A 1972 hit for Browne in the USA, making it to No. 8 in the Billboard Singles Chart, it did not feature at all in the UK (Browne had no single success in Britain until his cover of "Stay" got to No. 9 in the UK chart in 1978). When Browne first wrote this, the lyrics were about a guy who tries to get help, but is doomed because it's too late.
However, his record company thought it was too much of a 'downer', so Browne made it into a story about a guy who has gone through a lot in life and comes to accept his fate. His Southern California musical cohorts, David Crosby and Graham Nash, sang harmony vocals. Brown was signed to Asylum Records at the time, which was owned by David Geffen.
According to Browne, Geffen asked Nash if he thought there was a single on his first (eponymous) album, and Nash picked the featured Jam, with the proviso that Browne add a high vocal part - which he did. Although Jackson Browne's first single, it isn't typical of his later work; it runs to just 2 minutes 55 seconds, and lacks the personal, introspective lyrics he became better known for.
Getting that first hit under his belt was satisfying for Browne though, whose first recorded album (in 1968) was never actually 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 the hit with this song; their 1973 cover went to No. 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.) Finally, Paula Cole sang this in the 2004 film "Eulogy". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_My_Eyes
@HappyZebra A largely unknown track (in the UK certainly) from a 'specialist' artist (I never took to his music personally, though I Jam regardless of that)? Who really knows?
14 Comments (since 12 Apr 2015)
leejohnson
A 1972 hit for Browne in the USA, making it to No. 8 in the Billboard Singles Chart, it did not feature at all in the UK (Browne had no single success in Britain until his cover of "Stay" got to No. 9 in the UK chart in 1978). When Browne first wrote this, the lyrics were about a guy who tries to get help, but is doomed because it's too late.
leejohnson
However, his record company thought it was too much of a 'downer', so Browne made it into a story about a guy who has gone through a lot in life and comes to accept his fate. His Southern California musical cohorts, David Crosby and Graham Nash, sang harmony vocals. Brown was signed to Asylum Records at the time, which was owned by David Geffen.
leejohnson
According to Browne, Geffen asked Nash if he thought there was a single on his first (eponymous) album, and Nash picked the featured Jam, with the proviso that Browne add a high vocal part - which he did. Although Jackson Browne's first single, it isn't typical of his later work; it runs to just 2 minutes 55 seconds, and lacks the personal, introspective lyrics he became better known for.
leejohnson
Getting that first hit under his belt was satisfying for Browne though, whose first recorded album (in 1968) was never actually 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.
leejohnson
In the UK, it was 'The Jackson 5' who had the hit with this song; their 1973 cover went to No. 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.) Finally, Paula Cole sang this in the 2004 film "Eulogy". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_My_Eyes
HappyZebra
loved it from the start and thanks for the background info :-) why so few loves?!
leejohnson
@HappyZebra A largely unknown track (in the UK certainly) from a 'specialist' artist (I never took to his music personally, though I Jam regardless of that)? Who really knows?
boozybluesy
Great track from a brilliant album. :-)
21schizoid
The man's a bloomin' musical genius. Cracker, Lee...
EthanWright
hmmm... I remember when he beat Daryl Hannah and put her in the hospital. not much of a fan anymore.
Sid_Bonkers
Strangely I remember this song by Jackson Brown but cant recall The Jackson 5's version at all, but then I was never really a fan of theirs.
leejohnson
@Sid_Bonkers largely forgettable UK release from 1973, making No. 9 tops. http://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/DOCTOR%20MY%20EYES/
leejohnson
@EthanWright I loathed Ike Turner's treatment of his missus too, but I still couldn't help being switched on by their collective music.
Sid_Bonkers
That could be the reason I only remember Jackson Browns version..