Nothing but Time

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as they spin "Nothing but Time" by Jackson Browne from his iconic 1977 album Running on Empty. This track is a raw slice of life on the road, recorded right on the band’s Continental Silver Eagle tour bus while rolling from Portland, Maine, to their next gig in New Jersey. If you listen closely, you can hear the hum of the bus engine and even the gears shifting during the bridge, giving it a gritty, authentic vibe. Drummer Russ Kunkel kept the beat with a snare, hi-hat, and a cardboard box with a foot pedal, proving you don’t need a fancy studio to make magic. Browne co-wrote the song with Howard Burke, capturing the restless energy of tour life—wine, cocaine, and the endless highway, with lyrics like “There ain’t nothin’ but time between this Silver Eagle and that New Jersey line.” It’s a snapshot of the rock ‘n’ roll grind, where the bus is a “rolling motel” and sleep is just a dream.

The song’s backstory gets even wilder. According to a fan comment on Songfacts, a concertgoer named Jim Gallison was at that Portland, Maine, show in 1977 and remembers Browne turning to the crowd behind the stage during a break, playing guitar from his back, and singing directly to them. That night sparked a love story for Jim and his wife, who were married for 25 years and always cherished the memory of that performance. The album itself was a bold experiment, recorded entirely on tour—onstage, backstage, in hotel rooms, and on that bus. Running on Empty went seven-times platinum, becoming Browne’s best-selling record, and “Nothing but Time” stands out as a fan favorite for its unpolished honesty. A 2019 post from @JacksonBrowne on X celebrated a remastered version of the album, highlighting its enduring appeal with Zoo Freaks everywhere.

Jackson Browne kicked off his career in the mid-1960s, a teenage songwriter in the vibrant Los Angeles folk scene. Born in Heidelberg, Germany, on October 9, 1948, to American parents, he moved to L.A. at age three and grew up steeped in Southern California’s musical culture. By his teens, he was playing guitar and writing songs at local folk clubs, catching the ear of industry folks. In 1966, he briefly joined the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, contributing songs to their early records. A stint in New York City saw him backing Nico of the Velvet Underground, with three of his songs, including “These Days,” recorded for her 1967 album Chelsea Girl. Back in L.A., Browne’s songwriting prowess shone as he penned tracks for the Byrds, Tom Rush, and Linda Ronstadt. His big break came in 1972 when he co-wrote “Take It Easy” with Glenn Frey, which became the Eagles’ first hit. That same year, his self-titled debut album dropped, featuring the Top 10 single “Doctor My Eyes,” cementing his place as a leading voice in the singer-songwriter movement.

Browne’s career exploded with albums like Late for the Sky, The Pretender, and Running on Empty, blending introspective lyrics with laid-back folk-rock. His partnership with multi-instrumentalist David Lindley added a distinctive edge to his sound. Beyond music, Browne’s activism—tackling environmental, social, and political issues—has been a constant, earning him awards like the John Steinbeck Award and a 2004 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Zoo Freaks can connect with him on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather on the r/JacksonBrowne subreddit, where they share stories, like playing “Running on Empty” at pub gigs, and discuss dream setlists. For more fan love, check out Hotel Hobbies, a blog ranking Browne’s albums with heartfelt commentary, or join the Jackson Browne Fan Group on Facebook to vibe with fellow Zoo Freaks.