"Desperado"is asoft rockballad by the American rock band theEagles.The track was written byGlenn FreyandDon Henley,and appeared on the band's second studio albumDesperado(1973) as well as numerouscompilation albums.Although it was never released as a single, it became one of Eagles' best-known songs. It ranked No. 494 onRolling Stone's 2004 list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".[3]
| "Desperado" | |
|---|---|
| SongbyEagles | |
| from the albumDesperado | |
| Released | April 17, 1973 |
| Recorded | Early 1973 |
| Studio | Island Studios(London,England) |
| Genre | |
| Length | 3:33 |
| Label | Asylum |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) | Glyn Johns |
| Audio sample | |
Vocal and piano intro | |
Composition
editAccording to Henley, "Desperado" was based on a song he started in 1968, written in the style of old songs byStephen Foster.[4]The song was originally about a friend named Leo and with the opening line "Leo, my God, why don't you come to your senses..."[5]In 1972, after they had recorded their debut studio album,Eagles,in London,Glenn Freyand Henley decided that they should write songs together, and within a day or two after returning from London they wrote "Desperado".[5]They also wrote "Tequila Sunrise"in the first week of their collaboration.[6]
The piano introduction of the song is taken from Ray Charles' version of "Georgia On My Mind",which plays the same introduction on strings. In their first songwriting session at Henley's home inLaurel Canyon, Los Angeles,Henley played Frey the unfinished version of the song, and said: "When I play it and sing it, I think ofRay Charlesand Stephen Foster. It's really aSouthern Gothicthing, but we can easily make it more Western. "[5]According to Henley, Frey "leapt right on it – filled in the blanks and brought structure", and the song became "Desperado". Henley added: "And that was the beginning of our songwriting partnership... that's when we became a team."[5]
Recording
editThe song was recorded atIsland Studiosin London, with musicians from theLondon Philharmonic Orchestra.The orchestra was conducted byJim Ed Norman,Henley's friend from his former band Shiloh, who also wrote and arranged the strings for the song.[7][8]According to Henley, he was given only four or five takes to record the song by the producerGlyn Johnswho wanted to record the album quickly and economically.[4]Henley felt intimidated by the large orchestra, and would later express regret that he did not sing as well as he could.[9]He said: "I didn't sing my best... I wish I could have done that song again."[10]
Critical reception
edit"Desperado" is one of Eagles' most well-known songs, and it was ranked No. 494 on theRolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time"in 2004.[3]It was voted the second-most-favorite Eagles song in a poll ofRolling Stonereaders.[11]In 2000, the song was included inMOJOmagazine's list of greatest songs, nominated by songwriters such asPaul McCartney,Hal David,andBrian Wilson.[12]Members of theWestern Writers of Americaincluded it in their list of the Top 100 Western songs of all time.[13]In 2017,Billboardranked the song number two on their list of the 15 greatest Eagles songs,[14]and in 2019,Rolling Stoneranked the song number three on their list of the 40 greatest Eagles songs.[15]
According to an interview with Don Henley, "Desperado" was not a hit for the Eagles untilLinda Ronstadtrecorded it.[16]
William Ruhlmann ofAllMusicconsidered it one of Eagles' major compositions.[17][18]Paul GambacciniofRolling Stonefelt it was Henley's rough voice that made the song memorable.[19]The Eagles' recording never charted onBillboarduntil the death of Glenn Frey, when it reached No. 20 on the Rock Digital Songs chart.[20]After the antagonist of the filmGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2(2017) claimed that "Brandy"byLooking Glasswas "Earth's finest composition", that band's lead guitarist and songwriterElliot Luriecountered that "Desperado" should have that title.[21]
Personnel
editEagles
- Don Henley– lead vocals; drums
- Glenn Frey– piano; backing vocals
- Bernie Leadon– electric guitar; backing vocals
- Randy Meisner– bass; backing vocals
- Jim Ed Norman– string
arrangement
- London Philharmonic Orchestra
Certifications and sales
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[22] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
|
‡Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Notable cover versions
edit- The Carpenterson their sixth studio albumHorizon(1975).[10]'Insights and Sounds' described Desperado was a gutsy and surprising choice. Both the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt had recorded their own versions, yet Richard's arrangement andKaren's strong delivery on this song created the new standard to beat.,[4]
- Linda Ronstadton her fourth solo studio albumDon't Cry Now(1973).[10]Henley credited Ronstadt for popularizing the song with this early cover of the song,[4]and described her version as "poignant, and beautiful".
- Johnny Rodriguez's version on his 1976 albumReflectingwas released as a single, and reached No. 5 on both the Country Singles charts ofBillboardin the United States andRPMin Canada.[23][24]
- Clint Blackon Eagles' tribute albumCommon Thread: The Songs of the Eagles.His rendition peaked at No. 54 onHot Country Songsin 1993 in the US,[25]and No. 52 on the Country chart in Canada.[26]
- The Langley Schools Music Projectfeatured a cover sung by student Sheila Behman. Recorded by music teacher Hans Fenger at rural Canadian elementary schools in 1976–77, the collection of pop covers by children was released in 2001 under the titleInnocence & Despairto critical acclaim.[27]Their version of "Desperado" would go on to feature in the fourth season of the HBO seriesBarry.
- Diana Krallcovered the song on her twelfth studio albumWallflower(2015) and it was released as a single in September 2014.[28]The song debuted onBillboard's Jazz Digital Songs chart at No. 3.[29]
- Alisan Porterperformed the song as a competitor in thetenth seasonofThe VoiceTV series. Her version charted at No. 24 on Digital Songs.[30]
- Miranda Lambertperformed the song at the 2015Kennedy Center Honorsas a tribute to Eagles.[31]
In popular culture
editThe song inspired the title of the 1987Westerntelevision film,Desperado,written byElmore Leonard.[32]In season 4 episode 2 ofSuccessionthe song is referenced.[33]The song is also a plot device in the seventh episode ofSeinfeldseason 8.[34]
References
edit- ^Horn, David; Shepherd, John, eds. (2012).Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World.Vol. 8 – Genres: North America.Continuum.p. 174.ISBN978-1-4411-6078-2.
- ^Goldsmith, Melissa Ursula Dawn (2019).Listen to Classic Rock! Exploring a Musical Genre.Abc-Clio. p. 107.ISBN9781440865794.
- ^ab"The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".Rolling Stone.Archived fromthe originalon December 17, 2006.
- ^abcdBrowne, David (June 10, 2016)."Eagles' Complete Discography: Don Henley Looks Back".Rolling Stone.
- ^abcdCameron Crowe (August 2003)."Conversations With Don Henley and Glenn Frey".The Uncool.
- ^Travis Smiley."Glenn Frey Tribute – Part 1".PBS.Archived fromthe originalon February 27, 2016.
- ^Graeme Thomson (May 21, 2014)."The Eagles on Desperado:" We were quite taken with the idea of being outlaws... "".Uncut.
- ^Paul Verna (July 10, 1993)."Eagles Songs Get Country Coverage".Billboard.
- ^Bob Doeschuk (September 21, 2015)."10 Things We Learned From Billy Joel's Interview With Don Henley".Rolling Stone.
- ^abc"Desperado by Eagles".Song Facts.
- ^"Readers' Poll: The 10 Best Eagles Songs".Rolling Stone.July 29, 2015.
- ^Colin Blackstock (July 13, 2000)."Beatles head list of greatest songs".The Guardian.
- ^Western Writers of America(2010)."The Top 100 Western Songs".American Cowboy. Archived fromthe originalon 19 October 2010.
- ^Graff, Gary (October 17, 2017)."The Eagles' 15 Best Songs: Critic's Picks".Billboard.RetrievedApril 8,2022.
- ^"The 40 Greatest Eagles Songs".Rolling Stone.September 22, 2019.RetrievedApril 8,2022.
- ^Laurel Canyon,Episode 2. The Kennedy/Marshall Company. 1:07:23.
- ^William Ruhlmann."Eagles: Desperado".Allmusic.Rovi Corporation.
- ^William Ruhlmann."Song Review - Eagles: Desperado".AllMusic.
- ^Paul Gambaccini (May 10, 1973)."Desperado".Rolling Stone.
- ^"Rock Digital Songs".Billboard.February 6, 2016.
- ^Phull, Hardeep (4 May 2017)."'Guardians of the Galaxy 2' claims this song is 'Earth's finest composition'".New York Post.Retrieved6 October2020.
- ^"British single certifications – Eagles – Desperado".British Phonographic Industry.RetrievedAugust 25,2023.
- ^"Johnny Rodriguez: Awards".AllMusic.
- ^"Country Playlist: Volume 27, No. 1"(PDF).RPM.Library and Archives Canada.April 2, 1977.
- ^"Hot Country Songs: November 27, 1993".Billboard.
- ^"Country Tracks: Volume 58, No. 24"(PDF).RPM.Library and Archives Canada.December 25, 1993.
- ^"The Langley Schools Music Project's Innocence & Despair Turns 20".Stereogum.October 21, 2021.
- ^Brian Mansfield (September 22, 2014)."Premiere: Diana Krall covers 'Desperado'".USA Today.
- ^"Jazz Digital Songs".Billboard.October 11, 2014.
- ^"Digital Songs".Billboard.June 4, 2016.
- ^Sophie Schillaci (December 30, 2015)."Miranda Lambert Covers The Eagles' 'Desperado' In Show-Stopping Kennedy Center Honors Performance".Entertainment Tonight.
- ^Walter Mirisch,I Thought We Were Making Movies, Not History(2008), p. 372.
- ^"One surprising song links 'Succession,' 'Barry,' and 'The Last of Us'".Mashable.
- ^"The Checks".IMDB.Retrieved3 July2024.
every time he hears the song "Desperado."