The Eagles are one of the most iconic and influential rock bands of all time. Formed in Los Angeles in the early 1970s, their smooth harmonies and country-tinged soft rock defined an era in music. Spanning multiple decades, the Eagles have given us countless timeless classics that continue to resonate with audiences today. Let's revisit the top 20 Eagles songs that have soared into music history.
Top 20 Eagles Songs Of All Time
Before going into details of each song separately, we have compiled a list of all the top 20 Eagles Songs in the following table. You can jump to any song details by clicking its name from the following table.
| Sr. No. | Song Name | Release Year |
| 1 | 1973 | |
| 2 | 1976 | |
| 3 | 1972 | |
| 4 | 1979 | |
| 5 | 1975 | |
| 6 | 1975 | |
| 7 | 1975 | |
| 8 | 1972 | |
| 9 | 1976 | |
| 10 | 1973 | |
| 11 | 1976 | |
| 12 | 1979 | |
| 13 | 1979 | |
| 14 | 1974 | |
| 15 | 1972 | |
| 16 | 1974 | |
| 17 | 1974 | |
| 18 | 1980 | |
| 19 | 1975 | |
| 20 | 1976 |
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1 - Desperado (1973)
- Album: Desperado
- Release Date: April 2, 1973
- Genre: Country rock, soft rock
- Lyrics: The song paints a sympathetic portrait of a hardened outlaw who refuses to fall in love
- Songwriters: Glenn Frey, Don Henley
- To Watch:Click Here
Desperado is a standout ballad featuring Don Henley on lead vocals. With its sparse strings and guitar work, haunting lyrics and soaring harmonies on the choruses, it evokes the loneliness of an outlaw unable to give up his rough ways to settle down. The emotional lyrics describe a desperado who is advised to let go of his solitary existence for a chance at love but refuses to do so out of hardened stubbornness and pain from past heartbreak. Henley's affecting vocals pair with the lamenting tones of the piano, strings and guitar to create a cinematic old Western feel.
The song's themes of world-weariness and vulnerability in romance make it a favorite among fans. Desperado showcases Henley vocal range and the band's sensitive musicality in crafting poignant ballads. It provides a glimpse into the inner turmoil and inability to open up felt by many emotionally damaged figures. With its unforgettable melody and lyricism, Desperado is often considered the Eagles' first great song and set them apart from other country rock groups of the 1970s as keen chroniclers of loneliness in the American West.
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2 - Hotel California (1976)
- Album: Hotel California
- Release Date: December 8, 1976
- Genre: Soft rock
- Lyrics: The cryptic lyrics explore hedonism and excess in America with themes of seduction and narcissism
- Songwriters: Don Felder, Don Henley, Glenn Frey
- To Watch: Click Here
The title track of the Eagles' 1976 album, Hotel California features one of the most iconic guitar duels in rock history. Opening with arpeggiated guitar chords, Don Henley ominous vocals lead us on a dark journey touching on the excesses of fame and the endless search for deeper meaning. The guitar solos midway through the song are legendary. Beyond just the guitar work, Hotel California is famous for cryptic lyrics that have been analyzed for generations. Interpretations vary widely, from it portraying drug addiction to critiquing the hedonistic lifestyle of Southern California. Henley's sinister yet seductive vocal performance paints vivid scenes of late nights filled with excess, populated by cynical yet lost characters unable to escape.
Descriptions of a glamorous inn that can never be left provoke existential questions about free will and entrapment by fame. Haunting lines like You can check out anytime you like / But you can never leave have achieved iconic status. The song's multiple guitar parts mingle flawlessly while building dramatic tension toward the blistering solos. Hotel California provides commentary on America's obsession with wealth and stardom, touching on the idea that achieving every worldly dream still leaves one feeling disillusioned and trapped. Its masterful instrumentation and ambiguous symbolism make it one of the most analyzed songs in history.
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3 - Take It Easy (1972)
- Album: Eagles
- Release Date: June 1, 1972
- Genre: Country rock
- Lyrics: An ode to the carefree wandering spirit of the American Southwest
- Songwriters: Jackson Browne, Glenn Frey
- To Watch: Click Here
As the Eagles' debut single, Take It Easy firmly established their smooth country-folk-rock style. With its catchy opening guitar riff and lyrics about a lone drifter in the desert, the song captures a sense of wanderlust and escapism that struck a chord with 1970s listeners. The lyrics by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey evoke colorful imagery of the drifter stopping in small Southwestern towns, appreciating the nature and people found there. Frey mellow yet gritty vocals paired with the tune chugging country-rock groove creates a breezy, contemplative road trip vibe. Lines like Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy captures the mindset of leaving worries behind.
Take It Easy also contains geographical references to real locations like Winslow, Arizona that added regional flavor. The song La La La choruses sing along folk-pop at its finest. Overall, the track celebration of freeway freedom and sunny outlook became a laidback anthem for a generation, neatly summarizing the Eagles' quintessential California sound. Beyond its easy going sound, the lyricism and musical chemistry of Take It Easy demonstrated the new band's talent and cemented the Eagles as leaders of the emerging country-tinged rock genre.
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4 - The Long Run (1979)
- Album: The Long Run
- Release Date: September 24, 1979
- Genre: Rock, soft rock
- Lyrics: A reflection on the difficult journey toward artistic and personal fulfillment
- Songwriters: Don Henley, Glenn Frey
- To Watch: Click Here
The title track of their 1979 album, The Long Run discusses the challenges of staying true to your dreams. Propelled by Timothy B. Schmit pulsing bass and Don Henley powerful vocals, the anthemic choruses capture the emotional struggles on the road to achievement. Lyrics contemplate the discipline and determination needed to stick to your ambitions without compromise over the years. Henley's soulful delivery paired with the dramatic drums and guitar virtually will drive the listener forward in chasing their goals against all odds and frustrations. The Long Run recognizes that realizing one potential often means sacrifice and self-doubt, even as you taste success.
The song balances world-weariness won through experience with the glimmers of wisdom and maturity that make perseverance worthwhile. Beyond just a personal mission statement, The Long Run has a universal quality with messages applicable to any monumental endeavor. For the Eagles themselves nearing the end of their iconic run, the song had extra poignancy about the pressures of the music industry. Epic guitar parts and sweeping vocals give The Long Run a cathartic, anthem-like feel that inspired generations to keep chasing their biggest dreams.
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5 - One of These Nights (1975)
- Album: One of These Nights
- Release Date: June 10, 1975
- Genre: Country rock, soft rock
- Lyrics: A smoldering sensual plea from a man desperate to rekindle a lost romance
- Songwriters: Don Henley, Glenn Frey
- To Watch: Click Here
The title track of their 1975 album, One of These Nights features Don Henley husky lead vocals over smooth harmonies and driving rhythms. It was a sultry, late-night serenade that showed the band branching into radio-friendly pop territories. Henley minor-key vocals have an urgent, brooding tone that captures the yearning to revive passion in a faded relationship. Smooth backing vocals and humming set an after-dark mood, as romantic lyrics reveal a man's desire to reunite with his elusive lover.
Slinky guitar licks and propulsive drums give a seductive groove to enhance the song's dreamy sensuality. At the time, One of These Nights demonstrated the band venturing into deeper, more vulnerable themes of lost intimacy. Don Henley's raspy vocal delivery proved his versatility as a frontman on one of the Eagles' most overtly romantic releases. The silky harmonies and synthesizers added pop polish, showing their ability to evolve with the times. One of These Nights became the Eagles' breakthrough #1 single, broadening their sound for wider commercial success.
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6 - Take It to the Limit (1975)
- Album: One of These Nights
- Release Date: June 10, 1975
- Genre: Soft rock
- Lyrics: An assertion of determination in the face of adversity
- Songwriters: Randy Meisner, Don Henley, Glenn Frey
- To Watch: Click Here
Sung by bassist Randy Meisner, Take It to the Limit is an ode to perseverance through hard times. With Meisner high tenor and lyrics urging the listener to never settle for the path of least resistance, it remains an anthem for overcoming difficult challenges in life. Soaring backing vocals and an uplifting melody elevate the song message of resilience and faith in yourself when faced with seemingly impossible obstacles. Meisner's earnest lead vocal performance paired with the smooth instrumentation gives Take It to the Limit an inspirational yet grounded vibe.
The track builds in intensity and emotion from start to finish, culminating in the moving final repetition of take it to the limit one more time. Beyond the motivational lyrics, the song has added poignancy coming from Meisner, who was plagued by exhaustion and self-doubt while touring extensively with the band. Take It to the Limit represents the Eagles venturing into more personal, introspective themes in the mid-1970s as they dealt with their own pressures and struggles beneath the fame.
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7 - Lyin' Eyes (1975)
- Album: One of These Nights
- Release Date: June 10, 1975
- Genre: Country rock, soft rock
- Lyrics: A story of a woman trapped in a stale marriage who seeks fulfillment from an affair
- Songwriters: Don Henley, Glenn Frey
- To Watch: Click Here
Lyin' Eyes became one of the Eagles' signature story songs, featuring Glenn Frey on lead vocals. With a smooth mix of country and pop, colorful lyrics follow a wealthy married woman in Los Angeles who cannot resist temptation and excitement outside her relationship. The vivid narrative describes the protagonist seeking escape through a tryst with a younger man. But despite romanticizing their encounters, she ultimately returns to her stable yet passionless marriage out of resignation and dependence. Frey earnest vocals follow the nuances of her emotional journey.
Meanwhile, the song's mellow groove with touches of pedal steel guitar evokes the laidback LA atmosphere. Lyin' Eyes demonstrated the Eagles' mastery of songwriting that reads like a short story against the backdrop of 70s Southern California. Lyrically complex yet musically accessible, it exemplifies their ability to craft compelling tales for the radio. Beyond just soap opera drama, the song offers thoughtful social commentary on women feeling unfulfilled in stale relationships and strict gender roles. The sympathetic portrait of a lyin' eyes woman remains one of the Eagles' most vivid character studies.
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8 - Peaceful Easy Feeling (1972)
- Album: Eagles
- Release Date: June 1, 1972
- Genre: Country rock, soft rock
- Lyrics: A declaration of contentment in finding love
- Songwriter: Jack Tempchin
- To Watch: Click Here
This mellow track from the band's debut album is a fan favorite. Written by Jack Tempchin, Peaceful Easy Feeling has an infectious, laid back vibe driven by fingerpicked guitar that matches the lyrics about the joy of being comfortable in a relationship. Tempchin earnest, heartfelt lyrics describe how a newfound love has brought simple happiness, using pastoral metaphors like a peaceful, easy feeling. Don Henley warm lead vocals pair perfectly with the gentle acoustic guitar and touches of pedal steel guitar to create a serene country-pop sound.
The chorus vocal harmonies layered over the chilled-out instrumentation give the song an escapist, free-spirited sensibility. Released when the Eagles were still establishing themselves, Peaceful Easy Feeling became an early signature displaying their laidback California vibe and ability to craft feel-good love songs. Its timeless, romantic lyrics of being content in each other's company explain why it remains a wedding and anniversary favorite decades later.
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9 - Life in the Fast Lane (1976)
- Album: Hotel California
- Release Date: December 8, 1976
- Genre: Hard rock
- Lyrics: A cautionary tale about the dangerous excesses of life in the fast lane
- Songwriters: Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh
- To Watch: Click Here
Powered by Joe Walsh hard-rocking riff, Life in the Fast Lane is a standout Eagles track that veered into heavier territory. Don Henley's raspy voice urgently recounts the wild ride of an out-of-control couple caught up in the LA party lifestyle. Vivid lyrics use racing metaphors to describe their reckless drug and alcohol consumption, dangerous driving and obsessive nights spent in glitzy bars. Henley ominous yet cynical vocal performance combines with frenzied drums and swirling guitar licks to create an on-the-edge feel.
The blunt lyrics serve as a caution about excess and addiction. But the song equally conjures the restless, hungry allure of life on the razor edge. Adding gritty guitar wizard Joe Walsh to the band opened up a harder rock sound which Life in the Fast Lane captures perfectly. The track takes listeners directly into the perilous thrill ride the couple cannot stop. Even as their toxic relationship hurtles toward disaster, the vivid rock instrumentation irresistibly draws us into the fast lane.
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10 - Tequila Sunrise (1973)
- Album: Desperado
- Release Date: April 2, 1973
- Genre: Country rock
- Lyrics: A melancholic ode to a romance coming to its inevitable end
- Songwriter: Don Henley, Glenn Frey
- To Watch: Click Here
Tequila Sunrise is a bittersweet song anchored by Don Henley soulful lead vocals and lush harmonies. Capturing the sadness of a fading love affair, it takes its name from the beautiful but fleeting imagery of a sunrise over Southern California. The lyrical metaphor of an inevitable dawn fits the gently mournful tone, as Henley affecting vocals lament the end of a once-meaningful relationship. Smooth backing harmonies and pedal steel guitar set a dreamy western soundtrack that evokes nostalgia for the good times now gone.
Yet the instrumental warmth suggests some lingering consolation remains amidst the heartache. Lines like It too late to stop now acknowledge the cycle of life and love lost. Tequila Sunrise demonstrated the Eagles' poetic sensibilities in weaving pure emotion into vivid scenes. The song's melancholic beauty established them as masters of poignant ballads that linger in listeners' hearts.
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11 - New Kid in Town (1976)
- Album: Hotel California
- Release Date: December 8, 1976
- Genre: Country rock, soft rock
- Lyrics: A reflection on the fleeting nature of fame and stardom
- Songwriters: Don Henley, Glenn Frey, J.D. Souther
- To Watch: Click Here
A #1 hit for the band, New Kid in Town features Glenn Frey on lead vocals. With its smooth, piano-driven melody and lyrics about the inevitable replacement of idols in the entertainment industry, it struck a poignant, reflective tone that broadened the emotional range of the Eagles' music. Frey's subdued yet soulful performance fits the world-weary lyrics musing on how new stars rise to eclipse the old, as crowds eagerly forget the past in favor of the next big thing. Whispery backing vocals and graceful piano chords underline the song's thoughtful melancholy.
New Kid in Town grew out of the Eagles' own firsthand experience with the music world, fleeting fandom and fickle tastes. Beyond just fame, the song has a universal quality, speaking to how we as humans outgrow childhood heroes. Yet the soaring chorus declares that every gambler knows the secret to surviving is knowing what to throw away. Weathered but wise, the Eagles demonstrated new maturity in reflecting philosophically on the nature of superstardom.
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12 - I Can't Tell You Why (1979)
- Album: The Long Run
- Release Date: September 24, 1979
- Genre: Soft rock
- Lyrics: A tender assurance of unconditional love and support
- Songwriters: Timothy B. Schmit, Glenn Frey, Don Henley
- To Watch: Click Here
With Timothy B. Schmit on lead vocals, I Can't Tell You Why is a standout ballad from the band's final album together. It is an R&B flavored pop track with syncopated rhythms, silky harmonies and heartfelt lyrics affirming devotion in hard times. Schmit earnest, compassionate performance expresses commitment to a relationship tested by change and uncertainty. Smooth falsetto notes give a nuanced feeling to his promise of faithfulness no matter what challenges arise.
Warm electric piano chords and textured percussion create a polished yet intimate mood. As a newer member, Schmit took center stage with I Can’t Tell You Why, showcasing his vocal talents with one of the Eagles' most emotional ballads. The tender lyrics promising unconditional support when your love was not strong enough resonated widely. At a turning point for the band, this poignant track showed them evolving their California sound into sophisticated new territory.
13 - Heartache Tonight (1979)
- Album: The Long Run
- Release Date: September 24, 1979
- Genre: Rock
- Lyrics: A plea for the return of good times to replace current troubles
- Songwriters: Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Bob Seger, J.D. Souther
- To Watch: Click Here
With its upbeat tempo, catchy guitar riff and blended vocals, Heartache Tonight became an infectious hit single that returned the Eagles to the top of the charts. Propelled forward by drums and energetic guitar work, Don Henley's raspy voice contrasts nicely with Glenn Frey smooth tones on this standout rocker. The lyrics have a yearning nostalgia for the happiness and youthful spirit of the past in the face of adult pressures. Punchy vocal delivery and rich instrumental textures capture the spirited fun of escaping troubles through music.
Irresistible hooks make Heartache Tonight a highlight of Eagles concerts, allowing band and fans alike to revel together. The song creation was fittingly spontaneous and joyful, born from an impromptu jam session between members and co-writers. This roots rock energy comes through vibrantly. With pop polish but staying true to their musicality, Heartache Tonight proved the Eagles still had the spark. Its retro sound helped ignite a passion for classic rock in the late 1970s.
14 - Already Gone (1974)
- Album: On the Border
- Release Date: March 22, 1974
- Genre: Country rock, soft rock
- Lyrics: Accepting the finality of a doomed relationship
- Songwriters: Jack Tempchin, Robb Strandlund
- To Watch: Click Here
From the album On the Border, Already Gone features Glenn Frey on vocals for this rhythmic country-rock tune about coming to terms with an inevitable breakup. With its memorable guitar licks and smooth harmonies, its melancholic lyrics are elevated by a catchy, radio-ready melody in pure Eagles style. Frey's subdued yet nuanced vocals explore the mixed emotions of acknowledging a romance can't be saved - sadness for good times past, yet relief at ending a dysfunctional relationship.
Vivid lyrics like Well I know it wasn't you who held me down, heaven knows it wasn't you who set me free underscore the bittersweet sense of moving on from something that wasn't meant to be. While the lyrics express somber resignation, the buoyant melody suggests optimism for the future now that the truth has been accepted. As a single from On the Border, Already Gone showcased the Eagles balancing glossy pop hooks with introspective lyrics - a winning formula they mastered on 1970s radio. The blend of emotional maturity and musical polish made the Eagles stand out as smooth country-rock hitmakers.
15 - Witchy Woman (1972)
- Album: Eagles
- Release Date: June 1, 1972
- Genre: Country rock, soft rock
- Lyrics: An encounter with a mysterious and magnetic woman
- Songwriters: Bernie Leadon, Don Henley, Glenn Frey
- To Watch: Click Here
Opening their debut album, Witchy Woman instantly established the Eagles' signature sound. Driven by Bernie Leadon hypnotic guitar riff and eerie lyrics centered on a spellbinding femme fatale, Don Henley baritone vocals give the song an air of brooding darkness. The cryptic lyrics sketch the allure of a mystical woman with raven hair and ruby lips, seducing men with her aura of enigma. Henley's restrained yet foreboding delivery paired with the swampy, bluesy guitar creates a mystical atmosphere.
Witchy Woman set the tone for the Eagles' talent for storytelling and conjuring colorful Americana imagery through song. It also showcased Henley versatile vocals and their seamless blend of country, folk and rock influences. The eerie song remains a staple of their live shows, transporting audiences back to those early days defined by the bewitching sound of Witchy Woman.
16 - On the Border (1974)
- Album: On the Border
- Release Date: March 22, 1974
- Genre: Country rock, soft rock
- Lyrics: Searching for direction and meaning in life
- Songwriters: Don Henley, Glenn Frey
- To Watch: Click Here
The blazing guitar duel between Felder and Bernie Leadon drove this powerful opening track. It set the tone for a grittier sound on the album. Kicking off On the Border, the title track announced the Eagles' shift into edgier territory. On the Border dispenses with the laid back country vibe for hard-driving guitars and Henley forceful vocals. He sings from the perspective of an outlaw fleeing to Mexico and the borders where legends are made. Felder talk box guitar and dizzying solos capture the reckless freedom in lyrics like For just one moment we don't have the blues.
Leadon matches him lick for lick as their dueling lead guitars echo the lawlessness described in the lyrics. Henley's raw, powerful vocals are perfectly complemented by the guitars that sear with Southern rock energy. On the Border set the tone for an album that captured the band at their hungriest and most volatile. The song's own unchecked momentum mirrors the wild danger that waits south of the border. Fittingly, it became a concert highlight for an amped up Henley to showcase his rock vocal prowess.
17 - James Dean (1974)
- Album: On the Border
- Release Date: March 22, 1974
- Genre: Country rock
- Lyrics: Idolizing the rebel image of James Dean
- Songwriters: Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Jackson Browne
- To Watch: Click Here
With references to his famous rebel image, James Dean paid tribute to the late actor who embodied youthful angst and nonconformity. Its upbeat sound and vocals celebrated his enduring mystique. A deep cut on On the Border, James Dean pays tribute to the original youthful rebel without a cause. Henley and Frey trade off versus singing ominously about the actor who left a legend people talk about. Lyrics like All the young dudes carry the news celebrate how Dean's nonconformist attitude spoke to a new generation of young people.
The jumping tempo and Felder lively lead guitar keep the song upbeat rather than mournful. Henley and Frey shared vocals that speak more to Dean's lasting cultural impact than his tragic death. Their energetic delivery on lines like Too fast to live, too young to die, goodbye conveys immortal youth. While the song recalls his fatal crash, its sunny country-rock sound insists Dean lives on as an avatar of cool. Beyond its pop craft, James Dean demonstrates the band mastery at eulogizing cultural legends in song.
18 - Seven Bridges Road (1980)
- Album: Eagles Live
- Release Date: November 7, 1980
- Genre: Country rock, soft rock
- Lyrics: Vivid childhood memories and a longing for the simplicity of the past
- Songwriter: Steve Young
- To Watch: Click Here
Though never a huge commercial hit, the Eagles' cover of Seven Bridges Road became a hallmark of their live shows. Their impeccable harmonies turn it into a hymn-like emotional highlight. One of the Eagles' most beloved concert moments, Seven Bridges Road highlighted their peerless harmonizing ability. They transform the centuries-old folk tune into a majestic choral piece. Their stacked, multi-part harmonies give the song a gospel grandeur as they sing of trying to find one way home.
Henley's soulful lead vocal navigates the tricky melody with grace. Lyrics draw from the Bible Book of Ezekiel, equating heading home with traveling the righteous path. The vocal arrangement blooms on the choruses into symphonic harmony. Felder piercing lead guitar provides an emotional counterpoint. While never a major radio hit, Seven Bridges Road often closed the Eagles' sets on a transcendent note. Turning a folksy campfire tune into an epic choral rock moment, it encapsulated their singular harmonizing gift that could make preexisting songs their own.
19 - Best of My Love (1975)
- Album: One of These Nights
- Release Date: June 10, 1975
- Genre: Soft rock
- Lyrics: An earnest promise to offer nothing but the best of my love to a partner
- Songwriters: Don Henley, Glenn Frey
- To Watch: Click Here
Best of My Love was the Eagles' first #1 single. Its gentle sound marked a return to their country-folk roots after harder rocking songs. Its chart-topping success affirmed their wide appeal. After the harder edged rock numbers on On the Border, Best of My Love returned the Eagles to softer country-folk territory. Glenn Frey sings the sweet romantic lyrics with earnest sensitivity. When he sings I want to give you the best of my love, the sentiment is genuine and heartfelt. Acoustic guitar and pedal steel combine with the band's silky harmonies on the chorus for a lush, romantic feel.
Frey understated vocals convey the intimacy of lines like You make me feel brand new. Where raunchier tracks like Already Gone were all searing guitars and raw vocals, Best of My Love was gentle and uplifting. Its stratospheric success despite the disparity with other singles demonstrated the band's versatility. Few groups could craft equally convincing hard rock and sentimental folk-pop. But Best of My Love proved the Eagles' mastery of both sides.
20 - The Last Resort (1976)
- Album: Hotel California
- Release Date: December 8, 1976
- Genre: Soft rock
- Lyrics: A critique of blind idealism and the destruction of nature
- Songwriter: Don Henley, Glenn Frey
- To Watch: Click Here
An overlooked gem, The Last Resort features profound environmentalist lyrics. Its subdued folk sound and lush harmonies make it one of Henley and Frey most poignant compositions. Closing Hotel California, The Last Resort took a somber perspective on the dark side of westward expansion and the California dream. Henley and Frey trade verses singing about developers paving over paradise to build resorts and parking lots. With lyrics written in the midst of the 1970s ecological movement, it functioned as a protest song against greed and overdevelopment.
Henley sings the verses through a filter that diffuses his vocal, sounding defeated by what he witnesses. Yet the song builds to majestic instrumental crescendos complete with sweeping strings and dramatic drums. Ultimately, the grandeur of The Last Resort insists that paradise can't be totally obscured. The duo's message about preserving nature gifts remains timeless. Their eloquent lyrics cut to the heart of how profit-driven politics destroyed California Eden-like beauty. Decades later, The Last Resort stands as the Eagles' most poignant message song.
Top 5 DPM Picks
Here are our picks of top 5 definitive Eagles classics no music fan should miss.
- Hotel California - Arguably their signature song featuring one of rock greatest guitar solos and cryptic lyrics that puzzle fans to this day. The title track of their blockbuster 1976 album.
- Take It Easy - As the Eagles first-ever single, this laidback anthem set the template for their breezy country-tinged Southern California sound.
- Desperado - A hauntingly beautiful ballad spotlighting Don Henley soulful vocals. The song's empathetic portrayal of a troubled outlaw is unforgettable.
- Lyin' Eyes - Glenn Frey shines on this story song chronicling the doomed affair of a bored wealthy housewife. A quintessential Eagles narrative.
- One of These Nights - The silky title track of their 1975 album with Don Henley signature husky vocals on this sensual, Grammy-winning hit.
Final Verdict
The Eagles recordings encompass a rich musical breadth spanning over a decade from laidback country-inflected rock to passionate ballads and hard-edged guitar anthems. Their vocal harmonies are always sublime while their lyrics capture quintessential American themes of freedom, excess, nostalgia and romance. Revisiting these 20 definitive hits allows us to relive the many eras of the Eagles appreciating their artistry and resonance. Their songs will undoubtedly continue inspiring generations to come.
FAQs
Q: Who are the members of the Eagles?
The Eagles are Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Bernie Leadon, Randy Meisner, Don Felder, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit.
Q: How many albums have the Eagles released?
The Eagles have released 6 studio albums
- Eagles (1972)
- Desperado (1973)
- On the Border (1974)
- One of These Nights (1975)
- Hotel California (1976)
- The Long Run (1979)
Q: When did the Eagles form as a band?
The Eagles were formed in Los Angeles in 1971 by Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner.
Q: What awards and accolades have the Eagles received?
The Eagles have won 6 Grammy awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 is the best-selling album in U.S. history.
Q: Are there any unreleased songs by the Eagles?
Yes, the Eagles have several unreleased tracks that have surfaced on box sets and reissues, like Get You In The Mood and You Never Cry Like A Lover. Many early demo recordings and live tracks have also been officially released.