"It seems to me, some fine things have been laid upon your table, but you only want the ones that you can't get" ...one of my favorite lines in any song
Don Henley: "When we were in England, recording 'Desperado,' I was a nervous wreck. I was standing in this huge room, Island Studios, a big orchestra right behind me, and they were bored to tears. Some older gentleman had brought chessboards and they would play between takes. I would hear these remarks like, 'Well, you know, I don't feel much like a desperado.' I was so intimidated that I didn't sing my best. Our producer Glyn Johns, who is still a friend of mine, I think, wanted to get the album done quickly and economically, and he didn't let me do many takes. I wish I could have done that song again."
The days and knights standing out the door of a pool haul.listning to the jukebox and the eagles blared in the streets those were the good old days.thanks for the memories 😊
@@steveullrich7737 this wasn’t even the original arrangement of the song. Linda Ronstadt heard it and asked them to let her try and since used to be her back up band they let her and they decided to go with her melancholy version.
This is a brilliant album and the whole thing is a metaphor for the music industry. They saw themselves as constantly on the run, from gig to gig, like desperadoes. The song "Certain Kind of Fool" really brings it home. You assume he's talking about a 6-gun, but it's really about an electric guitar.
Many men of our age (Henley and Frey included in that group) were brought up than to be manly was to be emotionless. Never show your feelings. This is one of the results of that philosophy. Older men who have never let anyone close enough to really love them.
Thanks for the reaction, this is one of my favorite Eagles song the music and vocals blend perfectly to evoke the sense of loneliness of a cowboy. This album had a western theme. The whole album is worth a listen. There are some other songs from this album that stand out such as "Tequilla Sunrise" and "Twenty-One". There's a lovely ballade about gunfighters that starts the album and concludes the album called "Doolin Daltons" that last song segues into a reprise Desperado theme. Oh, and there an instrumental version of the song too. Such great music and great lyrics.
"It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you" Anyone dealing with depression, understand this! Your feelings are only temporary, there are better times ahead!
I remember seeing them in concert in the 90’s….open air arena. The sun was just going down …..twilight was setting in and this was their last song. People embraced, held hands snd swayed to the music, holding up their lighters. It was magical.
This was from their second studio album, released in 1973. They were mainly in the country/rock genre then…what now might be called Americana, snd were a major cross-over band, drawing fans from country and rock. By their Fourth album in 1975, the majority of the band wanted to become more rock oriented, and that was when Joe Walsh was brought in. The Eagles had been popular before, but with Walsh and the release of their fifth album, Hotel California, they went into the stratosphere.
They said when Linda Ronstadt did this on her Don’t Cry Now album, that made it a hit. Saw her do it live. Henley & Frey were in her band, and she encouraged and supported them.
The Eagles. no matter who was writing or arranging or playing, or changes of band members. They were still the Eagles. They fit into a number of different genres and were exceptional in all of them. A band that a listener doesn't get bored or tired of them.
If you want more of a rocker from The Eagles, check out Life in the Fast Lane from their 5th studio album, Hotel California For gorgeous harmonies, Take it Easy, or Peaceful Easy Feelin’ or Seven Bridges Road, which is a cappella
One of my favorite bands as far as harmony❤ Another Band is called The Band they are fantastic I don't see that many reactions too them but they are great❤
exceptional lyrics..... simple word usage yet very dense metaphorical meaning and connection. Frost like. succinct yet deep.... reminds me of cash, marley lyrics.
I just had to comment on this one. Back in the 70's i had a girl friend who played this song alot and would always cry. Her dad at one time was in the bandito,s motorcycle gang. She kept a picture of her father on the wall in her bed room. I remember it well. There was a pistol in his belt and a look of dont jack with me on his face. If im not mistaken he was at one time the president of the gang. Corpus christy Tex. Chapter or la. Chapter. Not sure.His last name was wall. He was killed in a gun battle. His daughters hurt for his presence in their lives. Desperado was his favorite song. Hello Rhonda from shreveport.
If you picture a man staring at himself in a mirror, you'll get the true meaning of these lyrics. It's not about cowboys or outlaws, but about a man coming to terms with where he is in life, what he wants, and moving forward. "And freedom, oh freedom... well, that's just some people talkin' Your prison is walking through this world all alone." That is one of the best lines in pop music!
Best Of My Love is also a great ballad from the Eagles, and reached #1 on Billboard I believe as well. Pretty Maids All In A Row is excellent as well, as I remember Walsh wrote it and sings lead. Syed should listen to the whole Hotel California album.
You do what I do when I listen to the Eagles. Don Henley's drumming is so punctuated throughout their music and I love drumming along and try to figure out the timing for the base drum and then add in the rest. Have you reacted to Take It to the Limit yet. It's a vocal masterpiece. Regarding this song: I always felt like Don Henley was speaking to himself and telling his soul to let somebody love him.
For a slightly later touch try Don Henley’s solo works, especially Boys of Summer and Dirty Laundry, which were both big hits in the UK. There are also great live vids of the eagles covering both these songs from their comeback tours on RUclips.
this song got me married....life long single DUDE......no wishes to marry nobody....this comes on the radio one day and got me thinking....I asked my lady to marry me....she said yes.......best thing I ever did.this song reminded me of me
You've got a talent for "discernment." I'm impressed by how much more profound your analyses are than nearly any other reactor, nuclear or otherwise--okay, bad pun. You've opened my eyes to other interpretations of songs I hold in high regard, and I find that quite fascinating. Please continue; I'm looking forward to other reaction/analyses so that I can gain another perspective than my decades-old held opinions.
As a solo sailor I can relate to this song so well. May I recommend Kenny Chesney's " Soul of a Sailor ". At 62 this has a totally different significance since I was cowboying in the N Ga mountains, and saw the Hotel California concert in Atlanta. Capt.Bob, SV (Sailing Vessel) 27th Chance, Tampa Fl, USA 🇺🇸
this was in my 20’s, this song hits home, i was sorta dating a guy who physically was beautiful, unbelievable skier, sweet personality, so tender, but he was not to be domesticated, he would call whenever he wasn’t with someone else, he’d stood me up a couple times, he was a ski patrolman and would stay on the mountain and party, so one night I asked him to never call me again, I had to move on, i knew his brother, hi brother told me he was stunned, no girl had ever left him, guess he was broken up for awhile….but I’d met the guy I eventually married, this is what this song is to me, the desparado played too long, didn’t settle down.
Been listening to this song since it came out back in the seventies! Great interpretation of the dichotomy between the Queen of diamond's and the Queen of heart's! I always understood the reference to the Queen of heart's but never gave the Queen of diamond's reference much thought! Brilliant my friend! Ya truly learn something new everyday...even at sixty years old like myself.
I'm not a huge fan of ballads either, unless they are Really special. This one to me is one of the best ballads ever in pop music. Also, it's my personal opinion that the Eagles were truly at their best doing ballads and softer rock (or what I like to call "Western" themed rock, moreso than Country). And of course, Hotel Cal is great. But I know others will disagree with me...!
Don Henley said Desperado wasn’t a hit until Linda Ronstadt recorded her cover of it. Here is Linda’s live performance: ruclips.net/video/MeQyoTIQOOM/видео.html. I love both interpretations of this beautiful song.
The *Ridin' Fences* term is about lonesome cowboys who rode fences for miles to mend them. So, its mostly about a lonesome cowboy. Guys who took those jobs back n the day had to sacrifice family life. Now with high tech, four wheelers its much easier.
I love the Eagles, love Joe Walsh and James Gang, I love Don Henley solo. But Desperado never resonated with me. I love "Tequila Sunrise" from this album. Glenn Frey's solo stuff was to mainstream for me.
This is my favorite album. Bitter Creek (by Bernie Leadon) is my favorite from the album. The album tells a story and has musical themes that run throughout the album.
No doubt the Eagles have superior harmonies, but their was something really special about Randy Meisner voice that added so much to those harmonies which is very apparent in this song. Another from the same album to try is, Doolin-Dalton.
Stumbled across your channel tonight and subscribed after your first one. Really insightful reactions, I'm hooked. Another Eagles ballad you should react to is "Train Leaves Here This Morning" from their self-titled album. Haven't seen any other reviews of it, but I'd love your take.
2nd best harmonies of any band ever in my opinion. Would be first but there’s a little band called The Beach Boys that are head over heals the best at that😂
This was the album that introduced me to the Eagles and I still love it. It is ostensibly the tale of the Doolin/Dalton gang from the wild west which is a story worth looking up. I was already familiar with the story when I heard the album so I could really relate. In many ways I still prefer this album to some of their later more familiar stuff.
I think you'll end up changing your mind about ballads. If I remember right, it was Linda Ronstadt's cover that gave the Eagles' original a second shot.
I always thought of the guy as a fellow that's starting to get up there in years, 30s?, and his way of making ends meet is as a simple ranch hand, like out in Wyoming somewhere. But in his heart he knows that life is passing him by and that the bottle and the bars aren't doing him any good.... But I definitely don't see him as a Hell's Angel or any other sort of bad guy; just needs a good woman to settle down with is all and live more for The Lord. That's my .02-cents.🤠 March 8, 2023
He is singing from a Cowboy’s perspective and is using this kind of life as a metaphor for the single life of a typical Man,who loves his freedom but still gets lonely.
Greetings Syed First of all, in western terms. a Desperado was NOT (exactly) an 'outlaw'. A Desperado was a rebel, loner, desperate / anxious, and live-by-own-terms type of person. Not to say that a Desperado could not be an outlaw, it is just not its primary meaning and context of the term. Secondly, by the lyrics of the song, nowhere in it does the Desperado get illustrated as an outlaw, at most, a card player. By most of the song, he is a rancher / landowner living alone on his property and 'riding his fences'. Verse 3 suggests the 'freedom' of being single is just talk and, with the years, it becomes a prison of loneliness. Thirdly in verse 4, the song suggest that he needs someone to keep his feet warm and to talk to during the winter months. Verse 5 concludes with the advice to 'open the gate' (to his hear), stop living alone, and find someone to love him 'before it's too late'. Fourthly, the Desperado is NOT living his life 'selfishly'. He is living a life closed off from the world of love and emotions by living on own terms. The life of a rebel / loner is empty and desolate. Hence, he should find 'someone to love you (him)' or he will regret it. Lastly, you are making the mistake most people make and called the band The Eagles. It is just Eagle. The is NO The. Henley and Fry were originally the musicians in the Linda Ronstadt band. From her, they learn to keep the song poignant and not waste time with unnecessary words. She encouraged them to go out on their own and got music execs to sign them to a recording contract. Without Linda Ronstadt, there would be no Eagles and maybe not as great at they are.
"It seems to me, some fine things have been laid upon your table, but you only want the ones that you can't get" ...one of my favorite lines in any song
Yeah it hurts and makes you think about the past.
Don Henley: "When we were in England, recording 'Desperado,' I was a nervous wreck. I was standing in this huge room, Island Studios, a big orchestra right behind me, and they were bored to tears. Some older gentleman had brought chessboards and they would play between takes. I would hear these remarks like, 'Well, you know, I don't feel much like a desperado.' I was so intimidated that I didn't sing my best. Our producer Glyn Johns, who is still a friend of mine, I think, wanted to get the album done quickly and economically, and he didn't let me do many takes. I wish I could have done that song again."
He did it perfectly, and I have heard him sing it live a few times, just as good.
The days and knights standing out the door of a pool haul.listning to the jukebox and the eagles blared in the streets those were the good old days.thanks for the memories 😊
Those harmonies just make you ache, don't they? Soo sweet.
Their harmonies are on full display on the song Seven Bridges Road.
Man you are so right !!!!! I love that song,nobody seems to mention the diamond in the rough!!!
I think that's the song that got them noticed in the first place, though I may be mistaken. I LOVE IT.
Try out another great Eagles vocalist, Timothy B. Schmit, doing "I Can't Tell You Why."
take it to the limit
For another unique peek at the Eagles, listen to SEVEN BRIDGES ROAD. Their harmonies are stellar.
Best of My Love is a great ballad by them!
Linda Ronstadt has a great version of this song too. Fun fact the Eagles used to tour with Linda.
It would be worth your time to watch Linda Ronstadt sing this live.
She sings it beautifully!
It's so tragic that such a beautiful voice has been silenced by disease.
Agreed, the Eagles started as backup to Linda in the very early 70s. Shortly after, they decided to go on the road on their own, with her blessing.
@@steveullrich7737 this wasn’t even the original arrangement of the song. Linda Ronstadt heard it and asked them to let her try and since used to be her back up band they let her and they decided to go with her melancholy version.
Absolutely!🖖🏼
Beautiful ballad I love the languid pace of it.
This is a brilliant album and the whole thing is a metaphor for the music industry. They saw themselves as constantly on the run, from gig to gig, like desperadoes. The song "Certain Kind of Fool" really brings it home. You assume he's talking about a 6-gun, but it's really about an electric guitar.
RIP Randy Meisner
Many men of our age (Henley and Frey included in that group) were brought up than to be manly was to be emotionless. Never show your feelings. This is one of the results of that philosophy. Older men who have never let anyone close enough to really love them.
This one really gets down to country western - great song. "Seven Bridges Road" is another simple but great song by them - great harmony.
Thanks for the reaction, this is one of my favorite Eagles song the music and vocals blend perfectly to evoke the sense of loneliness of a cowboy. This album had a western theme. The whole album is worth a listen. There are some other songs from this album that stand out such as "Tequilla Sunrise" and "Twenty-One". There's a lovely ballade about gunfighters that starts the album and concludes the album called "Doolin Daltons" that last song segues into a reprise Desperado theme. Oh, and there an instrumental version of the song too. Such great music and great lyrics.
My favorite song of theirs.
Simple, short & sweet absolute masterpiece
Can never get tired of listening to this song. Greatness all over it.
"It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you"
Anyone dealing with depression, understand this! Your feelings are only temporary, there are better times ahead!
I remember seeing them in concert in the 90’s….open air arena. The sun was just going down …..twilight was setting in and this was their last song. People embraced, held hands snd swayed to the music, holding up their lighters. It was magical.
This was from their second studio album, released in 1973. They were mainly in the country/rock genre then…what now might be called Americana, snd were a major cross-over band, drawing fans from country and rock. By their Fourth album in 1975, the majority of the band wanted to become more rock oriented, and that was when Joe Walsh was brought in. The Eagles had been popular before, but with Walsh and the release of their fifth album, Hotel California, they went into the stratosphere.
Huge, HUGE hit back in the day.
They said when Linda Ronstadt did this on her Don’t Cry Now album, that made it a hit. Saw her do it live. Henley & Frey were in her band, and she encouraged and supported them.
Love the Eagles love you
The Eagles. no matter who was writing or arranging or playing, or changes of band members. They were still the Eagles. They fit into a number of different genres and were exceptional in all of them. A band that a listener doesn't get bored or tired of them.
If you want more of a rocker from The Eagles, check out Life in the Fast Lane from their 5th studio album, Hotel California
For gorgeous harmonies, Take it Easy, or Peaceful Easy Feelin’ or Seven Bridges Road, which is a cappella
One of my favorite bands as far as harmony❤ Another Band is called The Band they are fantastic I don't see that many reactions too them but they are great❤
They won Grammys back when winning Grammys meant something.
When they won for Hotel California they didn’t show because they didn’t think they were going to win
exceptional lyrics..... simple word usage yet very dense metaphorical meaning and connection. Frost like. succinct yet deep.... reminds me of cash, marley lyrics.
You must hear LInda Ronstadt's version. Chills. When I saw her do it her band was what would become the Eagles.
ruclips.net/video/yUg10CPelvo/видео.html
have you done "Take it Easy" by the Eagles. It's my favorite song by them.
Beautiful song from the Eagles!
Your prison is walking through this world all alone. Very to the point lyrics.
I just had to comment on this one. Back in the 70's i had a girl friend who played this song alot and would always cry. Her dad at one time was in the bandito,s motorcycle gang. She kept a picture of her father on the wall in her bed room. I remember it well. There was a pistol in his belt and a look of dont jack with me on his face. If im not mistaken he was at one time the president of the gang. Corpus christy Tex. Chapter or la. Chapter. Not sure.His last name was wall. He was killed in a gun battle. His daughters hurt for his presence in their lives. Desperado was his favorite song. Hello Rhonda from shreveport.
If you picture a man staring at himself in a mirror, you'll get the true meaning of these lyrics. It's not about cowboys or outlaws, but about a man coming to terms with where he is in life, what he wants, and moving forward.
"And freedom, oh freedom... well, that's just some people talkin'
Your prison is walking through this world all alone."
That is one of the best lines in pop music!
One of my favorite Eagles ballads/songs is "Wasted Time." Check it out.
Best Of My Love is also a great ballad from the Eagles, and reached #1 on Billboard I believe as well. Pretty Maids All In A Row is excellent as well, as I remember Walsh wrote it and sings lead. Syed should listen to the whole Hotel California album.
Have loved them from the start. But Wasted Time just hits me at a level few songs ever have. A very under rated masterpiece in their catalog.
I just adore the reprise
Yeah, the writing, the metaphors, are beautiful. If you watch the live version with Linda Ronstadt, it will break your heart. The album is phenomenal.
This is indeed a monster of a song. Good to see your reaction.
It's hard to score but I prefer this version. A very evocative song. Great piano bar tune. Great review as always.
The most important thing to know about Desperado, it was Terry Funks ECW entrance music. Lying Eyes is peak Eagles.
You do what I do when I listen to the Eagles. Don Henley's drumming is so punctuated throughout their music and I love drumming along and try to figure out the timing for the base drum and then add in the rest. Have you reacted to Take It to the Limit yet. It's a vocal masterpiece. Regarding this song: I always felt like Don Henley was speaking to himself and telling his soul to let somebody love him.
Totally agree Sara!!
Now check out Linda Ronstat's cover.
Love this one, I also recommend their song "The Last Resort"
Best known as a "Seinfeld" visual tag line. Classic humor kind of detroyed the simple beauty of this song. BUT THE JOKE WAS WORTH IT!!! THANK YOU!!
For a slightly later touch try Don Henley’s solo works, especially Boys of Summer and Dirty Laundry, which were both big hits in the UK. There are also great live vids of the eagles covering both these songs from their comeback tours on RUclips.
Don Henley's solo stuff is awesome. Sunset grill, end of the Innocence, boys of Summer, New York minute, Little tin God...
"Seven Bridges Road". Maybe too short for a reaction, but just listen for the experience. Like butter in a hot skillet.
I found “Last Resort “ to be excellent lyrically. Give it a listen if you haven’t already.
this song got me married....life long single DUDE......no wishes to marry nobody....this comes on the radio one day and got me thinking....I asked my lady to marry me....she said yes.......best thing I ever did.this song reminded me of me
Awesome reaction ❤
THIS brings back memories of the early pub days before we were old enough!
Thank you Syed, from the bottom of my heart ❤❤
Tequila Sunrise, Take it to the Limit
As always, well done
You've got a talent for "discernment." I'm impressed by how much more profound your analyses are than nearly any other reactor, nuclear or otherwise--okay, bad pun. You've opened my eyes to other interpretations of songs I hold in high regard, and I find that quite fascinating. Please continue; I'm looking forward to other reaction/analyses so that I can gain another perspective than my decades-old held opinions.
...also, Henley's "The End of the Innocence". And for the Eagles (there are too many great tunes to list) check out Henley's epic "The Last Resort".
Also love the reprise. "The queen of diamonds let you down."
You have to check out their live album "hell freezes over" One of the best live albums of all time.
First song Henley/Frey wrote together!
As a solo sailor I can relate to this song so well. May I recommend Kenny Chesney's " Soul of a Sailor ". At 62 this has a totally different significance since I was cowboying in the N Ga mountains, and saw the Hotel California concert in Atlanta. Capt.Bob, SV (Sailing Vessel) 27th Chance, Tampa Fl, USA 🇺🇸
this was in my 20’s, this song hits home, i was sorta dating a guy who physically was beautiful, unbelievable skier, sweet personality, so tender, but he was not to be domesticated, he would call whenever he wasn’t with someone else, he’d stood me up a couple times, he was a ski patrolman and would stay on the mountain and party, so one night I asked him to never call me again, I had to move on, i knew his brother, hi brother told me he was stunned, no girl had ever left him, guess he was broken up for awhile….but I’d met the guy I eventually married, this is what this song is to me, the desparado played too long, didn’t settle down.
Been listening to this song since it came out back in the seventies! Great interpretation of the dichotomy between the Queen of diamond's and the Queen of heart's! I always understood the reference to the Queen of heart's but never gave the Queen of diamond's reference much thought! Brilliant my friend! Ya truly learn something new everyday...even at sixty years old like myself.
I'm not a huge fan of ballads either, unless they are Really special. This one to me is one of the best ballads ever in pop music. Also, it's my personal opinion that the Eagles were truly at their best doing ballads and softer rock (or what I like to call "Western" themed rock, moreso than Country). And of course, Hotel Cal is great. But I know others will disagree with me...!
I've always thought of it as he's giving advice to himself. If you want something upbeat, do Victory Song!
ZZ Top had a really cool ballad back in the 80s called Rough boy, you might want to check it out.
Blue Jean Blues is one of their best guitar pieces and a great song
@@alphajava761 Yes, Very bluesly.
Witchy woman, Those Shoes, one of these night. All amazing eagles tracks. Check out their Best of, it’s got nothing but bangers
I'm kind of amazed this video is still up. More amazed it wasn't blocked immediately at upload. Eagles are one of the preeminent blockers.
As good as this is, the Linda Ronstadt version may be even better.
Yeah
I agree, Ronstatdt's rendition is more poignant.
Different, not better.
Agree, it's a better version. Henley credits Rondstadt as the artist who really helped popularize it with her cover.
She had an amazingly beautiful clear voice. Too bad her singing career ended due to Parkinson's and another degenerative disorder.
Don Henley said Desperado wasn’t a hit until Linda Ronstadt recorded her cover of it. Here is Linda’s live performance: ruclips.net/video/MeQyoTIQOOM/видео.html. I love both interpretations of this beautiful song.
The *Ridin' Fences* term is about lonesome cowboys who rode fences for miles to mend them. So, its mostly about a lonesome cowboy. Guys who took those jobs back n the day had to sacrifice family life. Now with high tech, four wheelers its much easier.
Love them!! Gotta try 'Seven Bridges Road '. The song that they got discovered by.... awesome 😄🤗👍
I love the Eagles, love Joe Walsh and James Gang, I love Don Henley solo. But Desperado never resonated with me. I love "Tequila Sunrise" from this album. Glenn Frey's solo stuff was to mainstream for me.
Diana Krall made a great cover of this.
This is my favorite album. Bitter Creek (by Bernie Leadon) is my favorite from the album. The album tells a story and has musical themes that run throughout the album.
No doubt the Eagles have superior harmonies, but their was something really special about Randy Meisner voice that added so much to those harmonies which is very apparent in this song. Another from the same album to try is, Doolin-Dalton.
Randy's voice is so pure. No tricks; just sheer beauty.
Stumbled across your channel tonight and subscribed after your first one. Really insightful reactions, I'm hooked. Another Eagles ballad you should react to is "Train Leaves Here This Morning" from their self-titled album. Haven't seen any other reviews of it, but I'd love your take.
Please check out Seven Bridges Road , exceptional ❤
Oh yes. First. Yes it's very important!
You should check out the two part history of the eagles documentary (maybe even react to it). It’s fascinating and compelling.
Kenny Roger's and The Gambler..awesome song.
Their best harmonies seven bridges road
2nd best harmonies of any band ever in my opinion. Would be first but there’s a little band called The Beach Boys that are head over heals the best at that😂
This was the album that introduced me to the Eagles and I still love it. It is ostensibly the tale of the Doolin/Dalton gang from the wild west which is a story worth looking up. I was already familiar with the story when I heard the album so I could really relate. In many ways I still prefer this album to some of their later more familiar stuff.
If you haven't done it, I think the best ballad by the Eagles "I can't tell you why"
There's a great Seinfeld episode that features this song :-)
That entire album is western themed.
Linda Ronstadt’s version of Desperado is even better.
If you haven't heard it yet... 7 bridges Road.
grown up shit right here sir.
I think you'll end up changing your mind about ballads. If I remember right, it was Linda Ronstadt's cover that gave the Eagles' original a second shot.
Hey mate, give 'Life in the fast lane' by Eagles a spin. Some surprisingly nasty guitar hooks and solos.
Listen to Witchy Woman from the Eagles
Eagles Pretty Maids All in A Row
Check out "The Last Resort"
React to Lynyrd Skynyrd The Ballad Of Curtis Loew
Where's the VIDEO??????? Well, I'm gone then !
now listen to the linda ronstant version....classic
I always thought of the guy as a fellow that's starting to get up there in years, 30s?, and his way of making ends meet is as a simple ranch hand, like out in Wyoming somewhere. But in his heart he knows that life is passing him by and that the bottle and the bars aren't doing him any good.... But I definitely don't see him as a Hell's Angel or any other sort of bad guy; just needs a good woman to settle down with is all and live more for The Lord.
That's my .02-cents.🤠
March 8, 2023
He is singing from a Cowboy’s perspective and is using this kind of life as a metaphor for the single life of a typical Man,who loves his freedom but still gets lonely.
"Most men live lives of quiet desperation" Heny David Thoreau
I think the song is referring to you and me
Greetings Syed
First of all, in western terms. a Desperado was NOT (exactly) an 'outlaw'. A Desperado was a rebel, loner, desperate / anxious, and live-by-own-terms type of person. Not to say that a Desperado could not be an outlaw, it is just not its primary meaning and context of the term.
Secondly, by the lyrics of the song, nowhere in it does the Desperado get illustrated as an outlaw, at most, a card player. By most of the song, he is a rancher / landowner living alone on his property and 'riding his fences'. Verse 3 suggests the 'freedom' of being single is just talk and, with the years, it becomes a prison of loneliness.
Thirdly in verse 4, the song suggest that he needs someone to keep his feet warm and to talk to during the winter months. Verse 5 concludes with the advice to 'open the gate' (to his hear), stop living alone, and find someone to love him 'before it's too late'.
Fourthly, the Desperado is NOT living his life 'selfishly'. He is living a life closed off from the world of love and emotions by living on own terms. The life of a rebel / loner is empty and desolate. Hence, he should find 'someone to love you (him)' or he will regret it.
Lastly, you are making the mistake most people make and called the band The Eagles. It is just Eagle. The is NO The. Henley and Fry were originally the musicians in the Linda Ronstadt band. From her, they learn to keep the song poignant and not waste time with unnecessary words. She encouraged them to go out on their own and got music execs to sign them to a recording contract. Without Linda Ronstadt, there would be no Eagles and maybe not as great at they are.