Together, the Los Angeles-born rock band known as the Eagles were one of the most formidable groups of all time. Their music, from “Hotel California” to “Desperado,” continues to grace the radio airwaves and personal stereos all around the world. But after the band broke up in 1980, their members went on to write some classic tracks as solo artists, too.
Here below, we wanted to explore four of those songs. One song each for members Don Henley, Vince Gill, Glenn Frey, and Don Felder. Indeed, these are four beloved classic solo songs from Eagles band members that have stood the test of time.
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“Boys of Summer” by Don Henley from Building the Perfect Beast (1984)
Written by Don Henley and featuring music written by longtime Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers collaborator Mike Campbell, this epic swelling track sounds like it could be part of the Eagles’ greatest hits without issue. Catchy and moving, the tune offers an ominous beat, guitar solo, and keys riff. Part-Bruce Springsteen storytelling, part-Eagles earworm, this track hit No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. And at its heart, the lyrics are about time slipping away and with it youth and even the possibility of love. But Henley proclaims his true heart, singing,
Nobody on the road
Nobody on the beach
I feel it in the air
The summer’s out of reach
Empty lake, empty streets
The sun goes down alone
I’m driving by your house
Though I know you’re not home
But I can see you-
Your brown skin shinin’ in the sun
You got your hair combed back and your sunglasses on, baby
And I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone
“When I Call Your Name” by Vince Gill from When I Call Your Name (1989)
We turn from pop to country on this offering from Vince Gill on his 1989 LP When I Call Your Name. Another song that tells a story, this track is one about being left alone. The singer comes home only to find his house empty. With it, Gill captures the feeling of being left by the one he loves. Their life, she writes on a letter, was a lie. Their bond not what he had made it out to be. And so, she moved on. On the track, Gill sings forlornly,
I rushed home from work like I always do
I spent my whole day just thinking of you
When I walked through the front door, my whole life was changed
‘Cause nobody answered when I called your name
A note on the table that told me goodbye
It said you’d grown weary of living a lie
Oh, your love has ended, but mine still remains
But nobody answers when I call your name
“You Belong to the City” by Glenn Frey from Miami Vice: Music from the Television Series (1985)
Opening with a saxophone line for the ages, this song is, well, very 1980s. Written for the television show Miami Vice, with its pastel suits and Florida nights, this song builds and builds and crescendos to the chorus, with a robust sax. As a work of music, the track feels as hot as a Miami night; you can feel the humidity and the racing hearts all around. And on the emotive, compelling offering, Frey sings,
When you said goodbye you were on the run
Tryin’ to get away from the things you’ve done
Now you’re back again and you’re feeling strange
So much has happened, but nothing has changed
Still don’t know where you’re going
You’re still just a face in the crowd
You belong to the city
You belong to the night
Living in a river of darkness beneath the neon light
“Heavy Metal” by Don Felder from Heavy Metal: Music from the Motion Picture (1981)
Another pulsing song, this is a one you clap your hands and move your foot to. Written for the animated 1981 movie of the same name, this track celebrates the open road and muscle cars. Feel the wind in your hair and the rumble of the engine at your feet. The open road is before you and the green lights are flashing. On the rhythmic track, Felder sings,
Drive it on up and let’s cruise a while
Leave your troubles far behind
You can hedge your bet on a clean Corvette
To get you there right on time
Now if you’re ready to dive into overdrive
Baby, the green lights are on
It’s like you’re runnin’ away on some high octane
Every time she reaches fully blown
Won’t you take a ride (ride, ride, ride)
On heavy metal
It’s the only way that you can travel
Down that road
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Photo by CSU Archives/Everett/Shutterstock
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