Ten Top Songs by the Eagles
The Eagles have produced music that I have grown up with and have always enjoyed. There are several Eagles tunes that recall moments in time for me: driving along on a country road with the wind in my hair, while listening to Peaceful Easy Feeling on the radio, on a road trip out west listening to Hotel California and Lying Eyes. drinking at the bar with friends with Tequila Sunrise in the background, a thoughtful moment listening to Desperado, and more. These are memories of a golden hazed and optimistic youth. The songs have aged well and are still enjoyable, as well as entertaining.
Songs by The Eagles feature stories communicated in poetic form and sung with harmony with fantastic instrumentation. The songs include stories of love and consequences in memorable, and sometimes even haunting, form. Lyin Eyes spells out the possibly sad consequences of marrying for money. Desperado warns against living your life alone and without love. Hotel California, Life’s Been Good and Life in the Fast Lane shows the dark side of fast living that is so glamorous and attractive to us. Many of the love songs have a gentle and ballad like quality and can be soothing listening. This talented group has an impressive array of moods to create a variety of music.
In the three live performances that I had the privilege to attend The Eagles were excellent, as expected. The live band experience was enjoyable, but momentary. My memory of the events consists of crowded venues on sun and beer soaked days, with a distant view of the band and imperfect sound systems. For me, the best memories are attached to more private moments, just me and the radio, or record (remember those?).
The Eagles originated in California in 1971 , starting out as a backup band for Linda Ronstadt. and then branching out on their own. The nine years that followed were filled with an abundance of musical success for the group, that took a fourteen year break, starting in 1980. In 1994 the band reformed with the reunion album “Hell Freezes Over”. They have been performing old and new songs since that time and have most recently produced “Farewell 1 Tour – Live From Melbourne”. When I saw the Live From Melbourne DVD I was mesmerized and filled with memories. Reportedly they are currently in production for a new album.
Glenn Frey and Don Henley have been the backbone of the band for it’s entire tenure. Some of the other personnel changed over the years but consisted of Bernie Leadon, Randy Meisner, Don Felder, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit. From 2001 to the current date the band has consisted of members : Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit. The band received four Grammy awards in the the 1970’s. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 and into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001.
With their prodigious career there is an abundance of tunes to choose from. Following is my selection of the Ten Top Songs From The Eagles:
1. Hotel California: (Felder/Henley/Walsh)
2. Lyin’ Eyes: (Frey/Henley)
3. Desperado (Frey/ Henley)
4. Peaceful Easy Feeling (Tempchin)
5. Tequila Sunrise (Frey/Henley)
6. Take It Easy (Browne/Frey)
7. Life’s Been Good (Walsh)
8. Take it to the Limit (Frey/Henley/Meisner)
9. You Belong to the City (Frey/Tempchin)
10. Life in the Fast Lane /Frey/Henley/Walsh)
These tunes, as well as many more popular songs can be heard and seen on the performance DVD Farewell 1 Tour – Live From Melbourne, which I recommend for a captivating entertainment experience. The performance is packaged in a two DVD set.
