Once the acrimonious breakup of the Eagles became public knowledge in 1982 (they had been inactive since 1980), members of the band were free to pursue various projects. Drummer Don Henley would go on to the most successful solo career. While his output may be sporadic, Henley has proven his worth as a solo artist, selling more than 11 million records over the years. Our list of the Top 10 Greatest Don Henley Songs Ever spans that entire career.
“Taking You Home” from ‘Inside Job’ (2000) is a piano-driven ballad that shows Henley settling into his older age. The song’s reflective nature and personal lyrics make it a standout track. “Sunset Grill” from ‘Building the Perfect Beast’ (1984) reflects a certain hopelessness but also eventual optimism. The song’s extended outro, featuring a synthesizer reportedly arranged by Randy Newman, adds to its unique charm.
“The Last Worthless Evening” from ‘The End of the Innocence’ (1989) benefits from a break from the keyboards that dominated Henley’s previous album, giving more room for muted guitar and strong vocals. “New York Minute” from the same album opens with a lush set of strings and features dark lyrics about how quickly things can change, despite the gorgeous backing vocals.
“Dirty Laundry” from ‘I Can’t Stand Still’ (1982) is a scathing commentary on failed aspirations and people’s insatiable appetite for others’ failures. The slinky keyboard track sets a sinister mood. “The Heart of the Matter” from ‘The End of the Innocence’ (1989), co-written by Tom Petty’s guitarist Mike Campbell, is a mid-tempo ballad about forgiveness and self-examination, inspired by real-life events.
“Not Enough Love in the World” from ‘Building the Perfect Beast’ (1984) owes more to old-school R&B than ’80s pop, showcasing Henley’s soulful side. “All She Wants to Do Is Dance” from the same album is one of Henley’s hookiest and most fun songs, despite its somewhat silly and predictable rhyming scheme.
“The End of the Innocence” from ‘The End of the Innocence’ (1989) is one of Henley’s most poignant tracks, written with Bruce Hornsby. The song is as cynical as it is hopeful, capturing the end of an era. “The Boys of Summer” from ‘Building the Perfect Beast’ (1984) is one of the best-ever coming-of-age songs, solidifying Henley’s voice outside of his former band.
Many classic rock fans had their hearts broken when it was announced that the Eagles would no longer perform together. Following a massive fight after a gig in Long Beach, Don Felder and Glenn Frey made open threats toward each other before speeding away into the night, not reuniting until the 1990s. While the group’s signature sound made for a glorious harmony of voices, Don Henley would always have a massive solo career waiting for him.
Having the strongest lead vocal out of every band member, Henley was nicknamed ‘Golden Throat’ by industry mogul David Geffen for his versatility. From singing soul songs to making classic country-rock hits, Henley brought a heavy dose of emotion to every word that fell out of his mouth, whether it was about the loss of romance or what was pissing him off in the world.
Then again, his solo career was vastly different from the sounds he got used to writing with Glenn Frey. Compared to most Eagles albums, Henley’s solo career takes a more complex approach to American storytelling, pulling pages out of the playbooks of heartland rockers like Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen to make some of his grand epics.
With the help of some of the finest players in music history, Henley has crafted a strong lineup of classics that can stand alongside some of his best performances with his old band. Henley may not have been the young and hungry kid who sang ‘Witchy Woman’ anymore, but his years of experience made him a master storyteller.
Don Henley’s best solo songs include “Dirty Laundry” from ‘I Can’t Stand Still’. Henley never minced words about his distaste for the media, channeling all that energy into this track. Set to a steady groove, Henley takes on the role of the corporate pigs that like to spread dirt among the elite in Hollywood.
“The Boys of Summer” from ‘Building the Perfect Beast’ silenced all of Henley’s detractors forever. Being one of the first collaborations with Mike Campbell from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Henley soars over the backing track, talking about how lonely it can feel coming to the end of summer.
“The Last Worthless Evening” from ‘The End of The Innocence’ is about Henley pleading with his old friend to be his lover. Henley assures his old flame that she doesn’t have to suffer through any more harsh breakups as long as he’s by her side.
“All She Wants to Do Is Dance” from ‘Building the Perfect Beast’ is one of the more shallow songs that Henley would write, but his commitment to the song is commendable. Featuring no writing input from Henley, this is the closest thing to a pin-up pop star he would ever become.
“New York Minute” from ‘The End of The Innocence’ is a good look at the glamour and gore that goes down when entering the Big Apple. With the chilling sounds of a synthesizer setting the tone, Henley paints a picture of Harry, finding himself on the wrong side of the law and never returning to his cushy Wall Street job.
“Leather and Lace” is a duet single with Stevie Nicks. The affair between Stevie Nicks and Don Henley was exceedingly brief, but their lingering feelings brought the pair back to each other for this track, which became a top ten hit in 1982.
“Sunset Grill” from ‘Building the Perfect Beast’ has a remarkable ability to cut through the overblown production of the 1980s. The song is still pure Henley, searching for simplicity in the breakneck world of 1980s Los Angeles.
“The End of The Innocence” from ‘The End of The Innocence’ is a signature song about breakups, lost youth, and the unstoppable march of time. The song features a solo by jazz saxophone great Wayne Shorter.
“Taking You Home” from ‘Inside Job’ meditates on the passing of time with nearly every song. The track is about the acceptance of love and finding strength in your partner.
“A Younger Man” from ‘Cass Country’ sees Henley grapple with the broken promises and unfulfilled dreams that come with getting older. For someone who has aged as gracefully as Henley, it’s a song that fits him like a glove.
Source: Ultimate Classic Rock, Far Out, Alamy
