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Jackson Browne — The Load-Out Stay
Album: Running On Empty
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 551









Released: 1978
Length: 8:55
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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 know

Now roll them cases out and lift them amps
Haul them trusses down and get'em up them ramps
Cause when it comes to moving me
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 piano

But 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 came

Now we got country and western on the bus, R&B
We got disco on eight tracks and cassettes in stereo
We got rural scenes and magazines
And we got truckers on CB
And we 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 play

People 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

People stay just a little bit longer
We want to play -- just a little bit longer
Now the promoter don't mind
And the union don't mind
If we take a little time
And we leave it all behind and sing
One more song--
Oh, won't you stay just a little bit longer
Please, please, please, say you will
Say you will

Oh won’t you stay
Just a little bit longer
Oh won’t you stay
Just a little bit longer

And the promoter don’t mind
And the roadies don’t mind
If we take a little time
And we leave it all behind and sing
One more song
Comments (23)add comment
Never noticed that this is a very close musical rendition of "The Pretender".  Words, far different, of course.  But I found myself singing to myself all the words to "The Pretender" and found it quite intriguing.
Should follow this with Roadie by Tenacious D.
Great segue from The Avett Brothers - The Perfect Space
This takes me back to very young man. If I had this album on tape when I drove from Warner Robbins AFB to outside of Pittsbugh, it would have been on at some point.

It was maaanny years later that I found the fabulous Mr. Dave, and then that he was on the falsetto parts

I need to drag the vinyl out to see what condition the condition is in.

edited to say sadly no vinyl or CD....Jackson Browne, but this one....YT Music scratched the itch...and hubby's first full listen...surprised that Rosie was about masturbation. lol
 sheafitz wrote:

The story of the touring band told so beautifully by one of it’s grand princes, Mr.  Jackson Browne.  I hadn’t heard this song for long and it warmed me just a bit..



Confession -  Heard this song all my adult life and I never ever listened to what the lyrics were about. I just heard that chorus and thought it was a lover asking a partner to "stay just a little bit longer".  

Until just today.  
This live version was the encore performed at the legendary Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD on August 19, 1978.  I think the whole album was recorded at that show.
The story of the touring band told so beautifully by one of it’s grand princes, Mr.  Jackson Browne.  I hadn’t heard this song for long and it warmed me just a bit..
Have not heard this song in years, thanks bill
Mr. Dave's singing falsetto on Stay
Allman Brothers, Dire Straits, Jackson Browne, oh my.....
 stevesaw wrote:

Always appreciated this song...worked stage crew in college. Jackson Brown was one of the shows.  Bought beer for the Kinks, helped set up the gallows for Alice Cooper. It was an all day and night gig each time, but in return I got third row center seats for a lot of amazing shows.



Worked a small venue myself. Ran lights for Steve Earle, worked spots for The Call and Living Colour on their tours for the MTv New Music Tours, just missed working gigs by the Indigo Girls and Black Flag. 

It so happened I also worked the student radio station while having this gig and oddly enough I had this track on a cart hidden in in the hanging ceiling for when I was in a particular mood and the GM was in class and I wasn't in the mood to follow the playlist. 😂
Saw him two nights in a row on this tour, Bonoff opening (and almost stealing the show). Jackson in his prime, with the Section at their best. Damn, that was some good times....
"8 tracks" even.
My Favorite LIVE ALBUM of All-Time, as well as a great Concept Album.
Only Jackson Browne could do both.
I love it when a long song wins me over and I have to come back rate it so I remember it.
 stevesaw wrote:

Always appreciated this song...worked stage crew in college. Jackson Brown was one of the shows.  Bought beer for the Kinks, helped set up the gallows for Alice Cooper. It was an all day and night gig each time, but in return I got third row center seats for a lot of amazing shows.



Always good to have solid local support when on the road.  
The consummate singer songwriter !

Tell it Jackson 
My All-Time Favorite Live Album.
Only Jackson Browne could make a Live Concept Album about being on the Road.
Love his words, and music
 wolverine wrote:
Bill and/or Rebecca really need to add this great song into the RP rotation{#Frustrated}



I think they did.
Always appreciated this song...worked stage crew in college. Jackson Brown was one of the shows.  Bought beer for the Kinks, helped set up the gallows for Alice Cooper. It was an all day and night gig each time, but in return I got third row center seats for a lot of amazing shows.

Jackson Browne with David Lindley ~  By Simon Godley

Bill and/or Rebecca really need to add this great song into the RP rotation{#Frustrated}