Tucson, Arizona (Gazette)

Dan Fogelberg's song "Tucson, Arizona (Gazette)" paints a vivid and tragic picture of two lost souls, Tony and Mary, whose lives intersect in the harsh, unforgiving landscape of the Arizona desert. The song opens with a description of Tony, a young man who finds solace in his '60 Chevy, a symbol of his lost dreams and the only constant in his life. The car represents his escape from a reality marred by his father's death due to alcoholism and his brother's demise in the Vietnam War. Tony's life is a series of disappointments, and his anger and sadness are palpable as he cruises the empty streets at night, searching for something to fill the void.

Mary Estelle Hanna, on the other hand, is a young woman who fled from Louisiana to escape a failed deal in Dallas. She works a low-paying job in a smoky bar, serving drinks to make ends meet while dreaming of a better life in Los Angeles. Her encounter with Tony is a moment of desperation and a brief escape from her monotonous and challenging life. When Tony offers her cocaine, she agrees to go with him, seeking a fleeting moment of fun and distraction from her struggles.

The song takes a dark turn as Tony and Mary disappear into the night, leading to a tragic conclusion. Tony's mother and Mary's roommate become frantic when they realize the two are missing. The discovery of Mary's body and later Tony's, with a revolver in his hand, suggests a tragic end driven by despair and possibly exacerbated by the desert heat and drugs. The song captures the essence of lost dreams, the impact of a harsh environment, and the tragic consequences of seeking solace in the wrong places. Fogelberg's storytelling through the lyrics is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating effects of unfulfilled dreams and unresolved pain.