And that’s exactly what happened when McCain used Jackson’ Browne’s song “Running On Empty” recently for one of his commercials, and did so without asking. Since then Browne has sued - and recently spoke out about the lawsuit.

And what he said does make sense. It’s his music, he says who can do what with it. He expressed some surprise that a senator didn’t understand copyright laws in such things. The suit will keep McCain from using any songs by Browne for his campaigns.

Sounds like a pretty straightforward move. And not a good thing for McCain, who probably needs every cent he can get to keep his campaign running smoothly.

“The Pretender” is also the name of one of the songs off of the album, which peaked at 58th place, a distance behind the other single “Here Come Those Tears Again” (which hit 23rd place before falling back down). It has nevertheless proven a staple of rock music ever since, and is played regularly on the radio.

Have a look at a live rendition of the song.

Why? Mainly because Lives in the Balance was strongly political. Browne had previously kept his political messages on the down low. Though not strangers to his albums they weren’t the dominant factors, either. So once heavy political messages took the spotlight fans either loved or hated what he had to say.

Because its title song “Lives in the Balance” was used later as the theme for Miama Vice, Lives in the Balance has recently received a resurgence in popularity. And it managed to do well back when it was released, as well, topping at 23rd place on the Billboard 200.

Lives in the Balance contains the following songs:

“For America”
“Soldier of Plenty”
“In the Shape of a Heart”
“Candy”
“Lawless Avenues”
“Lives in the Balance”
“Till I Go Down”
“Black and White”

Browne has never stopped touring and playing his music, and coming up in September he (along with the rest of these formidable artists) will be appearing at the Seva Foundation 30th Anniversary concert at the Oakland Paramount Theater on September 27th. Better move quickly if you want tickets, though, as they’ve been on sale since July 13, and they’re going to sell out fast.

Couldn’t get tickets but still want to see Browne? Don’t worry. Though his tour dates for 2008 and 2009 haven’t yet been finalized, Browne will be touring the United States in the Fall of 2008 then heading abroad for the winter season for an early 2009 tour across Europe. Then, just in time for summer, he’ll return to the United States for yet another tour.

There’s plenty of tours to go around. Just get your tickets early and you’ll be listening to the haunting melodies of Browne before you know it.

All his hits are here, as the title suggests. The first disc kicks off with one of Browne’s first recorded songs, Doctor My Eyes, and then flows into such classics as These Days, Redneck Friend, The Pretender, The Load-Out and Stay. From there it moves into the second disc which is headlined by the mighty single Running on Empty, followed by Tender is the Night, Lawyers in Love and the Barricades of Heaven, among other classics.

If you’re a fan of Jackson Browne’s rock stylings but don’t have this CD, then you need to find a music store. Fast.

Playlist for The Very Best of Jackson Browne:

DISC 1:
1. Doctor My Eyes
2. Jamaica Say You Will
3. Rock Me on the Water
4. Take It Easy
5. These Days
6. Redneck Friend
7. For Everyman
8. For a Dancer
9. Fountain of Sorrow
10. Late For the Sky
11. Before the Deluge
12. Your Bright Baby Blues
13. The Pretender
14. Here Come Those Tears Again
15. The Load Out
16. Stay

DISC 2:
1. Running on Empty
2. You Love the Thunder
3. Boulevard
4. Somebody’s Baby
5. Tender Is the Night
6. Lawyers in Love
7. In the Shape of a Heart
8. Lawless Avenues
9. Lives in the Balance
10. I Am a Patriot
11. Sky Blue and Black
12. I’m Alive
13. The Barricades of Heaven
14. Looking East
15. The Naked Ride Home
16. The Night Inside Me

One of his biggest hits is by far the Jackson Browne Running on Empty, released in 1977 both as an album and as the most successful song on said album. A light rock piece, Running on Empty stylistically details Browne’s experiences on the road, touring with his band. Running on Empty, then, is a reference to his vehicle running low on gas.

The title is especially pertinent in that the entirety of the album was written and recorded while the band was on the road, both in various recording studios and in hotel rooms that the band stayed in.

Here’s Jackson Browne’s single Running On Empty from the album of the same name:

Playlist for Jackson Browne’s Running on Empty album:

1. Running on Empty
  2. The Road
  3. Rosie
  4. You Love the Thunder
  5. Cocaine
  6. Shaky Town
  7. Love Needs a Heart
  8. Nothing But Time
  9. The Load Out
  10. Stay