Dan the Man

I was on my way back from Austin, Texas, when I heard the news that Dan Fogelberg died yesterday, December 16th. I loved Dan. In high school, his lyrics moved me. Each night, as I fell asleep, I listened to a few select albums..."James Taylor's Greatest Hits" by none other than, James Taylor, Pink Floyd's "The Wall", the soundtrack to "Popeye" and Dan Fogelberg's "The Innocent Age".

Uber dork.

Let's face it, in the late seventies and early eighties, the music sometimes lacked in poetic lyrics. "Sha, la, la, la, la, la, my lady...in the sun with your dress undone..." That's "Thunder Island" for you youngsters. However, a few artists led the way to the sweet, contemporary, lyrical music of today of Ingrid Michaelson, Sondre Lerche, Damien Rice, Catherine Feeney, just to name a few. A very few. There's A LOT of good music out there these days. Dan Fogelberg was one of the pioneers who led the way. So much of his music told a story...remember "Leader of the Band"?

And, every year, at Christmas and New Years, the local, crappy radio stations play one of my favorite songs of all time..."Same Old Lang Syne". It always gives me goosebumps and almost always makes me cry. I don't know why. Something about reflecting on love lost and getting older and disillusioned. No wonder I cry...that's depressing. But I LOVE that song and look forward to hearing it on the radio during Christmas.

I heard it today several times but each time they played it, the dj prefaced it as a tribute to Dan. It's pretty much a guaranteed tear-fest from here on out, everytime I hear it.

I will miss you, Dan.

"And as I turned to make my way back home, the snow turned into rain..."