I was so looking forward to this weekend to participate in my first SLS in a few months. However, sadly, Helen Vahdati has had to step away from her blog and this awesome challenge for a while. Her reasons are very similar to mine so while I am sad, I totally understand and wish her well. I hope she too can find good health in the future and come back.
In the meantime, Jim from A Unique Title For Me has generously stepped up to fill in for Helen. He has chosen “doctor/health/medicine” as this week’s theme.
I chose Jackson Browne’s classic 1972 hit “Doctor My Eyes” because it is as relevant today as it was back then. It was one of his first hits and reached his highest rank on the Billboard Top 100, entering at #88 and peaking at #11.
The lyrics do not paint a pretty picture of life; however, Browne made sure that the music was upbeat to offset the darkness. He also reworked some of the lyrics before recording the song for his debut album.
JD Souther and Glenn Frey, who were neighbors of Jackson’s, “heard” him working on the song for months through the walls. He also got some vocal help from David Crosby and Graham Nash on the recording.
Lydia!
Doctor, My Eyes
And the slow parade of fears without crying
Now I want to understand
I have done all that I could
To see the evil and the good without hiding
You must help me if you can
Doctor, my eyes
Tell me what is wrong
Was I unwise to leave them open for so long?
Cause I have wandered through this world
And as each moment has unfurled
I’ve been waiting to awaken from these dreams
People go just where they will
I never noticed them until I got this feeling
That it’s later than it seems
Doctor, my eyes
Tell me what you see
I hear their cries
Just say if it’s too late for me
Doctor, my eyes
Cannot see the sky
Is this the prize for having learned how not to cry?
Being Lydia! 
Nice post. You can’t go wrong with Jackson Browne and I loved this video.
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It is a good video. Often live performances are captured on cell phones from the nosebleed seats; however, this was professionally done so you get all angles and great sound. Despite its gloom and doom feeling, I have always loved this song. Oh, and thanks for carrying the torch for Helen. You are doing great so far! 🙂
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Thanks for saying that, it means a lot to me.
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Great minds think alike. I’ve been a fan of Jackson Browne since his first album and have seen him perform live at least a half a dozen times, including the one where his album, “Running on Empty” was recorded at the Merriweather Post Pavillion in Columbia, Maryland.
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I had a chance to see Jackson Browne in concert several years ago when he toured with The Eagles. He did his own set, they did theirs and then they all performed a third set together. Amazing!
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The Eagles is another band I’ve seen live around four times. So sad that Glenn Frey is no longer with us.
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I love this song. Good choice!
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Thank you!
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I have already gone GAGA over the choice of the song. Totally loved it. Good luck!
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A popular choice this week, and I even considered it. Sure wish I could have lived next door to Souther and Frey – OMG, the music! LOL!
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Great song, never heard it before.
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Glad you liked it. You should check out more of Jackson Browne’s music. It is classic.
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I definitely will!
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Super choice! I’ve always liked the song, but never really paid attention to the lyrics until I saw them printed out here. Very deep. thanks:)
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You are welcome! Yes, and they were even deeper and darker apparently when he first wrote it.
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