For A Dancer by Jackson Browne

Album: Late For The Sky (1974)

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

"I wrote this for a friend of mine who died in a fire," Browne said of the poignant song in 2016. "He was in the sauna in a house that burned down, so he had no idea anything was going on. It was very sad. He was a really interesting guy. Besides being a great dancer, he was an ice skater - he had a job in the Ice Follies. And he was a great tailor - he would make his friends clothes. He was a Renaissance man. When I wrote him the song - it's a song I've sung many times, other times when people have died - but I was making a metaphor out of the dance. Just the idea that your life is a dance. And there's a line in it, 'In the end, there is one dance you do alone.' That's one of the songs I've sung all through the years, and for me, it's like going to that place, and dealing with the fact that life will end. It's a sad song, but at the same time, it feels good to sort through that reality and touch base with it, and then go on." >>>
Suggestion credit:
Dave - Minneapolis, MN
Browne sang this at Phil Hartman's memorial service in 1998. It was also played at John Belushi's service in 1982.
After Jackson Browne's wife, the model Phyllis Major, died in 1976, some songs he'd written before became mysteriously about the tragic event. After writing "For A Dancer" about a friend who died when he was living with Major, it gradually became about her. "That's how songs work," he told Mojo magazine. "They migrate into other parts of your life and other experiences."

Comments: 9

Cpg from Hickory NcI’ve often said that Jackson Browne wrote the soundtrack to my life…Late For the Sky at the end of my marriage, now this one suddenly reappeared as I’ve learned to live with the death of my son.

“The Pretender”, “Bright Baby Blues”… his acoustic album was playing in the background as my grandchildren were born.

Even “Lawyers in Love”…

Too many lines that just “fit”.

He and I have a great relationship… he keeps on putting out albums, and I keep on buying them and sometimes re-buying them because I’ve worn them out.

Excited to see him for the sixth time in Vegas in November!
Stargazer from KentuckyThis song has nothing to do with Phylis Magers death. It was about a Renaissance man who was a friend of his. Just ask Jackson.
Redhookkid from BrooklynIn 1980 it was known he wrote the song after his girlfriend’s suicide after he broke up with her. She was heartbroken after she found out he was seeing another woman. Now the script has flipped. The statement was published in an article, circa 1980, in Rolling Stone magazine. What Gives?
Paul Dreher from Ballwin MissouriSuch a beautiful and touching song. There are not many songs that can bring me to tears... but this is one of them.
Jim Thomson from Clifton, VaJB also sang this song at the Nicolette Larson tribute concert in February, 1998.
Tony Carfagno from Cherry Hill NjSince the late 60's his music, his words, his sound captured and healed every emotion i had. Still to this day, i know where i was, what i was doing and thinking, with each tune he recorded. You could feel the ups and downs in his life, as if it were mine. Jackson is a very special person, he truly lived his life through his songs. As i have many times before, i send my best to you and your Family and may God Bless you. Thanks for the healing of the lives of many
Bruce from Spokane, Wa, UsaJB is one of the best song writers in American rock music. His words and music and yes, his voice speak loudly and soulfully to me and millions more. I’ve leaned on his music to help me through some tough times and to help me understand the full beauty of life around me. I’ve been listening to his music since the early 70s and continue to listen today. Thank you Jackson for your gifts! If you are unfamiliar with his work, check it out. It’s amazing and stands the test of time for remaining relevant.
AnonymousI love Jackson Brown, his songs touch my soul always has a way of making me think of life and it’s meanings.
Andy from Osa Península, Costa RicaAll of JB’s songs were instrumental in getting me through troubled times or relationships as I matured. Interesting how I’m finding solace with his music again during this pandemic.
Gracias hermano!

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Eyes Without A FaceBilly Idol

Billy Idol's "Eyes Without A Face" has a gruesome inspiration. It's based on a 1959 French movie about a surgeon who abducts young women and removes their facial features.

TemptedSqueeze

The Squeeze song "Tempted" is one of their few with lead vocals by Paul Carrack, who sang the Ace song "How Long" and was in Mike + The Mechanics.

FancyIggy Azalea

The video for Iggy Azalea's "Fancy" pays homage to the classic 1995 film Clueless with the rapper playing Cher and featured singer Charli XCX portraying Tai. It was filmed at some of the same locations used in the movie.

NameThe Goo Goo Dolls

"Name" by The Goo Goo Dolls was partly inspired by lead singer John Rzeznik's flirtation with the MTV VJ Kennedy, who didn't want him to tell anyone her real name.

RoyalsLorde

Lorde was 16 years and 11 months old when "Royals" topped the Hot 100. In doing so she became the youngest ever solo artist to write and perform a #1 hit.

Red Red WineUB40

UB40's cover of Neil Diamond's "Red Red Wine" was a minor hit when first released in 1983, but it went to #1 five years later when radio stations in Phoenix started playing it.