Don Henley (born Donald Hugh Henley in Gilmer, Texas, USA on 22 July 1947) … Read Full Bio ↴Don Henley (born Donald Hugh Henley in Gilmer, Texas, USA on 22 July 1947) is a drummer, singer, and songwriter with the band Eagles. Since the 80s, he has had a successful solo career with the albums: I Can't Stand Still, Building The Perfect Beast, The End of Innocence and Inside Job and he has played a founding role in several causes. His most well known songs are the hit songs The Boys of Summer ,All She Wants to Do Is Dance , Dirty Laundry, and The End Of The Innocence

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.

Long Way Home
Don Henley Lyrics

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Oh, it's cold and lonely here-
Here in this telephone booth
There's three sides to every story:
Yours and mine and the cold, hard truth
I think there's something missing 'round here
I don't know where it's gone
But it's a long way back home

The heat don't work
The toaster don't work
The car don't work
And I guess I know why
This house don't work and this dream don't
Work no more
And lover, neither do you and I
I fall asleep with the colors flying
Over sand and foam
But it's a long way back home

And it's a long way back home

And it's a long way back home
It's a long way back home

Overall Meaning

In "Long Way Home," Don Henley reflects on the distance he has traveled in both physical and emotional terms. There's a deep sense of loneliness and isolation at the beginning of the song, as Henley is holed up in a telephone booth grappling with the three sides of every story- his own, his lover's, and the simple, unadorned truth. There is something fundamentally awry in the world around him- the heat doesn't work, the toaster doesn't work, the car doesn't work, and even the house doesn't work. He's lost in a dream that no longer functions, and his once-solid relationship with his lover is on the rocks. Despite all of this, Henley finds respite in his own imagination, which he describes as a vivid, colorful landscape "over sand and foam."

The repeated refrain of "it's a long way back home" implies that Henley is not only geographically far from where he wants to be, but emotionally and imaginatively as well. This struggle to find oneself and reconnect with what is truly important is a thread that runs throughout Henley's solo discography, particularly on his landmark album "The End of the Innocence." Listening to "Long Way Home," one can sense the theme of retrospection and renewal, as Henley's pained lyrics suggest a turning point in his personal and creative journey.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, it's cold and lonely here-
The singer is feeling cold and lonely in a telephone booth.

Here in this telephone booth
The singer is in a telephone booth.

There's three sides to every story:
The singer believes that there are three sides to every story.

Yours and mine and the cold, hard truth
The three sides of the story are represented by the artist's point of view, the listener's point of view, and the objective truth.

I think there's something missing 'round here
The artist feels that something is missing in their current situation.

I don't know where it's gone
The singer is unsure of what is missing.

But it's a long way back home
The journey back to a more fulfilling place or time will be difficult.

The heat don't work
The heat is not functioning properly.

The toaster don't work
The toaster is not functioning properly.

The car don't work
The car is not functioning properly.

And I guess I know why
The singer suspects they understand why things are not working.

This house don't work and this dream don't
Both the house and the dream the artist is living in are not working.

Work no more
The singer's current situation is no longer sustainable.

And lover, neither do you and I
The singer and their partner are no longer working as a couple.

I fall asleep with the colors flying
The singer is dreaming of a more vibrant and exciting life.

Over sand and foam
The artist is likely dreaming of a beach or seaside location.

But it's a long way back home
The journey back to a more fulfilling place or time will be difficult.

And it's a long way back home
The journey back to a more fulfilling place or time will be difficult.

Lyrics © Cass County Music / Wisteria Music / Privet Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GLENN LEWIS FREY, DON HENLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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