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.
Love Letters
Joe Walsh Lyrics
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My bookie says my odds are next to none
But I'd worry if my chances were improving
I got ulcers from the worrying I've done
And they worry too
Well, I'm worried I may find a four leaf clover
Lord knows I can't sleep if nothing's wrong
Takes a worried man to sing a worried song
Takes a worried man to sing a worried song
Come on and worry now
I worry about my tan, my skin's all white
I ought to go outside, but the sun's too damn bright
I worry about disease and worry about the flu
And if you got it me or if I got it from you
If I were you, I'd worry about that tooth
Well, I worry about big business and if they tell the truth
I worry about the Commies undermining all our youth
I worry about Afghanistan, I worry about the Poles
O if they drop the big one, will we all llive in holes
Ah, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute
Ah, nevermind, nevermind
I was worried that was gonna happen
You don't worry about it, I'll worry about it
I'll be up anyway, it's all right
What am I gonna do
Joe Walsh's song Love Letters is a light-hearted and humorous take on the common human tendency to worry about things, even when things seem to be going well. The lyrics are playful, poking fun at the singer's own worries and anxieties, which range from his current situation, to his health, to world events like the Cold War.
The opening lines, "I worry about my present situation / My bookie says my odds are next to none," set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is worried about everything, including his own ability to succeed. He's so anxious that even if his chances of winning were improving, he would still worry about something else.
The second verse adds to the humor of the song as the singer worries about finding a four-leaf clover and the idea of having no worries at all. He then goes on to worry about his pale skin and the sun being too bright, disease, and who gave him the flu. The third verse touches on some more serious and relevant issues of the time, such as big business, communism, and the threat of nuclear war.
Overall, Love Letters is a witty and fun song that highlights the absurdity of worrying too much about life's little things.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I worry about my present situation
I am anxious about my current circumstances
My bookie says my odds are next to none
My bookmaker predicts I am unlikely to succeed
But I'd worry if my chances were improving
I would still be concerned even if the odds were in my favor
I got ulcers from the worrying I've done
I have developed ulcers as a result of my anxiety
And they worry too
My problems also cause others to worry
Well, I'm worried I may find a four leaf clover
I am concerned even about seemingly lucky situations
Lord knows I can't sleep if nothing's wrong
I have difficulty sleeping if there are no problems to worry about
I'm worried that my troubles might be over
I am anxious that my worries may disappear
Takes a worried man to sing a worried song
One who worries a lot is the only one who can truly express anxiety
Come on and worry now
Let's all be anxious together
I worry about my tan, my skin's all white
I am anxious about my lack of tan and my pale white skin
I ought to go outside, but the sun's too damn bright
I should go outside, but the brightness of the sun concerns me
I worry about disease and worry about the flu
I am anxious about illness and catching the flu
And if you got it me or if I got it from you
I am worried about the potential of spreading illness
If I were you, I'd worry about that tooth
If I were in your position, I would be concerned about that tooth
Well, I worry about big business and if they tell the truth
I am anxious about the honesty of large corporations
I worry about the Commies undermining all our youth
I am concerned about Communist influences on the younger generation
I worry about Afghanistan, I worry about the Poles
I am anxious about global political and social issues
O if they drop the big one, will we all live in holes
If a nuclear bomb were to be dropped, would we all have to live in fallout shelters?
Ah, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute
Hold on a moment, let me pause for a moment
Ah, nevermind, nevermind
Actually, never mind, it's not important
I was worried that was gonna happen
I feared that something bad might occur
You don't worry about it, I'll worry about it
You don't need to be anxious, I'll handle it
I'll be up anyway, it's all right
I'll be awake regardless, so it's fine
What am I gonna do
I am unsure of how to handle my constant anxiety
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WAYNE HECTOR, PETER LORD, PETER MORELAND, VERNON SMITH, V JEFFREY SMITH, ALISTAIR TENNANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind