Stephen’s Chronicles

So, my next stop in this journey of music was the Eagles. As you may know already, this is one of the most successful rock bands with five #1 singles and 6 #1 albums. They are comprised of Glenn Frey, Bernie Leadon, who later left the group and replaced by Joe Walsh, Randy Meisner, who later left the group and replaced by Timothy B Schmit, Don Felder, and Don Henley. Through their years, there were obviously changes, conflicts, and resolutions, even to the point of filing cases against each other. Yet their music sang through in people’s lives and hearts. Was it their harmonies? Was it their lyrics? Was it their style?

Here are some songs that were either familiar to me or songs that I really liked:

Take It Easy – written by Jackson Browne, Glenn Frey
Peaceful Easy Feeling – written by Jack Tempchin (Amazing Grace adaptation that went through the churches when I was growing up)
Desperado – written by Glenn Frey and Don Henley
Tequila Sunrise – written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey
Already Gone – written by Jack Tempchin, Robb Strandlin
Lyin’ Eyes – written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey
One of These Nights – written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey
Hotel California – written by Don Felder, Glenn Frey, Don Henley (the Eagles’ most popular song, at least to me)
Heartache Tonight – written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Bob Seger and J. D. Souther
I Can’t Tell You Why – written by Timothy B. Schmit, Glenn Frey, Don Henley
In The City – written by Joe Walsh, Barry De Vorzon
Love Will Keep Us Alive – written by Jim Capaldi, Paul Carrack, and Peter Vale
Hole In The World – written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey

I guess my favorite(s) has to be either I Can’t Tell You Why or Love Will Keep Us Alive. Something about those two songs that just strike me…the melody, the lyrics… maybe more the latter.

Well, whatever your opinion of the Eagles, they made great music in their time. For a band that was formed in the 70s and are still making music today, their staying power is quite an achievement. I would wish more bands were that way in that regard…but it could just be our culture now.