About the song
Dan Fogelberg’s “Leader of the Band” is a heartfelt tribute to his father, Lawrence Fogelberg, and the profound influence he had on his life. Released in 1981 as part of Fogelberg’s album “The Innocent Age,” the song showcases Fogelberg’s poignant songwriting and soulful vocals.
Written solely by Fogelberg himself, “Leader of the Band” reflects on the sacrifices and dedication of his father, who was a musician and band leader. The song beautifully captures the complex emotions of admiration, gratitude, and love that Fogelberg felt towards his father, highlighting the impact of his father’s passion for music on his own life and career.
“The Innocent Age” album was a critical and commercial success, reaching the number 6 spot on the Billboard 200 chart. “Leader of the Band” also received widespread acclaim, earning Fogelberg a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male in 1982.
With its heartfelt lyrics and moving melody, “Leader of the Band” has become one of Fogelberg’s most enduring and beloved songs. Its universal themes of family, love, and legacy resonate with listeners of all ages, making it a timeless classic in the singer-songwriter genre.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of Fogelberg’s music or discovering his work for the first time, “Leader of the Band” is sure to leave a lasting impression. Its emotional depth and sincerity make it a poignant tribute to the father-son bond and a testament to the power of music to connect us to our loved ones.
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Lyrics
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