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.
Down On The Farm
Joe Walsh Lyrics
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Gathered around in the barn
Animals all in agreement, they was down on the farm
There was talk of all the boring hours
Standin' around with nothin' to do
It was just another boring evening
With a pail of boring things to chew
There was cows and horses and sheeps and pigs
They was tired of the daily routine
They was plannin' on havin' themselves a bash
Gonna throw a great big wing-ding
So they said 'let's do it, play some rock and roll'
And they got all loose and had a few
And before they knew it, they was out of control
Turned into a regular zoo...
They was tired of the daily routine
Havin' themselves a great big bash
And they was gathering steam
And the pig grabbed a chicken, said
Come on over, let's do-si-do a few
And the chick said 'no, you're covered with mud'
Called him a pig and it was true
And every gol' dang one o'their tails was a waggin'
Under the old horse-shoe
That night the animals fell off the wagon
And a tractor or two
Well they was out in the middle of nowhere
They was rockin' out in the barn
They was tearin' it up in the hayloft
Gettin' down on the farm
The song "Down on the Farm" by Joe Walsh depicts a scene of animals in a barn holding a party to break the monotony of their daily lives. The lyrics speak of the animals feeling bored with their routines and yearning for some excitement. They come together with the idea of throwing a big party and decide to play some rock and roll music. The party quickly spirals out of control as they get loose and wild, turning the barn into a zoo. The lyrics also include humorous moments such as a pig trying to convince a chicken to dance and the animals falling off the wagon.
The song can be interpreted as a commentary on the human desire for escape and fun in the midst of mundane routines. The animals represent the working-class who are stuck in repetitive jobs and long for moments of excitement and spontaneity. The song is lighthearted and playful, with the use of animal imagery adding to the humor and whimsical tone.
Line by Line Meaning
Out in the middle of nowhere
The farm was located far from civilization.
Gathered around in the barn
The animals were all together in the barn.
Animals all in agreement, they was down on the farm
The animals were all feeling unstimulated by their daily routine.
There was talk of all the boring hours
The animals were discussing their monotonous routine.
Standin' around with nothin' to do
The animals had nothing to occupy themselves with.
It was just another boring evening
The animals were feeling disengaged and uninspired.
With a pail of boring things to chew
The animals had nothing interesting to eat.
There was cows and horses and sheeps and pigs
There were different types of farm animals in attendance.
They was tired of the daily routine
The animals were exhausted by their habitual activities.
They was plannin' on havin' themselves a bash
The animals were planning to have an exciting event.
Gonna throw a great big wing-ding
They were preparing to have an epic party.
So they said 'let's do it, play some rock and roll'
The animals decided to listen to some lively music.
And they got all loose and had a few
The animals became carefree and indulged in some fun activities.
And before they knew it, they was out of control
The animals were having so much fun that they lost track of themselves.
Turned into a regular zoo...
The farm animals had caused chaos and amounted to a wild scene.
Havin' themselves a great big bash
The animals were enjoying a massive celebration.
And they was gathering steam
The animals were becoming more excited and energized.
And the pig grabbed a chicken, said
A pig picked up a chicken and spoke to it.
Come on over, let's do-si-do a few
The pig wanted to dance with the chicken.
And the chick said 'no, you're covered with mud'
The chicken didn't want to dance because the pig was dirty.
Called him a pig and it was true
The chicken referred to the pig by its name.
And every gol' dang one o'their tails was a waggin'
All of the animals were excited and energetic.
Under the old horse-shoe
They were having fun under one of the horse's hooves.
That night the animals fell off the wagon
The animals were not adhering to their usual routine.
And a tractor or two
Even some farm vehicles were affected by the party.
Well they was out in the middle of nowhere
The farm was still located far from civilization.
They was rockin' out in the barn
The animals were dancing and having fun in the barn.
They was tearin' it up in the hayloft
The animals were dancing and having fun in the hayloft.
Gettin' down on the farm
The animals were enjoying themselves and having fun on the farm.
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