Desperado
The Eagles (UK) Lyrics
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You been out ridin' fences for so long now
Oh, you're a hard one
I know that you got your reasons
These things that are pleasin' you
Can hurt you somehow
Don't you draw the Queen of Diamonds, boy
You know the Queen of Hearts is always your best bet
Now, it seems to me some fine things
Have been laid upon your table,
But you only want the ones that you can't get
Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger
Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home
And freedom, oh freedom, well that's just some people talkin'
Your prison is walking through this world all alone
Don't your feet get cold in the winter time?
The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine
It's hard to tell the night time from the day
You're losin' all your highs and lows;
Ain't it funny how the feeling goes away?
Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Come down from your fences; open the gate
It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you
You better let somebody love you, before it's too late
The Eagles' Desperado is a poignant ballad that tells the story of a gun-slinging outlaw who has been riding fences for far too long. The song acts as a warning to the desperado, urging him to come to his senses and make a change before it's too late. The song suggests that the desperado's destructive behavior is driven by his pain and hunger, which have left him alone, isolated, and imprisoned.
The lyrics also touch on the themes of risk-taking, addiction, and the search for love and freedom. The song warns against the futility of pursuing things that cannot be obtained, and the importance of recognizing that the best things in life are those that can be shared with others.
The powerful vocals and the slow, mournful instrumentation add to the melancholic tone of the song, making it one of The Eagles' most iconic and timeless tracks.
Line by Line Meaning
Desperado, why don't you come to your senses
Why haven't you realized the truth?
You been out ridin' fences for so long now
You have been wandering aimlessly for a long time
Oh, you're a hard one
You are a difficult person to get through to
I know that you got your reasons
I understand that you have your justifications for your actions
These things that are pleasin' you, can hurt you somehow
The things that bring you pleasure can lead to your downfall
Don't you draw the Queen of Diamonds, boy, she'll beat you if she's able
Avoid gambling with high stakes because the odds are against you
You know the Queen of Hearts is always your best bet
Choosing a more stable, consistent path may lead to better outcomes
Now it seems to me some fine things have been laid upon your table,
You have had fortune and opportunities come your way,
But you only want the ones that you can't get
But you only yearn for the things that are out of reach
Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger
You are getting older and running out of time
Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home
Your desires and needs are guiding your actions
And freedom, oh freedom, well that's just some people talkin'
The idea of freedom is overrated and may not be attainable
Your prison is walking through this world all alone
Your isolation is your own imprisonment
Don't your feet get cold in the winter time?
Don't you feel the effects of your choices?
The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine
The world may seem bleak and hopeless
It's hard to tell the night time from the day
Life may seem like a never-ending cycle of darkness and despair
You're losin' all your highs and lows;
You are losing your emotional range and feeling disconnected from life
Ain't it funny how the feeling goes away?
It's ironic how easily emotions can dissipate over time
Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Why don't you wake up to reality and make a change?
Come down from your fences; open the gate
Lower your guard and allow others into your life
It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you
Despite the hardships, there is always hope and positivity
You better let somebody love you, before it's too late
You should allow yourself to be loved before it's too late to find happiness
Lyrics © Cass County Music / Wisteria Music / Privet Music, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Red Cloud Music
Written by: GLENN FREY, DON HENLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind