What Are the 5 Biggest US Hits by Jackson Browne?

Jackson Browne ranks extremely high on any list of singer-songwriters you can compile. His career has encompassed a few distinct phases. At every stop along the way, you could count on the authenticity and eloquence of his message to shine through.

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Browne has also enjoyed solid success throughout his career when crossing over to the pop charts. Here are his five highest-charting songs in America.

“Boulevard” – No. 19 in 1980

Browne has never settled for too long with a single prevailing style in his music. He had already made a move towards more of a rock approach on the quasi-live album Running On Empty. His 1980 album Hold Out took that vibe to the studio. It helped Browne solidify his gains at rock radio, with “Boulevard” leading that charge. David Lindley delivers the juice with his electric guitar riffs. That provides the setting for Browne’s sharp observations of the runaways that populated Hollywood Boulevard.

“Lawyers In Love” – No. 13 in 1983

Little by little, Browne started to incorporate substantial social commentary into his music throughout the 80s. By the time he reached Lives In The Balance in 1986, he’d pretty much crossed completely over to the political material. Lawyers In Love served as more of a transitional album in that regard. The title track stands as one of the best-sounding records of Browne’s career, featuring his Tarzan yells and an exciting instrumental break. His lyrics about American ambivalence in the 80s are slyly humorous and biting.

“Running On Empty” – No. 11 in 1978

The idea behind the Running On Empty album was clever enough on its own. Browne would record an album of brand-new material while on the road. And it didn’t necessarily all have to be during concerts. He and his band set the tapes rolling backstage and even in hotel rooms. But none of that would have mattered as much had Browne not come through with the right set of songs to evoke all the mixed feelings of life on the road. With the wonderful title track, he managed to capture the road weariness of not just his fellow musicians but also of his entire generation.

“Doctor, My Eyes” – No. 8 in 1972

On his self-titled debut album, Browne sounded wise beyond his experience level as a first-time artist. Then again, he had been writing professionally for several years by that point, with a handful of artists of note recording stuff he’d written as early as his teens. While that debut album mostly stuck to hard-earned lessons painfully revealed, “Doctor My Eyes” displayed Browne on a lighter note, at least musically. Lyrically, he was already asking the tough questions about dealing with disappointment and sorrow the right way.

“Somebody’s Baby” – No. 7 in 1982

Browne wasn’t entirely sure about doing this soundtrack hit from the classic 80s flick Fast Times At Ridgemont High. It was a rare occasion for him in that he didn’t write the music: Danny Kortchmar handled that task. Even after the fact, he showed ambivalence toward it. He didn’t include it on his 1983 album Lawyers In Love, a decision he later regretted. Nonetheless, it’s become one of his most beloved songs, as well as his biggest ever pop hit. It proved he could dial down the heavier concepts and still deliver emotional impact with more concise lyrics.

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