For Everyman - History

History

For Everyman marks the debut of multi-instrumentalist David Lindley's long association with Browne. Guest artists included David Crosby, Glenn Frey, Elton John (credited as Rockaday Johnnie), Don Henley, Joni Mitchell and Bonnie Raitt.

The title track was written by Browne in response to the apocalyptic "Wooden Ships", a song written by Crosby, Stephen Stills and Paul Kanter. His own version of "These Days" appears here after having been previously covered by Nico and Gregg Allman. Nico was the first to record the song in 1967. Browne later commented "When did it I thought that he really unlocked a power in that song that I sort of then emulated in my version. I started playing the piano. I wasn't trying to sing it like Gregg; I couldn't possibly. I took the cue, playin' this slow walk. But it was written very sort of, kind of a little more flatpicking." "Take It Easy" was written by Browne and Frey and became the Eagles first single, released on May 1, 1972.

At two points during the album, Browne crossfades tracks into one another. The opening track, "Take it Easy" is crossfaded into the next track "Our Lady of the Well." The scenario repeats again at the end of the recording when the second to the last track, "Sing My Songs to Me" is crossfaded into the title track, "For Everyman." This technique was popularized by The Beatles across the second side of the Abbey Road LP. It was later used by Lindsey Buckingham & Keith Olsen in 1973 throughout the mastering of both sides of the Buckingham Nicks album.

For Everyman was certified as a Gold record in 1975 and Platinum in 1989 by the RIAA.

The cover is a depiction of Browne's childhood Highland Park, California home, "The Abbey".