A stunningly beautiful song. Lyrically, no one writes with the emotional depth that Jackson Browne does. I have entered my 7 decade on earth and his songs have been with me for around 50 years. I love his music more today than ever.

I feel so lucky to have grown up in a time when Jackson was a huge part of the soundtrack of my life

Thanks for sharing this, Sarah. Here's what Jackson had to say about the song: "I wrote this for a friend of mine who died in a fire," Browne said of the poignant song in 2016. "He was in the sauna in a house that burned down, so he had no idea anything was going on. It was very sad. He was a really interesting guy. Besides being a great dancer, he was an ice skater - he had a job in the Ice Follies. And he was a great tailor - he would make his friends clothes. He was a Renaissance man. When I wrote him the song - it's a song I've sung many times, other times when people have died - but I was making a metaphor out of the dance. Just the idea that your life is a dance. And there's a line in it, 'In the end, there is one dance you do alone.' That's one of the songs I've sung all through the years, and for me, it's like going to that place, and dealing with the fact that life will end. It's a sad song, but at the same time, it feels good to sort through that reality and touch base with it, and then go on." Every time I here this song it reminds me of a friend I lost to suicide just after high school. Say hi To Christian for me. Dick

Sarah. well now I am a wreck. My clown and dancer (she was both) was taken from me several years ago by a brain tumor. Every time I hear this song I come undone. She wells up in my heart again. But I'm glad that you got to hear this song. It is beautifully written and sung as only Jackson could. He is amazing. As always... thank you.

Jackson Brown is a musical genius.

Thanks Sarah for sharing this beautiful, deep and rarely-reacted-to masterpiece of lyricism, one of Jackson's best, and there are quite a few of those.

This song has given me comfort in trying times since it came out in the 70’s. In 1989, while sitting with my best friend as she was dying of cancer(she was 32), I wrote the lyrics to this song over and over. It gave me comfort. Such an awesome song! When I hear it today, I still think of my friend, and that makes me happy. Beautiful reaction.

known this song for over 40 years, it becomes more real and meaningful the older you become, its pure poetry. Never seen this live version before, it was wonderful. BTW your reactions are so genuine and heartfelt and appreciative. Thank you.

My first time hearing this song... so beautiful!

Jackson Brown is a fabulous writer and was underrated. "Running on Empty" is my favourite Album by Jackson Brown.

Thank you for your heartfelt reaction/review. Jackson Browne has many other tracks that those of us, who were into his albums, were fortunate to discover back in the day. I recommend "Our Lady of the Well", "Your Bright Baby Blues", and "Call it a Loan", to name only a few of them.

He has written a couple of other songs for friends who have passed. Song For Adam, on his first album, was written for a friend who may or may not have killed himself. Of Missing Persons, was written about Lowell George of the band Little Feat, and is written as if speaking to George's daughter. Browne's first wife committed suicide when they had a very young child. He wrote the very moving Only Child to his young son, telling him to be kind to his mother's memory as he grows older and learns what happened. On the same album, Sleep's Dark And Silent Gate directly addresses Browne's grief.

Sarah, I think you would really like the original studio version too, from 1974, when Jackson Browne was still a young man. The backing harmonies are a little different sounding too 👍

This song is from an album that has deep meaning to me. From vinyl to CD, the "Late for The Sky Album" has been with me on my journey.

Thanks for sharing this beautiful song. I have never heard this before. Love your emotional reactions. ❤️ ❤❤❤

My first time hearing this too. It's so lovely. Thank you for sharing

Jackson Browne was and is the great bard of the generation that came of age during the 1960s and 70s, so it always helps in deciphering the meaning of his lyrics to understand the history of those times and what that generation of young people experienced. And, for those of us who were there and traveled roughly the same road that Jackson did, he was/is our great lyrical historian, both in personal ways and collectively. Also, he has kept the faith politically as an artist over the years, remaining humble and dedicated to the values of the peace and environmental movements that he and the rest of us came of age with. I'd like to highly recommended three specific songs of his that demonstrate what I'm talking about: Before the Deluge, The Pretender, and Lives in the Balance. His catalog is vast and filled with impressive and meaningful work, but those three have long been among my very favorite Jackson Browne masterpieces. I also would recommend drawing from these albums for the versions to listen and react to.: Late For the Sky (1974), The Pretender (1976), Running On empty (1977) and Lives In the Balance (1986). And, I might add that I am not generally inclined toward celebrity worship or gushy nonsense, but Jackson is the real deal!

That song blew me away

Such a heartfelt song, and such a heartfelt reaction.

I was in a building across the street from the south tower of the WTC on 9/11. The opening words hit different now. I also think of all the dancers (and non dancers) we lost that day.

It’s a brilliant song. It has been covered a number of times, but by far the most brilliant is by Clive Gregson & Christine Collister.

This is from an album called "Late for the Sky". Every song is so good. You'll find that to be true with most Jackson Brown albums. Great reaction, you should listen the the studio version also.

Beautiful reaction to a beautiful song !

One of my favs off of Late for the Sky

I'm not sure that he wrote this song at the age of 15. He wrote "These Days" when he was a teenager. I feel like I grew up with Jackson Browne, but I never heard this live version. Exceptional!

Late for the Sky is a great album.

Sarah, that was my mistake. It appears though he was 26 when he wrote it or at least when it was released. Anyway, another amazing reaction. This is such an incredible song.. in Venice just takes it to the next level as well with their incredible harmonies. And Jackson's piano is flawless

Gorgeous song!! 😊

for Nicolette Larson and others

First time hearing him. Beautiful. (Gentle comment: not a fan of the captioning...somehow it bothers my eyes and makes me feel nauseous.)

He did NOT write this when he was 15 years old.