A native of Wichita, Kansas, Walsh moved to Montclair, New Jersey and attended Montclair High School. He spent time in various bands playing around the Cleveland area while attending Kent State University, but came to widespread attention in 1969 after replacing Glen Schwartz as lead guitarist for the James Gang, an American power trio. Walsh was the standout of the band, noted for his innovative rhythm playing and creative guitar riffs. The James Gang had several minor hits and became an early AOR staple before Walsh left the group in 1971 for a career as a solo artist.
Walsh's solo debut was Barnstorm (1972). Its follow-up was The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get (1973). Several cuts from these albums, notably "Rocky Mountain Way", received heavy airplay and continue to be classic rock favorites.
After releasing another studio album and a live set, Walsh was invited to join the Eagles in 1976, replacing departing guitarist Bernie Leadon. He brought a harder-edged sound to the group, giving their light country rock sound a shot in the arm and kept the Eagles from becoming a country act altogether.
As the Eagles began to decline after the release of Hotel California, Walsh re-ignited his solo career with the well-received discs But Seriously Folks (1978) (which featured his hit comic depiction of rock stardom, "Life's Been Good") and There Goes the Neighborhood (1981). He continued to record and release albums throughout the 1980s. In 1989, Walsh recorded a MTV Unplugged with the RnB musician Dr. John, but musical trends had passed him by and he maintained a very low profile until the late-1990s Eagles reunion and tour. Walsh sang the US National Anthem at the beginning of Game 4 of the 1995 World Series. In 2004, Walsh performed live before a huge crowd at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in Texas.
A versatile guitarist, Walsh's abilities on acoustic, electric, and slide guitar have also made him well-regarded as a featured player or guest soloist; Walsh has recorded and performed with many other artists including Dan Fogelberg, Steve Winwood, The Who's John Entwistle and on the first two Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band tours.
Joe Walsh ran for President in the 1980 US Elections promising "free gas for all". In an interview for Planet Rock radio station he commented that he did this to raise people's awareness of the election. He felt that many Americans were not even aware that there was an election going on.
Some of his most recent compositions deal with his struggles with substance abuse.
Joe Walsh (WB6ACU) is an active amateur radio operator. Joe is also an active member and contributor of the ARRL, the National Association for Amateur Radio. Joe has contributed to many simmilar causes over the years.
Bones
Joe Walsh Lyrics
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Grins and snickers all around
Imitation pearl, bones
Mass inflation, welfare line, gross economy
Trade it all for what's behind
Curtain number three
Don't know what you ate
Fresh last week is still around
Sodium phosphate, bones
Hi-class, jet-set, bourgeois scene
European style
Think they know the way to be
Missed it by a mile, of bones
In the song "Bones", Joe Walsh is drawing attention to people's false sense of superiority and entitlement. He sings about Lady Luck, a symbol for someone's fortune and luck in life, letting people down and exposing the truth that they are just like everyone else. He uses the metaphor of imitation pearl to represent how people often put up a front of being valuable and rare, but in reality, they are just a cheap imitation. The chorus repeats the word "bones" to emphasize that people are essentially the same underneath all their facade and pretense.
The second verse alludes to larger societal issues such as mass inflation and a struggling economy. People are so obsessed with materialism and status that they are willing to compromise their values for a chance at something better, but ultimately, they are left with nothing of real substance. The gourmet restaurant serves food that is not fresh and filled with chemicals, and the hi-class, jet-set lifestyle is just a facade that doesn't bring true happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Lady luck just let you down, she's just another girl
You thought you had good luck, but it turns out luck is unreliable - just like a girl who grins and snickers at you.
Grins and snickers all around
People are laughing at your misfortune.
Imitation pearl, bones
Don't be fooled by appearances, something that looks good outside may be useless or even dangerous when you take a closer look.
Mass inflation, welfare line, gross economy
The economy is in bad shape, marked by a rising cost of living, increasing poverty, and an overall lack of growth.
Trade it all for what's behind, curtain number three
There might be better options in life that you're not seeing, and if you're willing to take a risk and go beyond what's familiar, you might find something great.
Gourmet restaurant, best in town, don't know what you ate
Your life might seem great and successful, but in reality you're ignorant of what's really going on.
Fresh last week is still around, sodium phosphate, bones
Even things that seem fresh and healthy could have been preserved with chemicals and aren't really good for you in the long run.
Hi-class, jet-set, bourgeois scene, European style
The upper class lifestyle and fashion might seem sophisticated and trendy, but might ultimately be superficial and empty.
Think they know the way to be, missed it by a mile, of bones
People who think they have it all figured out are usually wrong and oblivious to reality.
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: MIKE OLDFIELD, PORTER WAGONER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind