Don Henley, born Donald Hugh Henley on July 22, 1947, in Gilmer, Texas, is an American singer, songwriter, and musician best known as the co-founder and drummer of the rock band Eagles. Henley’s distinctive voice, thoughtful lyrics, and songwriting skills have made him a highly respected figure in the music industry.
As a founding member of the Eagles, Henley played a crucial role in shaping the band’s sound and success. With hits like “Hotel California,” “Take It Easy,” and “Desperado,” the Eagles became one of the most successful and influential rock bands of all time. Henley’s soulful vocals and introspective songwriting, often exploring themes of love, loss, and the complexities of life, contributed to the band’s unique blend of rock, country, and folk.
Henley’s solo career has been equally impressive. His debut solo album, “I Can’t Stand Still” (1982), produced the hit single “Dirty Laundry,” followed by successful releases such as “The End of the Innocence” (1989) and “Inside Job” (2000). Henley’s solo work showcases his ability to craft deeply personal and socially conscious songs, with his signature smooth vocals and melodic sensibilities.
Beyond his musical talents, Henley has been an advocate for environmental causes and a voice for social and political issues. His commitment to preserving natural resources and raising awareness of environmental concerns has been reflected in his music and activism.
Don Henley’s contributions to the world of rock music have earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. His distinct voice, heartfelt lyrics, and versatility as a musician continue to resonate with audiences. Henley’s enduring legacy as a member of the Eagles and his successful solo career solidify his status as a respected artist in the realm of rock music.
1. Taking You Home
This track showcases Don Henley’s ability to fuse traditional country with rock influences. The song reminisces about past times as the narrator takes their loved one home after a night out. The dreamlike production, swooning strings, and nostalgic lyrics create a powerful emotional response. "Taking You Home" is a testament to Don Henley’s lyricism and vocal abilities that have persisted throughout his career.
New York Minute – Because sometimes all it takes is 60 seconds in the city that never sleeps to make or break your day.
2. New York Minute
This song portrays the fast-paced and busy life of New York City. Don Henley's "New York Minute" showcases the intensity of the city through its lyrics that evoke feelings of urgency and pressure. The saxophone solo adds to the energy of the song, making it one of his most popular hits.
When it comes to wasted nights, Don Henley has the perfect soundtrack for both the heartbroken and the heavy drinkers.
3. The Last Worthless Evening
This hit track is about a man reminiscing a past relationship and the hurt that came with it. The lyrics depict him drinking by himself, trying to forget but ultimately failing. Don Henley's emotional vocal performance and the easy-listening rhythm are what make 'The Final Insignificant Night' a fan-favorite for decades.
In the song, Henley describes how he felt used by his partner who was only interested in material things and wanted to move on from their relationship when she got what she wanted. He also expresses how every moment spent with her now feels pointless and worthless. The combination of these emotions, along with the guitar solos and backup vocals, makes this song a must-listen.
Interestingly enough, 'The Final Insignificant Night' was inspired by a real event in Henley's life where he had drinks with his then-girlfriend at Hollywood's Standard Hotel on Sunset Blvd. After seeing his ex-flame walk out of the bar with another man, he wrote down his feelings albeit into music form.
Overall, this track showcases Henley's impressive songwriting ability while providing an enthralling listening experience for fans all over the world. Breaking hearts and taking names, Henley gets to the heart of the matter in this emotional ballad.
4. The Heart of the Matter
Exploring Don Henley's classic hits, 'The Heart of the Matter' stands out as one of his greatest. The single was a popular release from his album "The End of Innocence". It plays with raw emotion as it delves into the complexities of forgiving and forgetting in relationships. The lyricism is reflective, with a melancholic groove that is both soulful and introspective.
Henley's voice has always carried an intense quality to it. But, it shines through particularly well here, backed by a powerful acoustic guitar. Lines like "There are people in your life who've come and gone" capture the vulnerability that many people face when dealing with loss and heartache. 'The Heart of the Matter' is a timeless track that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Interestingly enough, Henley once described this song as being about "the possibility of forgiveness", which significantly speaks to its emotional complexity. Beyond this, it highlights his songwriting talents at large by providing deep emotions within simple lyrics, illustrating that sometimes less is more.
Pro Tip: 'The Heart of the Matter' is one of those songs where subtle nuances matter- take the time to listen closely and discover hidden gems in its simplicity.
The only innocence that truly ends here is the hope of not getting 'The End of Innocence' stuck in your head for days to come.
5. The End of Innocence
Don Henley's masterpiece, capturing the essence of lost innocence in modern America, is a cultural tour de force. The song lyrically depicts the despair and disenchantment of society in an age of greed and excess. It was released as a title track to his third solo album in 1989, became a top-ten hit and established Henley's stature as a songwriter. Henley's passionate vocals accompanied by subtle guitar strums convey an ethereal quality to this captivating song that remains timeless.
In this iconic track, Henley delivers powerful social commentary on America's societal ills through metaphorical lyrics like "Offer up your best defense, But this is the end" while symbolically referring to the loss of innocence as "These times are gone forever". The song portrays the sadness felt by people as they confront these realities that cannot be changed, but must accept them.
'The End of Innocence' also features piano solos from Bruce Hornsby that complement Henley's voice perfectly. This extraordinary fusion contributed towards making it one of the best songs ever recorded.
Pro Tip: Listen to this song attentively and try to grasp its message encompassed within beautifully crafted lyrics and audio finesse.
Apparently, listening to Don Henley won't solve your problems, but not drinking enough definitely will.
6. You’re Not Drinking Enough
The Importance of Proper Hydration
Water is essential for our body to function optimally. Dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches, and mood swings. Inadequate hydration impacts physical and cognitive performance. Neglecting your water intake will have short-term and long-term health consequences.
Don Henley's song "You're Not Drinking Enough" highlights the importance of proper hydration. The lyrics remind us of the dangers of dehydration, urging us to take care of ourselves by staying hydrated. This message is especially crucial for people who lead active lifestyles or work long hours outdoors.
Staying hydrated helps our body regulate its temperature, maintain healthy skin, flush out toxins, and transport nutrients to different parts of our body. Considering how important it is to stay hydrated throughout the day, it's crucial that we consciously make an effort to drink enough water.
Studies suggest that drinking six to eight glasses (8 oz each) of water per day is ideal for an adult. However, this amount may vary based on age, gender, weight, activity levels, and environmental factors like heat and humidity.
In fact, according to a report by Harvard Medical School referencing Mayo Clinic’s recommended daily fluid intake for adults: Men should aim for 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) per day while women should aim for 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) per day.
So remember to stay hydrated – your body will thank you!
When it comes to dancing, All She Wants to Do is Dance…and apparently make the top ten of Don Henley's best songs of all time.
7. All She Wants to Do Is Dance
This track sings to the heart of anyone who loves to move their feet. It showcases Don Henley's ability to mix his rock style with a funky beat, resulting in a fun and infectious melody. 'All She Wants to Do Is Dance' embodies the love for dance and good music, making it an instant hit that continues to resonate even today.
The song features on Don Henley's "Building the Perfect Beast" album, which was released in 1984 and quickly became a chart-topping bestseller. Despite being an upbeat number, it explores themes of escapism and disillusionment, questioning the motives behind humanity's urge to break away from reality.
The coolest thing about this track is how it fuses a range of musical genres such as pop, rock, disco, funk and new wave into one beautiful vibe of toe-tapping goodness. Moreover, the different layers of instrumentation complement each other perfectly – from the keyboard riffs in the chorus to the funky bassline that drives the beat.
Interestingly, when Don Henley wrote this cult classic song, he wasn't considering recording it himself. Instead, he wanted Jennifer Warnes or Laura Branigan to sing on it. However, James Taylor convinced him that he should record his own songs since he has always written great material himself – leading him to worldwide fame as not just a songwriter but also as an artist capable of churning out great hits!
Looks like Don Henley didn't find enough love in the world to make this song a hit, but at least we can appreciate it as one of his best.
8. Not Enough Love in the World
This particular tune delves into the lack of love and affection in today's world. The lyrics are profound, with Henley making a compelling case for us to start spreading some love around. Musically, it features his signature sound of crisp percussion and smooth guitar riffs, perfectly complementing the poignant lyrics. 'Not Enough Love in the World' serves as a heartfelt reminder that we need to be kinder and more compassionate towards one another.
Henley's vocals on this track will give you goosebumps as he sings about the importance of love and connection in life. The verses are thought-provoking, painting a vivid picture of our world today where the focus seems to be on power, money, and materialistic things instead of human connections. Overall, it is an incredibly well-written song that has stood the test of time.
Did you know that 'Not Enough Love in the World' was written by Henley with Jai Winding? The duo wrote several songs together over their career, including other hits like 'New York Minute.' Fun fact – none other than Celine Dion covered this track on her album 'One Heart,' released in 2003.
'Dirty Laundry' may have aired the dirty laundry, but we're still listening to it on repeat.
9. Dirty Laundry
In Henley's repertoire of top songs, one standout hit that resonates even today is the track delving into the gritty world of news and social media, titled 'Unwashed Misinformation'. The song delves into the sleazy side of journalism and its effects on society. With lyrics like "We got the bubble-headed bleach-blonde / Comes on at five / She can tell you 'bout the plane crash with a gleam in her eye", Henley critiques the sensationalism and drama created by news media. Its pulsating beat and catchy melody make it a fan favorite to this day.
The satirical tune goes beyond a single type of news event; instead, it attempts to highlight how the media industry manipulates every bit of information for its own profit while ignoring people's sentiments. In an age where fake news is a prevalent issue across borders, this song's message has never been more relevant.
Interestingly, Don Henley wrote 'Unwashed Misinformation' when he was recovering from a bout of pneumonia in his hotel room watching television commercials for local news channels. The experience inspired his stinging commentary on the perils of commercialized corporate media.
It remains a masterpiece in both lyricism and production value – another testament to Henley's consistent musical prowess throughout his career.
Summer may be fleeting, but The Boys of Summer will always have a place on our playlist.
10. The Boys of Summer
This Don Henley classic, with its upbeat tempo and catchy melody, takes us on a nostalgic journey back to those hot summer days of our youth. Although its lyrics are tinged with regret for the passage of time, the song's mood is celebratory in nature, as it encourages us to live in the moment and make the most of what we have. Fans can't help but sing along to every word of this timeless anthem.
Henley wrote 'The Boys of Summer' as a reflection on his own life as a young man growing up in Texas. He wanted to capture that feeling of freedom and endless possibility that he experienced during those long, carefree summers spent swimming, fishing, and playing baseball with his buddies. The song has since become one of Henley's signature works and has earned a place in rock history as one of the greatest tracks ever recorded.
One unique aspect of 'The Boys of Summer' is its use of imagery to convey complex emotional themes. From its opening lines about "deadhead stickers on a Cadillac" to its final chorus about "out on the road today, I saw a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac," the song paints a vivid picture of Americana culture that resonates with listeners across generations. Its message about lost youth and hopeful new beginnings is timeless.
Interestingly, 'The Boys of Summer' almost didn't make it onto Henley's 1984 album Building the Perfect Beast because some executives at his label thought it was "too different." Thankfully, Henley fought for the song's inclusion – and we're all grateful that he did!
Edward Tomlin is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
