Thoughts/Analysis of Rock Me on the Water

[Rockwater]

As far as musical discussion, I tend to take things literally so often I don't "get" obscure lyrics -- Mohammed's Radio, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, and others.

Rock Me on the Water is an example.  I love Linda's rendition of this song but the meaning escapes me.  What does this song mean to you?

[musedeva]

dont have the lyrics in front of me now...but "back in the day"....it made me think of Jesus....being the Rock...and On the Water!!!

[eddiejinnj]

Analyzing songs is like doing so with poetry (using this example of art since poems are often similar in length to songs). IMO, part of the artistry is the analysis process including the emotions a song may provoke/inhibit. I do not have time to do a full analysis of "RMOTW" but for me it involves the isolation/alienation some people feel and maybe cultural the disintegration of the extended family and sense of community. For me it also says that wanted to be nurtured is a normal human feeling. eddiejinnj

[the Scribe]

William Ruhlmann at Allmusic.com wrote that Browne was performing the song as early as autumn 1970. "In the songs he was writing shortly before his recording debut in 1972, Jackson Browne continually alluded to apocalyptic events, but never more explicitly than in 'Rock Me...'," he wrote. Browne is documented as saying that the song, with its reference to the "sisters of the sun," pays homage to his real-life sisters.

Browne addressed the gospel and religious issues in the song, saying that "it's not about religion, it's about society." The song is meant to employ gospel language, but, he said, he turns "it around 180 degrees... If you heard even three seconds of it, you would say, 'well, that's gospel,' but you have to have an idea in a gospel song, and if it's not going to be Jesus, then it must at least be salvation. If I say 'when my life is over, I'm going to stand before the father, but the sisters of the sun are going to rock me on the water now' is like a way of, lovingly, and in a friendly way, refuting the traditional and conventional messages of redemption having to do with the straight and narrow... I staked a lot on that song, because it was a combining of that social awareness and paying attention to what's going on around, with the inner search for spiritual meaning."



Henry Diltz Q&A: the story of Laurel Canyon and LA folk

From Joni Mitchell to Jackson Browne, the finest folk musicians of the Sixties were drawn to California's Laurel Canyon. Photographer Henry Diltz was part of it all. He reminisces with James Lachno

Jackson Browne sits in a Chevy Bel Air during a photo shoot for his 1974 album Late for the Sky Photo: Henry Diltz / Corbis

I have always thought of this song as a follow up to Rock Me On The Water. It is one of my favorite Jackson Browne tunes from his most excellent album Late For The Sky



Bruce Springsteen referenced the song in his speech upon the induction of Browne into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 saying: "Listen to the chord changes of 'Rock Me on the Water' and 'Before the Deluge,' it's gospel through and through."



Bruce Springsteen inducts Jackson Browne Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions 2004



Jackson Browne accepts award Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions 2004

[Tony]

I associate the song Rock Me on the Water with the death of Elvis Presley. The day Elvis died, I was working the late shift at our local hospital (Self Memorial) and the song Rock Me on the Water was played. This got my attention because it was Linda and I had not heard this song on the radio in about 5 years, and I had only heard it before on a college station, not a "regular" station. Then the deejay followed it up with the news that Elvis was dead.

[goldie]

I always thought it was a gospel song without being a gospel song. More of a new age vision gospel. This is one of those songs where the words don't matter as much as the sound of Linda's voice wrapped around it like only she can do. I like Jackson's explanation.

[Richard W]

The line "you left it for somebody other than you to be the one to care" feels especially pointed now.

I've always loved Linda's version of this song, the way she rides that melody. (I've always maintained that burnishing a song's melody is Linda's greatest gift to songwriters.)

Plus, there's that shimmering pedal-steel opening. Gorgeous.

[Dianna]

Aug 17, 2017 8:49:31 GMT -5 Richard W said:

The line "you left it for somebody other than you to be the one to care" feels especially pointed now.

I've always loved Linda's version of this song, the way she rides that melody. (I've always maintained that burnishing a song's melody is Linda's greatest gift to songwriters.)

Plus, there's that shimmering pedal-steel opening. Gorgeous.

Thank You Richwar, I was going to mention this too. In light of recent events, the entire first verse seems fitting, at least IMO. Actually, I'll go so far to say, the verse enclosed, reminds me of the young woman's message (was posted on social media) who lost her life this past weekend in Virginia. .....

Oh people, look around you
The signs are everywhere
You've left it for somebody other than you
To be the one to care
You're lost inside your houses
There's no time to find you now
While your walls are burning
And your towers are turning
I'm going to leave you here
And try to get down to the sea somehow

[the Scribe]

Here is a rare LIVE performance of Linda singing Rock Me On The Water

[Richard W]

Thanks for the live version of this song. I've always wondered why she didn't include this song more often in her live sets. She does some great phrasing changes from the album version.

But at 1:03, guess who pops up? Crikey! Will that photo never go away?

[PoP80]

Thanks for the live version of this song. I've always wondered why she didn't include this song more often in her live sets. She does some great phrasing changes from the album version.

But at 1:03, guess who pops up? Crikey! Will that photo never go away?

Great to hear this live version of the timeless RMOTW. That voice just gets me every time...

Irritating about Holly's image in the video, since the person who put this together must have been a Linda fan. Can't they see that's NOT her?

[the Scribe]

I am thinking Linda has only recorded two of Jackson's songs. I believe it was in the Debbie Kruger interview she said his music is difficult to sing because it is so personal.

Here is a heartfelt post from a woman who had a treasured memory about Jackson to share when he showed up at a memorial service for a fan.

When I was in high school a girl at my school in Los Angeles died
in a car wreck. She was a huge Jackson Browne fan. We held a
memorial for her and for the days preceding it, her friends left
messages on his car, in his mail box, etc. because she had left
him something in her "will". The day of the memorial, I was
walking to the auditorium and there was this guy and his guitar.
He had written her a song and wanted to sing it at the memorial.

I'll never forget that day, I'll never forget the comfort he
brought a lot of people with his wonderful words for her and I
will always think that he is one of the good guys in this brutal
word.

Cristina

I was thrilled when Linda decided to record this (my favorite) Jackson Browne song, prompted by Debbie Kruger to do so.

[eddiejinnj]

I did hear that live version as that event was posted before. She sounds great. I know Rich, Holly it seems keeps popping up. I wonder if other artists' tribute bands are posted as pictures of those they are paying tribute to. Did that one bootleg, I can't remember the name but it was some live concert, that they were actually using Holly for the cover ever come out? That per se is REALLY wrong to Linda. Absolutely nothing against Holly but if you are going to put out a recording of an artist that has been around like 50 yrs you should get the cover right. I love "For a Dancer". I think they did a great job with it. I think making it a tribute/joyous recording memorialized the song and respected Browne's version which was too personal to replicate. eddiejinnj

[the Scribe]

Aug 18, 2017 13:40:42 GMT -5 eddiejinnj said:

I did hear that live version as that event was posted before. She sounds great. I know Rich, Holly it seems keeps popping up. I wonder if other artists' tribute bands are posted as pictures of those they are paying tribute to. Did that one bootleg, I can't remember the name but it was some live concert, that they were actually using Holly for the cover ever come out? That per se is REALLY wrong to Linda. Absolutely nothing against Holly but if you are going to put out a recording of an artist that has been around like 50 yrs you should get the cover right. I love "For a Dancer". I think they did a great job with it. I think making it a tribute/joyous recording memorialized the song and respected Browne's version which was too personal to replicate. eddiejinnj

I have to wonder if those who include Holly's photos are true fans or are just trying to put a product out? I have noticed some bootlegs are very sloppy about that and may not even be from the USA. Holly doesn't even look like Linda so it seems strange but then again Linda's looks and styles have varied greatly so maybe that is where their confusion comes in on their part. I recall Linda saying at one point (at age 50) that she didn't look like she did in her 30's or even look like she did in her 40's. Oddly enough I have found some songs on youtube attributed to Linda that aren't Linda at all. That is even stranger.

[the Scribe]

AUDIO:
www.pastemagazine.com/player?url=https://radio.pastemagazine.com/audio/320/4769158.mp3&title=Linda+Ronstadt+-+Rock+Me+On+The+Water&href=/articles/2007/11/linda-ronstadt-rock-me-on-the-water.html&type=mp3&autoplay=true&next=/articles/2007/11/linda-ronstadt-lightning-bar-blues.html#


Linda Ronstadt - Rock Me On The Water

Next Up:Linda Ronstadt - Lightning Bar Blues

Lenox Music Inn (Lenox, MA), 08/12/1972

Music> Audio> Linda Ronstadt>

Prior to Linda Ronstadt becoming one of the most successful mainstream artists of the seventies, she had initially established herself as a critical component during the development of the Los Angeles country-rock scene. Blessed with a powerful and immediately recognizable soprano, Ronstadt's voice had an edge that few other singers of the era possessed. Her early recordings as the frontwoman of The Stone Poneys, as well as her first two solo albums, were firmly entrenched in the country-rock aesthetic of the times. These albums primarily concentrated on the softer aspects of her voice as applied to country and folk songs. Her initial recognition as a solo artist came in 1970 when she recorded Gary White's moving ballad, "Long, Long Time," for her Silk Purse album, generating a hit single and proving that she could sing in a beautifully mellow manner. Although Ronstadt wasn't a songwriter herself, she was personal friends with many of the best of the era and her keen sensibilities at choosing their songs, as well as classics by the likes of Hank Williams, the Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly, proved her to be one of the most gifted interpreters of her generation.

Live recordings of Linda Ronstadt prior to 1974 are extremely scarce, which makes this 1972 performance, recorded at the comfortable outdoor setting of the Music Inn in Lenox, MA, a particular treat. Recorded shortly after the release of her self titled 1972 album for Capitol Records, this captures Ronstadt performing with an outstanding group of musicians that not only featured the Bowden Brothers and John Boylan, but also included drummer Mickey McGee, the talented pedal steel guitarist Ed Black and Chris Darrow on fiddle. This remarkable performance perfectly encapsulates the earlier phase of Ronstadt's career.

The recording begins with Ronstadt clearly defining her earlier style and form on Patsy Cline's signature song, "I Fall To Pieces." Following this, she delivers a lovely cover of Dick Reynolds and Jack Rhodes classic country number "Silver Threads & Golden Needles," a song she had been singing since her earliest performances fronting The Stone Poneys back in the late 1960s. The gospel quality Ronstadt brings to Jackson Browne's "Rock Me On The Water" indicates the kind of sensitivity she would later bring to the singer/songwriter material that made her a superstar in the years to come. The audience, sprawled over the comfortable lawn of this natural sloping amphitheater, are next treated to rare live performances of "Lightning Bar Blues," a terrific cover of the Ray Price classic, "Crazy Arms," and the engaging country flavored rocker, "How Long." Following band introductions, Ronstadt turns the microphone over to lead guitarist Richard Bowden, who delivers a hilarious monologue which leads into his equally humorous "Mail Order Dog." The remainder of Ronstadt's set is a powerhouse of her strongest early material. John D. Loudermilk's psychedelic country rocker, "Break My Mind," a rip-roaring cover of the Fontella Bass soul standard, "Rescue Me," and "Lovesick Blues" all display the more powerful aspects of Ronstadts' remarkable voice. And of course "Long, Long Time" brings out the lovely and sad emotional qualities that were essential to her best early work. Unlike the slicker sound of her later years, the raw straightforward approach applied to this performance is at the essence of its appeal.

Every artist who achieves career longevity inevitably has recordings that are perceived as career defining moments. For Linda Ronstadt, those albums would be Heart Like A Wheel and Prisoner In Disguise, both realized over the next few years. However, this remarkable performance perfectly captures the elements leading up to those commercial breakthroughs. As this set begins to illustrate, Ronstadt could easily vacillate between heartbroken vulnerability and gutsy rocking. Although still raw and unpolished, her innate charm and versatility made her irresistibly sexy and vocally captivating, regardless of musical categories. These elements would all soon combine to make Ronstadt the first female rock 'n' roll superstar of the 1970s.

[eddiejinnj]

Transferred posts directly related to the song on this thread from the previous one that was moved to General Music Discussion. I thought we had a number of guest comments re: the forum discussing Linda's music and as a forum I figured taking constructive suggestions might attract even more members/viewership. eddiejinnj

[eddiejinnj]

I think we talked about "How Long". It is the band Ace's song correct? The band Paul Carrack was in? It is weird but that is one song that comes into my mind jukebox that I sing. Many think this is song of relationship breakup but it was written because one member of the group was moonlighting with another group without telling the other band members. I would love to hear Linda's version. eddiejinnj

[Deleted]