He’s sold over 17 million albums in the US alone. He’s written hit songs for The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Tom Rush, Nico, Gregg Allman, Joan Baez, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, The Byrds. He’s been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And yet, he’s only ever had two songs of his own in the US top ten: Somebody’s Baby peaked at #7 in 1982, and Doctor My Eyes peaked at #8 in 1972.
he’s clyde browne
Clyde Jackson Browne, one of the great American singer/songwriters, was born in Germany where his serviceman father was stationed.
By the time he was 18 the family had relocated back to the US, Jackson had been schooled in California, and he’d moved onto New York, attracted by the Greenwich Village music scene. There he joined The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band who later recorded a number of his songs.
In 1967-68 he worked as a backing singer, notably for German singer Nico of the Velvet Underground. They were an item back in those days and Jackson wrote quite a few of the songs (and played guitar) on her Chelsea Girl album.
going solo in the 70s
By 1971, Jackson had signed as a solo artist and released a string of albums full of songs that were powerful both musically and lyrically.
First came Jackson Browne (1972), which included Doctor My Eyes, Rock Me On the Water, and Jamaica Say You Will.” To promote the album he toured with Linda Ronstadt and Joni Mitchell.
For Everyman (1973) began to sound more like the Jackson many of his fans recognise. While magical and beautiful, his music is often laidback to the point of sullenness. For Everyman included the songs Take It Easy which Jackson co-wrote with Glenn Frey and which became a hit for The Eagles.
Late for the Sky (1974) continued his maudlin style; sentimental and thoughtful—some would say depressing, maybe, but I think Jackson is one of the best songwriters of my time.
That style grew even more pronounced in The Pretender (1976). Released after the suicide of his first wife, Phyllis Major, it includes the wonderful, Here Come Those Tears Again. That song was co-written by Nancy Farnsworth, Phyllis’ mother.
Running on Empty (1977) recorded on the road and included live tracks and tracks recorded on the tour bus and in hotels along the way.
if we were looking at the 80s
If we were looking at the 80s I’d tell you about Jackson’s next album, Hold Out—his most successful album and only #1, but, we’re not, so I won’t mention it!
doctor my eyes fax
- Doctor My Eyes was written and performed by Jackson Browne and comes from his self-titled debut album.
- Doctor My Eyes peaked on the US singles chart at #8.
- Backing vocals on Doctor My Eyes are performed by David Crosby and Graham Nash.
- Doctor My Eyes sounds quite upbeat for a Jackson song—it wasn’t always that way. It began life as quite a sorrowful song. It’s about a man who has endured the hardships of life, but having done so, fears that he’s now unable to feel anything. Other musicians working on the song convinced Jackson to rework it and add a bit of an upbeat tempo. He also altered some of the more pessimistic lines.
- Cover versions have been released by: The Jackson 5, Mary Travers, Ben Folds, Wilson Phillips, and Sheryl Crow.
- Doctor My Eyes lyrics.
doctor my eyes – jackson browne – 1972 – video
doctor my eyes – jackson browne – 1972 – video – performed in 2010
follow seventiesmusic on facebook.
You’ll find out when the latest blog is posted and every Monday you’ll get “This Week in 70s Music.” Click the Facebook logo to go to the seventiesmusic Facebook page and click “Like.”
seventies music 
I saw Jackson Browne at Carnegie Hall…1970? He was just starting out and opened for Joni MItchell! My dad and brother went to Carnegie Hall’s Box Office to get me the tix…had BOX seats..what a night!
Lucky, lucky you – and you saw Joni too!