51 Best Eagles Songs
Contents
“The Long Run” by Eagles
Song Year: 1979
“The Long Run” is the first and title track on their album of the same name. It seems to be about many different things at once – trying to grow as a person, trying to maintain a connection with someone you love, questioning your “why” in life, and more.
The band’s ability to craft such a beautiful, relatable song just speaks to why they were so successful and are still praised to this day.
“James Dean” by Eagles
Song Year: 1974
This song by the Eagles served as a tribute to James Dean, a legendary actor who died tragically in a car accident at the age of 24.
It talks about his legacy and how he was an inspiration to many and will be remembered for eternity. It also speaks about how we should all strive to live life as fully and passionately as he did.
“Already Gone” by Eagles
Song Year: 1974
Jack Tempchin, who worked on the aforementioned song “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” continued his collaboration with the band.
He wrote “Already Gone,” the perfect rock sensation that made it to the Billboard 100 due to its intense instrumentals and high commercial appeal, and likely helped make the album On The Border a success as well.
“On the Border” by Eagles
Song Year: 1974
Speaking ofthe album On The Border, it’s only right to mention the title track. The sound of “On The Border” was inspired by The Temptations, a Motown band, and it was a hit due to its soulful, R&B, funky style.
Nevertheless, this is another Eagles song where they don’t resort to exactly what they’re known for and opt for experimentation and bold statements instead.
“The Sad Cafe” by Eagles
Song Year: 1979
“The Sad Cafe” is an Eagles song that led up to their breakup in 1980, and it’s about losing your innocence, as the band felt like they had, in some ways, lost theirs over the years. It also refers to The Troubadour, a cafe where musicians would gather to write songs together.
Like many of their lasting hits, this Eagles song is riddled with poetic, meaningful lyrics that speak to the soul.
“Hollywood Waltz” by Eagles
Song Year: 1975
By now, you might’ve noticed that the Eagles were not afraid to write social commentary about their hometown of L.A., and “Hollywood Waltz” is another testament to that.
It fuses together country-like sounds resembling a “Tennessee Waltz” while telling a story about the dark side of the glitzy Hollywood lifestyle.
“Those Shoes” by Eagles
Song Year: 1979
To some people, “Those Shoes” is simply a song about being single. To others, a song about the Charles Jourdan shoes that women would often wear in the 70s.
But to the band, it was meant to be an empowering song about women standing on their own and taking responsibility for their lives. Beastie Boys and other hip-hop groups would later sample “Those Shoes” in their own songs.
“The Disco Strangler” by Eagles
Song Year: 1979
Although the Eagles were momentarily inspired by some of the disco sounds of the 70s, by the late 70s, disco was starting to die out, and many rock bands were annoyed (at best) by its popularity and thus wanted to rally against it.
“The Disco Strangler” is a unique track that came out around this time and somewhat mocks the disco culture, describing a woman who wants attention and ends up getting it from a dangerous man.
“Ol’ 55” by Eagles
Song Year: 1974
“Ol’ 55,” released in 1974, is a heartfelt and nostalgic song about taking a step back from the fast-paced life and reflecting on the past.
The title refers to a 1955 Oldsmobile, which is also featured in the music video. Fans weren’t extremely pleased by this song, originally by musician Tom Waits, but the band liked it, and that’s all that matters.
“Bitter Creek”
Song Year: 1973
“Bitter Creek” is a bold, haunting song that speaks to the nature of the Desperado album, mainly about the similarity between rock and rollers and outlaws.
There was a man named Bittercreek Newcomb in the Dalton gang (of outlaws), and although the song isn’t directly about him, that’s how they chose the title.
“Most of Us Are Sad” by Eagles
Song Year: 1972
“Most of Us Are Sad” is perhaps the most self-explanatory song title from the Eagles because it’s about just that – how many people are sad and are likely not expressing it.
If you’re feeling sad, this song reminds you that you’re not alone and that sadness is, in a sense, a part of the human condition.
“Outlaw Man” by Eagles
Song Year: 1973
“Outlaw Man” is another song on this list from Desperado that serves to compare the Eagles members’ lifestyles of traveling the country for money and women to the likes of outlaws.
Of course, they are not doing anything illegal, but the comparison still stands.
“Waiting in the Weeds” by Eagles
Song Year: 2007
“Waiting in the Weeds” is a sentimental and reflective song about the passage of time, as well as about waiting for things to return to the way you want them to be or remember them before.
Although, like many Eagles songs, it has dynamic emotions, as it also speaks to love (and life) being fragile and able to slip away in an instant.
Top Eagles Songs, Final Thoughts
The Eagles have a long history of releasing songs in many different genres, from rock to country-rock and even blues and disco-sounding hits.
These are the best Eagles songs, but they have an extensive list. What’s your favorite one? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.
