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.
Help Me Make It Through the Night
Joe Walsh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I woke up dreaming, along the way
It never quite seems the same when you awaken
And making up for the time is such a price to pay
And it just ain't fair
[Chorus]
So, help me through, mama
And tell me it's alright
Help me through the night, once again
That's the danger in pretending
Trying to defend yourself from someone else's war
I don't know what they're fighting for
And I just don't care
In Joe Walsh's song, "Help Me Thru The Night," the lyrics explore a familiar theme of seeking comfort in times of pain and uncertainty. Walsh sings of a realization that dawned on him "somewhere along the way," which led to him waking up dreaming. Although he found meaning, he laments that it never quite feels the same after he wakes up. He must make up for lost time, but this entails a hefty "price to pay." It's an unfair situation, and he needs someone to help him.
The chorus is a cry for help to the "mama" figure. She's the one who can ease his pain and assure him that everything is alright. He needs her to guide him through this difficult time, just like she's done before. The lyrics imply that this is not the first time he's needed her help, suggesting a pattern of difficulty and pain in his life. The final line of the chorus, "Help me through the night, once again," emphasizes this point even more clearly.
The second verse implies a struggle to keep up appearances in the face of someone else's war. He doesn't understand the reason for the conflict, and he doesn't want to be caught up in it. The lyrics suggest a weariness and disillusionment with trying to maintain a facade of strength and control. The song overall paints a picture of vulnerability and need for connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere along the way, I found a meaning
During my journey, I discovered a purpose or significance
I woke up dreaming, along the way
While traveling, I had aspirations or ambitions that woke me up
It never quite seems the same when you awaken
Reality can be different than what was imagined or hoped for
And making up for the time is such a price to pay
Compensating for lost time can be difficult or costly
And it just ain't fair
It is unjust or unfavorable
Chorus: So, help me through, mama
Help me to ease the pain
And tell me it's alright
Help me through the night, once again
Asking for maternal comfort and support to alleviate emotional distress and reassure me that everything will be okay, just like before
That's the danger in pretending
Falsely putting on a façade can be hazardous or risky
Trying to defend yourself from someone else's war
Attempting to safeguard yourself in a conflict that is not your own
I don't know what they're fighting for
I am ignorant about the reason for the altercation
And I just don't care
I am indifferent or apathetic to the situation
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Kris Kristofferson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
johnny zell
Somewhere along the way I found the meaning
Woke up dreaming along the way
Never quite seems the same when you awaken
And makin' up for the time is such a price to pay
Then they take your dream away and it just ain't fair
Help me through the night, mama
Help me ease the pain
And tell me it's alright
Help me through the night once again
That's the danger in pretending
Trying to defend yourself from someone else's war
Don't know what they're fighting for
And they just don't care
So help me to see the light, mama
Open my eyes again
And tell me it's alright
Help me through the night once again
Would you help me?
Could you help me?
Chris Fly
Somewhere along the way i found the meaning, woke up dreamin' along the way.
Never quite seems the same when you awaken.
And makin' up for the time you've such a price to pay.
And then they take the dream away, and it just ain't fair.
Help me thru the night mama.
Help me to ease the pain.
Tell me its alright.
Help me thru the night once again.
That's the danger in pretending.
Trying to defend yourself from someone else's war.
Don't know what they're fighting for.
And they just don't care.
So help me to see the light mama.
Open my eyes again.
Tell me it's alright.
Help me thru the night once again.
MissDistarr60
One of his most beautiful songs. And saddest. This album came out later the same year he lost his daughter. He joined The Eagles one year later. It's my understanding that one of the main reasons he joined them was as a way to distract himself from the grief of losing his daughter. He was the best thing that ever happened to The Eagles. He was the shining gem of that group. Personally, I don't know how he put up with the ego's. But then, he is one hell of a man, with a sense of humor.
Mark
Song for Emma ,,, there is no love like that of a parent for their child, and there is no protective nature like that of a father for a daughter , NONE !
Lizza Rae
There is no pain worse then feeling the pain you child is going through.
Yo
NickVonski
MissDistarr60 Plus he was an alcoholic at the time
Rhubarb 68
MissDistarr60 Henley’s ego in particular. Cannot abide Henley in spite of his musical gifts.
Diane Robinson
@Rhubarb 68 So very true. It's sad when a musician makes it more about himself than the music he creates.......MissDistarr60
Molly Welch
My absolute favorite Joe Walsh song. It touches your soul. Thank you Joe. It kept me from hurting myself.❤️❤️❤️☮️
Jackie Romanos
My absolute favorite Joe Walsh song. Gives me goose bumps every time!
TIM POOL
Good stuff...
Michael Sewald
It sure is a good one for sure.