Greetings,
I was driving home the other day and happened upon some Eagles music on my radio. I then thought to myself that one thing I have yet to do is make a list of my top ten favorite Eagles songs. So, I decided to do it, and you all are getting it today.
Let me just say that I have been a great admirer of the Eagles for quite some time. Most importantly, obviously, it is because they have created such wonderful music, but also love bands like this so much. By that, I mean, every person in the group is a great singer and they make songs wherein the harmonies are so perfected and intricate that anyone with any remote singing ability can find a way to sound good. Since I am a person with some remote singing ability, I am quite grateful for this gift.
Now this band was formed in 1971, and in all the years that they were in existence, there have been a total of seven members. Past members include Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon, who were also two of the founding members, and also Don Felder. I am no way undermining the obvious talent that these men possessed, but, unfortunately, none of them come to my mind personally when I think of the Eagles. I suppose I could attribute this to my age, but when I think of the Eagles I think Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Timothy B. Schmit and, of course, my favorite, Joe Walsh. Yeah, Joe, you are my favorite. You are a fantastic musician, you were hilarious on The Drew Carey Show and you gave the world your daughter, Lucy, a person and artist about whom I am crazy. Anyway, as I was saying, despite the fact that this is the lineup I go to, I would never take anything away from the other past members. Everyone who was ever a part of this band made their contributions and need the recognition. I'm sure that each of them have left fingerprints on this list of mine. Oh, yeah, my top ten list. Let's get to that.
#10. "Life in the Fast Lane" - When a lot of people think of the Eagles and some of their more famous compositions, it may come to their minds that this band, though considered rock, often portrayed a slightly mellower side. But with this song, they managed to show off the fact that they could be full on rockers. I'm guessing this had a lot to do with Joe being so involved. It may just be my imagination, but he always seemed like the least mellow of the guys. At least, when it came to the music. Sweet guitar playing, my friend.
#9. "Love Will Keep Us Alive" - This song kind of has an interesting history. During the late eighties/early nineties time, Timothy was planning to start up a new band with one of its writers. That never happened, so, when it came time for the 1994 Eagles reunion tour, they decided to sing it for those shows and put it on the new album. This is a very lovely song, but what I most love about it is that it lets Timothy shone as a singer, and he does have a beautiful voice.
#8. "Tequila Sunrise" - Well, I am a morning person, so, of course, this song will make the list. But, then again, I don't really drink much. Never even had any tequila. So it can't really rank any higher. Kidding aside, I do really like the lyrics in this song. Lyric snob that I am, that means a lot.
#7. "Desperado" - I like when songs stick on albums, despite never being released as a single. Such is the case with this one. No, seriously. Even though it was the title track on its album, it was not a single. That baffles me. But I guess sometimes people just don't always know their own greatness.
#6. "Hotel California" - Yeah, no kidding. Look, I can turn this entry on the list into my opportunity to explain what I think the song is about, but I just refuse. Those poor boys who wrote it, an their fans alike, have had plenty of that. I'll just say this. Great song, made the list, I'm done.
#5. "New Kid In Town" - You know, in this musical world, we have plenty of "I will love you forever" songs. Those are nice. But sometimes we just need a "I love you right now, but - Hey, did a new person just move in who is much hotter and better for me than you? Gotta go" kind of song. Okay, maybe they weren't that harsh, but it does remind us that not every single relationship will last forever, so enjoy each one while they do.
#4. "The Sad Cafe" - And, oh, don't we all have our own little sad cafe. I certainly do, and all of mine pretty much exist in my own head. Then again, I don't think the place in this song is exactly real either. I sense a metaphor here, in a big way. I think it may be talking about a place, or maybe a person, to which one always returns, even if it makes you depressed. But we artists definitely don't mind a little depression every now and then. Some of us welcome it.
#3. "Best of My Love" - Congratulations are in order on this song, since it was their first number one hit. It's no wonder considering that this is one that certainly can appeal to the masses. It's just a straight up beautiful love song. Sometimes that's all we need.
#2. "Hole in the World" - This is the newest song on the list having been released in 2003. It proved beyond any doubt that these guys still had it. Everything that always made the Eagles superb showed up in this song. The lyrics and harmonies were so emotional and moving that I wouldn't have a problem saying that it is near perfect.
#1. "Take It To the Limit" - You know what's really crazy about my having this song as my absolute favorite? It was originally sung by Randy Meisner. Yeah, one of those guys I mentioned before who was in the Eagles, but who I don't necessarily always think of. I guess when it comes to this band I just listen without thinking about who may be singing. Still, I love that I can give the top spot to the one song that this guy sang. Oh, and all that stuff I said about sounding good singing these songs because of the harmonies and what not? Well, that is no more evident than it is here, for me anyway. Out of any song by any artist, this is one of my best with which to harmonize. So, thank you, boys, for the fantastic song and for making it easier for me to convince myself that I am a good singer.
So there you have it, my top ten Eagles songs list. Sure, a lot of these choices may have been obvious and predictable, but I can't help that they were just that good. Look, you're not going to find many bands that are as amazing as this one, so may express my gratitude again for all this music. It has been a joy and will continue to be.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
