Don Henley stated in the notes written in the booklet to Eagles' 2003 "The Very Best Of" compilation, that "Desperado" was a piece of a song that he had written in 1968. He said, "It was called something else, but it was the same melody, same chords. I think it had something to do with Astrology [chuckles]."[citation needed]
While this is one of the Eagles' signature songs, it was never released as a single. "Desperado" was voted #494 in the Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Desperado
Eagles Lyrics
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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
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 walkin' 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 nighttime 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
Eagles' song "Desperado" is a ballad about a person who has been living life as a loner, avoiding real love and meaningful relationships, and suffering in pain and hunger. The song offers advice and urges the person to come to their senses and appreciate what life has to offer before it is too late. The lyrics are rich in metaphors and symbolism and carry a message of hope and a call for action. The song starts with questioning the person's actions and urging them to take off the mask they have been wearing for so long. It refers to the person as a "Desperado," a term used to describe a desperate and reckless outlaw in the Old West.
The song exposes the person's fear of being hurt and suggests that this fear is holding them back from living their life to the fullest. The lyrics urge the person to take chances and embrace the unknown, as life is full of risks and opportunities. The song ends with a ray of hope, telling the person that it may be raining, but there is a rainbow above them, and they should allow someone to love them before it is too late.
Interesting facts about "Desperado":
1) The song was written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey and released in 1973 as a single.
2) The song did not receive much airplay when it was released because of its length (over 3 minutes and 30 seconds).
3) The song has been covered by many artists, including Linda Ronstadt, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson.
4) In 2003, the song was ranked #494 on Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time."
5) The song was used as the title track for the 1987 Western film, "Desperado," starring Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek.
6) The song's famous guitar solo was played by Don Felder, who was later fired from the band in 2001.
7) The song's opening line, "Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?" was inspired by a conversation between Frey and Jackson Browne.
8) The song's title was inspired by a scene in the 1967 movie, "Cool Hand Luke."
9) The song was featured prominently in the series finale of the popular show, "Seinfeld."
10) In 2018, the song was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress.
Chords:
Intro: D G D/F# G D G D/F# G D
Verse: D G D/F# G D G D/F# G D D7
Bridge: G D/F# G D
Chorus: G D/F#Em7(b5)A7sus4 D G D/F# G D G D/F# G D D7
Line by Line Meaning
Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Why don't you start thinking rationally?
You been out ridin' fences for so long now
You have been aimlessly wandering for quite a long time.
Oh, you're a hard one
You are tough to deal with.
But I know that you got your reasons
I understand that you may have your reasons.
These things that are pleasin' you
The things that are giving you pleasure.
Can hurt you somehow
May not always be good for you.
Don't you draw the Queen of Diamonds, boy
Do not get involved with something or someone that will hurt you.
She'll beat you if she's able
Something or someone will break your heart.
You know the Queen of Hearts is always your best bet
It's always safe to play it safe and not take risks.
Now, it seems to me, some fine things
It looks like you have some good things in life.
Have been laid upon your table
Have been given to you.
But you only want the ones that you can't get
You always look for something that isn't possible or available.
Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger
You are getting older.
Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home
Your physical and emotional pain are driving you to seek comfort in the familiar.
And freedom, oh, freedom, well, that's just some people talkin'
The idea of freedom is overrated.
Your prison is walkin' through this world all alone
Your loneliness is your prison.
Don't your feet get cold in the winter time?
Don't you feel the loneliness and emptiness in your life?
The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine
Your life is stagnant and nothing seems to be good.
It's hard to tell the nighttime from the day
Your life seems to be going in circles and you don't know when you will find happiness.
You're losin' all your highs and lows
You're losing your sense of excitement and adventure.
Ain't it funny how the feeling goes away?
It's strange how quickly happiness fades.
Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Why don't you start thinking rationally?
Come down from your fences, open the gate
Come down from your walls and let people in.
It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you
There's hope and happiness in your life, even when times are tough.
You better let somebody love you (let somebody love you)
You should allow people to love you and show them love in return.
You better let somebody love you
You should allow people to love you and show them love in return.
Before it's too late
Before it's too late to find happiness.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Glenn Lewis Frey, Don Hugh Henley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind