THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

505-Eagles-Lyin’ Eyes.

1975-Number 23 single.

Best Bit-At 4.57. Have you ever seen a beautiful young woman with a much older unfit fat guy? If you have, then maybe you too could have let your imagination run wild, and written this song as well.

The Eagles (see also best songs 198) were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States, in 1971, by Glenn Frey, (1948-2016) (guitars and vocals) Don Henley, (drums and vocals) Bernie Leadon, (guitars and vocals) and Randy Meisner, (1946-2023) (bass guitar and vocals.) They originally started out as touring members, as part of the backing band for the American ‘Folk/Country/Pop’ singer Linda Ronstadt, although all four, prior to forming the Eagles, only played live together once behind Ronstadt, in a concert in Disneyland, California, but they did all appear as musicians on Linda Ronstadt’s self titled third studio Album from January 1972. There are differing stories to how the quartet came up with the stage name ‘Eagles,’ with the American singer/songwriter J. D. Souther claiming that when he and Glenn Frey were out together, Frey saw some eagles above, and shouted out ‘Eagles!’ In 1974, Don Felder became an official member of the group, and then in December 1975, Bernie Leadon left, stating that the move from ‘Country/Rock,’ to a ‘Heavier Rock’ sound, was not for him, and he was replaced by Joe Walsh. In 1977, Randy Meisner departed, and was replaced by Timothy B. Schmit (bass guitar and vocals.) The Eagles remained active until 1980, but then reformed between 1994-2016, and then again in 2017, and they remain active at the time of writing. In total there have been nine different official members, with Vince Gill, (guitars and vocals) being a member since 2017, and Deacon Frey, (lead vocals and guitars) who is the the son of Glenn, being a member between 2017-2022, and then returning in 2023. For the discography of the Eagles (see best songs 198.)

‘Lyin’ Eyes’ was the second of three singles released from the Eagles fourth studio Album ‘One of These Nights,’ from June 1975, the song was co-written by Don Henley, and Glenn Frey, with the production being by Bill Szymczyk (see also best songs 556 and 198.) Although Henley and Frey were the two younger members of the original Eagles line up, they soon took over the majority of the groups songwriting duties, and have often been referred to as ‘The American Lennon and McCartney.’

Donald Hugh Henley, was born on July 22nd, 1947, in Gilmer, Texas, United States, he is the groups one remaining constant. After the Eagles split in 1980, Henley pursued a solo career, and has released five solo studio Albums between 1982-2015, and 27 singles within the same time period, there are also two official compilation Albums available, as well as three singles he has recorded for film soundtracks, and eight singles he has appeared on as a featured artist. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, he has had eight top 40 solo hit singles, with a further two as the featured artist, with ‘Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough,’ by Patty Smyth, featuring Don Henley, peaking the highest at Number 2 in 1992, while in the UK, Don Henley has had three top 40 hits without the Eagles, with ‘The Boys of Summer,’ peaking the highest at Number 12 in 1984, and then again on it’s UK re-release in 1998, when once again it made Number 12. With the Eagles he has sold in excess of 150 million Albums worldwide, and as a solo artist, he has sold a further 10 million Albums.

Glenn Lewis Frey was born on November 6th, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan, United States, he died on January 18th, 2016, from complications of rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis, and pneumonia. at the age of 67. When the Eagles split in 1980, he embarked on a solo career, which has included the release of five solo Albums between 1982-2012, and 19 singles released between 1982-1995, there are also three official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, he has had seven solo top 40 hit singles, with ‘The Heat Is On,’ (1984) and ‘You Belong to the City,’ (1985) both peaking the highest at Number 2, while in the UK, he has charted twice, with ‘The Heat Is On’ peaking the highest at Number 12.

The idea for ‘Lyin’ Eyes’ came about when Glenn Frey and Don Henley were sat in ‘Dan Tana’s’ restaurant/bar, in West Hollywood, California. They would see all of these beautiful women come into the venue in search of male company, and then they saw a young girl with a much older fat, wealthy man, who was obviously a kept woman, and Glenn Frey commented, ‘She can’t hide those lyin’ eyes.’ ‘Lyin’ Eyes’ is a song about a young woman who marries a much older wealthy man for his riches, and her fianancial security, but she soon realises that it isn’t enough. He is distant, and shows no affection for her, so she goes seeking attention from a much younger man who can only offer her love, and she has to decide which she wants more, the money, or the love, as she can not have both.

‘City girls just seem to find out early, how to open doors with just a smile. A rich old man and she won’t have to worry, she’ll dress up all in lace and go in style. Late at night a big old house gets lonely, I guess every form of refuge has its price. And it breaks her heart to think her love is only given to a man with hands as cold as ice.’