 90s, with his 93 release "I'm Alive." I have owned and wore out most of his earlier albums, but this one is my absolute favorite...an immaculate collection of expertly crafted songs played by elite level musicians with lyrics that no one can touch this side of Ray Davies. Highly recommended

[@dbasstij512]

Great album. Had my first adult heartbreak when it came out. Felt like he wrote it for me. Especially the second side Take this Rain, Two of me... and Sky Blue & Black. Songwriting as good as it gets.

[@MrPolleyr]

I agree with your comments and your analysis of Jackson Brown. A great writer and an excellent musician. I put him in the same class as Pink Floyd, Supertramp and Kansas. They don’t write “silly little love songs”, they write the human condition and the things the influence us and shape our worldview. The combination of intelligent writing and musical excellence just put then on another level. I would add Steely Dan and Toto to that list as well. Great job man, keep it coming.😎🎸🇨🇦

[@ed.z.]

Yes. The deep soulful sprit of a great song can tear your heart out of your chest when it touches you in a personal way. It is often different than the composer intended. A good example is Elvis Costello who has written prolifically. I’m not religious but some like Dylan were touched by the hand of universal and mysterious God.

[@johnathanstruble1064]

It's Sunday, tomorrow, I get up, and do it again, and struggle for that Legal Tender. Blessing and a curse....but it beats the alternative. ✌️

[@melissakhalar1842]

❤❤❤❤

[@armandogarza6181]

You're on the right track young man. It's better to try and fail, then to not try at all. There's exceptions of course. Great reaction. I'm with Jeff Jones on the recommendation, peace.

[@Roberta-my7qr]

BTW, Neill Young's "When you Dance".

[@dusty4835]

I would imagine that Browne's balancing act between career and a love relationship wasn't made any easier by being on the road more often than not. "In '69 I was 21 and called the road my own...''

[@dianedavies8291]

Got so excited when I saw you were reacting to more Jackson Browne. Next try “For A Dancer” and “Fountain of Sorrow”. ✌️♥️🎶

[@MikeOstrowski-iq8wf]

……still have my original press release of this glorious album (1976) Great reaction ❤️

[@salmuscles]

when he says surrender....he means he surrendered to a 9-5 job that most of us do and his youthful dreams are over

[@geedub939]

Need to listen to the whole retender album. Incredible poetry throughout

[@sandyshoenberger2697]

You analyzed it perfectly. This album is full of great songs! Your Bright Baby Blues & Sleeps Dark and Silent Gate are both thoughtful songs from this album. Intense lyrics & beautiful music. This album is about relationships, the one with yourself & others.

[@SIXX2772]

Yeah! Love this song and have never seen it reacted to! Awesome!

[@librarylady13]

🥰🥰🥰

[@custardflan]

Check out These Days, which he wrote when he was 15 or 16, and Everyman.

[@KevinRCarr]

Yup. It's a commentary on the life of working class and middle class America. I've long taken the song to heart as it has been seriously relevant to my own life. You remarked that the song refers to a generation that this was about, and you're right. I realized when I heard you say that that a long time ago I wrote a poem about this subject and us baby-boomers, but never made the connection between the poem and this song. I'll include it in this response. If you'd rather I not put a poem here, just let me know and I'll delete it. My Generation We have given up our hold on self, to reach and grasp a ring of gold. We try and climb above the crowd, to heights that leave us harsh and cold. In times gone by we lived our way, and would not hear our parents scold. Old failure-fear now leads our lives, our conscience now has been paroled. We've purchased values once rejected, What made us good has now been sold. KRC (about 1988-90ish)

[@dianedavies8291]

Love your comment and your poem really hit. Well done.

[@ShawnSalvadori]

Thank for sharing, Kevin! Beautiful poem! If I had to write something about my life in it's current state, I think it would be about separating myself from toxicity, even that in my extended family, so that I can work on myself; to be a better me overall.

[@KevinRCarr]

@@ShawnSalvadori Thank you. That makes great sense, given the toxicity we can be surrounded with in this time. Here at the beginning of my coming in for a landing years, the rest of my story to date would center around waking up in my early fifties and realizing that I'd been describing my life to myself backward for most of my life. Before that, I thought of myself as a salesman who wrote poetry. After my wake-up, I realized that I would better live the rest of my life as a poet with a sales background. Now, of course, I'm just a poet collecting social security and 401 funds.

[@KevinRCarr]

@@dianedavies8291 Thank you so much for your kind words.

[@hog7203]

Excellent choice. A true classic. Glad you're diving into his music. He's got a lot of goodies. My suggestion for another listen is Rock Me On the Water. That was the first song I ever heard by him. I became an instant fan. Good for you for at least giving your ideas and dreams a shot, even if they didn't work out as planned. Too many people don't and later in life they regret it. I'm 61 and have been playing music since I was a kid, but I only did it in private settings with friends etc. About thirty years ago I decided to play out in public and been doing it ever since. Nothing special, just cover bands, open jams etc, but I've been having a blast. Met some amazing musicians and even got to know and perform with a few recognizable (in the music world anyway) ones. It's a choice I'm glad I made. My only regret is that I didn't do it earlier.

[@ShawnSalvadori]

I love to hear that! I hope I am still living and chasing my dreams at any age 😁 Sounds like you are having a blast!

[@tomross6652]

Jackson wrote this whole album in the wake of his wife's suicide. His sheer sadness is all over the tracks

[@sealevel274]

You would like "In The Shape Of A Heart" by Jackson Browne.

[@flubblert]

For sure.

[@dslocum61]

I 2nd that song. Jackson Browne is the master of, what I call, the tortured love song.

[@evelynhoard2845]

You may want to consider reacting to an entire album; one song at a time. Each of his albums follow a specific theme.

[@wordstowordlessthings]

i actually think the verse about finding a girl isn't meant to be a contrast, but more of the same. it sounds super romantic to fill in someone's missing colours, but the fact that he says paint-by-number dreams tells us that he and that person would both be settling for someone who kind of ticks the boxes that, like being financially successful, they've been TOLD to want. and the way that he talks about making love with dark glasses on, with the refrain of 'get up and do it again' implies that that too will become routine. he sums it up with the 'i'm gonna be a happy idiot' verse meaning i'll do the 9-5, have the expected wife/family, etc, believe that's what should make me happy, even though i'm leaving behind the real contender for meaning in life (true love).

[@dhfenske]

Your long rambles are interesting! Thanks for sharing. I'm glad you took on this song. I've been enjoying it since it came out and I get chills now from it. And you've enhanced my enjoyment of it even more because I've never paid much attention to the lyrics.

[@bendancar]

If you want to hear what may be the best love song I've ever heard, from a guy who may be the best songwriter of this generation, check out Jason Isbell's "If We Were Vampires." Isbell is absolutely worth a deep dive. Keep the great work coming, brother.

[@richardviglione7943]

Listen to Fountain of Sorrow.

[@rc1564]

" I'm gonna be a happy idiot and struggle for the legal tender" seems most people do that...unfortunately

[@mamaflush9945]

Jackson Browne has some really great songs with some awfully deep meaningful lyrics. I totally agree with you, bro I have compared his writing genius to Dylan's as well. Both artists are legends in their own way, and masters of the pen. Here's another song if interested. "Jackson Browne - Late For The Sky - Live - 1986 - Rockpalast - Germany" this song is from their third studio album called "Fountain Of Sorrow" released in 1975. The song was written during a difficult time in Jackson Browne's life. When he was dealing with the breakup of a long-term relationship, the death of a friend, and a deep sense of introspection. The lyrics to the song are poetic, introspective and deeply personal. They speak to the human experience...so get those tissues handy, just in case 🤧 this is beautiful stuff, bro. (I think I may have resolved the technical issues. But I'll have to see if the buffering continues) 🤞😏

[@ShawnSalvadori]

Thanks so much, mama! I would love to get around to this one! Hopefully next time I do some Jackson Browne I will remember to do this one! Appreciate it

[@xJRx77]

In my top 10 albums of all time. Linda Paloma the only track I can't stand, the rest of the album is so so deep and and the melodies are just to die for.

[@Roberta-my7qr]

Must be quite a journey for you. 70's was the singer/ songwriter genre. Never duplcated; music was so much more. "Check out "Somebody's Baby".

[@RegenaCox-yy1rl]

Well, I think you are doing a great job at this job. Keep it up.

[@johncurtis7186]

Just came across your channel, with today’s American Pie reaction. Checked your playlist, and saw this one……a song, which ironically, is my second favorite of all time, after American Pie. Maybe you can check out what I’ve considered my 3rd favorite song of all time….”Suite Judy Blue Eyes”, by Crosby, Stills & Nash? You’ve got a new subscriber 👍 **I see that you already have- I’ll check it out now!

[@stewartwallace5741]

Please try Guy Clark’s The Cape.

[@isebmazo2140]

Check out Black and White by Jackson...it is sooooo good

[@flubblert]

With all due respect I think the official analysis you're reading from might be a bit off. What he's questioning is what so many of us go through at a young age when we find ourselves having to choose between the all too predictable 9 to 5 suburban lifestyle with the steady income, versus whatever more exciting or exotic dreams we may have imagined for ourselves. Many of us choose the first option and more often than not, love is the reason - or the blame whatever the case may be. So we go through life trying to make the most of the situation we find ourselves in, but are we really happy in that safe suburban predictable life with all its trappings... or are we just pretending? A question you probably don't want to dwell on too long. "Are you there? Say a prayer, for The Pretender Who started out so young and strong only to surrender" They just don't write 'em like that anymore.

[@ShawnSalvadori]

You broke it down really well 😁

[@flubblert]

@@ShawnSalvadori Thanks man... you're going to want to give "That Girl Could Sing" and "Boulevard" from Mr. Browne a listen. 👍