Looking Into You by Jackson Browne

Album: Jackson Browne (1972)

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"Looking Into You" is one of Jackson Browne's first songs. Musically it is very spare, mostly just piano and vocals, but it's very strong from a poetic perspective. The song is about a young man looking back over his life and the places he has been, then some of the conclusions he draws from it all. >>
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Shane - Providence, RI
Browne had a lot of songs built up by the time he recorded his self-titled debut album in 1971 (it was released early in 1972). He got quite a musical education leading up to it, playing guitar in what would become the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and writing songs that were recorded by other artists, including The Byrds ("Mae Jean Goes To Hollywood") and Tom Rush ("Colors Of The Sun"). "Looking Into You" made it on the tracklist, and although it wasn't released as a single, became a fan favorite and one Browne often played in concert.
When the Eagles did press for their Hotel California album in 1977, Don Henley would often quote these lyrics from "Looking Into You" to make a point about what they were trying to get across in the title track:

It's a hotel at best
You're here as a guest
You oughta make yourself at home
While you're waiting for the rest

"We live in Hotel California," Henley told Crawdaddy. "Everybody comes here in search of the big American Dream."

Browne co-wrote the first Eagles single, "Take It Easy."
In 2014, a passel of musicians who were influenced by Browne contributed to the album Looking Into You: A Tribute to Jackson Browne. Kevin Welch recorded the song "Looking Into You" for the set.

Comments: 3

Eric from San Francisco, CaA stunning song, my favorite song, along with Let it Be. The last line, "words and music will never touch the beauty that I have found, looking into you" is just a killer.
Don from Aurora, OhThe great song traveler passed through here
And he opened my eyes to the view
And I was among those who called him a prophet
And I asked him what was true
Until the distance had shown how the road remains alone
Now I'm looking in my life for a truth that is my own

He is talking about Bob Dylan here and how he was influenced by him. He talks about things we all can relate to then skwed the perspective and then turned that into poetry! He is a Master! He is also a master at his delivery as well he really lays it right out there pain and all! Joni Mitchell is that way also she is able to just lay it out like it or not that takes some guts to do that. They face not reconnecting with there fans at that time. There are only a few other artist that are at his level who have both content and delvery both down he has that and more!!
Victor from San Diego, CaThe great song traveler passed through here
And he opened my eyes to the view
And I was among those who called him a prophet
And I asked him what was true
Until the distance had shown how the road remains alone
Now I'm looking in my life for a truth that is my own

This is a reference to Bob Dylan. An enormous influence, and inspiration. He reconciles this by implying that over the course of time he has to personalize his message, and take the music some place it hasn't been!
I'm so glad he did!

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