The Barricades of Heaven

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, your hippie DJs at THE ZOO are spinning a classic for you tonight with The Barricades of Heaven by Jackson Browne from his 1996 album Looking East. This track is a reflective gem, and we’ve got some juicy trivia to share. Browne has said the song captures that moment when you break away from home to chase something bigger, inspired by his own teenage years in Southern California. In a 2019 performance in La Mirada, he noted it’s not just about California but that universal urge to find your own path. The song’s ambiguous title phrase, “barricades of heaven,” is left open to interpretation, though Browne hinted in a 2005 KGSR interview that it’s tied to the struggles and dreams of youth. Fans on Jackson Browne Fans Facebook group often debate whether it’s a metaphor for California’s allure or a spiritual boundary.

Digging deeper, Zoo Freaks, the song’s got a collaborative vibe, co-written with Browne’s band—Jeff Young, Scott Thurston, Kevin McCormick, Mauricio Lewak, Mark Goldenberg, and Luis Conte. It’s one of the standout tracks from Looking East, with Benmont Tench’s Hammond organ adding that soulful touch. A cut verse about a friend killed robbing a liquor store was left out, as Browne revealed on VH1’s Storytellers in 1991, because it didn’t fit the song’s hopeful arc. Fans on SongMeanings speculate the “Jimmy” in the lyrics might be Jimmie Spheeris, a songwriter friend who died in a 1984 motorcycle crash, though Browne’s never confirmed it. The song’s also a gearhead’s delight—Browne played it on a 1930s Gibson Roy Smeck guitar for his Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1, which he described as having a neck “like the deck of an aircraft carrier.”

Now, let’s rewind to how Jackson Browne got his start. Born October 9, 1948, in Heidelberg, Germany, to an American serviceman, Browne grew up in Los Angeles and Orange County, soaking up the Southern California music scene. By 16, he was already writing songs, leaving home to dive into the 1960s folk world. He briefly joined the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1966 and headed to New York City, where he backed Nico of the Velvet Underground and Tim Buckley. His songwriting caught fire early—his tune “These Days,” written at 16, became a hit for Nico in 1967. Back in L.A., Browne’s songs were covered by Tom Rush, the Byrds, and Linda Ronstadt, and he co-wrote the Eagles’ first hit, “Take It Easy,” in 1972. That same year, his debut album, Jackson Browne, dropped with bangers like “Doctor, My Eyes,” cementing him as a cornerstone of the country rock and singer-songwriter movements.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with Browne’s latest gigs and activism on his official website, where you’ll find tour dates and his eco-conscious merch. Connect with him on Facebook, where he shares live performance clips, or Instagram for behind-the-scenes shots of his tours. Over on X, he posts about music and social causes, like his support for Native American scholarships. For fan vibes, check out the Jackson Browne official site for community links or join the Jackson Browne Fans Facebook group to swap stories and setlists. There’s also jacksonbrowne.com for discography dives, though no major fan-run sites dominate the scene. Keep rocking with us, Zoo Freaks, and let’s ride those heavenly barricades!