Today’s Five of the Best celebrates one of the most successful and highest selling bands in the world. The Eagles were an iconic group of the 1970s and they continue to impress audiences when they perform live. The Eagles are the highest selling American band in US history having sold more than 100 million albums in their home country and a further 50 million around the world. Following the huge success of the 70s, the group broke up in 1980 before reassembling for the 1994 ‘Hell Freezes Over’ tour. Ticketmaster loves The Eagles and here we take a look at five of our favourite songs – we hope you enjoy it.
5. Take it Easy
There were other songs that could have made the list ahead of Take it Easy, however, we love the story of how this 1972 song came about so decided to squeeze it in. Glenn Frey, JD Souther and Jackson Browne all lived in the same apartment building in Los Angeles in the 70s and Browne was struggling with the second verse of what would become Take it Easy. Hearing the same verse over and over from the apartment below, Frey decided to help Browne finish the song by contributing the lyrics, ‘There’s a girl my Lord in a flatbed Ford slowing down to take a look at me’. Despite the small contribution Browne was adamant he and Frey co-wrote the song, which was to become The Eagles’ first single.
4. Tequila Sunrise
Tequila Sunrise was written within the first week of Don Henley and Glenn Frey’s writing partnership (along with another classic, but we’ll get to that later). It was featured on the 1973 album, Desperado and is a favourite of Frey who once said “I love the song… Tequila Sunrise was written fairly quickly, and I don’t think there’s a single chord out of place.” We agree, so sit back and enjoy!
3. Heartache Tonight
Heartache Tonight was a number 1 hit in the USA and was a single from the 1979 album, The Long Run. The song was written by The Eagles band members Glenn Frey and Don Henley, along with JD Souther and Bob Seger, who is best known for his classic song Old Time Rock and Roll. It sold more than a million copies and is still one of our favourite songs by The Eagles.
2. Desperado
Many will know Desperado from the classic Seinfeld episode; others will know it as the title track of The Eagles’ 1973 album. All we know is this is one of our favourite songs by The Eagles. Written by band members Glenn Frey and Don Henley, Desperado was ranked number 494 in Rolling Stone’s 2004 list ‘The 500 Greatest Songs of all Time’. Originally written about a mate of Henley’s named Leo, the opening word of the song was eventually changed to ‘Desperado’.
1. Hotel California
Hotel California is the quintessential Eagles hit. The title track of their 1977 album of the same name, Hotel California has become the signature song of the Eagles and it is definitely our favourite track. The band has a habit of beginning the song with an elaborate intro during live performances – including the classic Hell Freezes Over live performance, which we have decided to share with you below.
The Eagles will perform at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium Hanging Rock Reserve on February 28, 2015, and Hope Estate on March 7, 2015. Click here to purchase your tickets to The Eagles.
