Jackson Browne - For America

[Sparkeee24]

thinking this would be a great Occupy Wallstreet tune. Great thought provoking stuff.

[ginocasio]

Awesome Album , this was the track that got me into JB,,,,,,A great song writer....

[lukas36151]

who is the person at 1:23 ???

[sandinyourshoes]

Jackson at his patriotic best!

[DaveWollenberg]

Clyde Jackson hit #30 in Billboard, 4-19-86. God bless ya, for postin' it. Thanx! Have a great week!

[MrMRB1956]

Does anyone know how to get a copy of the original video played with this song on MTV? It was much better but was very short lived. Too political I think. I love the whole album/CD 'Lives in the balance', the title song was also fantastic. In case anyone ever reads this and knows how to get the original MTV videos of the songs on this CD, or a karaoke CD of these songs, email the info to mrmrb123@yahoo.com Thanks.

[device]

@MrMRB1956 cou nt me in, please. This is the album that got me engaged politically. I've seen JB in concert a dozen times, but never in the last 15 years.. My loss, I suppose, but I'd love to look at that video. The reason I watched this one in fact.

Peace.

[device]

Respond to this video...  OH, yes, device AT noos DOT fr, thanks;..

[MrMRB1956]

@device I still haven't found the original videos. I'll send you the info if I ever find it. Although I feel the US of A is the best place to be, every place needs improvement and a wake-up call or two.

[captainamerica1967us]

The US isn't and never will be perfect. But is N Korea or China better?

[sandinyourshoes]

@captainamerica1967us, some folks talk trash about the U.S. all the time, but are they in a hurry to leave?

[midvalley9]

No, but that doesn't mean there aren't things in this country that need fixing. Like J-Live said in his song Satisfied, "Now don't get me wrong there's no place I'd rather be \ the grass ain't greener on the other genocide \ but tell Huey Freeman don't forget to cut the lawn \ and uproot the weeds \ cause I'm not satisfied."

[sandinyourshoes]

@midvalley9, I am not sure I understand what you wrote.

[laspilly]

Happy fourth

[peggy986]

I'd like to say that in now way was my earlier comment @ bashing America meant to be construed as support for our government's Foreign or Domestic policies, including but not restricted to foriegn intervention, Native American peoples, Social programs and immigration, to name a few. Happy Independence Day.

[IMFHater]

@peggy986 If you love America then fight for freedom at home not in some foreign land. Bashing corrupt American politicians and corporations is not bashing America. Jackson Browne challenges Americans and all people to seek the truth. Freedom is for all of mankind. PS. America fights for money not freedom.

[peggy986]

@IMFHater Did I say I supported American Imperialism? Happy Fourth to you.

[peggy986]

Thanks for posting ...bashing America is SO fashionable ... I love America,: 'one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL' Happy Flag Day

The words 'under god' were added to the Pledge of Allegiance, it was not written that way ...

[deansusky]

Brown the best that came out of America

[aegeastar]

The real tragedy is larger than the faults of the USA alone. Look to the multinational corporations, the World Bank and the nuclear industry for the real culprits in this terrible war machine - this military industrial complex - we're all suffering in now.

[Aastrosfan]

Love the Reagan part! good video God Bless America

[squirtjosie7]

It is unfortunate that the whole quote about my country right or wrong is truncated and loses its real meaning. The quote is: "My country, right or wrong, when right to be kept right, and when wrong to be put right, but my country, right or wrong." This strikes me as a truely patriotic statement, loving one's country, warts and all, while acknowledging her flaws and seeking to fix them.

[janno142]

Ronald Reagan WTF!!! I don't know about the match of imagery and song lyrics for this video.

[danning1]

This should be our national anthem. Seriously. Forget either "The Star-Spangled Banner" or "America the Beautiful," this is the most intelligently patriotic song I think that has ever been composed about the U.S. I could live with "This Land Is Your Land," too. That's another good one about America.

[bonfirejovi]

Truman should have gone to jail for his atrocities.

[joltinjack]

@bonfirejovi Well, if your judgment is right, then you need to throw the Japanese Emperor in there with him for starting the Pacific war. If there was anything Truman did wrong, I'm sure that God dealt with the matter when the 33rd President entered the afterlife.

[bonfirejovi]

@joltinjack I am not defending Tojo but there is no excuse for genocide.

[nicck]

@joltinjack The US let a lot of Japanese criminals get away with what they did. Testing on humans in Manchuria...these victims were Americans too. The US government let the perpetrators go free in exchange for information on germ warfare.

[phdequipped]

@joltinjack dNo, ya got it wrong. The japs didn't start the war. We "embargoed," (laid siege), to Japan in 1937. I'm amazed they had so much patience. "Laying siege" is a declaration of war. Get your facts straight.

[Mogtepyigsoloth]

@bonfirejovi

Truman was just another 'bought & paid for' POTUS, much like our current usurper in chief.

They all are, Zionist shills and traitors to this nation.

[tudssquadbuisness]

@bonfirejovi If there's on president that deserves jail is Obama!

[dkempf1]

@bonfirejovi The right to criticize my government, makes me proud to be an American...

[mmtxaz]

@bonfirejovi What were his atrocities? Please don't tell me you mean bombing Japan. That was necessary and just.

[stoofbuis]

now,that is a message!!

[unchainedmelody67]

War Is A Racket. Gen. Smedley Butler was 100% right. It's the title of a great, and very old, book by him which is downloadable online. And that book was written a long, long time ago. He was the first one to "out" the military industrial complex, and he saw it first-hand throughout a long and decorated career. What we see now is nothing new. And it's never different.

[lawrencerasmus]

Let's all remember what America is all about, Jackson does

[joltinjack]

You know...I tried to be left-of-center once; however, I just can't make myself stay that way. RIGHT makes MIGHT, and we are a power to reckon with. We protect liberty. Sure, we have blundered, but so has any other country. If you fancy the ways of left-leaning countries (who don't have a military), move there, and let them take about 1/2 your salary in taxes. If it hadn't of been for us, all those "neutral" countries would be under a swastika-emblazoned flag, or a hammer & sickle one.

[Mogtepyigsoloth]

@joltinjack

The American taxpayers are now taxed at levels that exceed the taxes levied by the British Crown prior to the First American Revolution. At levels that exceed what the southern slave holders demanded from their slaves. Research this if you doubt it.

THE SPEECH THAT KILLED JFK- SECRET SOCIETIES

Google that, then look at America with open eyes.

[MrVeddy1234]

@Mogtepyigsoloth

Considering the incomes are much higher and commerce is much bigger, that should surprise no one.

[Mogtepyigsoloth]

@MrVeddy1234

I think you may have missed the point.

I'm speaking about the PERCENTAGE of income that is levied via taxes, fees, and fines.

The southern slaves actually kept more of the fruits of their labors than current middle class "employees" .

What was once grounds for armed revolt is now grounds for counter-revolution against an usurping government authority.

[PopCulture20]

@Mogtepyigsoloth  WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

[nicck]

@joltinjack You call that blundering? When are people going to wake up and recognise that this "blundering" is just a complete change in direction.

[captainamerica1967us]

I have Brit Blood also. My dad was a youngster and he was photoed with Churchill in London on VE day. Its on my shelf. My grandmother in England passed away in 1982. I still miss her. Tough as nails, yes.

[whysers]

Quote: "For the last 17 years, the United States has protected the world first from the nazi threat, and recently from the communist threat. I think that speaks well for a nation, which only has 1/6 of the world's population, and is very reluctant to carry out these burdens. I think we should be rather pleased with ourselves this Christmas."

John F. Kennedy

except the word fought the nazis and america joined late and cause more death than they ever helped stop

[whysers]

Quote: "For the last 17 years, the United States has protected the world first from the nazi threat, and recently from the communist threat. I think that speaks well for a nation, which only has 1/6 of the world's population, and is very reluctant to carry out these burdens. I think we should be rather pleased with ourselves this Christmas."

John F. Kennedy

except the word fought the nazis and america joined late and cause more death than they ever helped stop

[jimbofisher1000]

@whysers It must stink to hate the very country where you enjoy freedom. The USA is not perfect but we have done more for the world than all of the other countries combined. Regardless of what you and other liberals may want to believe, this world would be a very sad and scary place without the USA. Maybe you would be happier if Hitler, Stalin, Mao, etc.. had prevailed. You think the world would be a happy place? Stop living in a fantasy world and wake up or just shut up. You disgust me

[wonsworld]

@jimbofisher1000 . Hi. I am not American though I have chosen to vacation in your country 3 times in my life (once driving from NY to San Fransisco over three months). You have a beautiful country full of wonderful people, and I dont think Jackson is deriding anything you have or have done as a country. It's simply a reminder to the authorties that they are there for the people (and by the people etc). Troubadors have been doing this since music began, he is a part of a long tradition..

[jimbofisher1000]

@whysers It must stink to hate the very country where you enjoy freedom. The USA is not perfect but we have done more for the world than all of the other countries combined. Regardless of what you and other liberals may want to believe, this world would be a very sad and scary place without the USA. Maybe you would be happier if Hitler, Stalin, Mao, etc.. had prevailed. You think the world would be a happy place? Stop living in a fantasy world and wake up or just shut up. You disgust me

[sandinyourshoes]

Not all of Jackson's fans were ready for the 80s. Many were more used to his personal reflections as expressed in his 70s music. "From Silver Lake" and "For a Dancer" are good examples. However, to tug the strings of controversy in the 80s showed how Jackson was not afraid to push the envelope. I am glad he did.

[DaveWollenberg]

HIt#3 rock, #30 pop in Billboard. Bet many of ya didn't know that Jackson is his middle name. His 1st name's Clyde. God bless!

[tjhoenecke]

I'm sure Mr. Browne would disagree, but this song is even more relavent than ever under the current administration....

[planeray]

Swordsroof: yes, I'm not happy with many policies, and yet I'm very interested in aviation, especially the old warbirds!

[DaveWollenberg]

Jackson's last top 40 pop hit. Made #30 in Billboard.

[sandinyourshoes]

I have met many Jackson fans who say that "Balance" is their favorite album from him. I can see why.

[planeray]

Criticizing the government when they lie to us and no longer follow our ideals is necessary! We've overthrown elected governments & caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands, if not millions. Let's make this a USA to be proud of again!

[swordsroof]

@planeray I wish would happen, I hate our Government, yet, I've always had it in my head to enlist into the Army, since I was 5-6 years old.

[manygate10]

@planeray Groan!

[ShadowFoxSF]

Y'know what's sad?

These songs could perhaps be applied to the days of the Bush administration...

about 15 between the making of this song and the war in Iraq... Wow we sure have made a lot of progress, haven't we?

[cfmagal]

Incredible song by an amazing singer: JACKSON BROWNE!

[MrMRB1956]

Lots of good comments. I've loved and loudly shared the whole LITB album with willing and not so willing listeners since 1986. I want to know if any of the original videos from MTV are available? If so, I want a copy. They should be seen by everyone who enjoys JB. It seems they were blocked after the first few months. Lives In The Balance even disappeared from many stations soon after. I even had to offer my CD to WCSX at a fundraiser.

[lankeyjb202]

I believe this song contains some of the greatest lyrics of all time.

Go Jackson Browne!

[19mayday93]

I love how these songs came out in what, '87? and are still some of the most relevent songs on our country to this day.

[cfwpiano]

I know! Its so relevant. The whole album is great. This song just gives me chills... hooked me the first time with that great sax solo...

"By the rockets red glare

A generation's blank stare

We better wake her up this time"

[DENo1MatchGameFan]

@19mayday93 This song actually came out in the summer of 1986.

[1caninelover]

@19mayday93 That's because the wars never end...when my oldest brother was born in 1942 we were at war, 7 kids later by the time I came around in 1964 we were at war, my son is 23 years-old and we are at war. It would be harder for me to remember which years in my lifetime lacked a war.

[mthomas12689]

I like this video...but I am thinking that Jackson was not glorifying any of these presidents but rather calling Americans to wake up and save this country from going down the shitter with a disregard for real American values of freedom, peace, and prosperity....I certainly don't want a war with Iran unless absolutaly needed to protect us......and I don't agree with nation building.....

[Ribelin2000]

This song would've been perfect for playing over the closing credits of "JFK".

[franzrm70]

it's so sad reading words like these....the mother of stupids never dies...

[eutektikum69]

I think Reagan was one of the best Presidents.

Coloured People in the White House won´t solve the actual problems all over the world.

THEY ARE THE PROBLEM!!!!

Greetings from Western Germany

[forty911]

Oh the natives here in America were not the problem.

[allyoursphotography1]

I remember when this came out - Reagan, El Salvador etc - felt a sense of relief when the Gipper went out of office.

Little did we know what was coming.

[kaattz]

excellent song ...i would love to see the original video..

[Number1Dougster]

"excellent song ...i would love to see the original video."

Agreed.

[Ribelin2000]

Does anyone here know where I could find the original video for this song? I can't find it anywhere.

[towringer]

It's up on youtube now.

[towringer]

Great video. It reminds me of the original 1986 video, which also showed clips of Americana--good & otherwise.

[ryellowfast]

this is a great song!!!!!!!!

[lethal1960]

thomast1985 9/11 was a self-inflicted wound.

research it ok

and wake up to yourself

your government is a tyrant in sheeps clothing

[thomast1985]

So if a country defends itself , then that country is the war-monger. I see! And if we give to other countries we are being boastful and arrogant. Americans have the shortest memory of anyone i know. Our country will totally crumble as a free republic as long as there are liberals in it. they should be removed for treason.

[Freud55]

You don't even know what a liberal is. BTW, there's a commie under your bed, friend! Be very afraid. He may put a black guy in your white house.

[nicck]

And since when have the 'commies' been much of a threat since the cold war? Oh yeah, and the black guy got in the white house, has anything bad happened? No.

I'd probably be right in saying you're a racist.

[thomast1985]

you bastards downing ur own country are free to leave. Hell move to canada. u wont be missed by the true americans. The ones who feed the world, give money to the world, defend weaker countries who cant defend themselves. Bye!

[freebird100]

You must drink the kool aid by the gallon.

Wake up sonny boy.You`re being bull shitted everyday.

The shadow government loves your simple ass.

[Freud55]

Hey, A--hole,

We did leave, and you're (ur) a better cuntry (is that the way u spell it,dickhead?) Stay in ur ayhole cuntry and enjoy the crime and drugs! How old r u anyway, 15? GO FIGHT A WAR AGAINST A REAL ENEMY, ENEMA BOY. Stop pickin' on the small cuntries; try Russia, or even Iran, scaredy-cat! And you don't feed anybody in the world, not even your own people, fatso.

BTW, learn to write English, nimwit.

[nicck]

Unfortunately that probably means you want Jackson Browne to leave your country too. Nobody else would complain really, we'd take him in.

[earlymtv]

what does jackson browne think of america these days?

[earlymtv]

got to like number 30 on the charts in april 86

[joltinjack]

Maybe JD was referring to England under Nevel Chamberlain (appeasement). I will never question Great Britain's courage. The British folks suffered great losses in the massive bombings they endured. Their air force fought off the Luftwaffe in brilliant fashion. The British are as tough as nails. I'm glad that half of the blood that runs through my veins is Brit Blood (Smith & Barnhill).

[jdsquat2]

I'm not doubting or questioning Britain's toughness or heart or fighting ability.  I'm just believe Germany would have eventually won the stalemate between Britain and the Nazis because the Nazis were right on the heels of the US in creating the A-bomb, and most certainly would have had the bomb before Britain had the US not joined the war. I made the terse and snide remark to UltimoMode which made me sound aniti-Brit, but I'm not. Anyway, great video Jack.

[nicck]

But the intel gathered that resulted in the demolition of the german heavy water plant was British as far as I'm aware of.

I don't see the fact that someone got the A-bomb before another as a good thing. I just think the A-bomb shouldn't have been made at all. Yes the war would have lasted longer but think about how nuclear arms effected the rest of history. What a stupid thing to say.

[tjhoenecke]

@nicck Wouldacouldashoulda. Let's try dealing with reality. Think about a world where Hitler, Hirohito, or Stalin got it first -- can you seriously argue we'd be better off today?!

[nicck]

@tjhoenecke I can't be bothered to read back to what you're replying to, so good day.

[joltinjack]

Quote: "For the last 17 years, the United States has protected the world first from the nazi threat, and recently from the communist threat. I think that speaks well for a nation, which only has 1/6 of the world's population, and is very reluctant to carry out these burdens. I think we should be rather pleased with ourselves this Christmas."

John F. Kennedy - Press Conference - December 1962

[mac000111]

the us has changed the world. can't say that it's a good thing though. we have made the world a business. fast food, materialism and cut throat capitalism, has seeped into the mentality of americans, and many abroad. we are the gods and the parasites. just my opinionated observation

[studiohamfar]

all right for Nazi threat... the rest is argumentation for colonialism . . .

[jdsquat2]

Great video. This has always been one of my favorite songs, even though the lyrics are a little bit left wing for me, it shows Jackson Browne has a great passion for his country. Very good collection of pictures too, I think they go well with the music and they make you think a lot about the history of our country. America isn't perfect but it IS the best country in the history of mankind.

[joltinjack]

Thanks for the visit & comment, JD.

[sergeparadis1]

@joltinjack excellent job with this video and the imagery and i'm canadian but this is still very impact-ful if there is such a word.cheers

[lufcwhites59]

The Best country of mankind? Have you lived in another country? For me USA is NOT a good country.

[jdsquat2]

I didn't say it was the best country to live in, though in my opinion it is that too, I said it was the best country in history, meaning the US has done the most to promote and defend freedom than any other country ever. I'm sorry you're trapped here in the US and can't live where you'd really like to.

[nicck]

The best country? The best country is probably Canada, they have defended freedom but the mistakes made in the process have been minor compared to the US.

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan - It was admitted by the advisor to president Carter that CIA aid was sent to induce soviet intervention. To give the soviets their own vietnam resulting in over a million afghan deaths.

The whole defence of freedom thing is crap. The US are fucking sneaky.

[UltimoMode]

nah, the UK rules!!

[jdsquat2]

If it was up to the UK we'd all be under Nazi rule now.

[UltimoMode]

what was WW2 for then? remind me...

loser.

[jdsquat2]

I'm not saying the UK are Nazis, I'm saying the UK couldn't stop the Nazis without the US in WWII. The UK is a great country with great people (though they do seem to like name calling). But I think if it wasn't for the help of the US the UK and others would have had to surrender to the Nazis in WWII, thus the comment about living under Nazi rule. My "best country in history" opinion is based not on who's got the best restaurants or best beaches, but who has done the most to defend freedom.

[UltimoMode]

shame you were 3 years too late...

[nicck]

Yes, shame you were 3 years too late. Unfortunately most of the Americans didn't want to bother until ships started sinking in the atlantic and the Japs attacked. Wow, really quick to defend freedom.

[woefbeer]

You should read some books dude, you're all wrong and full of it....This immense distorted look at history you americans portrait...remarkable!

[nicck]

And seeing as your country is extremely young, there's not much of a time period to measure how much it's really done for "freedom". Frankly America just seems to have been there at the right place and the right time in history, when most other countries were doing the same despite their pasts. In all fairness the US hardly has a past and that's how you get away with being the "freedom lovers" despite so much in the 20th and 21st century that people foolishly ignore.

[StrayGator]

Abolutely bollocks that mate

[HermioneNo1]

I cannot be proud of a country, cause a country is just a name, a coincidental conglomeration of people at a certain time in history on a piece of land hat - surely now! - does not "belong" to them.

Plus, my being born THERE is just chance.

Iran shouldn´t be next.

Such a last sentence isn´t entertaining, well maybe for warmongers ;-), not for someone who considers herself to be a citizen of the world.

Peace!

And that shouldn´t be a matter of left or right...!!(see Ron Paul...!!!:-))

[joltinjack]

I'll tell you what I'm willing to do. Let this thing ride a while, and if the LEFT makes more of a clamor than the RIGHT, I might redo this video SANS the "YOUR NEXT" picture.

Believe it or not, as a YouTuber, I actually care what the viewing public thinks...within decent societal limits.

[HermioneNo1]

Jackson Browne, me, and a million others stand quite well on our two left feet - know why??? Because that THINKING BRAIN on top can coordinate them, whereas two right feet stumble around in a land of confusion...;-)

Man, what did you misuse this great song for???

[joltinjack]

Wow...maybe I should have used that Charlie Daniel's barn dance song after all. It must be my "BALANCED", independent, patriotic view that is fogging up my lenses.

[joltinjack]

In this case, I didn't seek to tailor the video to specific lyrics. I sought a song with a flavor of patriotism that is progressive, and from a style that I like. Unfortunately, most of the artists who create such songs have two left feet. Maybe I should have used that Charlie Daniels song from 1980 "In America"; however, I'm not much on barn dance music.

I didn't "misinterpret" this song - I twisted it for my own purpose. Notice that I tagged the song as "Entertainment", not History.

[PressForFreedom]

You've misinterpreted this great song Some Lyrics "As if freedom was a question of might As if loyalty was black and white You hear people say it all the time- My country wrong or right I want to know what thats got to do With what it takes to find out whats true With everyone from the president on down Trying to keep it from you The thing I wonder about the dads and moms Who send their sons to the vietnams Will they really think their way of life Has been protected as the next war comes?"

[splintamike]

Dude, your last slide "Iran - You're next" - have you actually listened to the lyrics of this?

I do hope you were being ironic...