Tucson, Arizona (Gazette) ~ Dan Fogelberg [ CC ]

"My all-time favorite track. The critics dismissed it because of its length but I am still fiercely proud of it. It was an immense undertaking and took months to complete. I consider this probably my best journalistic lyric writing. A movie for the ears, all it lacks is the popcorn." (Dan Fogelberg)
" Tucson, Arizona (Gazette) " written by Singer/Songwriters Dan Fogelberg, from "Windows And Walls" album (1984)
also "Portrait - The Music of Dan Fogelberg" 4-CD Box Set (1997) Disc 4. Special thanks to Bobby for Dan's liner notes.

Tucson, Arizona (Gazette) ~ Dan Fogelberg (Lyrics)

Tucson, Arizona rising in the heat like a mirage
Tony keeps his Chevy like a virgin locked in his garage
He brings it out at midnight and cruises down the empty boulevards
And he prowls the darkened alleys that snake between the city's thirsty yards
The lonely desert skies reflect the anger in his eyes and it is dawn

His father died of drinking and left five children sinking with his mom
His older brother Bobby never made it back from Viet Nam
With high school well behind him he lives at home and works this shitty job
And he thinks his '60 Chevy is the only true amigo that he's got
His heart is filled with sadness and his soul is like some ugly vacant lot

Mary Estelle Hanna came out from Louisiana for the sun
A deal gone bad in Dallas left her burned and broke and on the run
To make the rent and groceries she takes this job at $3.15 an hour
Serving shots of whiskey and tequila in some smoky red-neck bar
And she dreams some day she'll make her way to L.A. and become a movie star

Tony saw her working, he swallowed hard and asked her for a date
Mary laughed and answered "I would but every night I'm working late"
He said he had some cocaine that she could have if she'd just ride along
She said "What the hell, I may as well, I haven't had no fun in so damn long"
He picked her up at closing time they pulled out on the road and they were gone

Tony's mom got frantic when she found her son had not come home
Mary's roommate panicked and called the sheriff from a public phone
They asked her lots of questions
She tried her best to tell them what she saw
And late that night they found poor Mary lying in some narrow, dusty draw
The coroner reported that she hadn't been deceased for very long

Two weeks on they found it buried to the windshield in the sand
There inside lay Tony with a small revolver in his hand
The papers simply stated it must have been the drugs that drove him mad
The neighbors speculated what could make a good boy go so bad
Well, it might have been the desert heat
It might have been the home he never had

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[JMEagle101]

It remind me of an original song my friend Paula did year ago after uploading this video, she is a talented singer/songwriter too, she wrote "Madness - A plea to end the violence", in her lyrics she wrote"There are no answer to be found", compare to Dan's lyrics "what could make a good boy go so bad", I strongly recommend that you visit her channel "Pbrud" and listen to her song "Madness". Together, let's help find a way to end the violence and make the world a peaceful one!

[billp1955]

Thank You Bill! One of my very favorite Dan songs and now one of my favorite vids....

[JMEagle101]

@billp1955 Thank you, by far this is one of the chanllenged videos I did, in addition to "Don't Let That Sun Go Down" which I co-produced with River. That one has 3 storyline; this one has only one, but it involves so many imagery from family to war, romance, drugs and violence, good and bad, like his lyrics say "what could make a good boy go so bad". I really love the melody of it and Dan really is a great storyteller, he sing it out so profoundly, I hope to capture it truthfully for you!

[toooldtodie]

The most moving song from my favourite LP's. Dan forever.

[JMEagle101]

@toooldtodie Thank you, this is my favorite song from his Windows and Walls album, Dan wrote a haunting story in this song, and he pick this one into his Portrait Disc 4, all of his tales and travels songs are there. A great storyline covered lonely desert, ugly soul, broken family, Viet Nam War, Hollywood dream, drugs problem...Dan is a visionary singer/songwriter, he really care about this world, this has been a great challenge for me to produce, I'm glad I finally finish it, hope you enjoy!

[kjsebestyen]

Lyrically, I wonder what prompted him to write it. It's a great story but very sad. This song is so beautiful musically. I reluctantly feel drawn to it. A masterpiece.

[hughc023]

Magnificent song . . . Lovely video . . .

[goldfererful]

Moving,Masterful,...Music and Images Thank You

[belize778]

Great video film to one of the best story songs ever written, well done and thank you for your work!

[Runnersfree]

This song is heavy on my heart i live in tucson AZ and i lost a lot but when my brother passed while driving his motorcycle it now plays with my emotions

[1Oneflesh]

I totally agree. This song is one of Dan's hidden masterpiece's. That critics would dismiss a song like this... is another reason why I dismiss them. Let's be honest. They are by in large a bunch of idiots.

[pellacan56]

Awesome job on the video. I think it captures what Dan was saying in his song. I always thought he was at his best when writing songs with sad or introspective imagery. This song and Same Old Lang Syne are two of my favorites.

[dukeon]

great video you put together, along with great sound quality. thank you!

[tcassish]

WONDERFUL VIDEO