This song was written by Jackson Browne when in his early 20s. Bonnie is incredible and this version is beautiful, but even though he wrote this song, it's wonderful how Jackson just takes a back seat to Bonnie and does harmonies, though it's HIS song. To me, that's an artist with integrity. And his songwriting is genius.
+Amy Bown. It appears that Jackson as usual does a song the way his partner wants it done. I loved seeing the two of them together on stage , what a treat. But with the upbeat tempo, it betrays the true sadness in this song. This song is a true heartbreaker.I agree with every thing you said previously. It is still a great performance.
Infinite gratitude to this two amazing artists - Jackson giving Bonnie the spotlight to his beautiful song is priceless. I am forever blessed to have grown up in the 70’s - the best music of my generation.
This is why the 1970's were such a blessed time for music. No other decade produced as many incredible genres for people to enjoy. This kind of songwriting more or less passed with the decade. It's not just because I grew up with it, it really in many was was the peak in American music all around.
Actually, it is just because you grew up with it. Not that the music wasn't good. It's just that everyone feels that way about the music that was popular when they came of age.
Stu Raymond No, I don't think so. I've listened to popular music since the early 60's I graduated hs in 76. Overall, the best WRITING was in the 60's and 70's. If you were there you may remember. Music meant everything to a lot of us. I'm a native Californian who watched it all go down here. No compare, before or since
I am about nine years your senior and I couldn't agree with you more. The sixties had their genius as well with the Beatles and the rest of the British invasion, the memorable music from Motown, and the early acid rock. But the seventies had massive amounts of material coming from LA recording studios and Muscle Shoals studios. You can't discount Joni Mitchell, Hall and Oates , James Taylor, and a list of megabands that emerged at the time with gospel, folk, southern,light, and country rock influences. Truly an amazing time to be alive.
I covered this song in my younger days. It is still one of the most beautiful, saddest songs I know. This is one of the top two performances of it that I have heard in some 50 years. Thank you Jackson, for enduring beauty.
You'd think that he wrote it just for her. Both are so amazingly good. I've been so lucky to have seen them both in concert multiple times. They just give their all to the audience. You'd think that they were singing directly to you alone.
There is simply nothing better than watching musicians at the top of their game, making what's incredibly difficult seem effortless. I absolutely love both of these people for what they have given over the years. Beautiful!
IM,69 YRS OLD TODAY, AND I CANT HELP THE TEARS THAT CLOUD THESE EYES LISTENING TO MY YOUTH ALL OVER. LOVE JACKSON BROWNE TODAY AS MUCH AS 50 YRS AGO. BONNIE RAITT STILL MAKES ME MELT, AND THE TWO OF THEM TOGETHER IS MESMERIZING. WISH THERE WAS A WAY TO LET THEM KNOW HOW THEY TRULY HAVE ENRICHED MY LIFE ALL THIS TIME AND I HOPE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
Baby stands before an open window Looking so far away He can almost feel the southern winds blow Gently touching his restless day He turns from his window to me Sad smile his apology Sad eyes reaching to the door Daylight loses to another evening Still he spares me the words goodbye Sits alone beside me fighting his feelings Struggles to speak but in the end can only cry Suddenly it's so hard to find The sound of the words to speak his troubled mind So I'm offering these to him as if to be kind There's a train everyday leaving either way There's a world you know There's a way to go I'll soon be leavin', it's just as well This is my opening farewell A child's drawings is left there on the table And a woman's silk is lying on the floor I would keep them here if I were able To lock you safe behind this open door Suddenly it's so clear to me That I'd asked you to see what you may never see Now my kind words find their way back to me There's a train everyday leaving either way There's a world you know Got a way to go I'll soon be leavin' it's just as well This is my opening farewell This is my opening farewell ♡♡♡
I'm married now some 42 years to my wonderful wife. Our first date was seeing Jackson Browne at the Felt Forum in NYC. Since that night we've been to see him 15 times. I first saw Bonnie Raitt perform at Carnegie Hall as the opening act of an amazing triple Bill; Bonnie back in the days when Freebo played bass for her, and John Hall was on lead guitar that night. He stayed on for the 2nd band, which was Orleans! The headliner was Jackson Browne! I've been a professional musician for 58 years now. I play guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, and sing and write and record my own songs, playing and singing all the parts myself. So i think I'm qualified to say the following; I have never heard a more perfect performance of a perfect song by two of the most exquisite artists of our time! The subtle changes in the lyrics from Jacksons' version, the unusual harmonies added by Jackson, his gracious ability to surrender his masterful choice of words to her and add additional guitar parts in just the right places, all reveal the artistry these two obviously great friends bring to the table. Thank you for this shining example of what music can be at it's best. I have been and continue to be in awe of you both. And best of all, we're all still alive & well, and still performing! 💓
I grew up in the 70s. I graduated in 1982, and wrote my senior term paper on Jackson Brown. His music, lyrics. Got an A. Saw him in NYC, celebrating his 60th birthday.
Ya, this one brings a tear or two...and Bonnie's voice (just like her Papa-real strong and full), does such justice to the words Jackson wrote. I love her so much
You know there are some performances that you can listen to over and over. Intensity and honesty trump slick production and great audio quality every time. Every time. Thank you jack thank you Bonnie for filling so many of the empty spaces in my life.
Hello 👋 Fuphyter How're you doing, it's been a long journey, and I'm nothing without amazing fans like you who appreciate my musical craftiness, All love to you and yours ❤️
"There's a train every day, leaving either way, there's a world, you know, there's a way to go..." Always struck me as a song to be sung at Commencement celebrations...an Opening Farewell.
Hello 👋 Gisleine How're you doing, it's been a long journey, and I'm nothing without amazing fans like you who appreciate my musical craftiness, All love to you and yours ❤️
Hello 👋 Susan How're you doing, it's been a long journey, and I'm nothing without amazing fans like you who appreciate my musical craftiness, All love to you and yours ❤️
a big part of professionalism is not breaking down and sobbing while you sing a song of such beautiful magnitude, a truly stellar composition in every sense, the most tender imagery, the most touching lyrics. That's professional.
Back when I was a teen in the 70's, liked "my music" but was obsessed with old movies of the 30's and 40's and the big bands and American songbook. I was thrilled when Linda Ronstadt entered her Nelson Riddle phase. Found my way to a movie theater last September to see the documentary on her life, and since then, thanks to RU-vid and Alexa, have been revisiting old acquaintances and making them good friends. Enjoying it all, but this ...this...Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne, acoustic guitars and a melancholy melody, well, for me, it's the singer-songwriter equivalent of watching Astaire and Rogers trip the light fantastic. Thank you so much for posting.
I do believe that a movie could be created around the feelings generated by this song. Melancholic, dark and moody...with a dash of hope. Best version ever...thank you both.
This is one of my favorite top ten songs of all time. I’ve followed Jackson and Bonnie since the 70’s and their music brings me back to my younger days when anything was possible. I lived this song along with many others of JB’s. Thank you Jackson for bringing me incredible joy through your music.
Wow, what a find! I'm proud to say Bonnie and I went to the same super small High School in upstate NY. Unfortunately she graduated 10 years before I got there. Jackson Browne is one of my all times favs. Would love to have seen him and Joni Mitchell play together.
The incomparable Bonnie Raitt opened up for Jackson Browne on New Years Eve in 1977...she started this beautiful song...he joined her after the first verse. goosebump inducing. memorable NYE with my dear dear friends Melinda and Elizabeth. And I actually had the opportunity to mention it to her at a Springsteen concert...she sat in front of me.
After Valerie Carter died Spring 2017, Jackson said that it was indeed for Valerie Carter that he had written "That Girl Could Sing". In the past it had been rumored that "That Girl Could Sing" was written about Joni Mitchell or Laura Nyro. He said he had been crazy about Valerie and had loved her for years.(Look for recent videos). That being said, this song is "My Opening Farewell". He probably wrote this somewhere around age 17 or 18, maybe older.What a lyrical song . Just the words "there's a way to go ", when there is a breakup. Does that not just say it all, with tears in your eyes. Some other versions are more solemn and sad than this one, as in his first album. Because he is with his long time friend Bonnie Raitt , it has a different tone.
I got to see them at Universal Amphitheater in 1977. Great performers, great concert!!! How lucky all for all who grew up with the music of the 60's and 70's. Makes me ache for the loss of that connection.
It's gotta' be gratification for a song writer so get to sing something with someone who understands it so well. Great posting for all of us to see and share.
This song is song perfectly by them as they express the song. Love when her and Jackson Browne do duets. She will walk u through the scenes in her song and that what I love about her. It like watching a movies as the song unfolds. Love u Mz. Bonnie Raitt & Jackson Browne.
I grew up when Jackson Browne ruled the FM airwaves, but I learned of this incredible song from the album "Paper Airplane" by Alison Krauss. She does a beautiful, heartwrenching version. ❤
"daylight looses to another evening"... I remember dreading the night. I would've rather died than face the sunset alone. But somehow my life-force was stronger than my cowardice to end it."sits alone beside me, fighting his feelings. tries to speak but in the end only cries."...we took our turns in that role. you only need to feel that emptiness, that despair, once to learn it's bitter lesson. that, knowing that every word has been said. there's nothing left to say, no magic spell to make her stay. "suddenly it's so clear to me, that I asked you to see what you may never see"... that was twenty six years ago, still hurts like hell.
"My Opening Farewell" A lady stands before an open window Staring so far away She can almost feel the southern wind blow Almost touching her restless day She turns from her window to me Sad smile her apology Sad eyes reaching to the door Daylight loses to another evening And still she spares me the word goodbye And sits alone beside me fighting her feelings Struggles to speak but in the end can only cry Suddenly its so hard to find The sound of the words to speak her troubled mind So I'm offering these to her as if to be kind: There's a train everyday leaving either way There's a world, you know There's a way to go And you'll soon be gone - that's just as well This is my opening farewell A child's drawings left there on the table And a woman's silk lying on the floor And I would keep them here if I were able Lock her safe behind this open door But suddenly it's so clear to me That I'd asked her to see what she may never see And now my kind words find their way back to me There's a train everyday leaving either way There's a world, you know You got a way's to go And I'll soon believe - it's just as well This is my opening farewell
