Compilation album - From fans to newcomers

I got into the Eagles first by watching the Farewell Tour DVD (sorry, there’s probably a better place on the forum for this, but it serves as an introduction). My father showed me, because he was a long-time fan. I liked the band upon my first impression. They had a serious side (they wear suits during the first couple of songs) and a playful side (Joe is fooling around with Glenn and wears pyjamas on stage). Plus, they had a soft spot, which was Timothy. The concert setting just oozed quality and class as well, with all members alternately in the spotlight and behind them the horn section in black… And above all, the stuff they were playing just sounded better than most of what I had heard from other artists.

But the moment that really made me fall in love with the guys was during Life’s Been Good. The interaction with the crowd via Joe’s helmet cam was just phenomenal and I must have enjoyed it as much as the people who were actually there.

It’s fun to compare the first impression you had of the band with what you came to know about them further down the line. Because the first song plus the only song I knew back then, HC, were both sung by Don Henley, I assumed that he, together with Joe (I must have been sleeping while Glenn introduced everyone) was the leader of the band in favor of Glenn. I also used to think back then that, for example, Dirty Laundry was a way bigger hit of theirs than Take It Easy.

So my question to the other borderers is: What would you want someone else’s first impression to be like? Or, rephrased, which songs would you recommend someone who wants to know more about the Eagles to listen to?

This would be my list:
How long
One of these nights
Hotel California
Learn to be still (I just can’t imagine someone not liking this song upon first hearing it)
The boys of summer
Life in the fast lane
The end of the innocence
You belong to the city
You don't know me at all
Those shoes (showing their darker side)
Try and love again (I feel this would have been a hit, had Randy not left the band and had it been promoted like it needed to be)
No more cloudy days
Waiting in the weeds
King of Hollywood (this would serve as a slow fade-out after one of the many highlights on this album)

Deluxe:
Somebody
In the city
Tequila sunrise (showing their more country side)
Get over it
The last resort
Hole in the world
Dirty laundry
My man
Walk away (even though it’s technically a whole other band, but written by Joe)
I can't tell you why
The sad café
And I would show them some of my favorite sections from the Farewell 1 Tour DVD.

I remember Don saying that he doesn’t see the point of making a new album, because even if they would write the best song ever, people wouldn’t care much, or something alike, just because they wouldn’t get the same attention as the 70s hits. And I think that How Long, WITW, NMCD and even Somebody would have been massive hits had they been released in the 70s. That’s another thing: this compilation album is not just about those hits, but about all the best songs (+ some solo stuff if you like) that could turn someone into an Eagles fan upon first listen, so think outside the Eagles canon. And as a side note it can be a thread about your own (wrong) first impressions.

Thank you for that SSM.

You have included four Henley songs & one Walsh song. I think the band should be covered first.

As I have been a fan since 1975 I find it very hard to remember my own first impressions. I also don't really know any more which songs newcomers should hear. I don't think I would start them with songs like The Last Resort or King Of Hollywood or Those Shoes.

In chronological order I would probably go with:

Take It Easy
Tequila Sunrise
Desperado
Outlaw Man
Already Gone
Best Of My Love
One Of These Nights
Lyin' Eyes
Take It To The Limit
Hotel California
New Kid In Town
Heartache Tonight
Get Over It
How Long
Somebody
Waiting In The Weeds
It's Your World Now

I think IYNW should be included for its historical significance. Most of the songs I have listed were hits. There is only one song not sung by Frey or Henley. It's meant to be introductory.

For me I am a newer fan but a hardcore nontheless. I always enjoy making my own complation playlists. I often do them to start of strong then slow down for a bit and end on a High Note.

Disc 1
Hotel California
Seven Bridges Road.
Victim Of Love
Take It To The Limit
I Can't Tell You Why
Doolin Dalton
Desperado.
Tequila Sunrise
Peaceful Easy Feeling
Best Of My Love
Already Gone
Train Leaves Here This Morning
Witchy Woman.
James Dean
Waiting In The Weeds.
Wasted Time

Disc 2
How Long
Life In The Fast Lane
In The City
Heartache Tonight.
Certian Kind Of Fool
No More Walks In The Woods
Learn To Be Still
Love Will Keep Us Alive
New Kid In Town
Pretty Maides Al In a Row
Last Resort
Lyin Eyes
One Of These Nights
Long Run
Get Over It
Those shoes
Long Road Out Of Eden
Take It Easy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Freypower

In chronological order I would probably go with:

Take It Easy
Tequila Sunrise
Desperado
Outlaw Man
Already Gone
Best Of My Love
One Of These Nights
Lyin' Eyes
Take It To The Limit
Hotel California
New Kid In Town
Heartache Tonight
Get Over It
How Long
Somebody
Waiting In The Weeds
It's Your World Now

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Nice list. I like that it is chronological as it gives it a structure. I also like that you included Best of My Love which is often overlooked despite being their first US #1.

BOML has never been a favourite of mine particularly but it may be the classic Eagles 'country rock ballad with lots of harmonies'. I tried to include songs that covered all the styles of music they played.

I put together an Eagles compilation tape when I only had Hotel California, The Long Run and Eagles Live. I updated it a little when I bought the Greatest Hits 1972-75 album but listeners would invariably be won over by the first handful of tracks. Would have preferred NKIT to be track 2 but never found a satisfactory track 1.

1 New Kid In Town
2. I Can't Tell You Why
3. The Last Resort
4. Hotel California
5. King Of Hollywood
6. Wasted Time (live)
7. Saturday Night (live)
8. Lying Eyes
9. Take It To The Limit (Live)
10 Tequila Sunrise
11. The Best Of My Love

All the rockers were saved for a different disc. Desperado somehow missed the cut. :shrug: