About the song
Jackson Browne – The Load Out and Stay (Live BBC 1978)
There’s something truly special about live music. It’s raw, it’s immediate, and it captures a fleeting moment in time that can never be truly replicated. And when you have an artist like Jackson Browne, a songwriter known for his deeply personal and introspective lyrics, performing with his band at their peak, you’re in for a real treat. This 1978 BBC recording of “The Load Out and Stay” is a prime example of Browne’s ability to connect with an audience on a profound level.
“The Load Out” is a love letter to the roadies, the unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make the magic happen. Browne paints a vivid picture of the post-concert ritual, the packing up, the loading out, the camaraderie among the crew. He acknowledges their hard work, their dedication, and the essential role they play in bringing the music to life. There’s a genuine sense of appreciation and respect in his words, and you can feel the bond between the artist and his crew.
But “The Load Out” seamlessly transitions into “Stay,” and the focus shifts to the audience, to the shared experience of the concert. Browne recognizes the power of music to connect people, to create a sense of community. He sings about the fleeting nature of these moments, how the energy and excitement of the show eventually fade, leaving behind a bittersweet longing for more. It’s a poignant reflection on the ephemeral nature of time and the enduring power of human connection.
This particular performance captures Browne and his band at their finest. The musicianship is superb, with David Lindley’s masterful guitar work adding a rich layer of texture to the sound. Browne’s vocals are warm and expressive, conveying the emotion and sincerity of his lyrics. The audience is clearly engaged, and you can feel their energy feeding back into the performance.
What makes this version of “The Load Out and Stay” so compelling is its authenticity. There are no studio overdubs, no post-production tricks, just a group of musicians playing their hearts out for a live audience. It’s a testament to the power of music to transcend time and place, to speak to the universal human experience. So sit back, relax, and let this classic performance transport you back to a time when music was raw, real, and deeply felt.
Video
Lyrics
Now the seats are all empty
Let the roadies take the stage
Pack it up and tear it down
They’re the first to come and last to leave
Working for that minimum wage
They’ll set it up in another town
Tonight the people were so fine
They waited there in line
And when they got up on their feet they made the show
And that was sweet,
But I can hear the sound
Of slamming doors and folding chairs
And that’s a sound they’ll never knowNow roll them cases out and lift them amps
Haul them trusses down and ge t’em up them ramps
‘Cause when it comes to moving me
You know you guys are the champs
But when that last guitar’s been packed away
You know that I still want to play
So just make sure you got it all set to go
Before you come for my pianoBut the band’s on the bus
And they’re waiting to go
We’ve got to drive all night and do a show in Chicago
Or Detroit, I don’t know
We do so many shows in a row
And these towns all look the same
We just pass the time in our hotel rooms
And wander ’round backstage
Till those lights come up and we hear that crowd
And we remember why we cameNow we got country and western on the bus
R&B, we got disco in eight tracks and cassettes in stereo
We’ve got rural scenes and magazines
And We’ve got truckers on the cb
We’ve got Richard Pryor on the video
We got time to think of the ones we love
While the miles roll away
But the only time that seems too short
Is the time that we get to playPeople you’ve got the power over what we do
You can sit there and wait
Or you can pull us through
Come along, sing the song
You know you can’t go wrong
‘Cause when that morning sun comes beating down
You’re going to wake up in your town
But we’ll be scheduled to appear
A thousand miles away from here