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.
Sunset Grill
Don Henley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We can watch the working girls go by
Watch the basket people walk around and mumble
And stare out at the auburn sky
There's an old man there from the old world
To him, it's all the same
Calls all his customers by name
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill
You see a lot more meanness in the city
It's the kind that eats you up inside
Hard to come away with anything that feels like dignity
Hard to get home with any pride
These days a man makes you somethin'
And you never see his face
But there is no hiding place
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill
Respectable little murders pay
They get more respectable every day
Don't worry girl, I'm gonna stick by you
And someday soon we're gonna get in that car
And get outta here
Let's go down to the Sunset Grill
Watch the working girls go by
Watch the basket people walk around and mumble
Gaze out at the auburn sky
Maybe we'll leave come springtime
Meanwhile, have another beer
What would we do without all these jerks anyway?
And besides, all our friends are here
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill
"Don Henley's song Sunset Grill" is a reflection of the times and the changes the world has gone through over the years. The lyrics express the desire to escape from the stress of the city to the peaceful environment of the Sunset Grill. The Sunset Grill is depicted as a haven for people of all social and economic backgrounds. We can watch the working girls go by, the basket people walk around, and mumble while staring out at the auburn sky. There's an old man from the old world who calls all of his customers by name.
In the second stanza, the lyrics reflect on the harsh reality of the city. The city's meanness is the kind that eats you up inside, and it is hard to come away without any dignity. The lines "These days a man makes you somethin'
And you never see his face. But there is no hiding place" are particularly poignant. In the last stanza, the lyrics reflect on the changes in the world as murders become more respectable every day. Despite the difficult times, the singer promises to stick by his girl and leave the Sunset Grill someday.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's go down to the Sunset Grill
Henley invites someone to go with him to the Sunset Grill
We can watch the working girls go by
They can observe prostitutes passing by the place
Watch the basket people walk around and mumble
They can see poor people wandering aimlessly and talking to themselves
And stare out at the auburn sky
They can contemplate the beautiful sunset
There's an old man there from the old world
An elderly man from a foreign country is present at the grill
To him, it's all the same
He treats everyone equally regardless of their background
Calls all his customers by name
He knows all his clients personally and addresses them by name
You see a lot more meanness in the city
The city is full of cruelty and hostility
It's the kind that eats you up inside
This kind of malice harms you psychologically
Hard to come away with anything that feels like dignity
It is difficult to maintain one's self-respect
Hard to get home with any pride
It is challenging to return home with a sense of accomplishment
These days a man makes you somethin'
People are valued based on their achievements
And you never see his face
The man's work speaks for him, not his appearance
But there is no hiding place
One cannot avoid being judged, even by their products alone
Respectable little murders pay
People are willing to pay for seemingly harmless, yet unethical things
They get more respectable every day
Society finds more ways to normalize and rationalize immoral actions
Don't worry girl, I'm gonna stick by you
Henley assures his companion that he will support her
And someday soon we're gonna get in that car
They plan to leave the place in a car soon
And get outta here
They want to escape the city
Maybe we'll leave come springtime
They might move away when spring arrives
Meanwhile, have another beer
For now, they will have another drink
What would we do without all these jerks anyway?
They acknowledge that the rude and unpleasant people at the grill have become part of their routine
And besides, all our friends are here
They consider the people at the Sunset Grill their friends
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Benmont Tench, Danny Kortchmar, Don Henley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
William Shynne
on You're Not Drinking Enough
There isn't a man alive who can't relate to this song.