Monday October 18, 2021 “RedNeck Friend” Jackson Brown

Filming of the classic movie The Wizard of Oz began in October 1938 and it introduced us to one of the most iconic songs ever, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”.  So that seemed like a good enough reason to do a week about rainbows.  Did you know that there are specific colors to a rainbow and that they are in a very particular order? 

Those colors are Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Violet so this week we will be looking at songs for each of those colors in their appropriate order.

So let’s start with “Red(neck) Friend'', by singer/songwriter Clyde Jackson Browne who has written many hits that he has recorded on his own as well as hits for many others as well.  Yep, that was Clyde.  Browne has written songs recorded by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Tom Rush, Nico, Gregg Allman, Joan Baez, the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, the Byrds, Ian Matthews and many others.

That’s Elton John playing piano on “RedNeck Friend” under the name of Rockaday Johnny and the late Glenn Frey of the Eagles who was in an early folk band with Browne, singing background vocals.  Browne had previously written the Eagles first big hit “Take It Easy” so Frey probably owed him one.

Stay safe and well...and who is Jackson Browne’s “redneck friend”?  Rumor has it that it was Gregg Allman whose Allman Brothers music Browne was a big fan of.

Pretty little one

How has it all begun

They're teaching you how to walk

But you're already on the run

Little one, what you gonna do

Little one, honey, it's all up to you

Now your daddy's in the den

Shootin' up the evening news

Mama's with a friend

Lately she's been so confused

Little one, come on and take my hand

Well, I may not have the answer

But I believe I got a plan

Honey, you shake, I'll rattle

We'll roll on down the line

See if we can't get in touch

With a very close friend of mine

But let me clue you in

It ain't like him to argue or pretend

Honey let me introduce you

To my redneck friend

Well, they've got a little list

Of all those things of which they don't approve

Well, they've got to keep their eyes on you

Or you might make your move

Little one, I really wish you would

Little one, I think the damage would do you good

Honey, you shake, I'll rattle

We'll roll on down the line

We're going to forget all about the battle

It's gonna feel so fine

'Cause he's the missing link

The kitchen sink, eleven on a scale of ten

Honey, let me introduce you to my redneck friend

Honey, you shake, I'll rattle

We'll roll on down the line

I'm going to try to swing you up into my saddle

And then we'll run but you'll think we're flyin'

Honey, don't just stand there lookin'

Like this dream will never end

Honey, let me introduce you to my redneck friend

I said, honey, let me introduce you to my redneck friend