Running on Empty was the fifth album by Jackson Browne. The album revolves around the theme of life on the road, and it is a live album, but with a couple of twists. First, none of these tracks had previously appeared on a Jackson Browne studio album. Second, while some of the songs were recorded on stage during concerts, others were recorded backstage, or in hotel rooms, or on the tour bus. This gives the album more of a concept feel than would be present for a typical "live" album.
Browne got his start as a songwriter as a teenager, and joined the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band shortly after high school. His early songs were recorded by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Nico, Steve Noonan, Gregg Allman, Joan Baez, Linda Ronstadt, The Eagles, The Byrds, and others. He was a backing musician for Nico in 1967 and wrote three of the songs on her debut album, He co-wrote "Take It Easy," the first hit by the Eagles.
This album is considered one of the most accessible albums Browne created, and is his most successful album. It reached number 3 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart in 1978, and stayed on the charts for 65 weeks. It was nominated for Album of the Year in 1979. The title track would become a staple of classic rock.
Running on Empty
The title track and first single from the album was recorded in concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. It hit number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was inspired by Browne's driving to the studio to make "The Pretender." It was only a few blocks from his house to the studio, and Browne wouldn't bother to fill up, so he was always literally running on empty.
Nothing But Time
This track is about the boredom of life on the road. It was written and recorded on the tour bus, a Continental Silver Eagle. You can hear the bus's engine running in the background, downshifting and accelerating during the bridge. Browne and Howard Burke (his tour manager) wrote this one. Russ Kunkel is on percussion, playing snare, hi-hat, and "cardboard box with foot pedal."
The Load Out
This is a well-known track about the folks that put the show together and the fans that come to hear the concert. "We've got to drive all night and do the show in Chicago - or Detroit, I don't know. We do so many shows in a row, and these towns all look the same." It portrays a decidedly unglamorous picture of touring life, with the one exception of the time on the stage.
Stay
Almost always played in series on rock stations with “The Load Out,” this cover of Maurice Williams and the Zodiac's song from 1960 replaces concerns about mom and dad letting the girl stay out with concerns that the roadies, producers, and union letting the band play one more song.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Night Fever by the Bee Gees (from the motion picture "Saturday Night Fever")
The movie that would make John Travolta a household name and disco the music genre of choice across the nation was released in December 1977.
STAFF PICKS:
Mind Bender by Stillwater
Wayne leads off with a band whose name was used for a rock band in the movie "Almost Famous." This vocoder-laced southern rock piece with a shuffle beat hit the Billboard Hot 100 at number 46. The song is about a talking guitar called "Mindbender.: Stillwater is from Warner Robins, Georgia, and plays an annual show in Macon at Christmas time.
She's Not There by Santana
Rob brings us a cover of the Zombie's hit from the 60's. While the Zombie's version made it to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, Carlos Santana gives it a Latin fusion twist that would hit number 27 on the charts. Greg Walker is the vocalist on this single, with Santana of course on guitar.
Help Is On Its Way by the Little River Band
Brian's staff pick is from the Australian band known for their harmonies and easy groove. This is the lead single from their third album, Diamantina Cocktail. The song has a positive feel, and peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Baby Come Back by Player
Bruce's staff pick was written by band members Peter Beckett (lead vocals and guitar) and J.C. Crowley (piano and backing vocals) after two of the band members had broken up with their girl friends. This is off their self-titled debut album. The band would be less successful when they moved from a soul oriented sound to a more rock-oriented sound on their future albums.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
The Dialogue from the motion picture "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"
The distinctive 5-note jingle marked the start of a conversation with aliens in this science fiction movie that debuted in December 1977.
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