Jesse Colin Young — Ridgetop
Album: Song For JuliAvg rating:
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Length: 6:52
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Well, I live on a ridgetop
And, Lord knows, I like it just fine
Where it's windy and foggy
And quiet most all the time
Yeah, my lawn is pine needles
And my driveway is old funky dirt
And my front pathway markers
Are pieces of granite and chert
Now, my taxes are high
But I don't believe it's a sin
I've got hundred foot pine trees
That just love to dance in the wind
And a yard full of bushes
That turn into pie in July
Between blue jays and hoot owls
I've got a twenty-four-hour singing sky
Now, when I built my house
I cut six trees to clear out the land
But there's thirty or more left
And you know that they're gonna stand
It's a squirrel sanctuary
They think these woods are their home
And as long as I'm here
I'll make sure people leave us all alone
Yes, the hill that I live on is steep
And the road's full of ruts
And the people who live in the flatlands
Think we folks are nuts
But the ruts in my road and the curves
Keep the tourists at bay
And it's lonesome and peaceful
And you know I like it that way
Now, I work in the city
I think my job is a gas
And I know it's good for me
To travel and get off my ass
But the nervous parts of each trip
Is the Golden Gate Bridge
And the road like a snake
That will lead me back home to my ridge
Ah, I live on a ridgetop
Yes, I live on a ridgetop
And I like it
And I like it
And, Lord knows, I like it just fine
Where it's windy and foggy
And quiet most all the time
Yeah, my lawn is pine needles
And my driveway is old funky dirt
And my front pathway markers
Are pieces of granite and chert
Now, my taxes are high
But I don't believe it's a sin
I've got hundred foot pine trees
That just love to dance in the wind
And a yard full of bushes
That turn into pie in July
Between blue jays and hoot owls
I've got a twenty-four-hour singing sky
Now, when I built my house
I cut six trees to clear out the land
But there's thirty or more left
And you know that they're gonna stand
It's a squirrel sanctuary
They think these woods are their home
And as long as I'm here
I'll make sure people leave us all alone
Yes, the hill that I live on is steep
And the road's full of ruts
And the people who live in the flatlands
Think we folks are nuts
But the ruts in my road and the curves
Keep the tourists at bay
And it's lonesome and peaceful
And you know I like it that way
Now, I work in the city
I think my job is a gas
And I know it's good for me
To travel and get off my ass
But the nervous parts of each trip
Is the Golden Gate Bridge
And the road like a snake
That will lead me back home to my ridge
Ah, I live on a ridgetop
Yes, I live on a ridgetop
And I like it
And I like it
Comments (91)add comment
I love JCY the original NoCal ridgetop hippie- I want a squirrel sanctuary 🐿️
Edweirdo wrote:
Yep on the Steely Dan - this is the first time I have ever heard this song - the intro definitely sounds like SD. I thought it was some obscure SD I hadn't heard...
Good song.
For shame, I'm not really aware of this artist, but the music is right in my wheelhouse; echoes of Steely Dan, lovely voice, great lyrics, fine playing. Thanks, RP.
Yep on the Steely Dan - this is the first time I have ever heard this song - the intro definitely sounds like SD. I thought it was some obscure SD I hadn't heard...
Good song.
For shame, I'm not really aware of this artist, but the music is right in my wheelhouse; echoes of Steely Dan, lovely voice, great lyrics, fine playing. Thanks, RP.
Now, when I built my house
I cut six trees to clear out the land
But there's thirty or more left
And you know that they're gonna stand
It's a squirrel sanctuary
They think these woods are their home
And as long as I'm here
I'll make sure people leave us all alone
I cut six trees to clear out the land
But there's thirty or more left
And you know that they're gonna stand
It's a squirrel sanctuary
They think these woods are their home
And as long as I'm here
I'll make sure people leave us all alone
Always been a favorite song, never fails to bring a smile to my face!
nomnol wrote:
Jim Rothermel per this reference (https://www.wolfgangs.com/musi...)
Nowhere is the chemistry of this band better realized than on "Ridgetop," the centerpiece of the set, featuring jazzy interplay between pianist Scott Lawrence and the breezy horn solos of Rothermel.
Who's on sax? Tremendous!
Jim Rothermel per this reference (https://www.wolfgangs.com/musi...)
Nowhere is the chemistry of this band better realized than on "Ridgetop," the centerpiece of the set, featuring jazzy interplay between pianist Scott Lawrence and the breezy horn solos of Rothermel.
sfoster66 wrote:
'dig a bit deeper' is right in the zone! :-)
New one for me...really enjoyable. Love those "what the heck is this?" moments. And as an added bonus...rhyming chert and dirt...I love when artists dig a bit deeper for a creative couplet...
'dig a bit deeper' is right in the zone! :-)
Nice song. Great arrangement. I like squirrels too.
Liam_Metaluna wrote:
Well, you lived through a clusterfuck. Polarized country fighting a foreign war with little empathy for anyone perceived as not one of them. Long may Metaluna reign.
When Nixon brought most of us home from Southeast Asia in December, 1973, this was an album I listened to a lot as I tried to get acclimatized to life again. More than once fell asleep listening to Jesse Colin Young. He was the first to play the Gorge in George, and I was there to get photos. Long may his music reign
Well, you lived through a clusterfuck. Polarized country fighting a foreign war with little empathy for anyone perceived as not one of them. Long may Metaluna reign.
Liam_Metaluna wrote:
Glad you made it home man. I was wearing this album out at the same time up here in Canada. Cheers.
When Nixon brought most of us home from Southeast Asia in December, 1973, this was an album I listened to a lot as I tried to get acclimatized to life again. More than once fell asleep listening to Jesse Colin Young. He was the first to play the Gorge in George, and I was there to get photos. Long may his music reign
Glad you made it home man. I was wearing this album out at the same time up here in Canada. Cheers.
I don't think I'd like this as much if I wasn't looking out my window at the Golden Gate. 
sfoster66 wrote:
Well, I just heard this song for the first time and I think you nailed it!
I don't really know this artist or track, other than the occasional play here on RP; but I get the same reaction every time. Busy doing what-have-you...track starts...man, this is cool, what is it?...oh, yeah, this song...gosh, this is good.
I absolutely love those. The ones that can take you away to musicland. That demand that you listen. Love it.
Well, I just heard this song for the first time and I think you nailed it!
Nice bass line. Been working on learning to play bass...maybe someday I can play this...
sfoster66 wrote:
To know this artist, you have to be really old... (like me). Agree, really nice work here.
I don't really know this artist or track, other than the occasional play here on RP; but I get the same reaction every time. Busy doing what-have-you...track starts...man, this is cool, what is it?...oh, yeah, this song...gosh, this is good.
I absolutely love those. The ones that can take you away to musicland. That demand that you listen. Love it.
To know this artist, you have to be really old... (like me). Agree, really nice work here.
I don't really know this artist or track, other than the occasional play here on RP; but I get the same reaction every time. Busy doing what-have-you...track starts...man, this is cool, what is it?...oh, yeah, this song...gosh, this is good.
I absolutely love those. The ones that can take you away to musicland. That demand that you listen. Love it.
I absolutely love those. The ones that can take you away to musicland. That demand that you listen. Love it.
+1 for referencing chert.
Thanks Bill....just thanks.
Who's on sax? Tremendous!
Never heard this before - great song. However, I think the lyrics are wrong:
"But the nervous parts of each trip
Is the Golden Gate Bridge
And the road like a snake"
The first line sounds more like:
"But the very best parts of each trip"
"But the nervous parts of each trip
Is the Golden Gate Bridge
And the road like a snake"
The first line sounds more like:
"But the very best parts of each trip"
'tain ! Ca c'est d'la 'stache !
Great song !
What is this all about?
“Look after the king of R n R please”
I've also never heard this tune before, but am blown away!
Thanks Bill & Rebecca!
Thanks Bill & Rebecca!
New one for me...really enjoyable. Love those "what the heck is this?" moments. And as an added bonus...rhyming chert and dirt...I love when artists dig a bit deeper for a creative couplet...
My first job out of college was at Point Reyes National Seashore, which was next to Inverness, where JCY lived and the place this song was written about. Saw him play several times at a small venue in Point Reyes Station.
had to login to say, never heard this song, but the home he describes sounds so very much like my own.
then I find out, he lived about 1/2 a mile from me, near Pt. Reyes in Marin county CA.
sad to read that his home (along with about 40 others) burned down in the Mt. Vision fire in 1995. (I moved here in 99)
the squirrels and jays DO own the place, by the way
then I find out, he lived about 1/2 a mile from me, near Pt. Reyes in Marin county CA.
sad to read that his home (along with about 40 others) burned down in the Mt. Vision fire in 1995. (I moved here in 99)
the squirrels and jays DO own the place, by the way
all_ears wrote:
James Rothermel
from his obit -
Jim has been a member of the Bay Area music scene since the late '60s when he moved here from Virginia. An incredibly talented musician, Jim was amazing on the clarinet and alto, tenor, and soprano sax, and was adept playing the flute, harmonica, recorder, and more. Jim was featured in over 100 albums, spread over many genres, mainly jazz, swing, Dixieland, and rock. Jim has played and recorded with many musicians, including Maria Muldaur, Jesse Colin Young, and Van Morrison. He put out CDs of his own with original compositions, "Memories of You," NeoClassic Swing," and another soon-to-be-released CD.
also -
I will miss you Jim and I am sure I am among a throng of people who have loved your musical voice over the years. You are gone but the music we made together will always be here. Right now Ridgetop is being played on some radio station in the US or Europe or Asia. Your passion and insight will always be alive. God bless and safe journey my friend.Jesse Colin Young
Awright, someone with this album, dig it out and check the credits on this song. I wanted to know who was blowing the hell out of the sax, and there are three sax players credited on the album. Credits are confusing me, too, as there are TEN people credited with "engineer", and they are all performers, too.
James Rothermel
from his obit -
Jim has been a member of the Bay Area music scene since the late '60s when he moved here from Virginia. An incredibly talented musician, Jim was amazing on the clarinet and alto, tenor, and soprano sax, and was adept playing the flute, harmonica, recorder, and more. Jim was featured in over 100 albums, spread over many genres, mainly jazz, swing, Dixieland, and rock. Jim has played and recorded with many musicians, including Maria Muldaur, Jesse Colin Young, and Van Morrison. He put out CDs of his own with original compositions, "Memories of You," NeoClassic Swing," and another soon-to-be-released CD.
also -
I will miss you Jim and I am sure I am among a throng of people who have loved your musical voice over the years. You are gone but the music we made together will always be here. Right now Ridgetop is being played on some radio station in the US or Europe or Asia. Your passion and insight will always be alive. God bless and safe journey my friend.Jesse Colin Young
I was born in the wrong decade, great stuff 👍
all_ears wrote:
Look after the king of R n R please
Awright, someone with this album, dig it out and check the credits on this song. I wanted to know who was blowing the hell out of the sax, and there are three sax players credited on the album. Credits are confusing me, too, as there are TEN people credited with "engineer", and they are all performers, too.
Look after the king of R n R please
kevrey wrote:
Look after the king of R n R please
I've heard this song forever. About 20 years ago I started doing long distance bike rides. Living in San Francisco the rides are across the GG Bridge and up through the hills of Marin through the redwoods that Jesse sings about. Since doing these rides the entire song has hit home to me, not only the lyrics but also the instrumentals-the hollowing feel of the song. It is so often, most of the time, the wind is blowing hard and foggy mist in the air. I know I missed appreciating the song when it came out, but better late than never. Now that I've gotten up in years these rides have become too long and physically painful to do. I miss the rides but the song brings me back there every time I hear it.
Look after the king of R n R please
h8rhater wrote:
How about a pick from JCY at the the Gorge in George?
Look after the king of R n R please
How about a pick from JCY at the the Gorge in George?
Look after the king of R n R please
dflee wrote:
Look after the king of R n R please
Haven't heard this in probably forty years.
Use to have the wax album version. Still sounds good.
Thanks B&R
Use to have the wax album version. Still sounds good.
Thanks B&R
Look after the king of R n R please
smartn1 wrote:
Look after the king of R n R please
Where does he live? I want to live there.
Look after the king of R n R please
darmah wrote:
Look after the king of R n R please
JCY was the love nest, necking music at the passion pit. SWTSU '75
Look after the king of R n R please
JCY was the love nest, necking music at the passion pit. SWTSU '75
Where does he live? I want to live there.
Haven't heard this in probably forty years.
Use to have the wax album version. Still sounds good.
Thanks B&R
Use to have the wax album version. Still sounds good.
Thanks B&R
Liam_Metaluna wrote:
How about a pick from JCY at the the Gorge in George?
When Nixon brought most of us home from Southeast Asia in December, 1973, this was an album I listened to a lot as I tried to get acclimatized to life again. More than once fell asleep listening to Jesse Colin Young. He was the first to play the Gorge in George, and I was there to get photos. Long may his music reign
How about a pick from JCY at the the Gorge in George?
a great fun tune.
now that sax!
I've heard this song forever. About 20 years ago I started doing long distance bike rides. Living in San Francisco the rides are across the GG Bridge and up through the hills of Marin through the redwoods that Jesse sings about. Since doing these rides the entire song has hit home to me, not only the lyrics but also the instrumentals-the hollowing feel of the song. It is so often, most of the time, the wind is blowing hard and foggy mist in the air. I know I missed appreciating the song when it came out, but better late than never. Now that I've gotten up in years these rides have become too long and physically painful to do. I miss the rides but the song brings me back there every time I hear it.
Holy sax man!
Once in a lifetime was enough. So glad he lives in paradise.
That's a lot of trees with squirrels in them for just one 70s rock & jazz-blend song. And then there's the travelogue aside, too.
I'm sooooo incredibly bored with everything by now, in our Time of Great Social Isolation, I was hoping a good fight might break out about the quality and quantity of emojis provided by RP.
I'm sooooo incredibly bored with everything by now, in our Time of Great Social Isolation, I was hoping a good fight might break out about the quality and quantity of emojis provided by RP.
Awright, someone with this album, dig it out and check the credits on this song. I wanted to know who was blowing the hell out of the sax, and there are three sax players credited on the album. Credits are confusing me, too, as there are TEN people credited with "engineer", and they are all performers, too.
wendyleefrancis1 wrote:
Chert is not volcanic. Similar to flint and ultimately sedimentary, although metamorphosed.
Chert is not volcanic. Similar to flint and ultimately sedimentary, although metamorphosed.
Chert is a hard rock, volcanic I believe, that was used by native peoples to make spear points and arrowheads.
OggieDogness wrote:
OggieDogness wrote:
What is chert?
What is chert?
Haven't heard this in years. What a true classic. My dream has always been to retire to the beautiful pines of northern California. And now that time is very near. Thanks Bill for keeping the dream alive.
Love this song. It takes me back to the mid 70's, when my boyfriend (now husband) and I saw JCY at the Uptown theatre in Chicago. He had the crazy idea that he wanted a perm in his long hair, so I gave him a Lilt permanent, but I left it in too long and it really stunk. We had to park pretty far and walk and it started raining. By the time we got to the Uptown, his hair was flat on one side and curly on the other side and stunk even more. Funny, funny memory - but JCY put on a great show. Husband does not let me touch his hair.
unclehud wrote:
I did delete ! Thanks, the music is better...
Lyrics:
Well, I live on a ridgetop
And, Lord knows, I like it just fine
Where it's windy and foggy
And quiet most all the time
Yeah, my lawn is pine needles
And my driveway is old funky dirt
And my front pathway markers
Are pieces of granite and chert
Now, my taxes are high
But I don't believe it's a sin
I've got hundred foot pine trees
That just love to dance in the wind
And a yard full of bushes
That turn into pie in July
Between blue jays and hoot owls
I've got a twenty-four-hour singing sky
Now, when I built my house
I cut six trees to clear out the land
But there's thirty or more left
And you know that they're gonna stand
It's a squirrel sanctuary
They think these woods are their home
And as long as I'm here
I'll make sure people leave us all alone
Yes, the hill that I live on is steep
And the road's full of ruts
And the people who live in the flatlands
Think we folks are nuts
But the ruts in my road and the curves
Keep the tourists at bay
And it's lonesome and peaceful
And you know I like it that way
Now, I work in the city
I think my job is a gas
And I know it's good for me
To travel and get off my ass
But the nervous parts of each trip
Is the Golden Gate Bridge
And the road like a snake
That will lead me back home to my ridge
Ah, I live on a ridgetop
Yes, I live on a ridgetop
And I like it
And I like it
[delete after reading]
Well, I live on a ridgetop
And, Lord knows, I like it just fine
Where it's windy and foggy
And quiet most all the time
Yeah, my lawn is pine needles
And my driveway is old funky dirt
And my front pathway markers
Are pieces of granite and chert
Now, my taxes are high
But I don't believe it's a sin
I've got hundred foot pine trees
That just love to dance in the wind
And a yard full of bushes
That turn into pie in July
Between blue jays and hoot owls
I've got a twenty-four-hour singing sky
Now, when I built my house
I cut six trees to clear out the land
But there's thirty or more left
And you know that they're gonna stand
It's a squirrel sanctuary
They think these woods are their home
And as long as I'm here
I'll make sure people leave us all alone
Yes, the hill that I live on is steep
And the road's full of ruts
And the people who live in the flatlands
Think we folks are nuts
But the ruts in my road and the curves
Keep the tourists at bay
And it's lonesome and peaceful
And you know I like it that way
Now, I work in the city
I think my job is a gas
And I know it's good for me
To travel and get off my ass
But the nervous parts of each trip
Is the Golden Gate Bridge
And the road like a snake
That will lead me back home to my ridge
Ah, I live on a ridgetop
Yes, I live on a ridgetop
And I like it
And I like it
[delete after reading]
I did delete ! Thanks, the music is better...
curtlichter wrote:
Haven't heard it in years, so THANKS, BillG!
Interesting (?) to compare the album cover with his Wikipedia photo.
Never heard this until now. Thanks Bill! Damn, that rhythm section is killing it!
Haven't heard it in years, so THANKS, BillG!
Interesting (?) to compare the album cover with his Wikipedia photo.
Brings back wonderful memories. Love this song.
The start sounds like Steely Dan and then.... vocals and lyrics begins. Garrrr-roomy!
Still sounds fresh in 2019.
First time hearing this song - Love it!!
My new (old) anthem for moving to the country. A rare early jazzy/rock song about the "hill folk" . Probably the only one ;^)
When Nixon brought most of us home from Southeast Asia in December, 1973, this was an album I listened to a lot as I tried to get acclimatized to life again. More than once fell asleep listening to Jesse Colin Young. He was the first to play the Gorge in George, and I was there to get photos. Long may his music reign
I grew up listening to JCY - I haven't heard this for years - thanks Radio Paradise for trip down memory lane!
Love this song. I live not far from JCY's Ridgetop and I continually feel blessed to live where I do. Also, he just has the smoothest voice.
As a non-American, but one who has visited San Francisco, Sausalito and Marin County in the early 1980's this somehow evokes that holiday.
Pity I did not make it in the 70's - a special time that I just missed out on but JCY has a lovely natural high voice that I can listen to without cringing.
Using LizardKing's methodology... a 6 for JCY and the song +1 for the saxaphone style of the time +1 for pure nostalgia = 8 from me.
Pity I did not make it in the 70's - a special time that I just missed out on but JCY has a lovely natural high voice that I can listen to without cringing.
Using LizardKing's methodology... a 6 for JCY and the song +1 for the saxaphone style of the time +1 for pure nostalgia = 8 from me.
Been awhile, Bill. Give it a spin.
Nice revisit, Bill...I remember this from back when vocalists had to sing well and the sound of a sax didn't equate with cheezy yuppie wannabe jazz.
g1lgam3sh wrote:
I'd forgotten this. RP 8)
Wish it had stayed forgotten, too! I always thought this was a very pretentious song.
I was gonna say this really sucks, but how can I do that to a guy that loves his squirrels so much.
I'd forgotten this.
RP 8)
Sweet.
lisa, lisa, where are you now ...
I turned this up so loud my stone deaf dog heard it.
He's just gonna have to deal with it.
nice crescendo ...
JCY
Y?
Because we LIKE him!
Xeric wrote:
Just switched over from my local NPR station because it was playing some horrible squawking 20th century "classical" "music."
This is worse.
Boy, there's no judging taste.
I have not heard this in probably 15 years
very cool!
Dig:
This sounds like theme music from some late 70's action movie about a cop in San Fran thats worn of his job and tired but loves coming home to his hot wife in the evenings.
*shrug*
8O
Just switched over from my local NPR station because it was playing some horrible squawking 20th century "classical" "music."
This is worse.
Nice addition.
cataloger wrote:
what the hell is this? Hippy jazz? Somehow the saxaphone just doesn't say "natural beauty" to me.
Jesse did a jazz album too I think.
This song is about Jesse's love for his place in west Marin County, north of San Francisco. I can relate...
JCY - woke me from my work...reminded me of KMPX...thanks Bill.
what the hell is this? Hippy jazz? Somehow the saxaphone just doesn't say "natural beauty" to me.
ooh! Elevator music rock & roll! This would fit in great with the mix my dentist plays in his office... can't get away from it fast enough. ugh!
This is great borderline with commercial but so enjoyable...yes...
WOW! Ridgetop. Haven't heard this one in way too long. JCY sure has a great voice. Recognized this one in the first two notes. Wonderful. 
How about a little Gray Day sometime?
How about a little Gray Day sometime?Old JCY, ex choice Bill!
Hmmm, Maybe it's this guy who's got my paradise! Never heard this tune before. Pretty good mental visuals there.
A most worthy contemporary of Loggins and Messina. Saw hiim recently at a small venue in Santa Barbara. Fantastic but this is better.
Makes me miss the Rockies...
Ahh, I've always loved the mood of this song.
I don't really know this artist or track, other than the occasional play here on RP; but I get the same reaction every time. Busy doing what-have-you...track starts...man, this is cool, what is it?...oh, yeah, this song...gosh, this is good.
I absolutely love those. The ones that can take you away to musicland. That demand that you listen. Love it.