Jackson Browne – Late for the Sky (Austin City Limits)

Jackson Browne performs “Late for the Sky” on Austin City Limits.



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LYRICS:
The words had all been spoken
And somehow the feeling still wasn’t right
And still we continued on through the night
Tracing our steps from the beginning
Until they vanished into the air
Trying to understand how our lives had led us there

Looking hard into your eyes
There was nobody I’d ever known
Such an empty surprise
To feel so alone

Now for me some words come easy
But I know that they don’t mean that much
Compared with the things that are said
When lovers touch
You never knew what I loved in you
I don’t know what you loved in me
Maybe the picture of somebody
You were hoping I might be

Awake again, I can’t pretend
And I know I’m alone
And close to the end
Of the feeling we’ve known

How long have I been sleeping?
How long have I been drifting alone through the night
How long have I been dreaming I could make it right
If I closed my eyes and tried with all my might
To be the one you need

Awake again, I can’t pretend
And I know I’m alone
And close to the end
Of the feeling we’ve known

How long have I been sleeping?
How long have I been drifting alone through the night
How long have I been running for that morning flight
Through the whispered promises and the changing light
Of the bed where we both lie
Late for the sky

Written by Jackson Browne
Swallow Turn Music, ASCAP

[artysqueezy]

I used to smile when I heard this age 23, not fully understanding the real meaning of it and now I cry age 63. I cry for the memories, the mistakes, the losses, the hurt, the love, the creativity, the gratitude for the spirit and the beautiful soul who gave us this amazingly deep and meaningful music. And I realise how very lucky I am to have lived during the last sixty years, when we had real soul on this beautiful hurting earth of ours.

[marymckim]

When I read the comments an Jackson’s videos, I realize I am part of a special family - those of us for whom Jackson’s music has been the soundtrack of our lives. What a ride….

[acooksla]

My best friend is his keyboard player here and was for over 25 years. He passed away last February- I have seen Jackson many, many times, playing all over the country as a guest of my friend. Rest in peace Jeff Young.

[louisvalentino]

What a talent. Such a deep soul who has put so much time in perfecting his craft. I'm now almost 66 years old. We are getting old. Jackson Browne has always given us such deep insights into life. Most artists are not brave enough to go so deep. God bless him always and forever.

[Alden]

What could be better than a mature Jackson Browne performing this masterpiece Live … his voice deep, rich and resonant, filled with life and experience. THE poet of our generation.

[beers]

Nearly 50 years later and this song still breaks my heart.

[larrymcclellan]

I married my first late wife in 74 when this LP came out. My singular favorite memory in my life was laying in the dark with my new wife and listening to this LP front to back on my 70's kick ass system. I wept that night for the love of my new wife and what we had just heard together. She became very sick with a terminal issue and passed after a few years. So much time has passed and some memories faded, however that evening and this music is everlasting. I did see Jackson and the band do this show in Albuquerque last fall two days before he recorded this at ACL.

[mariapark]

Late for the Sky will forever and always be my favorite album of yours. So much of my life was lived to the music on this album. You are a national treasure Jackson! 🎉🙏🏼✨

[deanbarrett]

Jackson and his music brought me back after my wife passed…I owe him a lot

[AnnieBe]

I cried the first time I heard Jackson sing this song in 1974 and probably every time since. Jackson has such a way with words his songs speak to everyone but it feels like it was written just for you.

[jaydub]

My late Mom used to play her Jackson Browne cassettes for her us, tiny Black twins girls. She was styling in her 280Z in streets of South Central Los Angeles. Bleu Haze was her license plate. Back then it was fun as a kid to sing along to Running On Empty (she called that song her "Theme Song") listening now I understand better the depths of your music and lyrics. Thank you for sharing your gifts to the world and adding meaning to her life and mine. Rest in Power Alice "Bleu" Hayes. 🌊

[thebestlayahead]

One of my favorite albums of all time. Such soulful writing and performing. So many memories.

[dselleno]

Easily the greatest songwriter of my early youth, and 30 years later. Legend!!
RIP David Lindley

[elainemeyer]

👍 👏 I’m just about 70 now and growing up as a ‘Baby Boomer’ (between 1945-65) think we had ‘real’ music in songs and artists! J. Brown and this song is one of those that’s a ‘classic’ imo (like Neil Young, Levon Helm - Woodstock and the many who performed there, etc.). I miss those days SO MUCH when ‘life’ itself was much different - simpler, kinder, peaceful, and without any internet and social media presence. Many of today’s generation of kids don’t even know how to interact with people in person and only by texting/video chats, and don’t know how to spell correctly since there’s ‘spell check’, books are long gone in schools and homework is done by computer. BUT I find it somewhat ironic that the lyrics to this, and other songs, mean much more to me as an adult vs when they were 1st released and I was a teenager.

[elizabethgilmore-duddy]

In my top five albums. Jackson still sounds brilliant nearly 50 years on.

[MahaliaMD]

He’s proof that you don’t have to constantly perform vocal gymnastics to have one of the greatest voices in music, ever.

[temporarystranger]

Damn, such a powerful song, even more so sung now by a weathered and mature Jackson Browne, with many more years behind him than in front of him, just the opposite when it was released 48 years ago. Brilliant, and Val’s guitar work is stunning.

[susancuenin]

How on earth did 70 years pass and his music from 50 years ago is still fantastic?!

[dlm]

“You never knew what I loved in you
I don’t know what you loved in me
Maybe the picture of somebody you were hoping I might be.”
Pure brilliance. Thank you Jackson. ❤

[sladyalways]

I’m so grateful to be a part of those who grew up with this man’s beautiful music. Thank you, Jackson for all the music and memories ❤