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.
The Last Worthless Evening
Don Henley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And your heart's still on the shelf
It's been over two years for me
And I'm still not quite myself
You can't be with someone new
And you can't go back to him
You're beginning to realize
I see you around sometimes
And my heart just melts
You're lookin' like if you had your wish
You'd be somewhere else
And it just breaks my heart
To see you here this way
Someday I'll get the nerve
To walk up to you and say
This is the last worthless evening
That you'll have to spend
Just gimme a chance
To show you how to love again
This is the last worthless evening
That you'll have to spend
'Cause I'll be there
When your broken heart is on the mend
Every night it's the same old crowd
Smoky rooms
You catch a faint glimpse of love sometimes
But it never blooms
I've been around this block a time or two
And I've made some big mistakes
But girl I promise you, I promise you
This is the last worthless evening
That you'll have to spend
Just gimme a chance
To show you how to love again
This is the last worthless evening
That you'll have to spend
'Cause it won't be long
'Til your little heart is on the mend
Hey, hey, hey, hey
(Time, time, tickin', tickin', tickin' away)
(Time, time, tickin', tickin', tickin')
(Time, time, tickin', tickin', tickin' away)
(Time, time, tickin', tickin', tickin')
People inside their houses
With the shades pulled down
God knows, we could use some romance
In this sleepy bedroom town
I know you're still afraid to rush into anything
But there're just so many summers
And just so many springs
And this is the last worthless evening
That you'll have to spend
Just gimme a chance, gimme a chance
To show you how love again
This is the last worthless evening
That you'll have to spend
'Cause it won't be long
'Til your little heart is on the mend
That you'll have to spend
Just gimme a chance, darling
To show you how to love again
This is the last worthless evening
That you'll have to spend 'cause it won't be long
'Til your broken heart is on the mend
The Last Worthless Evening by Don Henley is a song about two former lovers who have both gone their separate ways, but still yearn for each other. The singer has been single for over two years and cannot seem to move on from his ex-girlfriend who he occasionally runs into. He notices that she is unhappy and that she appears as if she wants to be somewhere else. He feels helpless when he sees her this way and wishes he could give her one last chance to love again. The song is a plea from the singer to his ex-girlfriend asking for the opportunity to win her back and show her how to love again.
The song has a melancholic and wistful tone, with the singer's voice conveying both sorrow and desperation. The lyrics compare the singer's life and the lives of the people around him to a "sleepy bedroom town." Through the use of vivid imagery, the song paints a picture of a lonely and loveless existence surrounded by empty nights in smoky rooms. The singer understands that time is fleeting, and with every passing day, there are fewer opportunities to love and be loved.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you broke up with him
I am aware that you ended your relationship with him
And your heart's still on the shelf
You haven't moved on from your past relationship yet
It's been over two years for me
I have been struggling to recover from my breakup for more than two years
And I'm still not quite myself
My emotions are still affected by my past relationship
You can't be with someone new
You can't start a new relationship
And you can't go back to him
You cannot resume your previous relationship
You're beginning to realize
You're starting to understand
That it's sink or swim
It's crucial that you either succeed or fail completely
I see you around sometimes
I occasionally see you in passing
And my heart just melts
My emotions are immediately softened
You're lookin' like if you had your wish
You seem like you wish you could be somewhere else
You'd be somewhere else
You desire to be in a different location
And it just breaks my heart
It hurts me deeply
To see you here this way
To see you in this emotional state
Someday I'll get the nerve
At some point, I will find the courage
To walk up to you and say
To approach you and speak
This is the last worthless evening
This is the final unproductive night
That you'll have to spend
You won't have to waste any more time
Just gimme a chance
Please allow me an opportunity
To show you how to love again
To demonstrate how you can rekindle your capacity to love
Every night it's the same old crowd
The same people show up every night
Smoky rooms
The setting is often smoky and dimly lit
You catch a faint glimpse of love sometimes
Occasionally, you catch a glimpse of love but it never develops
But girl I promise you, I promise you
But I promise you, I deeply assure you
This is the last worthless evening
This is the final night that fails to serve any purpose
That you'll have to spend
You won't have to waste any more time
'Cause it won't be long
It will not take much time
'Til your little heart is on the mend
Until your heart starts to heal
Hey, hey, hey, hey
A vocalized transition
(Time, time, tickin', tickin', tickin' away)
Time is constantly moving forward
(Time, time, tickin', tickin', tickin')
Time is passing by
(Time, time, tickin', tickin', tickin' away)
Time is continuously ticking forward
(Time, time, tickin', tickin', tickin')
Time never stops ticking
People inside their houses
Individuals indoors
With the shades pulled down
Blocking out light from outside
God knows, we could use some romance
Some romance would be beneficial and appreciated
In this sleepy bedroom town
In this quiet place where people sleep
I know you're still afraid to rush into anything
I understand that you're hesitant to jump into anything
But there're just so many summers
The number of summers one has is limited
And just so many springs
The number of springs one has is limited
Just gimme a chance, gimme a chance
Please allow me an opportunity, please
To show you how love again
To guide you one how to love again
'Cause it won't be long
It will not take long
'Til your broken heart is on the mend
Until your broken heart starts to heal
That you'll have to spend
You won't have to waste any more of your time
Just gimme a chance, darling
Please allow me an opportunity, my dear
To show you how to love again
To guide you on how to love once more
This is the last worthless evening
This is the final evening that won't serve any purpose
That you'll have to spend 'cause it won't be long
You won't have to waste any more time, for it won't take long
'Til your broken heart is on the mend
Until your broken heart starts to heal
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN COREY, DON HENLEY, STAN LYNCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lisacarmack6113
This song came out when my marriage was ending. I'm good now but it was devastating then. This song got me through it all. Thank you, Don Henley.
@lindapearcr3138
❤
@jennifernunez3768
My ex husband played this song on one of our first dates. Then ended up being nothing but lies, heart aches and blowing off our children and me, etc.
@Former_Pastor
@@jennifernunez3768
It helps when a lady takes the time to get to know a man's habits. That takes many years
@connievino4226
😢
@williamchilds5854
My ex screwed me after I took her back didn’t hurt so bad the second time it it hurts and she screwed her life up She was a love of my life and I hate that but I’m so glad I got away from her but I kept my kids. They turned out fantastic that’s all that matters.
@TheYobo1016
A great song about being 40ish. That's when you really start to look back on your life and are able to grasp the concept of your own mortality and the value of good relationships.
@lhart99
I feel it. Been looking back on my live for more than 20 yrs.😢 Cheers to endless opportunities. Like John Lennon said, while there's life, there's hope! 😊
@rickdavis3593
If you keep searching for yesterday...you're gonna miss tomorrow.
@jamesblunk7721
Good point.