Leader of the Band

Dan Fogelberg

About Leader of the Band

"Leader of the Band" is a song written by Dan Fogelberg from his 1981 album The Innocent Age. The song was written as a tribute to his father, Lawrence Fogelberg, a musician and the leader of a band, who was still alive at the time the song was released. Lawrence died in August 1982, but not before this hit song made him a celebrity with numerous media interviews interested in him as its inspiration. Released as a single at the end of 1981, the tribute peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in March 1982. It became Fogelberg's second #1 song on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, following his 1980 hit "Longer". 


Year:
1997
4:54
119 
#2

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An only child alone and wild, a cabinet maker's son
His hands were meant for different work
And his heart was known to none
He left his home and went his lone and solitary way
And he gave to me a gift I know I never can repay

A quiet man of music denied a simpler fate
He tried to be a soldier once, but his music wouldn't wait
He earned his love through discipline, a thundering velvet hand
His gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand

The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul
My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man
I'm just a living legacy to the leader of the band

My brother's lives were different for they heard another call
One went to Chicago and the other to St Paul
And I'm in Colorado when I'm not in some hotel
Living out this life I've chose and come to know so well

I thank you for the music and your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go
I thank you for the kindness and the times when you got tough
And papa, I don't think I said I love you near enough

The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul
My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man
I'm just a living legacy to the leader of the band
I am a living legacy to the leader of the band

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Dan Fogelberg

Daniel Grayling "Dan" Fogelberg (August 13, 1951 – December 16, 2007) was an American singer-songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, whose music was inspired by sources as diverse as folk, pop, rock, classical, jazz, and bluegrass. He is best known for his 1980 hit "Longer" and his 1981 hit "Leader of the Band". more »

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Written by: DAN FOGELBERG

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Origin
"Leader of the Band" is a song written and composed by American singer-songwriter Dan Fogelberg.
Album Release
The song was included in his 1981 album titled "The Innocent Age."
Billboard Performance
"Leader of the Band" attained substantial success on the charts in the USA. It peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1982.
Song Inspiration
The song is a tribute to Dan Fogelberg's father, Lawrence Peter Fogelberg, a musician and band leader who inspired him to pursue music.
Crossover Success
The song also crossed over onto the adult contemporary chart, where it hit number 1.
Performance Styles
Fogelberg primarily plays the song using an acoustic guitar and his vocals, proving his skills as a musician and vocalist.
Musical Theme
The song is often categorized as adult contemporary and soft rock, featuring a timeless melody and lyrics.
Lyrics Interpretation
The song's lyrics have been interpreted as a touching representation of a son's relationship with his father, showing respect and acknowledgement of his impact.
Multi-Intent
"Leader of the Band" is both autobiographical and biographical, as it documents Fogelberg's personal understanding of his father’s impact and the struggles faced by his father throughout his career.
Personal Connection
The phrase "Leader of the Band" was actually the title Dan's father held as he was the band director at a junior high school in Peoria, Illinois.
Immortality Concept
The song conveys the concept of immortality in the lines, "The

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    Leader of the Band

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1982

    Billboard #9


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