Nils Lofgren – Black Books

 

Originally posted: January 24, 2016  
Nils Lofgren - Acoustic Live cover
  • Track: Black Books
  • Artist: Nils Lofgren
  • Album: Acoustic Live
  • Year: 1997

Lyrics:

One last time from Freddy’s joint
We drove out to lover’s point
Shared our last kiss eye to eye
Spoke of tender times long past
Said they weren’t meant to last
Too many different dreams to satisfy

She wants
New shoulders to cry on
New back seats to lie on
And she always gets her way
She wants to see other guys
Get lost in other eyes
Baby’s in the black books
Yes she’s in the black books today

The hardest truths don’t have a why
Often true love will just die
And leave a grief to haunt
The lonely nights and days

I’ve yet to find a dreary bar
Where whispers don’t drift from afar
About her wild and wicked ways
The hardest truths don’t have a why
Often true love will just die
And leave a grief to haunt
The lonely nights and days

She wants
New shoulders to cry on
New back seats to lie on
And she always gets her way
She wants to hurt other guys
Put tears in other eyes
Baby’s in the black books
Yes she’s in the black books today

She wants to hurt other guys
Put tears in other eyes
Baby’s in the black books
Yes, she’s in the black books today

Today, I am feeling introspective, and the austere perfection of this track perfectly captures my mood. However, don’t let the somber first three minutes of the track fool you into thinking that’s all this song has to offer. Lofgren is an amazing guitar player and at about the three-minute mark, the song changes into one of the most amazing acoustic solos you will ever hear.

I first heard this song—believe it or not—on HBO’s The Sopranos as the background music in the season three episode, Second Opinion. Fans of the show might remember this is the song that was playing from one of the dorm rooms when Carmela Soprano goes to visit her daughter, Meadow.

Lofgren is best known for being a member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. Also, he is a former member of Crazy Horse, a band that has often backed Neil Young. Please, if you appreciate musical artists who are masters of their instruments, then listen to this track all the way to the end. It’s a perfect accompaniment to a cold Sunday afternoon. Trust me.

(And if his voice makes you think a little of Willie Nelson, you’re in good company.)

Video:

No official video was produced, but I did find a high-quality audio track for your listening enjoyment.

Here is a live video recording of Lofgren performing Black Books:

 

 

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