The Eagles are one of the most iconic bands of the 1970s. And their hit song Desperado is one fans still swoon over.
But what makes this tune so special?
Today, we’re peering into the past to answer all your questions about this beloved ballad.
Let’s hit it!
Who Originally Wrote Desperado?
Don Henley and Glenn Frey, founding members of the Eagles, worked together to write their famous track, Desperado. But both men did a lot of living before becoming co-lead singers for one of America’s greatest bands.
Henley grew up in the small town of Linden, Texas. His musical roots go back to his days in the high school marching band. A friend’s father, Elmer Bowden, invited him to join a Dixieland jazz band. They had moderate success, and a chance meeting with Kenny Rogers resulted in a deal with Amos Records. Subsequently, he relocated to LA in 1970.
Glenn Frey was born and raised in the Detroit, Michigan, area. Unlike Don Henley, he felt a sonic pull from an early age. He began studying piano at five years old before transitioning to guitar.
He played in several groups during high school and college. While in one of those bands, the Four of Us, he met Bob Seger. The two began collaborating, and Seger encouraged him to write original songs. Frey moved to LA to form Longbranch Pennywhistle with JD Souther. During this period, the two lived in an apartment with Jackson Browne.
In 1970, Henley and Frey were both signed to Amos Records. Linda Ronstadt’s manager recruited them to join her backup band on tour. It wasn’t long before they teamed up with Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon to form the Eagles.
While the original lineup lasted less than ten years, they were incredibly prolific. After they disbanded, both Henley and Frey went on to have successful solo careers.
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What Was the Creative Process for Desperado?
The Eagles’ eponymous debut album was a smash hit. It included fan favorites like Witchy Woman, Take It Easy, and Peaceful Easy Feeling. Riding this wave of fame, they knew they needed to pump out more commercially viable tunes to keep moving forward. It was around this time that Frey and Henley began writing together.
They set their sights on a concept album centered around the Wild West.
Henley actually started composing Desperado before the Eagles were together. He played the unfinished melody for Frey during their first writing session. While his original inspiration was more Southern Gothic than Old West, they could tell it’d fit the bill.
Together, they crafted the tale of a cowboy who refuses to settle down and find love. The melancholy tune includes lyrics like, “And freedom, oh freedom, well that’s just some people talkin’. Your prison is walking through this world all alone.”
In many ways, Desperado highlights the parallels between cowboys and rockstars. Both carry the image of distant drifters who can’t be reigned in, something the Eagles knew plenty about.
This songwriting session, which took place at Henley’s home in Laurel Canyon, would go down in history as the beginning of a monumental collaboration.
Who First Recorded Desperado?
It’s no surprise that the Eagles took their hit song and ran with it. They’d worked hard to create this masterpiece and weren’t interested in handing it off to someone else. The album’s title track, Desperado, appears alongside other themed tunes, such as Tequila Sunrise, Outlaw Man, and Doolin-Dalton.
Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Randy Meisner, and Bernie Leadon credited Linda Ronstadt with bringing them together. In fact, they only backed her as a cohesive unit for one performance. Fortunately, she saw their potential and supported their decision to fly off into the sunset.
While different stories exist about the origin of their name, our favorite tale is that they came up with it during a trip to the Mojave Desert, where they’d filled up on tequila and peyote. Despite how they crafted the moniker, it stuck. And their success was quickly realized.
The Eagles’ soft-rock, not-quite-country sound was a win. Their Greatest Hits, released in 1976, was certified platinum 38 times, making it the best-selling album in the country. And it still holds that distinction today.
Hotel California dropped later that year. Interestingly, this record made them the only group to hold two of the top five slots for album sales. That’s not their only accolade, though. They’ve won six Grammys and five American Songwriter Awards. Plus, they’re proud members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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What Popular Covers Are There of Desperado?
Plenty of artists have covered Desperado over the years. After all, who wouldn’t want to put their own spin on such a classic song? Here are three of the most popular renditions.
Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers included his rendition of Desperado on Daytime Friends in 1977. While the lyrics are the same, the instrumentals give it a wildly different feel. With plenty of synthesizers, it sounds more like something from the 80s than the Old West. Meanwhile, backup singers provide a harmonious backdrop for his soulful voice.
Linda Ronstadt
Not only did Linda Ronstadt get a nod for bringing the band together, but also impacted Desperado’s success. She included it on her album Don’t Cry Now, the same year the Eagles first recorded it.
Don Henley called her version “poignant and beautiful.” And he was right. Her voice brings a lightness to the melancholy lyrics, something that’s missing in the Eagles’ take.
Clint Black
Country music sensation Clint Black also released a cover of Desperado. It appeared on a 1993 tribute album to the band called Common Thread: The Songs of The Eagles. Artists like Alan Jackson, Tanya Tucker, and Vince Gill also make appearances.
Black’s take on the song features his signature twang and a chorus of backup singers. But, once again, the Eagles capture the sentiment of the Wild West better than anyone else.
What Are the Eagles Doing Now?
Sadly, two members of the original lineup are no longer with us. Glenn Frey passed away in 2016 from a combination of rheumatoid arthritis, pneumonia, and ulcerative colitis. He was 67 years old. The following year, Randy Meisner died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Despite these losses, the surviving stars are still at it. Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B Schmidt are the core members today. Country music star Vince Gill and Glenn Frey’s son, Deacon, also take the stage regularly.
Although Frey’s death put their live shows on hiatus, the Eagles announced their farewell tour, The Long Goodbye, in the summer of 2023. They anticipate it’ll last a couple of years. However, they’re only dropping a few dates at a time, so keep your eyes peeled for performances near you.
Granted, this isn’t the first time they’ve said goodbye. From 1980 to 1994, fans held little hope they’d see them on stage again. And, of course, Henley hinted that their touring days were over after Frey’s death. But the Eagles returned with a vengeance on both occasions.
Remember the movie with Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek? Watch Desperado again!
The Eagles Continue to Fly High
In the Eagles’ storied history, Desperado is just a blip on the radar of success. Their hard work and unrivaled talents as performers and songwriters cemented their place in American music.
Although two of the original members have passed on, the band is still rocking and rolling today. If you get the chance to catch a show during The Long Goodbye tour, we suggest taking it!