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.
Bubbles
Joe Walsh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somebody pulled the plug, the dirty dishes still remain.
And when the bubble bursts that’s the worst for those who play dirty games.
While the world goes down the drain, down the drain.
Floating on a bubble, slipping on the soap,
Standing in the tub insane.
While the world goes down the drain.
Meanwhile the world goes down the drain, down the drain.
So I’m floating on a bubble while the world goes down the drain.
Slipping on the soap, running out of rope,
But all and all I can’t complain,
And that’s the rub according to the rules of the game.
The world’s going down the drain,
When the bubble bursts you might as well drink the cork and pop the champagne.
When the bubble bursts, the world goes down the drain.
In Joe Walsh's song Bubbles, he paints a picture of himself floating on a bubble while the world around him crumbles. He uses the metaphor of a bubble to represent his own personal bubble, where everything seems fine despite the chaos in the world. However, he acknowledges that the bubble can burst at any moment and that those who play dirty games will be the ones that suffer the most when it does. Despite this, he seems to maintain a sense of acceptance and even humor about the situation, stating that when the bubble bursts, one might as well drink the cork and pop the champagne.
The lyrics can be interpreted as a commentary on the current state of the world or society in general, where people tend to focus on their own personal bubble or world, ignoring larger issues or problems that affect the whole. It highlights the dangers of denial and the importance of facing reality. Despite the heavy subject matter, the song has a light-hearted tone and almost feels like a playful jab at the world's absurdity.
Line by Line Meaning
Floating on a bubble while the world goes down the drain.
I feel like I'm living disconnected from reality while the world seems to be falling apart.
Somebody pulled the plug, the dirty dishes still remain.
Something or someone caused the chaos but the problems still exist.
And when the bubble bursts that’s the worst for those who play dirty games.
People who have acted unethically or immorally will suffer the most when things fall apart.
While the world goes down the drain, down the drain.
Things seem bleak and there is a sense of impending doom.
Floating on a bubble, slipping on the soap, standing in the tub insane.
My experience feels unsteady and surreal, as if everything is about to come crashing down at any moment.
And that’s the rub, reality is so hard to explain.
It is difficult to understand and make sense of what is happening in the world.
Meanwhile the world goes down the drain, down the drain.
Despite my disconnection from reality, the world is still falling apart.
So I’m floating on a bubble while the world goes down the drain.
I am aware of the chaos around me, but feel powerless to stop it.
Slipping on the soap, running out of rope, but all and all I can’t complain.
Though I may be struggling, I still try to maintain a positive outlook on my situation.
And that’s the rub according to the rules of the game.
Despite my efforts to stay positive, the reality of the situation is still difficult to accept.
The world’s going down the drain, when the bubble bursts you might as well drink the cork and pop the champagne.
The end seems inevitable and we may as well celebrate the chaos that will be left behind.
When the bubble bursts, the world goes down the drain.
The moment of truth, when all illusions will be shattered and reality will set in.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group
Written by: JOE WALSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dennis Doran
Man this song describes my life the last couple of years
Paul Raymond
I bought a Bubble Blaster Gun because I remember being a kid blowing bubbles with the little wand. Kids growing up during the millennium or after have really good toys. Anyway it made me think of the song Bubbles by Joe Walsh. The Confessor is one of his best solo albums. His discography is actually consistently good with peaks.
Darla Allred
I love Joe
Terry Vinson
This song describes 2020 in a nutshell.
Schwagtastic
and 2021
Dartagnan65
Floatin' on a bubble while the world goes down the drain...
Oh crap, here we go!
Johnny's Funzone
Entropy on worldwide scale.
1952FMS
rocknroll's Joker