Jackson Browne — The Long Way Around
Album: Standing In The BreachAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 996
Length: 6:20
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I don't know what to say about these days
I'm seeing people changing in the strangest ways
Even in the richer neighborhoods
People don't know when they've got it good
They've got the envy, and they've got it bad
When I was a kid everything I did was trying to be free
Running up and down Tinsel Town with the fire inside of me
My planets all in retrograde, the best of all my plans got laid
I made my breaks, and some mistakes
Just not the ones people think I made
Now I'm a long way gone
Down this wild road I'm on
It's going to take me where I'm bound
But it's the long way around
It's so hard keeping track of what's gone wrong
The covenant unravels, and the news just rolls along
I could feel my memory letting go some two or three disasters ago
It's hard to say which did more ill
Citizens United or the Gulf oil spill
And I'm a long way gone
Down this wild road I'm on
It's going to take me take me where I'm bound
But it's the long way around
It's never been that hard to buy a gun
Now they'll sell a Glock 19 to just about anyone
The seeds of tragedy are there
In what we feel we have the right to bear
To watch our children come to harm
There in the safety of our arms
With all we disagree about
The passions burn, the heart goes out
And we're a long way gone
Down this wild road we're on
It's going to take us where we're bound
It's just the long way around
I'm seeing people changing in the strangest ways
Even in the richer neighborhoods
People don't know when they've got it good
They've got the envy, and they've got it bad
When I was a kid everything I did was trying to be free
Running up and down Tinsel Town with the fire inside of me
My planets all in retrograde, the best of all my plans got laid
I made my breaks, and some mistakes
Just not the ones people think I made
Now I'm a long way gone
Down this wild road I'm on
It's going to take me where I'm bound
But it's the long way around
It's so hard keeping track of what's gone wrong
The covenant unravels, and the news just rolls along
I could feel my memory letting go some two or three disasters ago
It's hard to say which did more ill
Citizens United or the Gulf oil spill
And I'm a long way gone
Down this wild road I'm on
It's going to take me take me where I'm bound
But it's the long way around
It's never been that hard to buy a gun
Now they'll sell a Glock 19 to just about anyone
The seeds of tragedy are there
In what we feel we have the right to bear
To watch our children come to harm
There in the safety of our arms
With all we disagree about
The passions burn, the heart goes out
And we're a long way gone
Down this wild road we're on
It's going to take us where we're bound
It's just the long way around
Comments (77)add comment
Quel super chanteur ! Je l'ai découvert dans les années 80 grace a Miami Vice ! Longue vie RP !!!!!!
k-man wrote:
Max, I find it interesting that you believe you know what others should (or shouldn't) sing about.
The whole gun thing is a crazy thing. The right to bear arms is supposed to protect "us" if the Gov't comes knocking with their weapons? Give me a break—have you not seen what the "police" wear these days when they go out to knock some heads?
It's been said that the pen is mightier than the sword, and in this case, those are words that hold a lot of meaning. If you want to protect yourself from a totalitarian government, you'll have more success by motivating a grass-roots movement that changes the way things at the voting booth than you will stockpiling weapons to help deter a militarized police force.
Now back to the song—I never was a Jackson Browne fan (although David Lindley, Yee Haw!). That said, I love 90% of this album, this song included.
Cheers,
All good points, and we're working on it, lead by our gear jammin' friends to the north.
Max, I find it interesting that you believe you know what others should (or shouldn't) sing about.
The whole gun thing is a crazy thing. The right to bear arms is supposed to protect "us" if the Gov't comes knocking with their weapons? Give me a break—have you not seen what the "police" wear these days when they go out to knock some heads?
It's been said that the pen is mightier than the sword, and in this case, those are words that hold a lot of meaning. If you want to protect yourself from a totalitarian government, you'll have more success by motivating a grass-roots movement that changes the way things at the voting booth than you will stockpiling weapons to help deter a militarized police force.
Now back to the song—I never was a Jackson Browne fan (although David Lindley, Yee Haw!). That said, I love 90% of this album, this song included.
Cheers,
All good points, and we're working on it, lead by our gear jammin' friends to the north.
Dude has some serious angst!
How's that saying go... If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will carry guns.
I'd like to hear some David Lindly on this one.
pfreet wrote:
Usually a Jackson Brown fan. Not this song. It's somewhat overwrought in my opinion
What I think I struggle with this song is that it comes across as a list of grievances, rather than adding anything new to the discussion. Therefore it's a political statement and not art.
Listen to Gil Scott Heron sometime. Or Edwin Starr. Or John Lennon. Or Bob Dylan, both Guthries, Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke, Billie Holiday...
c.
Usually a Jackson Brown fan. Not this song. It's somewhat overwrought in my opinion
What I think I struggle with this song is that it comes across as a list of grievances, rather than adding anything new to the discussion. Therefore it's a political statement and not art.
Listen to Gil Scott Heron sometime. Or Edwin Starr. Or John Lennon. Or Bob Dylan, both Guthries, Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke, Billie Holiday...
c.
ScottishWillie wrote:
Chavonne Stewart
Anyone know who the female vocalist is?
Chavonne Stewart
pfreet wrote:
Usually a Jackson Brown fan. Not this song. It's somewhat overwrought in my opinion
What I think I struggle with this song is that it comes across as a list of grievances, rather than adding anything new to the discussion. Therefore it's a political statement and not art.
As a fellow JB fan I respectfully disagree. Aside from the fact that political statement can still be art (IMHO) I think Mr Browne is adding something to the discussion. He's talking about the choices we make, the road we take. Admittedly it may not be new (Robert Frost A Road Less Travelled by) but it certainly adds to the discussion. Also is it possible to be overwrought when writing about the loss of children? To me we should be as "wrought" about it as it is possible to be!
Anyone know who the female vocalist is?
pfreet wrote:
Usually a Jackson Brown fan. Not this song. It's somewhat overwrought in my opinion
What I think I struggle with this song is that it comes across as a list of grievances, rather than adding anything new to the discussion. Therefore it's a political statement and not art.
This is definitely art too.
Usually a Jackson Brown fan. Not this song. It's somewhat overwrought in my opinion
What I think I struggle with this song is that it comes across as a list of grievances, rather than adding anything new to the discussion. Therefore it's a political statement and not art.
This is definitely art too.
Amen, Jackson.
(But watch out, Ted Nugent is comin' for ya.)
(But watch out, Ted Nugent is comin' for ya.)
camarkim wrote:
Usually a Jackson Brown fan. Not this song. It's somewhat overwrought in my opinion
What I think I struggle with this song is that it comes across as a list of grievances, rather than adding anything new to the discussion. Therefore it's a political statement and not art.
Not usually a Jackson Browne fan. This is great.
Usually a Jackson Brown fan. Not this song. It's somewhat overwrought in my opinion
What I think I struggle with this song is that it comes across as a list of grievances, rather than adding anything new to the discussion. Therefore it's a political statement and not art.
Spot on. Amen, brother Browne ! Most excellent tune.
Jackson is such an iconic artist for me. On this song he plays, he sings like no one else and his lyrics on this song bring us to our current statis as the best killers in the world. When the right to bare arms overides the right to live!
NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
bump. simply because i assume lovers return to the comments and haters PSD. at least they should.
Wow, this song must win gold in the polarity stakes. Not sure I have seen such divergent opinions on one song at RP and that is REALLY saying something... why actually? He's not just singing about guns. He's singing about how slow progress is on the issues that matter to him and that is something I can really relate to.
Does it really matter what side of the spectrum you're on? The basic tenor here is we were all young, full of verve, and you grow up, get wiser and realize, we're going the long way round.. he's not giving up, just accepting, things take time. What's so wrong about that? This is how I feel 90% of the time.
The other 10% is divided equally between resignation and absolute fury. And history rolls on regardless.
Does it really matter what side of the spectrum you're on? The basic tenor here is we were all young, full of verve, and you grow up, get wiser and realize, we're going the long way round.. he's not giving up, just accepting, things take time. What's so wrong about that? This is how I feel 90% of the time.
The other 10% is divided equally between resignation and absolute fury. And history rolls on regardless.
bump. simply because i assume lovers return to the comments and haters PSD. at least they should.
I just this moment realized that the opening chords to this are very close to "These Days." Intentional of course—but also sad, because that was such a brilliant song and he was just a baby when he wrote it. And this one is so lacking....
Bored now.
AndyJ wrote:
"Citizens United"... REALLY-?
Leave all that at home...
The straightest, shortest road to a one-party state is Citizens United
"Citizens United"... REALLY-?
Leave all that at home...
The straightest, shortest road to a one-party state is Citizens United
Grifmejl wrote:
I think that's something called 'sarcasm'.
When was this written? Is it about Sandy Hook?. I write this the morning after Paris.
One of the worst songs i've ever heard. "They sell Glock to just anyone, as oposite to, selling it only to the "good guys"." An anthem to "Exceptionalism".
I think that's something called 'sarcasm'.
When was this written? Is it about Sandy Hook?. I write this the morning after Paris.
He performs it just as well live at Tiny Desk Concert:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11HHue911Tg&feature=youtu.be&t=13m59s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11HHue911Tg&feature=youtu.be&t=13m59s
Not a huge JB fan, but this is very nice tune.
One of the best songs....... Some of the most annoying and redonkulous comments ever. Geez people.
maxjboxer wrote:
Max, I find it interesting that you believe you know what others should (or shouldn't) sing about.
The whole gun thing is a crazy thing. The right to bear arms is supposed to protect "us" if the Gov't comes knocking with their weapons? Give me a break—have you not seen what the "police" wear these days when they go out to knock some heads?
It's been said that the pen is mightier than the sword, and in this case, those are words that hold a lot of meaning. If you want to protect yourself from a totalitarian government, you'll have more success by motivating a grass-roots movement that changes the way things at the voting booth than you will stockpiling weapons to help deter a militarized police force.
Now back to the song—I never was a Jackson Browne fan (although David Lindley, Yee Haw!). That said, I love 90% of this album, this song included.
Cheers,
You should sing about children coming to harm in totalitarian governments. The right to bear arms is a protection from that among other things.
Max, I find it interesting that you believe you know what others should (or shouldn't) sing about.
The whole gun thing is a crazy thing. The right to bear arms is supposed to protect "us" if the Gov't comes knocking with their weapons? Give me a break—have you not seen what the "police" wear these days when they go out to knock some heads?
It's been said that the pen is mightier than the sword, and in this case, those are words that hold a lot of meaning. If you want to protect yourself from a totalitarian government, you'll have more success by motivating a grass-roots movement that changes the way things at the voting booth than you will stockpiling weapons to help deter a militarized police force.
Now back to the song—I never was a Jackson Browne fan (although David Lindley, Yee Haw!). That said, I love 90% of this album, this song included.
Cheers,
Wow, this song must win gold in the polarity stakes. Not sure I have seen such divergent opinions on one song at RP and that is REALLY saying something... why actually? He's not just singing about guns. He's singing about how slow progress is on the issues that matter to him and that is something I can really relate to.
Does it really matter what side of the spectrum you're on? The basic tenor here is we were all young, full of verve, and you grow up, get wiser and realize, we're going the long way round.. he's not giving up, just accepting, things take time. What's so wrong about that? This is how I feel 90% of the time.
The other 10% is divided equally between resignation and absolute fury. And history rolls on regardless.
Does it really matter what side of the spectrum you're on? The basic tenor here is we were all young, full of verve, and you grow up, get wiser and realize, we're going the long way round.. he's not giving up, just accepting, things take time. What's so wrong about that? This is how I feel 90% of the time.
The other 10% is divided equally between resignation and absolute fury. And history rolls on regardless.
You should sing about children coming to harm in totalitarian governments. The right to bear arms is a protection from that among other things.
Rubbish album! There's only one track on it. Apparently! !!
springof63 wrote:
I am also a Brit, and that made me smile.t
I'm a Brit. This is a facetious comment ok? - here goes...
.
I always cut the 'sleeve' bits off my t-shirts. When asked why, i always say - 'cause . . .
.
.
.
.
I demand the right to bare arms.
.
.
.
(i thank you)
.
I always cut the 'sleeve' bits off my t-shirts. When asked why, i always say - 'cause . . .
.
.
.
.
I demand the right to bare arms.
.
.
.
(i thank you)
I am also a Brit, and that made me smile.t
One of the worst songs i've ever heard. "They sell Glock to just anyone, as oposite to, selling it only to the "good guys"." An anthem to "Exceptionalism".
Cocaine... running all around my brain.
When Thugs and Tyrants disarm, so shall I.
Nice song, though.
Nice song, though.
I'm a Brit. This is a facetious comment ok? - here goes...
.
I always cut the 'sleeve' bits off my t-shirts. When asked why, i always say - 'cause . . .
.
.
.
.
I demand the right to bare arms.
.
.
.
(i thank you)
.
I always cut the 'sleeve' bits off my t-shirts. When asked why, i always say - 'cause . . .
.
.
.
.
I demand the right to bare arms.
.
.
.
(i thank you)
The problem with a lot of political songs is that usually the people writing and singing them have about as much knowledge of the subject at hand than we do, but fortunately not that many people have to listen to us. 
gotunclehud wrote:
He's still got it.
Damn. He hasn't lost anything, has he?
Humbly, I vote 8.
He's still got it.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Tell us what to think Jackson in as boring a manner as is possible.
At least some when, like Michael Franti, produce political silliness it has a beat that you can dance to and a catchy tune.
This is just tiresome.
Crapola
FrankRizzo wrote:
Not exactly sure what you're saying. That there's no hope?
That the USA/NRA has long since passed the point of no return?
That there's already such an absurd arsenal of firearms in the hands of US citizens that any changes to gun laws at this point would make no difference to the nightmarish culture of violence that already exists?
That solving this very real problem is the unobtainable pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?
Well, sadly, you're probably correct.
After Sandy Hook, Obama tried to get one minor change made (expanded background checks for gun buyers, I believe?).
A no-brainer, right? Well, surprise, surprise, the bill didn't pass.
The NRA says jump and Congress says "How high?".
I guess freedom means selling assault rifles to any psychopath with a fistful of cash.
https://www.cnn.com/2013/04/17/politics/senate-guns-vote/
He's right, the Saturday night special being sold on the corner goes for cheap money, and they'll sell it to anyone.
If we lived in a world of rainbows and unicorns, I'd be willing to have the gun debate, but we don't.
"...the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
If we lived in a world of rainbows and unicorns, I'd be willing to have the gun debate, but we don't.
"...the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
Not exactly sure what you're saying. That there's no hope?
That the USA/NRA has long since passed the point of no return?
That there's already such an absurd arsenal of firearms in the hands of US citizens that any changes to gun laws at this point would make no difference to the nightmarish culture of violence that already exists?
That solving this very real problem is the unobtainable pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?
Well, sadly, you're probably correct.
After Sandy Hook, Obama tried to get one minor change made (expanded background checks for gun buyers, I believe?).
A no-brainer, right? Well, surprise, surprise, the bill didn't pass.
The NRA says jump and Congress says "How high?".
I guess freedom means selling assault rifles to any psychopath with a fistful of cash.
https://www.cnn.com/2013/04/17/politics/senate-guns-vote/
On_The_Beach wrote:
He's right, the Saturday night special being sold on the corner goes for cheap money, and they'll sell it to anyone.
If we lived in a world of rainbows and unicorns, I'd be willing to have the gun debate, but we don't.
"...the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
It's never been that hard to buy a gun
Now they'll sell a Glock 19 to just about anyone
The seeds of tragedy are there
In what we feel we have the right to bear
Now they'll sell a Glock 19 to just about anyone
The seeds of tragedy are there
In what we feel we have the right to bear
He's right, the Saturday night special being sold on the corner goes for cheap money, and they'll sell it to anyone.
If we lived in a world of rainbows and unicorns, I'd be willing to have the gun debate, but we don't.
"...the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
Not usually a Jackson Browne fan. This is great.
As with others, the best from Mr. Browne in a long while. Music is remarkably personal and subjective. I could say I'm stunned by the haters of this track. But that's the way of the world. Also why RP remains my go-to source for music.
Beginning sounds like the start of "Friend of the Devil"
myasma wrote:
Agreed.
I think this is among the best that Jackson has put out.
Agreed.
"Citizens United"... REALLY-?
Leave all that at home...
The more I hear this, the less I like it. Boring. Boring. Boring.
And I am (or was) a JB fan...
And I am (or was) a JB fan...
Great song, good to hear JB again.
8
8
Damn. He hasn't lost anything, has he?
Humbly, I vote 8.
On_The_Beach wrote:
To watch our children come to harm
There in the safety of our arms
Amen. MomsDemandAction.org -
It's never been that hard to buy a gun
Now they'll sell a Glock 19 to just about anyone
The seeds of tragedy are there
In what we feel we have the right to bear
Now they'll sell a Glock 19 to just about anyone
The seeds of tragedy are there
In what we feel we have the right to bear
To watch our children come to harm
There in the safety of our arms
Amen. MomsDemandAction.org -
Hollywood sends its love and kisses...
Fantasy is -always- so much more fun and easier than reality.
Reality mugs sugar dreams and cream icing civilization.
Sadly, many people die from living in an illusion
one of my favorites from the late 70's. Kind of lost touch after mid-80's. Nice to see he's putting out good stuff again.
Take a moment, close your eyes...relax.
leafmold wrote:
Me, neither.
Meh. Not a fan of this—seems bland and lackluster.
Me, neither.
I think this is among the best that Jackson has put out.
Always very nice!
It's never been that hard to buy a gun
Now they'll sell a Glock 19 to just about anyone
The seeds of tragedy are there
In what we feel we have the right to bear
Now they'll sell a Glock 19 to just about anyone
The seeds of tragedy are there
In what we feel we have the right to bear
saw him maybe in 1984 or 85 at the band shell at Ontario Place, Toronto - friend who was on that old defunct ticket selling company's list of getting first dibs on tickets got us the tickets
The guitar is great ... a really nice vibe this tune. Didn't realize it was political till I read the comments. Kind of a Trojan horse then, subliminally influencing my brain. Haha. Well done Jackson!
Meh. Not a fan of this—seems bland and lackluster.
I did love Jackson Browne in his early years, but I think he peaked fairly early.
I did love Jackson Browne in his early years, but I think he peaked fairly early.
"The covenant unravels". The best summary of the last 40 years I've ever read.
Delicious song, worth the price of the album !
ick wrote:
It's exactly this sort of view that keeps getting us what we've got, over and over and over again....
Spot on observation ick. Have to say that I've never been a JB fan but I like this tune.
It's exactly this sort of view that keeps getting us what we've got, over and over and over again....
Spot on observation ick. Have to say that I've never been a JB fan but I like this tune.
"It's hard to say which did more ill
Citizens United or the Gulf oil spill"
I'm going to buy this album just for that one line.
Citizens United or the Gulf oil spill"
I'm going to buy this album just for that one line.
MJMJ wrote:
It's exactly this sort of view that keeps getting us what we've got, over and over and over again....
yeesh. The political hour is upon us on RP
It's exactly this sort of view that keeps getting us what we've got, over and over and over again....
MJMJ wrote:
There's nothing wrong with politics in art and music. But since when did politics have to be THIS boring. Ugh.
yeesh. The political hour is upon us on RP
There's nothing wrong with politics in art and music. But since when did politics have to be THIS boring. Ugh.
MJMJ wrote:
The world's not all daisies and buttercups my friend.
yeesh. The political hour is upon us on RP
The world's not all daisies and buttercups my friend.
Good stuff..most excellent
MJMJ wrote:
You know what? I think we need more politics in songs. Or rather, we need protest songs against the suffering in this world.
What happened to protest songs? It used to be standard listening for people to be singing about real issues for real people and bringing them to public attention. Nowadays, it is the exception. This is (IMHO) part of the dumbing down of media nowadays.
yeesh. The political hour is upon us on RP
You know what? I think we need more politics in songs. Or rather, we need protest songs against the suffering in this world.
What happened to protest songs? It used to be standard listening for people to be singing about real issues for real people and bringing them to public attention. Nowadays, it is the exception. This is (IMHO) part of the dumbing down of media nowadays.
Would prefer to hear These Days sung by Tom Rush.
yeesh. The political hour is upon us on RP
Wow. Jackson Browne? Would not have guessed it. Cool. I dig it.
Nice.
At first I thought this was an older J.Browne song but then I looked and - lo! It was new! 
Not bad!
yay new Jackson - and I'm FIRST!!
Anyone know who the female vocalist is?
I was wondering too, and Googled. Chavonne Stewart.