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.
Dear John
Joe Walsh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it ended up another song.
I am sorry that the news can’t be better, dear John.
When we started out I thought we were different,
We ended up exactly the same.
So in order to protect the innocent,
The names have been changed.
I just got to get back to my music, to my music.
Forever didn’t last that long.
Maybe someday I will write you a letter,
Until then at least I wrote you this song, dear John.
I just got to get back my music, and all the things that go along with the job.
And lying in bed with the room spinning round,
It’s the price that you pay when you’re on the way down,
It’s the price that you pay.
Sincerely yours
,
The lyrics of Joe Walsh's song 'Dear John' evoke a sense of melancholy and regret, as the singer expresses his apologies for the disappointing news that he has to deliver to his beloved John. The songwriter had initially intended to write a letter to John, but as he began to put his thoughts and feelings on paper, it turned into a song. He admits that he is sorry that the news he has to deliver can't be better, implying that the news might not be the type of news John wants to hear.
As the song progresses, we learn that the writer and John had started their journey with different expectations, but have ended up at the same place. In order to protect the innocent, he changes the names in the song. It seems that the writer has to focus on his music and return to his career, and he knows that both he and John had promised forever, but that promise didn't last as long as they had anticipated.
One of the interesting aspects of 'Dear John' is that it's a letter in the form of a song. The lyrics describe an emotional and personal struggle that's relatable to many people. The lyrics are honest and delivered in a soft and reassuring tone, making it comforting to listen to. Other facts include that the song was released in 1979, was written by Joe Walsh, and is a track on his album 'But Seriously, Folks... '. In 1983, a live version of the song was included on Walsh's album 'You Can't Argue with a Sick Mind', and other artists, such as Ryan Adams and Dolly Parton, have covered the song.
Chords: E, A, E, A, E, A, B, E, B.
Line by Line Meaning
I started out to write you this letter,
At first, my intention was to write a heartfelt letter to you.
But it ended up another song.
But instead, my emotions came out in the form of a song.
I am sorry that the news can’t be better, dear John.
I regret to inform you that I don't have any good news to share with you, my dear John.
When we started out I thought we were different,
At the beginning of our relationship, I believed that we were unique from others.
We ended up exactly the same.
But as things progressed, we became the same as everyone else - just another failed romance.
So in order to protect the innocent,
To prevent anyone from being unfairly blamed or shamed, I have changed the names in this song.
The names have been changed.
I have altered the identities of the people involved in this story.
I just got to get back to my music, to my music.
Right now, I need to focus on my passion for music above all else.
And I know that we both promised forever,
I am well aware that we made a commitment to each other for eternity.
Forever didn’t last that long.
Unfortunately, our love didn't endure as long as we had intended for it to.
Maybe someday I will write you a letter,
There is a chance that I may write an actual letter to you someday.
Until then at least I wrote you this song, dear John.
Until that point in time, the least I could do was write this song for you, my dear John.
And lying in bed with the room spinning round,
As I am lying in my bed, everything seems to be in a state of chaos.
It’s the price that you pay when you’re on the way down,
It's the cost that accompanies your downfall when you have led a life of excesses.
It’s the price that you pay.
This is the price that you pay for poor decision-making.
Sincerely yours
Sincerely, Joe Walsh.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group
Written by: JOE WALSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind