"For a Rocker" is a 1983 single by
Jackson Browne. It charted at #8 on the
Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The third single released from his seventh album, ''
Lawyers in Love
''Lawyers in Love'' is the seventh album by American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne, released in 1983 (see 1983 in music). It reached number 8 on the Billboard Pop album chart and number 30 on the ''Billboard'' 200. It was Browne's fourth st ...
'', it's also the eighth and last track on it. It peaked at #45 on the
Billboard Hot 100.
The song was something of a departure for Browne, a straight-out uptempo party number: "I got a shirt so ''unbelievably'' bright, I'm gonna dig it out and wear it tonight." ''
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...
'' commented on its apparent attempt to emulate
Bruce Springsteen's work,
[Christopher Connelly]
"Lawyers in Love"
September 29, 1983. and indeed Browne used it to close out concerts in the
arena
An arena is a large enclosed platform, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators ...
s he was now playing. This song was written as a tribute to
James Honeyman-Scott
James Honeyman-Scott (4 November 1956 – 16 June 1982) was an English rock guitarist, songwriter and founding member of the band The Pretenders.
With the band, Honeyman-Scott established a reputation, in the words of AllMusic, as "one of th ...
, the guitar player for the
Pretenders
Pretenders may refer to:
* The Pretenders
Pretenders are an English–American rock band formed in March 1978. The original band consisted of founder and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), James Honeyman-Scott (le ...
, who had died of heart failure on June 16, 1982 at the age of 25. The reference to Peggy Sue is Jimmy's wife and Jenni is her sister.
Chart positions
References
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1983 singles
Jackson Browne songs
Songs written by Jackson Browne
1983 songs
Asylum Records singles