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January 25, 2019
Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you classic songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, music legend Jim Croce tells his sad and lonely wife how things are going to change in the 1972 classic, “Tomorrow’s Gonna Be A Brighter Day.”
He’d love to give her diamonds and pearls to express how much he wants to make things right, but the hardscrabble musician can only offer a kiss and an apology.
He sings, “Well, I’m sorry for the things that I told you / But words only go so far / And if I had my way / I would reach into heaven / And I’d pull down a star for a present / And I’d make you a chain out of diamonds / And pearls from a summer sea / But all I can give you is a kiss in the morning / And a sweet apology.”
Released as the second track from his chart-topping studio album, You Don’t Mess Around with Jim, “Tomorrow’s Gonna Be a Brighter Day” seems to reflect Croce’s personal struggle with balancing a life on the road with the needs of his family.
Only 17 months after the release of this song — at the peak of his fame — the 30-year-old Croce lost his life in a plane crash near Natchitoches, La. He had just wrapped a performance at the campus of Northwestern State University.
In a letter to his 26-year-old wife, Ingrid — a letter that arrived after his death — Croce told her that he was homesick and couldn’t bear the pain of being away from her and their infant son. He was planning to stop touring and to concentrate, instead, on writing short stories. It was never to be.
Born in South Philadelphia in 1943, Croce struggled early in his music career, appearing at large coffee houses, on college campuses and at folk festivals. In 1972, he scored a three-record deal with ABC Records.
Later that year, he made his national debut on American Bandstand, which spawned appearances on The Tonight Show, The Dick Cavett Show, The Helen Reddy Show and The Midnight Special.
He was on his way and the possibilities were boundless. Sadly, his life ended much too soon.
Please check out the audio track of Croce performing “Tomorrow’s Gonna Be A Brighter Day.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…
“Tomorrow’s Gonna Be A Brighter Day” Written and performed by Jim Croce.
Well, I’m sorry for the things that I told you But words only go so far And if I had my way I would reach into heaven And I’d pull down a star for a present And I’d make you a chain out of diamonds And pearls from a summer sea But all I can give you is a kiss in the morning And a sweet apology
Well, I know that it hasn’t been easy And I haven’t always been around To say the right words Or to hold you in the mornin’ Or to help you when you’re down I know I never showed you much of a good time But baby things are gonna change I’m gonna make up for all of the hurt I brought I’m gonna love away all your pain
And tomorrow’s gonna be a brighter day There’s gonna be some changes Tomorrow’s gonna be a brighter day This time you can believe me No more cryin’ in your lonely room And no more empty nights ‘Cause tomorrow mornin’ everything will turn out right
Well, there’s something that I’ve got to tell you Yes I’ve got something on my mind But words come hard When your lying in my arms And when I’m looking deep into your eyes But there’s truth and consolation And what I’m trying to say Is that nobody ever had a rainbow baby Until he had the rain
It’s gonna, it’s gonna, it’s gonna be a brighter day It’s gonna, it’s gonna, it’s gonna be a brighter day It’s gonna, it’s gonna, it’s gonna be a brighter day It’s gonna be, it’s gonna be, it’s gonna be a brighter day It’s gonna be, it’s gonna be, it’s gonna be a brighter day Come on tomorrow Come on tomorrow It’s gonna be a brighter day
Credit: Image by ABC Television [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
