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Jackson Browne & Bonnie Raitt — Kisses Sweeter Than Wine
Album: Where Have All The Flowers Gone
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3033









Released: 1998
Length: 4:34
Plays (last 30 days): 3
Jackson:
When I was a young man I'd never been kissed;
I got to thinking about what I had missed.
I found a girl. I kissed her and then...
Oh lord, I kissed her again.

Together:
Oooooh, kisses sweeter than wine.
Oooooh, kisses sweeter than wine.

Bonnie:
He asked me to marry and be his sweet wife;
We would be happy -- all of our life.
He begged and he pleaded like a natural man, and then...
Oh lord, I gave him my hand.

Together:
Oooooh, kisses sweeter than wine.
Oooooh, kisses...

Jackson:
I worked mighty hard and so did my wife;
Working hand in hand to make a good life.
Corn in the field and wheat in the bins, and then...
Oh lord, I was the father of twins.

Together:
Oooooh, kisses sweeter than wine.
Oooooh, kisses...

Bonnie:
Our children numbered just about four
And they all had sweethearts knocking on the door.
They all got married and they didn't wait, I was...
Oh lord! a grandmother of eight!

Together:
Oooooh, kisses sweeter than wine.
Oooooh, kisses...

Jackson:
Now we are old and ready to go
Thinking about what happened a long time ago.

Bonnie:
We had lots of kids and trouble and pain, but...
Oh lord, we'd do it again.

Together:
Oooooh, kisses sweeter than wine.
Oooooh, kisses...
Oooooh, kisses sweeter than wine.
Oooooh, kisses...
Comments (207)add comment
 ciarataylor wrote:

Singers for this song: a wife beating man and a lesbian singing about a man and wife who love each other, marry, have a family and children and live together forever as a husband and a wife. Hmm.  Not sure Pete Seeger would be impressed.  

 
TurtleMan wrote:
Ugly and ignorant. Isn't that special?
 
TurtleMan wrote:
Pete's death, what, 10 years ago now, hit me hard at the time, and it's still a little hard to accept. His music was so much a part of the folk and social-activism culture for so long.
 
I'm with you, TurtleMan.  This song describes my youthful fantasy, until life happened, and I eventually had to accept it was not in the cards for me.  That doesn't make me like the song any less.  This version as a duet really brings it to life.
 
And yes, Seeger was an underappreciated giant.  Not just for songs like Turn, Turn, Turn but my personal favorite, Snow Snow [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acYO1QLnKWk]:
 
Snow, snow, falling down
Covering up my dirty old town

Covers the garbage dump, covers the holes
Covers the rich homes, and the poor souls
Covers the station, covers the tracks
Covers the footsteps of those who'll not be back...

(emphasis mine)

C'mon, William, can't you find room on the RP playlist for this gem?  Sure would be great to hear around Christmas, when even the most jaded among us are prone to pensiveness?
A pretty naff attempt at a reggae sound. Some whiteys need to leave it be!!!
I generally love both artists, but this is SO dreary and repetitive. I regard it as pretty much a disgrace for both of them, I'm afraid.
Pete's death, what, 10 years ago now, hit me hard at the time, and it's still a little hard to accept. His music was so much a part of the folk and social-activism culture for so long. 
 LizK wrote:
  
 Bonnie's not gay.



 ciarataylor wrote:

Singers for this song: a wife beating man and a lesbian singing about a man and wife who love each other, marry, have a family and children and live together forever as a husband and a wife. Hmm.  Not sure Pete Seeger would be impressed.  




Ugly and ignorant. Isn't that special?
Good fortune brought us these two artists. To combine their talents on a beautiful song like this is magic!  
William's sequence in the playlist from Pearl Jam's "Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town" to "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine" remains one of the most clever and thoughtful in the Radio Paradise library. 

The first song tells the story of a couple who grew up together and then parted, meeting again only at the end of their lives in a chance encounter in their hometown, which one had left behind years earlier. The song is at once a meditation on "what could have been," and a pragmatic warning that "hearts and thoughts...fade away," a kind of "You Can't Go Home Again" framing. 

Thanks to William's care, the playlist then transitions to the next song, "Kisses Sweeter than Wine," an adaptation of an ageless folk song that follows the path of a couple who stayed together throughout their lives and enjoyed a life together of marriage, children, and old age -- a journey together that the "Small Town" couple never realized. 

Thank you, William, for your thoughtful approach to the curation not only of the songs you play on RP, but the way they flow together musically and thematically. We are listening.
I'm picking up some Dire Straits/Mark Knopfler in this. Is it just me?
 dandueck07 wrote:

As I listen to paradise a lot, this is just overplayed. I love the song, even this version. But, boy is is this overplayed. Thanks.

Posted 3 years ago by xkolibuul:

NOTHING on RP is overplayed. The oldest, tiredest, most blatantly inaccurate trope to haunt these comment links. Grrrr.

I TOTALLY AGREE with xkolibuul!!!  We all make judgements, based on our preferences / likes.  I love this version of this song so much that I downloaded the whole album and added it to my "woodshop playlist".  Whenever it pops up, I shut down the power tools and sing along. 

So, for me, at least, 3 plays on RP over the past 30 days would be an "underplay" in my mind.  BUT, since I only listen to RP  for an average of  4-6 hours each day, I would have to state that Bill and Rebecca's choice of how often a song should be played is JUST RIGHT 


My two cents: I've been on RP for months and it's the first time I listen to Kisses Sweeter Than Wine
 guru2012 wrote:

Hello guys from Italy!! We've been listening to your radio since since the beginning of the lockdown, and with you it's been a little better... Thanks!




Another Italian listener here, I wish I had found you during the lockdown, you would have made it so much easier to pull through. Better late than never! Thank you!

And this Raitt&Browne duo is a pure bliss!
 timmus wrote:

I would pay good money to hear them attempting to sing all these lyrics to "Wheel In The Sky".


LOL i love this. i love them together and love this song and the original.

anyway, great song to hear now and then as a nice treat, but not two days in a row. yesterday and again today. there's so much in the RP music library, why the repetition like this? ?
 jhorton wrote:
Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin'....

Honestly, the WORST cover I have ever heard.
 
I would pay good money to hear them attempting to sing all these lyrics to "Wheel In The Sky".
 Sturff wrote:

As I listen to paradise a lot, this is just overplayed. I love the song, even this version. But, boy is is this overplayed. Thanks.
 



This 10 year old post gets a lot of attention. I don't find the track overplayed, and bought it recently.
PSD  - good for home & auto use. 
On that first verse I was kinda expecting Willie Nelson to join in with "Still Is Still Moving To Me".
Not generally a fan of Jackson Brown - too whiny about the ordinary incidences of life. Love me some Bonnie. Together this works.
Most Excellent cover.  Nicely reggae.  
Overplayed? First time I heard it in the years I've been listening. 
 ciarataylor wrote:

Singers for this song: a wife beating man and a lesbian singing about a man and wife who love each other, marry, have a family and children and live together forever as a husband and a wife. Hmm.  Not sure Pete Seeger would be impressed.  



As a constant battler of terrible takes on these boards, this has to be one of the most ignorant of all the comments that I have come across. Sheer ugliness, combined with the facts that both allegations are FALSE. Not true. A simple search will show the baselessness of these charges.

The tireless work of both of these artists to promote social justice makes this slander even more grotesque.  Pete would be proud of the association AND their efforts on this great tribute album.

Please do us a favor, and slither back in your hole.



Sturff wrote:As I listen to paradise a lot, this is just overplayed. I love the song, even this version. But, boy is is this overplayed. Thanks.

Posted 3 years ago by xkolibuul:

NOTHING on RP is overplayed. The oldest, tiredest, most blatantly inaccurate trope to haunt these comment links. Grrrr.

I TOTALLY AGREE with xkolibuul!!!  We all make judgements, based on our preferences / likes.  I love this version of this song so much that I downloaded the whole album and added it to my "woodshop playlist".  Whenever it pops up, I shut down the power tools and sing along. 

So, for me, at least, 3 plays on RP over the past 30 days would be an "underplay" in my mind.  BUT, since I only listen to RP  for an average of  4-6 hours each day, I would have to state that Bill and Rebecca's choice of how often a song should be played is JUST RIGHT 
 sharkey wrote:

Mellow or Rock mix?



One of The Weavers asked to have his ashes thrown on the humus pile.
Solid 9. Way more than the sum of it's parts.
 bpemby wrote:


Been listening to RP every shift I've worked for the last 3 years and this is the first time I've heard this track.

Mellow or Rock mix?
 Sturff wrote:

As I listen to paradise a lot, this is just overplayed. I love the song, even this version. But, boy is is this overplayed. Thanks.
 



Been listening to RP every shift I've worked for the last 3 years and this is the first time I've heard this track.
 talexb wrote:

I first heard this song as performed by The Weavers (a folk group) on a record player in the mid-60's, but hearing this reggae version -- it totally works. And of course, Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt -- love these two voices. Wonderful music.



Also like Peter Paul and Mary version.  
 xkolibuul wrote:

NOTHING on RP is overplayed.  The oldest, tiredest, most blatantly inaccurate trope to haunt these comment links.  Grrrr.


This is the first time I've ever heard it on RP!  Either I don't listen to RP enough or you might be wrong!
This was a big hit for some guy whose name escapes me at the moment. Could it be Jimmy Rodgers. Love this version. Still a fav after sixty years! I think!
 ciarataylor wrote:

Singers for this song: a wife beating man and a lesbian singing about a man and wife who love each other, marry, have a family and children and live together forever as a husband and a wife. Hmm.  Not sure Pete Seeger would be impressed.  


I agree - Pete Seeger wouldn't have liked your comment at all.
 xkolibuul wrote:

NOTHING on RP is overplayed.  The oldest, tiredest, most blatantly inaccurate trope to haunt these comment links.  Grrrr.



"overplayed" translates as "I don't like this song". Fair enough, but I wish listeners would be honest and just write "this sucks donkey dick" or similar.
What a great cover...so sweet... brings tears at times. Having Mr. Dave bring the rocksteady arrangement makes it all the better.
Wow. what a great cover. 
I first heard this song as performed by The Weavers (a folk group) on a record player in the mid-60's, but hearing this reggae version -- it totally works. And of course, Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt -- love these two voices. Wonderful music.
 LizK wrote:
 ciarataylor wrote:
Singers for this song: a wife beating man and a lesbian singing about a man and wife who love each other, marry, have a family and children and live together forever as a husband and a wife. Hmm.  Not sure Pete Seeger would be impressed.  
 
 Bonnie's not gay.

 
And Jackson's not a wife beater.  So ciarataylor can rest easy - Pete Seeger would be mighty impressed.
Rocksteady Blues, I dig it
 xkolibuul wrote:

NOTHING on RP is overplayed.  The oldest, tiredest, most blatantly inaccurate trope to haunt these comment links.  Grrrr.
 

Agreed, these shiteposters can always PSD, or go back to their stacks of wax. Or, I think Corporate radio is still on the air...try that!
'Ho Hum'  
Hello guys from Italy!! We've been listening to your radio since since the beginning of the lockdown, and with you it's been a little better... Thanks!
 LizK wrote:
 ciarataylor wrote:
Singers for this song: a wife beating man and a lesbian singing about a man and wife who love each other, marry, have a family and children and live together forever as a husband and a wife. Hmm.  Not sure Pete Seeger would be impressed.  
 
 Bonnie's not gay.
Jackson isn't a wife beater, get your facts straight before you make an ass of yourself.
 

Original (adapted by Pete) version please!
 jimtyrrell wrote:
I haven't heard this for a" few" even though I have it. I'm grinning ear to ear for what a great song Pete wrote for us and no one could have covered it better than Bonnie and David!
 
Surely you made an unintentional slip:  its Bonnie and the fabulous Jackson Browne singing.  David (Lindley) is playing in the background.
I hear my buddy David Lindley providing his unique instrumental sound in the background.
I worked mighty hard and so did my wife;
Working hand in hand to make a good life


Doesn't sound like mighty hard work to me
 jimtyrrell wrote:
I haven't heard this for a" few" even though I have it. I'm grinning ear to ear for what a great song Pete wrote for us and no one could have covered it better than Bonnie and David!
 

Seeger didn't actually write this song; he and Lee Hays added some new lyrics.  It's an old, traditional Irish folk song.
I haven't heard this for a" few" even though I have it. I'm grinning ear to ear for what a great song Pete wrote for us and no one could have covered it better than Bonnie and David!
 xkolibuul wrote:

NOTHING on RP is overplayed.  The oldest, tiredest, most blatantly inaccurate trope to haunt these comment links.  Grrrr.
 
The overplayed comment was from many years ago. I listen to RP daily at work, and this is new to me.
Can totally hear David Lyndley using his magical fingers on the guitar throughout.  He has such an iconic sound.
 Sturff wrote:
As I listen to paradise a lot, this is just overplayed. I love the song, even this version. But, boy is is this overplayed. Thanks.
 

 
NOTHING on RP is overplayed.  The oldest, tiredest, most blatantly inaccurate trope to haunt these comment links.  Grrrr.
I always think of Jimmy Rogers when I hear this.
 ciarataylor wrote:
Singers for this song: a wife beating man and a lesbian singing about a man and wife who love each other, marry, have a family and children and live together forever as a husband and a wife. Hmm.  Not sure Pete Seeger would be impressed.  
 
I think you might be selling him short. 
 iloveradio wrote:
An 8 for Bonnie Raitt and Pete Seeger/The Weavers

 
Hear! Hear!  Play it with Pete.  If only we could have Bonnie with Pete?
 ciarataylor wrote:
Singers for this song: a wife beating man and a lesbian singing about a man and wife who love each other, marry, have a family and children and live together forever as a husband and a wife. Hmm.  Not sure Pete Seeger would be impressed.  
 
 Bonnie's not gay.

Singers for this song: a wife beating man and a lesbian singing about a man and wife who love each other, marry, have a family and children and live together forever as a husband and a wife. Hmm.  Not sure Pete Seeger would be impressed.  
Made me login and rate. Browne going to be in Jamica with Little Feat next year.
The original "Oops, I did it again" song.
Nice!  This album just got added to my list of what to pick up when I get back to civilisation!
Super crew on that album woo-hoo
thank you DJ 
 RedTopFireBelow wrote:
Really like Patty Griffin but this tune is just boring.   Yuk...  {#Stop}

 
Patty Griffin?
Really like Patty Griffin but this tune is just boring.   Yuk...  {#Stop}
An 8 for Bonnie Raitt and Pete Seeger/The Weavers
first time hearing this, I do like the tune! usually not a big j Browne fan, but Bonnie hell yaaaaa lol {#Lol}
 fredriley wrote:

And that's coming from a German? Most German wines are sweet (...).

 
 {#No}
 Stingray wrote:
There's a rule: Wine should not be sweet.

 
And that's coming from a German? Most German wines are sweet - you can count the dry wines on the fingers of your hands. Excellent wines, for sure.
very nice.
Pete!
Wonderful.
Pete Seeger wrote this? Wow
Great delivery by Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt 
wow, now that's a great cover. 
 Shaker wrote:
This makes me want a KISS!!!   {#Kiss}

 
{#Kiss}
This makes me want a KISS!!!   {#Kiss}
 I bet yuo eat too many 'taters too :-)


urff wrote:
As I listen to paradise a lot, this is just overplayed. I love the song, even this version. But, boy is is this overplayed. Thanks.
 

 


Ohhhh yes.... {#Hearteyes}
love this song/version - Good space, and Lindley's fills are so sweet!  {#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana}{#Guitarist}{#Drummer}
bonnie makes it WORK    {#Dance}{#Bananajam}
why does clicking on the album info take you to the album catalogue?  i want the track listing.  wuhappened?
 Stingray wrote:
There's a rule: Wine should not be sweet.
 
Some like it sweet!
There's a rule: Wine should not be sweet.
 Sturff wrote:
As I listen to paradise a lot, this is just overplayed. I love the song, even this version. But, boy is is this overplayed. Thanks.
 
 

It gets played less than once/month.  I can't really call that 'overplayed'.
As I listen to paradise a lot, this is just overplayed. I love the song, even this version. But, boy is is this overplayed. Thanks.
 
As much as I like this version, it'd be pretty cool if y'all played The Weavers version. In fact, it would be cool if you played anything by The Weavers. Or how about something from Pete Seeger. You don't have to play a lot, just one or two here or there every few months to change up the pace a little.
Really, Really, going back, back.. Jimmie Rodgers did this. '50's  
Reading down the page, all I had to do was to read that Lizard guy's comment. He must have been in Florida with me back then. 
Great tribute album.
I can't believe I'm saying this about a Jackson Browne song, but David Lindley is the best part. The rest of it is, to me, a lackluster performance.
Auto-mute
I was thinking the same thing - sounds like David Lindley in there somewhere!
Do I detect Mr. David Lindley in this song?
Nice!
I remember listening to Peter, Paul & Mary sing this when I was a wee lass......and I have to say, I'm loving this version much better with the reggae beat and their unique harmonies. {#Good-vibes}
Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin'....

Honestly, the WORST cover I have ever heard. 
Bill should segue this, one way or the other, with Summer Wine by Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood.

Just sayin'.
Sweet!
Really love this song.
Played as a reggae, it sounds so good.
I discovered this tune a few years ago thanks to Bill.

Thanks again, Bill!
These days are gone......
 Hannio wrote:


In spite of his name, Jackson Browne is as white-bread as you can get.
 
That may be, but Bonnie makes this one a 10.
 Stefen wrote:


The Jimmie Rogers' version was a bit snappier.  Actually, Rogers was quite a rising star until he was hurt.  As I recall, he had his head bashed in during a robbery and never fully recovered.  Or so I think.

 
From AMG:

"...he was briefly a superstar, landing "Honeycomb," "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine," "Oh-Oh, I'm Falling in Love Again," "Secretly," and "Are You Really Mine" in the Top Ten within about a year's span in 1957-1958. An original and ingratiating performer, Rodgers' records begin to sound like lesser repeats of themselves fairly quickly, and his minor hits are sometimes cloying in a singsong way. Rodgers had a long dry spell after 1960, but re-emerged with a couple of Top 40 hits in 1966 and 1967: "It's Over" and "Child of Clay." At the end of 1967, his career went into a final tailspin after he suffered severe head injuries in a controversial incident involving a Los Angeles police officer." —Richie Unterberger

I remember both "Honeycomb" and "Kisses Sweeter than Wine" fondly. This was like 3rd grade...{#Propeller}
 Kristi wrote:

 
{#Kiss}
I have heard the Irish song that this comes from, my grandmother sang it and a lot of others.
 NeilBlanchard wrote:
Greetings, Pete Seeger and Lee Hays wrote it, and it is based on a Leadbelly song, who based his song an Irish folksong: (click here) Neil
 
When I first heard this, I knew I'd never heard a reggae version of this song, but I also thought it sounded awfully familiar; kinda like it had always been there all along.

Now I know why. I've been listening to everyone involved with this record for most of my life. (They're together again for the first time.)

Thanks Neil, for pointing all this out.

 Ahnyer_Keester wrote:
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

man is this dull.
 

In spite of his name, Jackson Browne is as white-bread as you can get.

{#Hearteyes}
I like JB... but this is causing me intestinal discomfort.  Ugh.  Lame.
 Montyontherun wrote:
NExt song sweeter than this?{#Yawn}
 

The Jimmie Rogers' version was a bit snappier.  Actually, Rogers was quite a rising star until he was hurt.  As I recall, he had his head bashed in during a robbery and never fully recovered.  Or so I think.

NExt song sweeter than this?{#Yawn}
WonderLizard wrote:
This may be the first song, the Jimmie Rogers version, that really grabbed me. I was eight and had a huge crush on Missy Merz. Geez, that was over 50 years ago. Sitting down now...
Hey! Missy Merz is MINE! My hand told me so! oh yeah, that was 50 years ago. Oh well. :-) Dave
I'm looking forward to the next song.. it'll be here in a minute
This may be the first song, the Jimmie Rogers version, that really grabbed me. I was eight and had a huge crush on Missy Merz. Geez, that was over 50 years ago. Sitting down now...
Interesting arrangement. Bonnie Raitt raises the level of this song.
Greetings, Hub wrote:
This is an enticing arrangement of the old Jimmie Rodgers tune.
Pete Seeger and Lee Hays wrote it, and it is based on a Leadbelly song, who based his song an Irish folksong: (click here) Neil
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz man is this dull.
Perfect paring. SoCal session king DL keeps it real.
KSC wrote:
My guess would be David Lindley, Browne's long time buddy and sideman, who can play anything with frets. Amazing .
And probably a lot of things without, as well. I've been a fan of Mr. Lindley a long time: his sound his both unique AND understated. J.B. and B.R. are not normally big faves of mine, but on this song, WOW! c.
Hub wrote:
This is an enticing arrangement of the old Jimmie Rodgers tune. Here, the reggae beat emphasizes the cutesy lyrics but with all the talent on board - "We Have A Winner". I used to call David Lindley "Just Enough" Lindley when he first toured with Jackson because his spare, tasteful additions never overwhelmed the tracks. I've loved Bonnie from the first. Thanks Bill, you discover all the gems!
An excellent description of Lindley's playing. I've always considered him a musical genius.
Boosiewolf wrote:
Holy crap! After the first few guitar chords, I was bracing myself for the shrilling of Steve Perry and Journey's Wheel In the Sky! Thank GAWD it wasn't that! This is cool.
Same experience here.
LOVE this.
This is an enticing arrangement of the old Jimmie Rodgers tune. Here, the reggae beat emphasizes the cutesy lyrics but with all the talent on board - "We Have A Winner". I used to call David Lindley "Just Enough" Lindley when he first toured with Jackson because his spare, tasteful additions never overwhelmed the tracks. I've loved Bonnie from the first. Thanks Bill, you discover all the gems!
Zocket wrote:
Seems to me Peter, Paul, and Mary did it better a long time ago.
Neither was Burl Ives' version to be despised, however I find this heavenly!
Jackson sounds like Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits. Who I'd like to hear more of by the way.
I know its a tribute to the great Pete Seeger, but its hard for me to hear this as anything other than a novelty act. Same problem I have when Willie sings with Toots.
Holy crap! After the first few guitar chords, I was bracing myself for the shrilling of Steve Perry and Journey's Wheel In the Sky! Thank GAWD it wasn't that! This is cool.
thewaxtadpole wrote:
I don't like this. And most wines aren't particularly sweet, but I guess 'Kisses Sweeter than Coca-Cola' doesn't have the same ring to it.
I was thinking all of the above.
Our children numbered just about four And they all had sweethearts knocking on the door. They all got married and they didn't wait, I was... Oh lord! a grandmother of eight!