In 1970, he moved to Los Angeles to record an album with his early band, Shiloh. Shiloh's album was produced by fellow Texan Kenny Rogers. Shortly thereafter, Henley met Glenn Frey. They both became members of Linda Ronstadt's backup band. Touring with her was the catalyst for forming the group. As a result, two months later they, along with Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner, became their own act, Eagles.
Henley's music is often social commentary. One of his more famous songs is "Dirty Laundry" (from his I Can't Stand Still album, released in 1982). Its origins date back to 1980, when Henley was put on probation for possession of a narcotic and fined for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The ensuing media circus and on-air pundits claiming that his career was over led to the writing of the song, which continues to be an indictment against the broadcast news media. Similarly, "Johhny Can't Read" (also from the Can't Stand Still album), continues to resound as a commentary on the educational system.
Desperado
Don Henley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You been out ridin' fences for so long now.
Oh, you're a hard one,
But I know that you've got your reasons.
These things that are pleasin' you,
Can hurt you somehow.
Don't you draw the queen of diamonds, boy,
Know the queen of hearts is always your best bet.
Now it seems to me, some fine things,
Have been laid upon your table.
But you only want the things that you can't get.
Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger,
Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home.
And freedom, oh freedom,
Well, that's just some people talkin'
Your prison is walking,
Through this world all alone.
And don't your feet get cold in the winter time?
The sky won't snow, the sun won't shine
It's hard to tell the night time from the day
You're loosin' all your highs and lows
Ain't it funny how the feeling,
Goes away?
Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Come down from your fences, and open the gate
It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you,
You better let somebody love you,
You better let somebody love you,
You better let somebody love you,
Before it's too late.
The song "Desperado" by Don Henley is a plea to a cowboy, a desperado, to come to his senses and recognize that the pleasures he's chasing will only hurt him in the long run. The song begins by expressing concern for the desperado's wellbeing, stating that he's been riding fences for too long and needs to pick a side. The singer acknowledges that the cowboy is tough, but urges him to listen to the reasoning of those who care for him, and not let the things that bring him immediate joy cause him harm in the future.
The second verse warns the cowboy about drawing cards in a game of chance, using the queen of diamonds as a symbol of greed and the queen of hearts as a symbol of true love. It's suggested that the cowboy is surrounded by luxuries and opportunities, but he only desires the things that he cannot have. The third verse touches on the desperado's age, hunger, and pain, and suggests that his true prison is his own mindset.
The final verse concludes with a call to action, urging the cowboy to return to society and allow someone to love him before it's too late. The song invokes the image of a rainbow, a symbol of hope and promise, to suggest that there is still time to turn things around and make a better life for himself.
Overall, "Desperado" is a heartfelt plea to a person who is stuck in old ways and hurtful patterns to open their eyes and hearts to the possibility of change, growth, and love.
Line by Line Meaning
Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Why haven't you realized what you're doing to yourself?
You been out ridin' fences for so long now.
You've been wandering aimlessly for too long.
Oh, you're a hard one,
You're stubborn and resistant to change.
But I know that you've got your reasons.
I realize that you have your own motives for acting this way.
These things that are pleasin' you,
You're holding onto things that make you happy,
Can hurt you somehow.
But these same things can harm you.
Don't you draw the queen of diamonds, boy,
Don't pursue fleeting or surface-level happiness
She'll beat you if she's able.
as it can quickly bring you down.
Know the queen of hearts is always your best bet.
It's better to pursue deeper, more meaningful relationships.
Now it seems to me, some fine things,
It appears that you've achieved some good things in life,
Have been laid upon your table.
But you seem to only want what you don't have.
But you only want the things that you can't get.
You're fixated on what you lack, rather than what you have.
Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger,
Time is passing you by, and you're not getting any younger
Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home.
Your desires and frustrations are leading you back to your starting point.
And freedom, oh freedom,
The idea of freedom that you're chasing after,
Well, that's just some people talkin'
Is just a myth created by other people's expectations.
Your prison is walking,
The burden you're carrying is walking with you through life.
Through this world all alone.
You feel isolated and disconnected from others.
And don't your feet get cold in the winter time?
Don't you feel the pain and loneliness of life?
The sky won't snow, the sun won't shine
It seems like nothing good is happening in your life right now.
It's hard to tell the night time from the day
You can't distinguish one hardship from another, and everything feels overwhelming.
You're loosin' all your highs and lows
You're losing your sense of highs and lows, of joy and sadness,
Ain't it funny how the feeling,
Isn't it strange how these emotions,
Goes away?
Can vanish in an instant?
Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Why haven't you realized what you're doing to yourself?
Come down from your fences, and open the gate
Stop isolating yourself and embrace what the world has to offer
It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you,
Even when things seem bad, there can still be hope and beauty in life.
You better let somebody love you,
Allow yourself to be loved by others,
Before it's too late.
Before it's too late to turn your life around and find true happiness.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Glenn Lewis Frey, Don Hugh Henley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nicholasaramirez885
Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
You been out ridin' fences for so long now
Oh, you're a hard one
But I know that you got your reasons
These things that are pleasin' you
Can hurt you somehow
Don't you draw the queen of diamonds, boy
She'll beat you if she's able
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet
Now it seems to me, some fine things
Have been laid upon your table
But you only want the ones that you can't get
Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger
Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home
And freedom, oh freedom well, that's just some people talkin'
Your prison is walking through this world all alone
Don't your feet get cold in the winter time?
The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine
It's hard to tell the night time from the day
You're losin' all your highs and lows
Ain't it funny how the feeling goes away?
Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Come down from your fences, open the gate
It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you
You better let somebody love you
Let somebody love you
You better let somebody love you before it's too late
@jimk518
He's crazy. The original Desperado recording is perfect. It's enough to make you cry.
@Workinggirlhomestead
James Robert I so agree
@duanebalch8337
yeah, but i still cried. i'm always a pussy becuz of this song lol
@ronnietoots6797
both are beautiful
@shintaroheaxapple1234
absolutely!!
@wescollins2981
Damn near every single time I hear it
@davidbarlow431
Unquestionably one of the greatest songs ever written.
@sheldoncoopal5070
100%%
@nicholasaramirez885
Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
You been out ridin' fences for so long now
Oh, you're a hard one
But I know that you got your reasons
These things that are pleasin' you
Can hurt you somehow
Don't you draw the queen of diamonds, boy
She'll beat you if she's able
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet
Now it seems to me, some fine things
Have been laid upon your table
But you only want the ones that you can't get
Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger
Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home
And freedom, oh freedom well, that's just some people talkin'
Your prison is walking through this world all alone
Don't your feet get cold in the winter time?
The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine
It's hard to tell the night time from the day
You're losin' all your highs and lows
Ain't it funny how the feeling goes away?
Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Come down from your fences, open the gate
It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you
You better let somebody love you
Let somebody love you
You better let somebody love you before it's too late
@stevescontriano860
Thanks for sharing. Lol