Written by: Don Henley, Glenn Frey & Randy Meisner
Released: 1975
US Charts: #4
UK Charts: #12
Other Charts: N/A
I must admit that I was at first hesitant to write a review of this song for one big reason. The reason being that this is already the second Eagles song that I’m reviewing and I didn’t want to give you all the impression that I was already being biased towards the Eagles. I do admit that I adore the Eagles and their music. But for the best part of the day, I could not for some reason, get this song out of the head. And they say, that the best remedy is to let it all out in one go, which is what I’m going to do right now.
Put simply, this song is a masterpiece, arguably the best song the Eagles produced at their peak. However, it did not top the US charts like their other well-known songs, which is maybe why this song is not held in the same regard as some of their other songs such as “Hotel California.” Depending on your mood, this song rates between being the best Eagles song and 5th best Eagles song.
Right now, at the time of writing this, I’m in a buoyant mood and cannot simply get the song out of my head. The first time I heard this song, I felt a nice, easy and catchy rhythm from the beginning and instantly knew that it was going to be a great song. However, I was not able to work out all the lyrics the first time and I initially thought that it was simply about taking risks in your life to live life to the fullest. In other words, taking every aspect of your life to the limit as the song states.
Nevertheless, after finding the lyrics, I found out that I was way off mark. In fact, it is about feeling being lost in love and loneliness. Which probably explains the slow speed of the song. Despite this, I still listen to this song using my original (albeit incorrect) interpretation, as it provides a source of encouragement and advise to me in my life endeavours.
The one strange thing about this song is that it was not sung by Don Henley nor Glenn Frey, which was a first for the Eagles at the time. That is, however, irrelevant given the beauty and wonderful melody of the song which I hope you will all enjoy listening to.
Lyrics can be accessed here.
Chords can be accessed here.
Feel free to comment on this song and/or my review below.
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