Song Lyric Sunday: A Tale Of Two Davids

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This week Jim wants us to play some music by dead people, specifically from those we lost during 2023. You can read all about it in his post Gone But Not Forgotten. There were some notable names on the list that Jim provided, sadly, and I found myself with a wider choice than I would have liked for this. I have already written tribute posts for some, including Tina Turner, Sinead O’Connor, and Robbie Robertson, and I did think about including Shane MacGowan in this piece, but I’ll save him for another day, when he will get something all to himself with more music in it.

Today I’m playing you two songs, the first of which is by one of my all time favourites: he is still with us, but his longtime friend and collaborator passed away in March, aged 78. This is one that they co-wrote, and is a beautiful song that I’ve always loved:

And here are the lyrics:

In the morning when I closed my eyes
You were sleeping in paradise
And while the room was growing light
I was holding still with all my might

Oh – what if it’s true
What my heart says
Oh – what’ll I do
What if this feeling becomes hard to part with

You were meant to play your part
In the design of a desperate heart
And while you gave your love to me
I was betting I was getting it free

Oh – if I’d only known
What your heart cost
On – can we call it a loan?
And a debt that I owe,
On a bet that I lost

In the evening when you see my eyes
Looking back at you, no disguise
I’m not sure who you think you’ll see
I’m just hoping you’ll still know that it’s me

Oh – what if it’s true
Better ask the man inside
Oh, oh – there seem to be two
One steals the love, and the other one hides

Yeah – can we call it a loan?
‘Till I’m paid in full for the seeds I’ve sown
Yeah – can we say that I’ve grown?
In some way that we may have yet to be shown

Oh – if I’d only known
What your heart cost
Oh – can we call it a loan?
And a debt that I owe,
On a bet that I lost

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Jackson Browne / David Lindley

Call It a Loan lyrics © Swallow Turn Music, Neuoleum Music

Call It A Loan first appeared on Jackson Browne’s sixth album, Hold Out, in June 1980. The album was a #1 in the US but only made #44 in the UK – another grave error by the British record buying public, who have been less than generous to Jackson and his wonderful music. Another version was released in May 2010 on the album Love Is Strange: En Vivo Con Tino. This was a double album recorded during a concert tour of Spain that Jackson and David had made in 2006, accompanied by Spanish percussionist Tino di Geraldo – the “Tino’ in the record’s title. They revisited many of Jackson’s songs, which are beautiful in the stripped down acoustic format. I’m not sure if the video I played is from that tour, but it could easily have been. David was a master of a wide range of string instruments, among them violin, acoustic and electric guitar, upright and electric bass, banjo, mandolin, dobro, bouzouki, cittern, zither and lap steel guitar. I’m no expert, but I think that might be a cittern he is playing here, or possibly a flat back bouzouki. He played on ten albums with Jackson, two each with Crosby & Nash and Rod Stewart, five with Warren Zevon, and three with Ry Cooder. I think he counts as influential, and much in demand for his talents, even if he isn’t the lead artist: watch that video and tell me that it would be just as good without his contribution!

I managed to fulfil one of my bucket list wishes when I got to see Jackson in concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall in June 2010. This was just a month after their live album had been released, and the show was in two parts: the first was just Jackson and David, accompanied by Tino, followed by a full band second half. They played this song towards the end of the first half, and I can’t really explain why but it touched me intensely, such that I shed a few tears. I can only think that it was a combination of being recently divorced and having lost my Mum, but the lyrics spoke to me more than they had ever done before. I was sitting near a young woman and her father (not her boyfriend, as I first thought): she was kind enough to ask if I was alright when they went past at the interval, and we had a lovely chat when they returned – one of those ‘get to know someone in ten minutes’ times. Such moments make my love of music even deeper.

The second artist I am remembering today got a passing mention just now: he is David Crosby, who died in January at the age of 81. He is, of course, best known for his time with Crosby Stills & Nash (and Young), but he had a long solo career, several records as a duo with Graham Nash, and started in some early bands. One of these was The Byrds, with whom he began developing his songwriting abilities. Only one of his songs was ever featured as an A-side on a Byrds single, and as there is a story behind it I’m playing it for you today:

Lady Friend was released as a single in July 1967, at Croz’s insistence, but it was a commercial flop, only getting to #82 in the US and not making the UK charts at all. That might suggest that it was a poor song, but in my view it isn’t: it has all the trademarks of the band’s sound at that time. Croz closely oversaw the protracted recording of the song, much to the consternation of his bandmates Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman. Tensions in the band increased in the late stages of production when he replaced their backing vocals with his own vocal overdubs. He had already been annoying fellow band members with his political views and thoughts on conspiracy theories about the death of JFK, which he wasn’t shy at airing at concerts, and it probably wasn’t a surprise when he was sacked from the band in October 1967. The song wasn’t included on The Byrds’ next album, Younger Than Yesterday, but was later added to a re-released version in 1996, and has since appeared on compilation albums. Croz apparently hated the single mix, claiming that as the reason for its chart failure. With an approach like that he should have been a politician! Having said all of that, I still quite like it.

That’s my lot for today. I’ll be back tomorrow with some songs for New Year’s Day, and I hope to see you again then, if you’ve survived the celebrations

40 thoughts on “Song Lyric Sunday: A Tale Of Two Davids”

  1. I’ve only heard maybe two Jackson Browne songs, and had no knowledge about his friend/fellow musician, David. I do like this song, though.
    Of course I’d heard of the Byrds and their songs, but didn’t know David Crosby was with them for awhile. Nice to learn a lot by taking part in this challenge. 🙂

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    • It is a beauty, isn’t it. I’ve loved his music for more than fifty years, since his first album came out. If you’d like to hear more, I did a piece on him for my Listen To The Band series: it’s in the menu at the top of the page, and gives you nine more to listen to!

      Croz wasn’t in the Byrds for long – he pissed them all off! I’ve learned a lot from taking part in this too – so much music out there, isn’t there 😊

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  4. I wasn’t even aware of David Lindley’s passing. It’s strange how some of these deaths happen without notice. I sometimes look back and find musicians passed away years ago that I’m completely unaware of. Both nice tunes, but I’m more partial to the first.

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    • It’s odd, isn’t it. I wouldn’t have thought he would have been newsworthy here but several national papers reported it.

      I do that sometimes, and it is worrying that my memory can be that bad!

      I prefer the first song too, but wanted to include something by Croz as well as David L. It made for a good title: the first time I’ve adapted one from Charles Dickens 🤣

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    • He has been a constant for me both with Warren and Jackson. And not just guitars and similar instruments: take a listen to Before The Deluge and be treated to his fiddle playing talent 😊

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    • The show I saw was of similar duration and was one of the best I’ve ever been to. It’s good to know that he is still just as good thirteen years on. I’m glad you love this song too 😊

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  9. You managed to get me in the “feels” again with Jackson Browne, Clive. I’m going to chalk it up to the “winter blues” which always seems to arrive right on schedule every year.
    I’m a big fan of Jackson Browne, CSN&Y and the Byrds; these two songs were wonderful! Thanks for a great post today.

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  10. Two of the greats for sure. I loved learning about David Lindley, and I will listen to Jackson Browne any time I get the chance. David Crosby did have some strange views, but he had a wonderful talent for writing songs, so who cares about his crazy ideas. Thanks for sharing your music again, Clive and I hope that you have a Happy New Year.

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  13. David Lindley is one of those names that kept popping up on so many albums I was buying at the time, and it occurred to me as I was watching the video what a lovely way to live your life, creating such beautiful music. Thanks for the reminder of his talents.

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    • He contributed so much, in his own selfless way. There is a moment in the video where Jackson is just watching him play, which I think sums up what his peers thought of him. I think he enjoyed his life: the chemistry between them was evident when I saw them in concert.

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