Redneck Friend
"Redneck Friend" (alternately spelled "Red Neck Friend") is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne, released as the lead single from his second studio album, For Everyman, in September 1973.[1] The track, which peaked at number 85 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, draws inspiration from Browne's admiration for Gregg Allman of the Allman Brothers Band, capturing a playful, country-inflected persona intended to charm a romantic interest.[1] Featuring prominent contributions from session musicians—including David Lindley on slide guitar, Doug Haywood on bass, Jim Keltner on drums, and harmony vocals by Glenn Frey—"Redneck Friend" marked a pivotal collaboration for Browne, particularly with Lindley, who became his longtime guitarist after their studio synergy on the recording.[1] Notably, Elton John provided piano under the pseudonym "Rockaday Johnny" due to work permit restrictions in the United States at the time, adding to the song's eclectic rock and roots blend.[1] As Browne's third single following earlier hits like "Doctor My Eyes" and "Rock Me on the Water," it exemplifies his early songwriting style, blending introspective lyrics with upbeat instrumentation on the Asylum Records release.[1] The song has endured in Browne's live performances and has been covered by artists including Bruce Springsteen, underscoring its lasting appeal in the singer-songwriter canon.[2]Background
Album Context
For Everyman is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne, released on October 15, 1973, following his self-titled debut album from 1972. A remastered version was released in 2024.[3][4][5] The album marked Browne's continued emergence in the singer-songwriter genre during the early 1970s Southern California music scene, where he was part of a collaborative circle influenced by figures such as J.D. Souther, with whom he co-wrote material, and the nascent formation of the Eagles, for whom Browne contributed songs early in their career.[6][7] Conceptually, the album served as Browne's counterpoint to the escapist utopianism depicted in Crosby, Stills & Nash's "Wooden Ships," instead advocating for a more realistic engagement with everyday American life, resilience, and communal perseverance amid social challenges of the era.[3] This thematic grounding reflected Browne's introspective approach, blending folk-rock elements with introspective lyricism and subtle rock influences to capture the West Coast singer-songwriter ethos.[4] The record was recorded primarily at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, contributing to its warm, organic production that highlighted Browne's evolving artistry.[8] Commercially, For Everyman reached a peak position of number 43 on the Billboard 200 chart, establishing Browne as a rising figure in the folk-rock landscape without yet achieving the widespread breakthrough of his later works.[9] "Redneck Friend" was issued as the album's lead single in September 1973.[1]Song Origins
"Redneck Friend" is solely credited to Jackson Browne as its writer.[10] The song was composed during 1972–1973, amid the creative sessions that culminated in Browne's second studio album, For Everyman.[11] The track draws inspiration from Browne's conception of a fun-loving alter ego, embodying a carefree, country-infused persona that contrasted with his typically introspective and serious songwriting style. This character was partly modeled after his real-life friend Gregg Allman, the frontman of the Allman Brothers Band, whom Browne admired as a rowdy associate from his early days in Los Angeles; Allman served as a former roommate and a symbol of spirited Southern rock influences.[1][12] Browne has described the song as emerging from a desire to balance his more contemplative material with something lighter and humorous, reflecting his evolving artistic voice.[13] Thematically, "Redneck Friend" explores the idea of loosening up to repair a strained relationship, employing playful humor and vivid rural imagery—such as references to moonshine, fast cars, and backwoods escapades—to depict carefree release from urban stresses and emotional tensions. This intent underscores a narrative of inviting a partner to embrace simple, unpretentious joys as a means of reconnection.[1] The song's title appears as "Red Neck Friend" on the back cover of the For Everyman LP but was altered to "Redneck Friend" for its single release.[1] In Browne's broader evolution, "Redneck Friend" signifies a pivot toward rockier, less confessional territory, diverging from the folk-leaning introspection of his 1972 self-titled debut album and incorporating more energetic, genre-blending elements. This shift aligns with the album's overarching response to the escapist themes in Crosby, Stills & Nash's "Wooden Ships," favoring grounded realism over utopian flight.[3][12]Recording
Production Details
"Redneck Friend" was recorded at Sunset Sound Studio One in Hollywood, California, during the summer of 1973 as part of the sessions for Jackson Browne's second album, For Everyman. Browne served as the producer, with John Haeny handling engineering duties and Al Schmitt overseeing the mixing at Wally Heider Recording in Los Angeles.[14][15] The track embodies an upbeat honky-tonk rock style fused with country-rock influences, featuring prominent slide guitar riffs, a driving rhythm, and a loose, rave-up energy that prioritizes a spontaneous live-band feel. Running approximately 3:23 in length, the arrangement highlights twangy textures from slide guitar and piano, balanced in the mix to suit radio play as the album's lead single.[16] A notable challenge arose from guest pianist Elton John's participation, credited under the pseudonym "Rockaday Johnny" due to his lack of a U.S. work permit at the time. Browne aimed for the song to provide a playful, high-spirited contrast to the album's more introspective material.[17][16] Post-production involved final mastering at The Mastering Lab for release on Asylum Records, ensuring clarity and dynamics suitable for vinyl and AM radio formats.[14]Personnel
The recording of "Redneck Friend" featured Jackson Browne on lead vocals, rhythm guitar, and as the songwriter, delivering the track's narrative with his characteristic introspective yet playful delivery.[1] Browne also served as the album's producer, overseeing the session to blend folk-rock elements with country influences.[4] Glenn Frey contributed harmony vocals to the choruses, adding a smooth, pre-Eagles texture that enhanced the song's communal feel; this collaboration occurred before Frey's formal involvement with the Eagles.[14] Elton John played piano, credited pseudonymously as "Rockaday Johnny" to avoid issues with his U.S. work visa restrictions at the time; his contributions included lively honky-tonk fills that infused the track with rhythmic energy and barrelhouse flair.[1][17] David Lindley handled slide guitar, providing the iconic twangy solos and riffs that defined the song's country-rock sound and gave it a distinctive, rootsy edge.[14] Jim Keltner, a renowned session drummer, laid down the drums, delivering an energetic shuffling beat that propelled the upbeat tempo and groove.[14] Doug Haywood supplied the bass, offering a steady foundation that supported the track's lively rhythm and ensured a cohesive low-end drive; while Leland Sklar appeared on bass for other album tracks, Haywood was the primary bassist here.[14]Release and Commercial Performance
Single Release
"Redneck Friend" was released in September 1973 as the lead single from Jackson Browne's album For Everyman by Asylum Records.[1][11] The single was primarily issued as a 7-inch vinyl record at 45 RPM, featuring "Redneck Friend" as the A-side and "These Times You've Come" as the B-side.[18] Promotional copies were produced for markets including the UK and Germany, while commercial versions were available in France, Japan, and other countries.[18] On the single labels, the title appeared as "Redneck Friend" without a space, differing from the album's track listing of "Red Neck Friend," a change possibly intended to enhance its appeal for radio play.[1] As Browne's second album followed his more folk-oriented debut, the single positioned "Redneck Friend" as a rock-leaning track to broaden his audience, with airplay targeted at album-oriented rock stations.[11] The song was featured in setlists during Browne's early promotional tours for For Everyman, including performances at venues like The Roxy in West Hollywood in October 1973 and Hampton Coliseum in August 1973.[19][20] Some international releases, such as the French edition, included a picture sleeve featuring a photograph of Browne, tying into the album's visual style, though no music video was produced given the pre-MTV era.[21]Chart Positions
"Redneck Friend" achieved modest commercial success on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 85 during its 10-week run.[11]| Chart (1973) | Peak Position | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 85 | 10 |