Jackson Browne, a master of melancholy and introspection, reaches profound emotional depths in his music, and perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in “For A Dancer.” From his seminal 1974 album Late For The Sky, this song, featuring the enchanting fiddle work of David Lindley, stands as a testament to Browne’s ability to weave together sorrow and solace, loss and enduring hope. While critics often cite “For A Dancer” and “Before The Deluge” as the twin masterpieces of Late For The Sky, a closer listen reveals that the entire album, including the title track and the introspective “Fountain Of Sorrow,” showcases Browne’s songwriting prowess at its peak. These songs, with “Fountain Of Sorrow” rumored to be reflecting on his relationship with Joni Mitchell, collectively paint a landscape of love, loss, and reflection.
However, “For A Dancer” resonates with particular force. Initially sounding like a mournful ballad, the song unfolds to reveal layers of resilience and optimism beneath the surface of grief. The impetus for this deeply moving track was the untimely death of Browne’s close friend, Scott Runyon. Runyon, a multi-talented artist who excelled as a dancer, skater, painter, and sculptor, perished in a house fire. Browne channels his raw grief, echoing the poignant emotions felt in “Song For Adam” from his debut album Saturate Before Using, into lyrics that grapple with the incomprehensibility of death:
I don’t know what happens when people die
Can’t seem to grasp it as hard as I try
It’s like a song I can hear playing right in my ear
That I can’t sing, I can’t help listening
Stephen Holden’s review of Late For The Sky in Rolling Stone accurately captured the album’s core strength, stating that “No contemporary male singer-songwriter has dealt so honestly and deeply with the vulnerability of romantic idealism and the pain of adjustment from youthful narcissism to adult survival as Browne has on this album.” This observation pinpoints the emotional maturity and lyrical honesty that define Browne’s work during this period.
For listeners who came of age alongside Browne, Late For The Sky and “For A Dancer” tapped into the prevailing spirit of romantic idealism. Emerging in a cultural landscape where singer-songwriters were at the forefront, artists like Dylan, Cohen, Lennon, James Taylor, and Joni Mitchell, alongside Browne, shaped the musical and emotional landscape. Aspiring musicians absorbed these influences, crafting their own songs infused with the era’s yearning and introspection. In the early 1970s, a sense of boundless possibility still lingered, optimism yet undimmed by future disillusionments.
The intimate and reflective nature of Browne’s early work is significantly enhanced by the instrumental virtuosity of David Lindley. Lindley’s contributions are not merely accompaniment; they are integral to the songs’ emotional texture. Just as his distinctive guitar enriches “Fountain Of Sorrow,” his fiddle on “For A Dancer” becomes a voice in itself, mirroring and amplifying the song’s themes. Lindley’s fiddle dances around Browne’s vocals and piano chords, embodying the very spirit of the song’s title, a poignant dance of life and memory.
While Browne’s melodic range has sometimes been described as contained, within those familiar contours lies a comforting authority, a space where subtle surprises and nuanced variations continually emerge. In “For A Dancer,” we witness a lyrical craftsman at work, supported by understated yet eloquent production and Lindley’s masterful accompaniment.
Ultimately, from the depths of melancholy, Browne’s artistry in “For A Dancer” kindles a resilient flame for humanity. The song acknowledges life’s fleeting nature, yet urges us to embrace its precious moments:
Don’t let the uncertainty turn you around
The world keeps turning around and around
Go on and make a joyful sound
Jackson Browne continues to make that joyful sound, and the hope remains that “For A Dancer,” a timeless piece of poignant beauty, will grace his setlist at upcoming performances, including anticipated shows.
