We’re guessing that some of you checking out this headline have no idea who David Ackles is. The singer-songwriter amassed his share of critical acclaim in his brief heyday in the late 60s and early 70s. But he never enjoyed much commercial attention.
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But if you do know Ackles, you’re likely a fan of his work, which stretched the boundaries of pop and folk to carve out a niche all its own. “Down River”, perhaps Ackles’ best-known song, ideally displays his unique writing and performing power.
“River” Song
You can explain David Ackles’ otherness, compared to his singer-songwriter contemporaries, in a number of ways. For one, he didn’t grow up too interested in rock and roll or pop. Instead, he gravitated to stage music. In fact, he wrote many of his songs with the idea of them being a part of larger productions, rather than bite-sized radio nuggets.
There’s also the fact that he didn’t really have much ambition to become a performer. Once his songs started to draw the interest of record labels, he thought he might write for other artists. But his songs defied simple interpretations. Only Ackles, with his theatrical bent, could do them justice.
Ackles found a lot of admirers within the industry. He opened for Elton John when John first arrived in America, and John was awestruck. In fact, John’s cohort Bernie Taupin produced Ackles’ 1972 album American Gothic, which gained rapturous critical notices. But, like his other three LPs, it didn’t find much of a home with audiences.
David Ackles walked away from performing in 1973, choosing to pursue other creative interests. But his brief recorded legacy provides plentiful ingenuity and beauty. “Down River”, a highlight of his 1968 self-titled debut album, displayed both his knack for storytelling and his compellingly brooding vocal style.
Exploring the Lyrics of “Down River”
In other songs, Ackles showed off his poetic skills and limber wordplay. But “Down River” gets the job done with the bare minimum, with the stuff left unsaid weighing perhaps even more heavily than the actual words. The song comes from the perspective of an ex-con who happens upon his former love.
Ackles reveals tidbits of information piecemeal, which emphasizes the dramatic effect when we find out the whole story. “I know I’ve changed a lot since then,” he says to Rosie, perhaps registering the surprise on her face at his appearance. “But you’re looking fine, babe,” he admits.
“Three year, that ain’t long, Rosie,” he says, trying to gloss over his absence. “But I still remember our song.” He wonders why she never wrote him while he was away. “I stayed awake most every night,” Ackles moans. “Counting my time, babe.” All he wanted? “But just a line, babe.”
That’s when Ackles lowers the boom and lets us know why she stayed away. She has moved on with the narrator’s best friend. “You hold him as tight as you can, babe,” he says, wishing them the best. “Me I got things to do,” he says as a way to escape the pain of the situation. And then, simply: “Well goodbye babe.”
In the refrain, the narrator laments the inevitable: “Times change I know/But it sure goes slow/Down river.” “Down River” is one of many David Ackles songs that elevate the pop song form. We’ve told you who he was and given you one example of his excellence. Now, you have every opportunity to go check out what made him so special.
Photo via Elektra
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