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.
Told You So
Joe Walsh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some people never learn
I hate to say I told you so
But I told you so
Stick your nose in someone's business
When it's none of your concern
Volunteer to be a witness
What you do in own your room
On your own time
Nobody's cursed forever
If it don't do, if it don't do
Nobody no harm, no
You can form your own opinion
Have your own affair
Find a mess to get yourself in
No one should really care
And the people passing judgment
Are easily amused
And people want to throw the book
Well, they ought to take another look
What they do in their own room
On their own time
Nobody's cursed forever
If it don't do, if it don't do
Nobody no harm, no, no
The song "Told You So" by Joe Walsh is a commentary on the judgmental nature of society and how people often meddle in other people's business without understanding the full picture. Walsh starts off by saying that some people never learn despite being cautioned about it a long time ago. He goes on to criticize the tendency of people to stick their noses into the affairs of others, even when it's none of their concern. Walsh says that people have a tendency to volunteer to be witnesses, which means that they will testify about things they have no business knowing about.
Walsh argues that what people do in their own room or in their own time is nobody else's business. He says that people should be allowed to form their own opinions and have their own affairs without others passing judgment on them. Furthermore, Walsh suggests that people who pass judgment are easily amused and should take a closer look before throwing the book at someone. Ultimately, the message of the song is that people should mind their own business and not get involved in other people's affairs.
Overall, "Told You So" is an insightful commentary on the tendency of people to judge others without understanding the full picture. It's a reminder that everyone has their own affairs to attend to and that what people do in their own time is nobody else's business. With its catchy melody and insightful lyrics, the song is a classic that continues to resonate with listeners to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
I tried to tell you long ago
I previously informed you but you chose not to listen
Some people never learn
Some individuals never gain knowledge from their mistakes
I hate to say I told you so
I am unhappy that what I previously predicted came true
But I told you so
I did make the prediction and I was correct
Stick your nose in someone's business
Interfere in matters that do not involve you
When it's none of your concern
When it is not your issue to address
Volunteer to be a witness
Offer to provide testimony as a bystander
What you do in own your room
Your private actions in your own personal space
On your own time
During moments that are not affecting others
Nobody's cursed forever
No one is permanently damned or afflicted
If it don't do, if it don't do
If the actions are not causing harm
Nobody no harm, no
If nobody is being hurt, then it's no one's concern
You can form your own opinion
You have the right to create your own perspective
Have your own affair
Pursue your own interests
Find a mess to get yourself in
Discover an issue for yourself to handle
No one should really care
Other people should not focus on your personal business
And the people passing judgment
Those making negative assessments
Are easily amused
Get entertained quickly
And people want to throw the book
Individuals desire to impose consequences
Well, they ought to take another look
They should reconsider their actions and motivations
If it don't do, if it don't do
If the actions are not causing harm
Nobody no harm, no, no
If nobody is being hurt, then it's no one's concern
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DON FELDER, JOE WALSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind