In my cynical youth, I tried to ignore this song and focus on my heroes--The Clash, The Sex Pistols etc--bands talking about important things to me at the time. But I always listened to this song and really liked it. I didn't admit it to my friends in torn shirts, so I'm doing it now. I like this song darnit! And that's all right. This version is a bit overwrought, but hey, it's almost Christmas. RIP.

Dan Fogelberg was a part of the fabric of my life as background music for so many years that I feel I've lost an old friend. You can include me in the "didn't listen to much of the commercial stuff" crowd as I was wrapped up in Gabriel, Tull, offshoots, etc., and too proud, really, to listen to "soft rock." (Well, to be honest, for me, most of it was and still is unlistenable)

I can tell you this though: the stuff you haven't heard from Dan Fogelberg will knock you out. Fogelberg had the best voice I've ever heard, bar none. Pick up an early release like "Souveniers," "Captured Angels," or "Phoenix" and you will step into a world of haunting melodies, urgent pleadings, tight lyrics and masterful musicianship. Fogelberg sung nearly every vocal part and totally blew his contemporaries out of the water with his raw power and soaring harmonies. And if you think you've heard good love songs, check out Fogelberg's writing skills before you rest your case.

He's now gone forever and I am experiencing what every generation will eventually get to experience: the songs that are the background of our lives will one day stand as tombstones in our souls marking the moments of the past.

Loved ya, Dan.

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My favorite song of his is Leader of the Band. Great singer.