Eagles

Released: April 17, 1973

Songwriter: Bernie Leadon

Producer: Glyn Johns

[Verse]
Twenty-one and strong as I can be
I know what freedom means to me
And I can’t give the reason why
I should ever want to die

Got no cause to be afraid
Or fear that life will ever fade
Because as I watch the rising sun
I know that we have just begun

I might spend my life upon the road
Just trying to add to what I know
Then someday I might settle down
And all my friends will be around

They say a man should have a stock and trade
But me, I'll find another way
I believe in getting what you can
And there ain’t no stopping this young man

[Outro]
Because I'm young and fast as I can be
I know what freedom means to me
And I can’t give the reason why
I should ever want to die
No I can’t give the reason why
I should ever want to die

one of the most popular and successful bands of all time. Originating in Los Angeles in 1971, its founding members were Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner. They saw the coming and going of various members, including Frey who passed away in 2016.

Eagles were a success from the start. Their eponymous debut album, Eagles (1972), saw three singles enter the Top 40: “Take It Easy”, “Witchy Woman”, and “Peaceful Easy Feeling”, reaching respective peaks of 12, 9, and 22.

At this point, however, the Eagles were just getting started. Their second album, Desperado (1973), featured two of their most popular songs of all “Tequila Sunrise” and title track “Desperado”. Additionally, the other songs were critically acclaimed for other reasons, such as Leadon’s performance on “Saturday Night”. You’d be wrong if you thought the Eagles were settling down after back-to-back triumphs. Their next album, On the Border (1974), had on it their first “Best of My Love”.

more tracks from the album

Desperado

From the album

Desperado (1973)

Eagles popular songs

Twenty-OneEagles

Eagles

Desperado