Skywriter

Album: The Singer (1993)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Art Garfunkel recorded this Jimmy Webb song in the late 1980s but it didn't find its way onto a record until 1993 when it was included on his compilation album Up 'Til Now.
  • Garfunkel told Artist Direct the song was penned by his pal, Jimmy Webb "to me about me." He explained: "It's my biography. He knows me well. We're old friends. The line goes, "I'm tired of chasing vapor trail ghosts in the sky." I'm tired of floating around being a 'Skywriter.' He puts me up there because he knows I've had personal tragedy, and I was being a loner in the '80s. He writes that about me. This is our one chance to be on earth, in my opinion. Maybe we'll have another, but while I'm here I'm going to say 'It.' I'm going say the biggest, deepest, and most authentic things you feel. That's what these lyrics are."

Comments: 1

  • George from Vancouver, CanadaI like this one for Art's piano. . . but I still like the overall feel & sound of the Animals' song. . .
see more comments

Editor's Picks

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Ed Roland of Collective Soul

Ed Roland of Collective SoulSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Shine," "December," "The World I Know" and other Collective Soul hits.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.