Jackson Browne and Leslie Mendelson Bring “A Human Touch” to Austin City Limits
Jackson Browne delivered one of the most moving and socially resonant moments on Austin City Limits with a live performance of “A Human Touch”, joined by co-writer and longtime collaborator Leslie Mendelson. Rather than revisiting a classic from his early catalog, Browne chose a song born from a much more recent and deeply human context.
“A Human Touch” was co-written by Jackson Browne and Leslie Mendelson for the documentary film 5B, released in 2019. The film tells the powerful story of the nurses and caregivers who opened the first dedicated AIDS ward in the United States at San Francisco General Hospital during the height of the AIDS crisis. The song was written specifically to reflect compassion, dignity, and empathy at a time when fear and stigma dominated public discourse.
The song later found a wider musical home on Browne’s 2021 studio album Downhill from Everywhere, where it stood out as one of the record’s emotional and moral centers. Performed on the Austin City Limits stage, “A Human Touch” retained that same quiet intensity. There was no attempt to dramatize the message. Instead, the power came from understatement, clarity, and emotional honesty.
Leslie Mendelson’s presence was essential rather than symbolic. As a co-writer, her vocal contribution felt organic and deeply personal. Her voice blended seamlessly with Browne’s, creating a dialogue that emphasized shared purpose rather than performance. The delivery was restrained, allowing the weight of the song’s message to speak for itself.
Austin City Limits has long been known for capturing artists at moments of authenticity, and this performance exemplified that tradition. Browne, now in the later chapters of a storied career, continues to focus on songs that engage with real human experience. His voice, seasoned and reflective, carried the song’s message with quiet authority rather than nostalgia.
Audience reaction reflected the nature of the performance. Attentive, respectful, and emotionally engaged. “A Human Touch” was not presented as entertainment alone, but as a reminder of the enduring need for empathy, especially in moments of collective crisis.
This performance reaffirmed that Jackson Browne’s relevance does not rest on his past, but on his continued commitment to writing songs that matter, and to sharing the stage with voices that deepen the story rather than decorate it.