Friday Forgotten Song: You’re a Friend of Mine by Clarence Clemons & Jackson Browne

I’d wager there are a number of One-Hit Wonders readers have tabulated in at least a mental list or two. No, not talking about any of the infamous variety. Y’know, those ear-worms you can’t get out of your head, drive you insane, and make you ponder how the hell people ever shelled out good money to buy them. Los Del Rio’s Macarena immediately comes to mind, which makes me recall what Shepherd Book once said in a Firefly episode a few years back. In particular, what should be the standard torment for inflicting such musical monstrosity on anyone:

“…you’re going to burn in a very special level of hell. A level they reserve for child molesters and people who talk at the theater.”

Not here. I’m referring to the memorable, good kind of single hits. Today, one of my favorites from a fairly long list registers. You’re a Friend of Mine. Written by Narada Michael Walden and Jeffrey Cohen, released in mid-Reagan 1985. I appreciate the unlikely, but enthusiastic duet that drives it, care of a well-known saxophonist from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band and an activist-songwriter-singer. I speak of Clarence Clemons and Jackson Browne. Whether you’ve seen the classic music video for the song or not, its sheer joy and exuberance remains its main attraction.

Even if I have to step back from it from time-to-time.

Friendship the touchstone the Walden-Cohen tune promoted, and also one of the good qualities within the blogosphere that keeps me involved online, too. Not to mention, the number retained another telltale distinction — an unashamedly 80s vibe that electrified its delivery and made the track one of the most infectious tunes of the year, and era, to listen to. The song was released on Clemons’ solo album Hero and “…made top 20 that year on the Billboard Hot 100 (#18), Mainstream Rock (#16), and the top 40 on the Adult Contemporary (#21) charts in the U.S.” ¹

Just guess which was the #1 One-Hit Wonder pick. I dare you.

The song would lay claim to the #100 slot on VH1’s 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 80s in 2009, as well. Additionally, its music video recorded a couple of catchy cameos. One of the song’s authors made an appearance. That’s Narada Michael Walden reveling his stint on drums with the backing band, beating out the song’s pulse. And Jackson Browne’s then girlfriend, someone you may recognize from film, painting and recording the artists in the background. Even her singing in the music video wasn’t bad. I can think of worse things continually repeating in you head come to think of it. 😉

Enjoy the song and your weekend, folks.

Striking out?
Well count me in
I'm gonna stand right by your side through thick or thin
Ain't no doubt
Gonna win
A walk through hell ain't bad compared to where we've been

Oh you can depend on me
Over and over... over and over
Know that I intend to be
The one who who always makes you laugh until you cry
And you can call on me until the day you die

Years may come and go
Here's one thing I know
All my life
You're a friend of mine

That argument
I can't forget
We fought so hard I don't think I've recovered yet
The girls we knew
Who thought you were cool
I never introduced my favorite ones to you

Oh you can depend on me
Over and over... over and over
Know that I intend to be
The one who who always makes you laugh until you cry
And you can call on me until the day you die

Years may come and go
Here's one thing I know
All my life
You're a friend of mine

Oh you can depend on me
Over and over... over and over
Know that I intend to be
The one who who always makes you laugh until you cry
And you can call on me until the day you die

Years may come and go
Here's one thing I know
All my life
You're a friend of mine

Oh you can depend on me
I'll be fine
cause you're a friend of mine
yeah
I'll be fine
cause you're a friend of mine