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Rickie Lee Jones — On Saturday Afternoons in 1963
Album: Rickie Lee Jones
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 956









Released: 1979
Length: 2:23
Plays (last 30 days): 1
The most as you'll ever go
Is back where you used to know
If grown-ups could laugh this slow
Where as you watch the hour snow
Years may go by

So hold on to your special friend
Here, you'll need something to keep her in :
"Now you stay inside this foolish grin ... "
Though any day your secrets end
Then again
Years may go by

You saved your own special friend
'Cuz here you need something to hide her in
And you stay inside that foolish grin
When everyday now secrets end
Oh and then again
Years may go by.
Comments (66)add comment
 tinypriest wrote:
The child-like scene that she describes is made both personal and universal -- all of it so well executed.
 
Rickie Lee Jones was 9 in 1963.  Reading the lyrics it looks like how I might picture a sentimental time around age 9.
ahhh...her classic album

when she was with tom waits?
Wonderful song I remember from my teens off of that amazing little LP. The subtlety and sensitivity of this song is so finely spun it's almost unreal. The oboe somewhere out of nowhere is inspired. The child-like scene that she describes is made both personal and universal -- all of it so well executed.
Yes something besides chuckies in love, gave this a nine
Heartbreaking joy and loss and eternity ... plink!!!
 Cynaera wrote:

I agree!  {#High-five} They haven't been submitted yet, or they were rejected.  If you want them in play, submit them! Both are amazing, wonderful songs by RLJ.  I used to come home from my graveyard shift, too exhausted to do anything more than put that cassette into my player and fall asleep in the recliner in my living room listening to her music.  I could sleep with no dreams, and it was exactly what I needed at the time. I will always love Rickie Lee Jones - she fit into my life like Jackson Browne, Dan Fogelberg, America, and Joni Mitchell. And she still fits.

 
Nice comments.
I remember playing this album when some friends were over drinking, playing darts, having a good time. It was about 1982. As the album played it got quieter and quieter and pretty soon everyone was just listening, caught in the mood of the music. When it stopped we all had to snap out of it and get back to goofing off.
Powerful stuff.

Wow. My dad had that tape and I don't think I've heard this song in 30 years!

Even prettier now! Thanks for the memories.
 hallogallo wrote:

Awesome album. 

Can't believe "Night Train" and "Weasel and the White Boys Cool" aren't in rotation ...

 
I agree!  {#High-five} They haven't been submitted yet, or they were rejected.  If you want them in play, submit them! Both are amazing, wonderful songs by RLJ.  I used to come home from my graveyard shift, too exhausted to do anything more than put that cassette into my player and fall asleep in the recliner in my living room listening to her music.  I could sleep with no dreams, and it was exactly what I needed at the time. I will always love Rickie Lee Jones - she fit into my life like Jackson Browne, Dan Fogelberg, America, and Joni Mitchell. And she still fits.

Yep, me again. I'm sitting here, dealing with so many weird things - and here's this song, and I'm smiling, and crying.  Rickie Lee Jones is an amazing catalyst for anyone who needs to cry, or laugh...
Beautiful.

 So much for fucking magic ukelelis, it helps if you have some talent.
 Mandible wrote:

I'd love to hear more from her. I'm not familiar with this artist!!!!


 
I could tell you stories, but they'd probably be about me, with Rickie Lee Jones as a backdrop... (the music would be astonishingly great. The stories? Um, not so much.) {#Sunny}
Okay. I know I said it's a 10. But I guess I need a separate scale, because I'm sitting here in tears, remembering when I first heard this song, and all the subsequent listenings, each with its own set of circumstances.

She can still bring me to tears, or make me feel like dressing in black and be-bopping down the street. This song will always and ever be 10.
Up to 10. Rickie Lee Jones is my icon.{#Sunny}
I posted about this song in May, 2008 - and still, almost all positive comments. The song holds more truth for me now than it did in 2008. Life continues to happen, whether we're ready for it or not, and RLJ's song points that out in the most poignant of ways.  I still rank her music up there in my top five:  Jackson Browne, Dan Fogelberg, Joni Mitchell, Warren Zevon, and RLJ.

My Friday just got better.  Thanks, Bill and Rebecca! {#Chillpill}
This is a favourite of mine. Nice to hear it here, Bill.
 houston wrote:
31 years after this was released this is the first time it worked for me.
 

I am glad that it is "working" for you now. I am sorry that you have missed decades of enjoyment.
Yes ... I thought I recognized her ... really beautiful song and rendition by RLJ {#Sunny}
Love the oboe.

Love the whole thing.
Embarrassing that it took til finding RP to finally understand her greatness. Thank you, Bill.

This is a very good track from a truly great album. Chuckee was a hit and the cheesiest from the lp. But damn, the every single cut on the album holds it's own and weathers very very well. Even Chuckee now. But way more than half of the tunes are simply breathtakingly beautiful and amazing. And the way RLJ uses her voice as an ensemble instrument at times reveals her talent beyond normal measures.
 houston wrote:
31 years after this was released this is the first time it worked for me.
 
same here.

Puts me to sleep.  Good for bed time.
31 years after this was released this is the first time it worked for me.
Beautiful song that I've never heard before.  I'm pleased to know she did more than "Chuck E's in love."  Thanks RP!
lovely and appropriate song on my 24th wedding anniversary... "years may go by..." 

I'd love to hear more from her. I'm not familiar with this artist!!!!


 Tana wrote:

It's a great album, as are all of her albums, AND to me this is one of RLJ's best songs ever.

 
i agree. However Satellites and Stewart's coat is a very very close 2nd and 3rd.


 Shimmer wrote:
What a great album. This isn't even one of the best songs.
 
It's a great album, as are all of her albums, AND to me this is one of RLJ's best songs ever.


Awesome album. 

Can't believe "Night Train" and "Weasel and the White Boys Cool" aren't in rotation ...



Love RLJ, night train is one of my favorites by her
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Nice song from a great album, but Pirates is still my fave.
 

That's a tough choice. They are both beautiful albums.

this is one of my faves from a wonderful album...
thanks Bill & Rebecca....
Nice song from a great album, but Pirates is still my fave.
Pirates still makes the rounds on my turntable quite often, two fine albums.
how would anyone know this song written 30 years ago (unless they were there) - TIMELESS . . .
What a great album. This isn't even one of the best songs.
this song is giving me shivers - I cannot believe I've never heard it before.
 Tim_in_N_FL wrote:
I cannot believe I've never heard this LP from start-to-finish.  This is a lovely song...
Now on my must purchase list.{#Cheers}
 

Do yourself a favor and buy the disc. This woman uses her voice as an instrument to serve the songs as much as singing lyrics. "Last Chance Texaco", Danny's All Star Joint", oh hell, ALL of it!! You won't be disappointed.
 Tim_in_N_FL wrote:
I cannot believe I've never heard this LP from start-to-finish.  This is a lovely song...
Now on my must purchase list.{#Cheers}
 
It's a must-purchase AND a desert island disc for me. Dear Rickie.


I cannot believe I've never heard this LP from start-to-finish.  This is a lovely song...
Now on my must purchase list.{#Cheers}

Thanks for this one on a Monday morning......


Special friends are few and far between. Don't let years go by without them. This album is locked away in my vinyl treasure trove so it's wonderful to hear it here.

I still have this on vinyl.  And I was born in 1969.

Thanks mom :)
First time hearing this.  Thanks RP.  Beautiful
Looking back, a masterpiece album
Wow, I haven't heard this in SO LONG, love it love it love it always......
This may sound crazy, especially after reading all the positiv feedback for song and RLJ, but I've never heard this song!  It nice.
Gets me every time. Bravo Bravo
I've read all the comments on this song (one of my absolute favorites - the other is "Must Be Love"), and not a one was negative. Warms my heart to know there are so many RLJ fans - there was a time when I thought I was the only one. Just bought "Dutchess of Coolsville," and I heartily recommend it. Lots of B-sides, unreleased songs, and alternate versions. It's a fun, introspective, and sometimes surprising collection. As far as I'm concerned, Rickie Lee Jones can do no wrong. Uh, unless she starts getting into Vanilla Ice covers...
Most of this album is on my regular playlist. My personal favorite is Night Train. A masterpiece.
Years may go by ... SIGH.
I'm happy now...
More of RLJ, and while your at it, more of the prototype for this genre....early Joni.
Thanks, have not listen to this since my cassette of it broke years ago...need to get CD... ahhh College days.... when I was a radio DJ..thanks RP
Depends on which Saturday afternoon in 1963 you're talking about. I was either around or I wasn't. Admittedly, I would have been around in a diminished capacity. Mainly pooping or sucking teat.
sfearll wrote:
this album played almost continually throughout my senior year in high school... aaahh, the 8-track tape! thanks for playing such a sweet gem, Bill!
I must be your age, but I never made it to senior year. . .
this album played almost continually throughout my senior year in high school... aaahh, the 8-track tape! thanks for playing such a sweet gem, Bill!
Antigone wrote:
Ahhh, I always thought this was such a lovely song! Haven't heard it since I don't know when. Thanks RP!
Quoting myself here ... but I just love this song ... the piano, the strings, the oboe, the aching voice.
Three times and your out poor girl, how I wish it were not so? More Rickie Lee Jones I say, and to make my point quite clear I'll say it again More Rickie Lee Jones , get that? Please?
Excellent, thanks RP!
Thank you for adding this one RP! What a beautiful song.
One of her best songs off of her absolute best CD. Haven't heard this in a long time. She can still make me cry. (That's a good thing!)
Such beautiful sentiment in her songs. Perhaps on the soft side for me, but a refreshing change nonetheless.
Loved this song back in the 70's, still love it. The album is a little dated, but still a great one. I still listen every once in a while. I don't like to listen to it too often, because I want it to be able to evoke the same memories and emotions which I'm afraid that will stop if I listed to it too much.
Ahhh, I always thought this was such a lovely song! Haven't heard it since I don't know when. Thanks RP!
I really like this song even though it makes me cry. One of the few.