Leader of the Band
Dan Fogelberg
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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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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.
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Album ReleaseThe song was included in his 1981 album titled "The Innocent Age."
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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.
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Song InspirationThe song is a tribute to Dan Fogelberg's father, Lawrence Peter Fogelberg, a musician and band leader who inspired him to pursue music.
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Crossover SuccessThe song also crossed over onto the adult contemporary chart, where it hit number 1.
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Performance StylesFogelberg primarily plays the song using an acoustic guitar and his vocals, proving his skills as a musician and vocalist.
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Musical ThemeThe song is often categorized as adult contemporary and soft rock, featuring a timeless melody and lyrics.
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Lyrics InterpretationThe 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.
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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.
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Personal ConnectionThe 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.
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Immortality ConceptThe song conveys the concept of immortality in the lines, "The
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Citation
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"Leader of the Band Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1627845/Dan+Fogelberg/Leader+of+the+Band>.
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