This is a song that I haven’t heard or thought of in ages … until … a few nights ago when Clive mentioned it in a comment and then it got stuck in my head, popping up at the strangest times. Well, naturally I had to go listen and share it with you in hopes of clearing it out of the cobwebs that reside in my own brain!
Jackson Browne is a singer/songwriter/musician who has sold over 18 million albums in the U.S., but quite honestly I cannot think of another song of his beyond this one. No doubt that is only a result of my flawed memory. This song, recorded and released in 1972, was written and performed by Jackson Browne and included on his debut album Jackson Browne.
Browne’s Southern California musical cohorts David Crosby and Graham Nash sang harmony vocals. Brown was signed to Asylum Records, which was owned by David Geffen. According to Jackson, Geffen asked Nash if he thought there was a single on the album (Browne’s first), and Nash picked this one, with the proviso that Browne add a high vocal part, which he did.
This was Jackson Browne’s first single. The song isn’t typical of his work; it runs just 2:55 and lacks the personal, introspective lyrics he’s known for. Still, the song did very well in the U.S., and remained a fan favorite, garnering lots of airplay on classic rock and adult contemporary radio, and often earning a spot on Browne’s setlists.
Getting that first hit under his belt was satisfying for Browne, whose first recorded album (in 1968) was never released. The guitar solo on this song was played by Jesse Ed Davis, a brilliant but troubled musician who performed on albums by Willie Nelson, Marvin Gaye and John Lennon. Davis died in 1988 at age 43 in what appeared to be a drug overdose.
In the UK, it was The Jackson 5 who had a hit with this song; their 1973 cover went to #9. On their version, Jermaine Jackson came in too early and ended up repeating the first line. His error was allowed to remain in the final mix. I had no idea until tonight that The Jackson 5 had even covered this! It isn’t their best work, in my book, but I shall offer it tonight along with the Jackson Browne version, as I have almost as many in the UK who follow my music posts as in the U.S.
This reached #4 in Canada, #8 in the U.S., and as best I can tell, the Jackson Browne version did not chart in the UK.
Doctor My Eyes
Jackson Browne
Doctor, my eyes have seen the years
And the slow parade of fears without crying
Now I want to understand
I have done all that I could
To see the evil and the good without hiding
You must help me if you can
Doctor, my eyes
Tell me what is wrong
Was I unwise to leave them open for so long?
‘Cause I have wandered through this world
And as each moment has unfurled
I’ve been waiting to awaken from these dreams
People go just where they will
I never noticed them until I got this feeling
That it’s later than it seems
Doctor, my eyes
Tell me what you see
I hear their cries
Just say if it’s too late for me
Doctor, my eyes
They cannot see the sky
Is this the prize
For having learned how not to cry?
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Jackson Browne
Doctor My Eyes lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Oooo I ❤ this song! Did not know the Jacksons did a cover, not bad. 🙂
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Thanks for playing this, Jill, and for the shout out. It probably won’t come as a surprise to you to learn that I hated what the Jacksons did to this – that awful, squeaky voice! JB has been very badly served by the record buyers here, but has a loyal following. I saw him at the Royal Albert Hall in 2010 and it was well attended. I have all of his albums and play them a lot. As for favourite songs, there are so many, but off the top of my head: The Pretender, The Naked Ride Home, and Before The Deluge are right up there. And there’s also a song of his that some other band made famous, and many don’t know he co-wrote it: Take It Easy. A good name for a blog, I think 😉
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My pleasure! No, it didn’t come as a surprise that you didn’t like the Jackson 5 version, nor that David preferred the Jackson 5 version! Wow … so many to choose from. I will be playing him again before too long. Ah yes … Take It Easy is a great name for a blog! 😉
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That’s what happens when you look at someone who has been making great records for nearly fifty years: there are so many good songs to choose from. Whatever you choose will be great 👍
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Thanks, Clive! I appreciate your confidence!
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I love Jackson Browne. “Stay” is one of my favorites.
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I’ve started a list, for methinks I’ll need to play more Jackson Browne in the near future! I had no idea he was so popular!
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I don’t know the Jackson Browne version so my favourite is automatically the Jacksons though itg would never have featured in a list of favourites by them, it’s still good toe-tapping music.
Cwtch
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Well, if it got your toes tapping, then all is well!
Cwtch
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Thank you for presenting another gem from the past, Jill! I hope you had a nice day (I had some power naps. Lol). I wish you a wonderful Sunday! xx Michael
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My pleasure, Michael! The day was peaceful … rainy, but I really didn’t mind the rain, for it meant I didn’t have to carry three heavy watering cans of water out to water the flowers! 😉 Oh … and power naps are good! I managed one for about 5 minutes! xx
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Yes, the nature is also caring for themself. Your power naps are too short, Jill Mine are always around one hour. Lol xx
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I don’t really like naps of more than about 15 minutes, because then I wake feeling groggy. I find 15 minutes is just about perfect for me! xx
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15 minutes is normally the best, Jill. You are right. But since some months i need at least around an hour per nap. Its not possible every day, but some days it is. Lol xx
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And when it is possible, you should definitely take advantage of it!!! My daughter works 12-14 hours a day, Monday thru Friday, so on Saturday it is her nap day, and she takes, on average, a 3-4 hour nap! Heck, that’s more than I even sleep in an entire night most of the time! xx
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Reblogged this on NEW OPENED BLOG > https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thanks, Michael!!!
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Jill, this is on a short list of Jackson Browne’s favorites. I have always enjoyed the phrasing of this song. Another early favorite is “Rock me on the water” for a similar reasons. Keith
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Duly noted, Keith! I’ll likely play some more Jackson Browne before long — I didn’t realize how popular he is! Glad you liked the song!
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A favorite JB song, along with “Running on Empty” and “Lawyers in Love”. As an aside, a friend was Jackson Browne’s girlfriend for a while when both were young. She worked in a book store, and he was a customer when they met. Although their paths took different directions, she remains close to him. A number of years ago, she gave me a copy of a collection of unreleased acoustic music, songs that he’s working on, on CD. Come across it the other day. Hugs and cheers, M
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Duly noted, for I’ve rather promised to play some more Jackson Browne soon! I didn’t realize how popular he is! That’s a cool connection! Hugs ‘n cheers to you, my friend!
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I am a big Jackson Browne fan, so if you need a list of my favorite Jackson Browne songs, let me know.
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Sure … give me your top 3!
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Fountain of Sorrow
Late for the Sky
Running on Empty
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Duly noted!
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