Top 10 Most Underrated Eagles Songs per Ultimate Classic Rock.com

[desperado]

I don't consider Tequila Sunrise and One of These Nights underrated, who makes up these lists anyway?

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/most-underrated-eagles-songs/ (http://ultimateclassicrock.com/most-underrated-eagles-songs/)



http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/ultimateclassicrock.com/files/2011/05/ucr-logo.png (http://ultimateclassicrock.com/)Top 10 Most Underrated Eagles Songs
by Sterling Whitaker (http://ultimateclassicrock.com/author/sterlingwit/) November 6, 2012 5:45 Pm
http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/ultimateclassicrock.com/files/2012/11/Eagles_Redferm1.jpgRedfern / Getty Images The Eagles (http://ultimateclassicrock.com/tags/the-eagles/) were an extremely diverse group of musicians during the ’70s, essaying tracks ranging from country rock to hard rock, pop, ballads and even disco. The group’s earliest work tended to focus on country production elements, while later albums included far more rock-oriented guitar work and a growing musical restlessness, as evidenced by the wide variety of songs in our Top 10 Eagles Songs (http://ultimateclassicrock.com/eagles-songs) list. But as diverse as those songs are, they don’t even begin to scratch the surface of the band’s true artistry — as you’ll see in our list of the Top 10 Most Underrated Eagles Songs.

http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/ultimateclassicrock.com/files/2012/11/Eagles.jpg?w=190&h=190&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89



10
'Most of Us Are Sad'

From: 'Eagles' (1972)





At their core, the Eagles were undeniably a country rock band early on, and 'Most of Us Are Sad' is a lost classic that brought together all of the elements that made that period special. Written by Glenn Frey (http://ultimateclassicrock.com/tags/Glenn-Frey/) and sung by bassist Randy Meisner, the song is a hardcore country lament, but produced in the trademark Eagles style featuring crystalline vocal harmonies and clean instrumentation. The lyric reads like prose poetry: Most of us are sad / No one lets it show / I've been shadows of myself / How was I to know?"

Hear 'Most of Us Are Sad' (http://www.breadpro.com/oven?id=44474190&targetUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv %3DdI5dJEjDwHo)





http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/ultimateclassicrock.com/files/2012/11/The-Eagles-Hotel-California.jpg?w=190&h=190&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89



9
'Wasted Time'

From: 'Hotel California' (1976)





Written by the dominant songwriting duo of Frey and Don Henley (http://ultimateclassicrock.com/tags/don-henley/), 'Wasted Time' is a superb showcase for the grittier, soulful side of Henley's voice. Constructed with simple, intersecting piano chords, string lines and a trademark clean, straightforward melody, the track demonstrates that sometimes the magic of the Eagles wasn't in what they played; it was in the taste and restraint they showed in not overplaying, letting the chords, melody and vocal deliver the true intent of a song.

Hear 'Wasted Time' (http://www.breadpro.com/oven?id=44474190&targetUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv %3DjtWpfvL0t7w)





http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/ultimateclassicrock.com/files/2012/11/The-Eagles-James-Dean.jpg?w=190&h=190&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89



8
'James Dean'

From: 'On the Border' (1974)





This energetic, guitar-driven rock track follows along the same lines as more prominent hits like 'Already Gone,' with its shuffle pattern rhythms and tradeoff lead guitars. Written by Frey, Henley, Jackson Browne (http://ultimateclassicrock.com/tags/jackson-browne/) and J.D. Souther -- whose contributions to the Eagles were so large that he should be credited as an additional member -- the song pays tribute to the movie icon, describing him as "Too fast to live, too young to die."

Hear 'James Dean' (http://www.breadpro.com/oven?id=44474190&targetUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv %3D7guzEuV7j9c)





http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/ultimateclassicrock.com/files/2012/11/The-Eagles-Desperado.jpg?w=190&h=190&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89



7
'Tequila Sunrise'

From: 'Desperado' (1973)





Another early country hit from the pens of Frey and Henley, 'Tequila Sunrise' started because of the drink that was popular at the time. Glenn Frey was hesitant about the song, feeling that reference might limit it to a specific time and place, until Henley argued that the lyric was really about waking up the morning after drinking tequila all night. Bernie Leadon's guitar work and mandolin contributions to the track provide a perfect bed for Frey's deceptively easy vocal delivery.

Hear 'Tequila Sunrise' (http://www.breadpro.com/oven?id=44474190&targetUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv %3Dws-YqUcD0LY)





http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/ultimateclassicrock.com/files/2012/11/The-Eagles-One-of-These-Nights-single.jpg?w=190&h=190&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89



6
'One of These Nights'

From: 'One of These Nights' (1975)





The Eagles took a turn in a different direction with 'One of These Nights,' fusing elements of disco and hard rock to create something that had little to do with most of the group's recorded output. The funky track exploited the more soulful side of Don Henley's voice. "It is a breakthrough song," Glenn Frey stated in the liner notes to 'The Very Best of the Eagles.' "It is my favorite Eagles record." Don Felder (http://ultimateclassicrock.com/tags/don-felder/) contributed a blazing electric solo that's a perfect example of his trademark blend of tone, phrasing and melody.

Hear 'One of These Nights' (http://www.breadpro.com/oven?id=44474190&targetUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv %3DT9ozGsAtY28)





http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/ultimateclassicrock.com/files/2012/11/The-Eagles-I-Cant-Tell-You-Why.jpg?w=190&h=190&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89



5
'I Can't Tell You Why'

From: 'The Long Run' (1979)





Bassist and singer Timothy B. Schmit (http://ultimateclassicrock.com/tags/timothy-b-schmit/) didn't hesitate to make his presence known on his very first Eagles album. Replacing Randy Meisner, the musician brought in the lush ballad 'I Can't Tell You Why,' which he finished with Frey and Henley. Schmit sang the track in a beautiful falsetto that added a new dimension to the group, topped off with yet another perfectly melodic guitar solo from Felder. 'I Can't Tell You Why' earns its spot on the Top 10 Underrated Eagles Songs list.

Hear 'I Can't Tell You Why' (http://www.breadpro.com/oven?id=44474190&targetUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv %3Dq6yyWKzPBCM)





http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/ultimateclassicrock.com/files/2012/11/The-Eagles-One-of-These-Nights.jpg?w=190&h=190&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89



4
'After the Thrill Is Gone'

From: 'One of These Nights' (1975)





The Eagles returned to their country rock roots with this plaintive ballad from Frey and Henley, which they not only wrote together, they also alternated lead vocals. The lyric perfectly captures both the fading thrill of the '70s club scene, and the malaise that had begun to creep into the band: "Same dancers in the same old shoes / Some habits that you just can't lose / There's no telling what a man might use / After the thrill is gone." The track also captures some of Henley and Frey's best close harmony singing.

Hear 'After the Thrill Is Gone' (http://www.breadpro.com/oven?id=44474190&targetUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv %3DeZMqCsPTMKw)





http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/ultimateclassicrock.com/files/2012/11/The-Eagles-On-the-Border.jpg?w=190&h=190&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89



3
'Ol' 55'

From: 'On the Border' (1974)





'Ol' 55' is one dramatic example of the Eagles taking the work of another writer and delivering it in its highest form. Written by Tom Waits (http://ultimateclassicrock.com/tags/tom-waits/), 'Ol' 55' was a fan favorite, but the Eagles' recording surpassed his version vocally and instrumentally, using simple piano chords, pedal steel, alternating Frey and Henley lead vocals, and trademark big harmony stacks that make the song into an instant Eagles classic that deserves its place in the Top 10 Most Underrated Eagles Songs.

Hear 'Ol' 55' (http://www.breadpro.com/oven?id=44474190&targetUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv %3Div-fjv1bbXI)





http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/ultimateclassicrock.com/files/2012/11/The-Eagles-Desperado1.jpg?w=190&h=190&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89



2
'Doolin-Dalton'

From: 'Desperado'





Written by Frey and Henley, with a little help from their friends -- in this case Jackson Browne (http://ultimateclassicrock.com/tags/jackson-browne/) and J.D. Souther -- this song told the story of outlaw Bill Doolin and the Dalton Gang. It kicked off the cycle of songs that became 'Desperado,' a concept album steeped in Western mythology. The track is typically precise, with an evocative lyric: "Well the towns led across the dusty plains / Like graveyard filled with tombstones waiting for the names ."

Hear 'Doolin Dalton' (http://www.breadpro.com/oven?id=44474190&targetUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv %3DMt69PxbhC-k)





http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/ultimateclassicrock.com/files/2012/11/The-Eagles-Hotel-California1.jpg?w=190&h=190&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89



1
'The Last Resort'

From: 'Hotel California' (1976)





The Eagles closed out their most classic album with 'The Last Resort,' an epic track that presented the entire world as a resort being destroyed by the greedy, self-serving and short-sighted machinations of the human race. A classic Henley rant, the song was a true ballad with no chorus, centered around a solo Henley vocal. Any track that manages to combine Henley's extreme misanthropy with such an alluring pop arrangement amply deserves to close out our Top 10 Most Underrated Eagles Songs.

Hear 'The Last Resort' (http://www.breadpro.com/oven?id=44474190&targetUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv %3DekytTpFy96o)




What Is Your Favorite Underrated Eagles Song?


That's our list of the Top 10 Most Underrated Eagles Songs, but with such a great catalog to choose from, there are bound to be arguments to the contrary. Did we miss one of your favorites, or put something in here that you think shouldn't be? Let us know in the comments section!

[Shadowland07]

And again the dumb writers at Ultimate Classic Rock didn't do their research and credit Felder with the solo on ICTYW when Glenn played it on the record. :brickwall:

[sad-cafe]

ICTYW is not underrated. It was a great hit and Timothy B's first with the Eagles.

[desperado]

I don't agree with Tequila Sunrise and One of these Nights as being underrated either. One of my favorite underrated Eagles songs is, Try and Love Again. :)

I would also chose "try and love again "
Also "I wish you peace"

[LA Eagle]

I think it is one of their best:thumbsup:

One of my favorite underrated Eagles songs is, Try and Love Again. :)[/quote]

[GlennLover]

And again the dumb writers at Ultimate Classic Rock didn't do their research and credit Felder with the solo on ICTYW when Glenn played it on the record. :brickwall:

I saw red when I read that! :-x I see in the comments though, that this was mentioned.

[Prettymaid]

And again the dumb writers at Ultimate Classic Rock didn't do their research and credit Felder with the solo on ICTYW when Glenn played it on the record. :brickwall:

Let's go see if there's a place for us to leave corrections!

[Prettymaid]

I saw red when I read that! :-x I see in the comments though, that this was mentioned.

Oops, should have read your post before posting, GL. I'm still going to comment, if I can.

[Prettymaid]

That's our own Maleah who set the record straight before I just did!

[Freypower]

For what it's worth, I don't consider WT or OOTN underrated, but I think TS & JD are. I also think the entire LROOE album, especially with the new tour entirely ignoring it, sadly underrated & now becoming neglected.

[Prettymaid]

To some the word 'history' has the connotation of going far into the past. Maybe the Eagles thought LROE was too recent to be a part of their history.

[Freypower]

Yes, and I think they have taken the word ''history'' too literally & appeared to validate the views of the naysayers who never accepted LROOE.

[sad-cafe]

they could have done How Long and I don't want to hear anymore or Do something to give Timothy B more exposure. I would have loved Joe's Last good time in town . Would be a great encore selection

[AstraeaLunaAvani]

YAYYYY Doolin-Dalton!!! :thumbsup: So glad that song made it!

BUT...

I think Too Many Hands and Take the Devil should have been in there too.

Kinda surprised about #1...I love Last Resort but would have put it lower on the list.

[thelastresort]

Kinda surprised about #1...I love Last Resort but would have put it lower on the list.

I'm not sure, I think it's probably the most deserving of number 1 (save perhaps Ol' 55 and D-D / D Reprise) - it's the best example of Henley's ability for me - the lyrics, the backing track, the truth and emotion in what he composed are all absolutely divine. It's almost like a lesson of life and history that many Americans hate to admit happens, and the depth of meaning is unreal - 'there is no more new frontier, we have got to make it here'. I think it is largely overlooked as it shares the same album as Hotel Cali, NKIT and LITFL, much more wider-audience attractive songs. TLR is the sort of song you can only write once in a lifetime, and I think that's why it should be number 1.

[WalshFan88]

For me the list would look something like this.

1. After The Thrill Is Gone
2. James Dean
3. On The Border
4. Victim Of Love
5. Those Shoes
6. Out Of Control
7. Midnight Flyer
8. Good Day In Hell
9. Please Come Home For Christmas
10. Witchy Woman

Now I realize some of these are more underrated than others, and some to some people wouldn't be underrated. But to me personally, these are my picks.

[TimothyBFan]

I'm not sure, I think it's probably the most deserving of number 1 (save perhaps Ol' 55 and D-D / D Reprise) - it's the best example of Henley's ability for me - the lyrics, the backing track, the truth and emotion in what he composed are all absolutely divine. It's almost like a lesson of life and history that many Americans hate to admit happens, and the depth of meaning is unreal - 'there is no more new frontier, we have got to make it here'. I think it is largely overlooked as it shares the same album as Hotel Cali, NKIT and LITFL, much more wider-audience attractive songs. TLR is the sort of song you can only write once in a lifetime, and I think that's why it should be number 1.

Very well put and I feel about the same. I think this song is truly amazing and pretty much a masterpiece. We could all learn from these lyrics.

BTW-- I had to giggle a bit--I was thinking how passionate you seem to be about describing the song--then I noticed your user name!! :thumbsup:

[Troubadour]

I echo your thoughts entirely. The Last Resort is such a beautiful song and it has a very special place in my heart.

[AstraeaLunaAvani]

I'm not sure, I think it's probably the most deserving of number 1 (save perhaps Ol' 55 and D-D / D Reprise) - it's the best example of Henley's ability for me - the lyrics, the backing track, the truth and emotion in what he composed are all absolutely divine. It's almost like a lesson of life and history that many Americans hate to admit happens, and the depth of meaning is unreal - 'there is no more new frontier, we have got to make it here'. I think it is largely overlooked as it shares the same album as Hotel Cali, NKIT and LITFL, much more wider-audience attractive songs. TLR is the sort of song you can only write once in a lifetime, and I think that's why it should be number 1.

Ha! i just noticed your username, so I really understand how much you love this song! :)

I totally agree that the message is amazing, I love it too when bands can write such powerful deep lyrics. I bet most people who listen to this song don't really get what it's saying. I feel this way about Too Many Hands too, it's kind of a similar theme.

[Ephi82]

The Hollywood Waltz has one of Henley's best lyrics and singing and harmonies, as usual, are incredible.

The reviewer mentioned in this thread says that "After The Thrill is Gone" is a country song?

I dont know about that...it's an R&B influenced song for sure.

Fact is, after On the Border, the Eagles really tried to blend rock with R&B. One of These Nights is a great example.

[outontheborder]

The Hollywood Waltz has one of Henley's best lyrics and singing and harmonies, as usual, are incredible.

The reviewer mentioned in this thread says that "After The Thrill is Gone" is a country song?

I dont know about that...it's an R&B influenced song for sure.

Fact is, after On the Border, the Eagles really tried to blend rock with R&B. One of These Nights is a great example.

Although loads of their songs don't sound very country at all, that always seems to be what people label them as.

[RebeccaLovesEagles]

The Hollywood Waltz has one of Henley's best lyrics and singing and harmonies, as usual, are incredible.

The reviewer mentioned in this thread says that "After The Thrill is Gone" is a country song?

I dont know about that...it's an R&B influenced song for sure.

Fact is, after On the Border, the Eagles really tried to blend rock with R&B. One of These Nights is a great example.

I love the end of Hollywood Waltz. Don H voice at the end makes me melt:heybaby::fainting:

[Prettymaid]

I love the end of Hollywood Waltz. Don H voice at the end makes me melt:heybaby::fainting:

It's nice to see some love for Hollywood Waltz. I've always thought it was such a pretty song. Don sounds great on it.

[OutlawManNJ]

If it was a hit single, it shouldnt be on this list. PERIOD.

[RebeccaLovesEagles]

It's nice to see some love for Hollywood Waltz. I've always thought it was such a pretty song. Don sounds great on it.

PM, Hollywood Waltz and DD reprise are my 2 favorites. HW is so pretty and I love the lyrics:xoxo:

[Ive always been a dreamer]

Someone linked to this site in another thread today, and I remembered this thread. I reread it and realized I had never commented about their list. I don't think it's too bad, although I don't agree that I Can't Tell You Why or One of Those Nights are underrated. I agree with most of the others. Let me just say that I find it almost impossible to do list like these because I always struggle to limit myself to the number requested.

My list would include almost their entire catalog that were not hits ...

Train Leaves Here This Morning
Entire Desperado album
Midnight Flyer
My Man
On the Border
James Dean
Ol' 55
Good Day in Hell
Hollywood Waltz
After the Thrill Is Gone
Every 'non-hit' from the Hotel California album
King of Hollywood
Those Shoes
The Sad Cafe
Learn To Be Still
How Long
What Do I Do With My Heart
Waiting In the Weeds
You Are Not Alone
Long Road Out of Eden
I Dreamed There Was No War
Somebody
I Love To Watch a Woman Dance

I guess you can call me a hardcore. :grin:

[Freypower]

I wouldn't call either How Long or WITW underrated. How Long got a huge amount of attention & WITW has been a huge favourite of Borderers since Day One. But I absolutely agree with LROOE, YANA, Somebody & of course ILTWAWD. I am not so sure about WDIDWMH. I guess it should have received more attention than it got & therefore it is underrated. Do Something is underrated.

These days, as I have said before, it seems that my two favourite Eagles songs, NKIT & Lyin' Eyes, are underrated. (I could no longer continue to claim that Hotel California is my second favourite Eagles song). This may be because I seem to be more passionate about those songs than many people. Regarding Hollywood Waltz, I understand why people feel it is underrated, but it leaves me cold, like most of that album.

[thelastresort]

Never understood why Good Day in Hell has practically disappeared into history alongside most of the rest of OTB. Absolutely brilliant song and for me should have been a staple as much as the likes of Already Gone and Best of My Love became.

I tend to discover a new Eagles song every couple of weeks (e.g. I've only heard about half of Eagles and LROOE in depth) so I might get a bit hyped up on these nominations, but some I've discovered recently that like GDIH have vanished without relative trace when they shouldn't have are Most of Us Are Sad and Do Something. The guitar work in the former is beautiful, and the tempo / groove / lyrics of the latter is what makes it for me TBS's best song (ICTWY never really endeared itself to me, and there's something a bit too soppy about LWKUA). I'd also be tempted to say Hollywood Waltz, but like FP said there's something a bit flat about it (and the rest of OOTN). If I had to do a list I'd probably say (most underrated first):
1. The Last Resort
2. Good Day in Hell
3. After the Thrill is Gone
4. Do Something
5. Outlaw Man
6. Ol' 55
7. Victim of Love
8. Sad Cafe
9. Tequila Sunrise
10. Most of Us Are Sad

[sad-cafe]

I'm really liking King of Hollywood

[zeldabjr]

the first song that comes to my mind is Victim of Love...I adore that song...

[Houston Baby]

Never understood why Good Day in Hell has practically disappeared into history alongside most of the rest of OTB. Absolutely brilliant song and for me should have been a staple as much as the likes of Already Gone and Best of My Love became.

I LOVE Good Day in Hell too!!

[DJ]

I LOVE Good Day in Hell too!!


I agree 100% this is one of my all time favorite songs!! When I quote the lyrics in social media people go what song is that. I say are you kidding me only one of the best Rock songs every!

[GlennLover]

I agree 100% this is one of my all time favorite songs!! When I quote the lyrics in social media people go what song is that. I say are you kidding me only one of the best Rock songs every!

One of my favourites too. :thumbsup:

[Jonny Come Lately]

Here's what I think of the Ultimate Classic Rock list:

10. Most Of Us Are Sad - Good choice, not an obvious one either.
9. Wasted Time - Decent pick, a great song but I can easily think of others that are more underrated.
8. James Dean - Good choice
7. Tequila Sunrise - Decent pick, it was a single but wasn't really a hit so I'm okay with this.
6. One Of These Nights - What the heck?!?! Since when was this extremely popular number one single widely regarded as one of their best songs underrated? Great song, but shouldn't anywhere near this list.
5. I Can't Tell You Why - Another strange selection, not quite as much as OOTN though.
4. After The Thrill Is Gone - Excellent choice
3. Ol' 55 - Excellent choice
2. Doolin-Dalton - Excellent choice (although the Reprise is even more underrated)
1. The Last Resort - Excellent choice. Fantastic song IMO.

Their lists are usually decent although tend to stick to the most obvious choices (e.g. IIRC their top 10 Pink Floyd list mainly focusses on Dark Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Wall) and in my experience there's typically one clunker in there somewhere (for instance, their top 10 Dire Straits songs list left out Brothers In Arms and Telegraph Road while including the fun but throwaway Twisting By The Pool in seventh place).

My own top ten underrated list would read something like:
1. The Last Resort
2. Doolin-Dalton/Desperado (Reprise)
3. Take The Devil (their single most underrated song IMO)
4. My Man
5. Good Day In Hell
6. Too Many Hands
7. Bitter Creek
8. Long Road Out Of Eden (doesn't get enough credit, it's an epic and is worthy of mention in the same breath as Hotel California)
9. The Sad Café
10. After The Thrill Is Gone

I also gave some consideration to including Most Of Us Are Sad, Out Of Control, Outlaw Man, Midnight Flyer, James Dean, Journey of the Sorcerer, PMAIAR, Try And Love Again, Those Shoes and Do Something.

There's a fair bit of Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner on my list (4 songs out of 10), their songs on the whole tend to be very underrated I think.

[chaim]

"Underrated songs" lists tend to be totally pointless. Usually "underrated" means "all the songs that are not as amazing as the best ones, but aren't absolutely crap either" or "songs that I like, but everybody else doesn't rave about".

And here's another example of what I mentioned in another thread. I hate it when people praise other people for solos Glenn composed and played. Would these people praise the ICTYW solos if they knew they were played by a guitarist who they are not supposed and expected to praise???

My personal "the underrated Eagles songs" list would look something like this. I love these songs and, of course, everybody else should too!

Take The Devil
Most Of Us Are Sad
Earlybird
Bitter Creek
My Man
Journey Of The Sorcerer
Too Many Hands
I Wish You Peace
(On the border)
(Good day in hell)

[deb828]

Here's what I think of the Ultimate Classic Rock list:

10. Most Of Us Are Sad - Good choice, not an obvious one either.
9. Wasted Time - Decent pick, a great song but I can easily think of others that are more underrated.
8. James Dean - Good choice
7. Tequila Sunrise - Decent pick, it was a single but wasn't really a hit so I'm okay with this.
6. One Of These Nights - What the heck?!?! Since when was this extremely popular number one single widely regarded as one of their best songs underrated? Great song, but shouldn't anywhere near this list.
5. I Can't Tell You Why - Another strange selection, not quite as much as OOTN though.
4. After The Thrill Is Gone - Excellent choice
3. Ol' 55 - Excellent choice
2. Doolin-Dalton - Excellent choice (although the Reprise is even more underrated)
1. The Last Resort - Excellent choice. Fantastic song IMO.

Their lists are usually decent although tend to stick to the most obvious choices (e.g. IIRC their top 10 Pink Floyd list mainly focusses on Dark Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Wall) and in my experience there's typically one clunker in there somewhere (for instance, their top 10 Dire Straits songs list left out Brothers In Arms and Telegraph Road while including the fun but throwaway Twisting By The Pool in seventh place).

My own top ten underrated list would read something like:
1. The Last Resort
2. Doolin-Dalton/Desperado (Reprise)
3. Take The Devil (their single most underrated song IMO)
4. My Man
5. Good Day In Hell
6. Too Many Hands
7. Bitter Creek
8. Long Road Out Of Eden (doesn't get enough credit, it's an epic and is worthy of mention in the same breath as Hotel California)
9. The Sad Café
10. After The Thrill Is Gone

I also gave some consideration to including Most Of Us Are Sad, Out Of Control, Outlaw Man, Midnight Flyer, James Dean, Journey of the Sorcerer, PMAIAR, Try And Love Again, Those Shoes and Do Something.

There's a fair bit of Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner on my list (4 songs out of 10), their songs on the whole tend to be very underrated I think.
Love your list, especially the Last Resort and Long Road Out of Eden--agree that song is epic!

[Glennsallnighter]

I must do a top 10 as well but in the meantime I would say that 'What Do I Do With My Heart' is totally underrated

[Freypower]

I never did a list.

1. New Kid In Town*
2. Good Day In Hell
3. What Do I Do With My Heart
4. Out Of Control
5. Outlaw Man
6. Certain Kind Of Fool
7. No More Cloudy Days
8. Too Many Hands
9. Business As Usual
10. Learn To Be Still

*I will try & explain why I think my favourite Eagles song is underrated if anyone is interested.

[GlennLover]

I'd like to hear why, FP. :)

[Freypower]

I will sound horribly biased & partisan but from one viewpoint it seems that when people talk about all the best known Eagles songs, this song is rarely mentioned. The fact that it was a Number One single & won a Grammy has been forgotten (not least by Don Felder, who entirely ignores the song's existence). It has been overshadowed by both Hotel Califorina & Life In The Fast Lane for so long that it was even dropped from their setlist for a while (when I saw them in 2010 they didn't play it). So even they don't seem to rate it that highly. Glenn's performance of it in Dublin is a virtual throwaway.

The song is a progression from Certain Kind Of Fool (another underrated song) in the way it charts the career trajectory & romantic entaglements of the protagonist. To me he embodies the whole success vs. failure thingthey're talking about in the HC album and does so in a much more sympathetic but still realistic way than the caustic & cynical Life In The Fast Lane or the grandiose Wasted Time. It's summed up in the line 'they will never forget you 'til somebody new comes along' and the way the chorus moves from the new kid, Johnny come lately, to the kid who is on the way out; 'where you been lately'. I could go into more depth about the lyrics. My only criticism perhaps is that the romantic element becomes a bit too prominent (in the bridge section).

Musically it has the Spanish feel which continues on from the title track. It has a lovely (overlooked) performance by Joe on electric piano, a fine guitar solo by Felder & perhaps the best harmonies they ever did. It also has, for what it's worth, the finest lead vocal of Glenn Frey's career. He never sang with this much passion or convction & he rarely has again so for me it's very special in that regard.

I realise that most of what I have written here is about why the song is great rather than why it's underrated but I think I addressed that in the first paragraph.

I know the song doesn't mean as much to others as it does to me so I hope you forgive me for indulging in this.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

I absolutely love New Kid In Town too, FP. It is all around incredible, and the line that you mentioned "They will never forget you 'til somebody new comes along' is probably some of my favorite lyrics ever. And I hear what you are saying about it being underrated, and I agree that it is somewhat overshadowed by Hotel California. But I guess I have to take issue the with you to the extent that, in my mind at least, it's a little hard to argue that a song that hit #1 and won a Grammy is too underrated. It was a huge hit in the states both with the critics and the public. If anyone downplays it, it's probably Glenn himself. Even in the "Very Best of the Eagles" liner notes, he doesn't elaborate on the song - he simply says "We won a Grammy® for Best Vocal Arrangement for "New Kid In Town." I'm quite proud of that." I can't remember if he has ever commented more about it or not. I'd love to know how he really feels about the song.

[GlennLover]

I will sound horribly biased & partisan but from one viewpoint it seems that when people talk about all the best known Eagles songs, this song is rarely mentioned. The fact that it was a Number One single & won a Grammy has been forgotten (not least by Don Felder, who entirely ignores the song's existence). It has been overshadowed by both Hotel Califorina & Life In The Fast Lane for so long that it was even dropped from their setlist for a while (when I saw them in 2010 they didn't play it). So even they don't seem to rate it that highly. Glenn's performance of it in Dublin is a virtual throwaway.

The song is a progression from Certain Kind Of Fool (another underrated song) in the way it charts the career trajectory & romantic entaglements of the protagonist. To me he embodies the whole success vs. failure thingthey're talking about in the HC album and does so in a much more sympathetic but still realistic way than the caustic & cynical Life In The Fast Lane or the grandiose Wasted Time. It's summed up in the line 'they will never forget you 'til somebody new comes along' and the way the chorus moves from the new kid, Johnny come lately, to the kid who is on the way out; 'where you been lately'. I could go into more depth about the lyrics. My only criticism perhaps is that the romantic element becomes a bit too prominent (in the bridge section).

Musically it has the Spanish feel which continues on from the title track. It has a lovely (overlooked) performance by Joe on electric piano, a fine guitar solo by Felder & perhaps the best harmonies they ever did. It also has, for what it's worth, the finest lead vocal of Glenn Frey's career. He never sang with this much passion or convction & he rarely has again so for me it's very special in that regard.

I realise that most of what I have written here is about why the song is great rather than why it's underrated but I think I addressed that in the first paragraph.

I know the song doesn't mean as much to others as it does to me so I hope you forgive me for indulging in this.

You make some very valid points, FP. It certainly doesn't get anywhere near the recognition of LITFL. As for being "perhaps the best harmonies they ever did", it did win the 1977 Grammy for best arrangement for voices (and the arrangement was done by the "Lone Arranger". Absolutely beautiful.

[sodascouts]

Here's my list:

Most of Us Are Sad
Doolin-Dalton Reprise
Out of Control
My Man
Ol' 55
Too Many Hands
Pretty Maids All in a Row
Victim of Love
Those Shoes
Somebody

Runners-up:
Outlaw Man
Bitter Creek
Saturday Night
James Dean
I Wish You Peace
Hole in the World
What Do I Do with My Heart
Do Something
You Are Not Alone
I Dreamed There Was No War

[chaim]

It's interesting that the line "They will never forget you 'til..." has just been mentioned in two posts, because it's a line that always caught my attention. I used to hear it as "Hey, we'll never forget you...", but the idea is the same.

For me this song has always been very special - more special than HC. Musically it's perfect - every chord movement is brilliant. To this day I haven't heard a modulation as wonderful as the one from "tears on your shoulder" to the last verse. It's also brilliant how it returns to the original key. I don't just hear the modulations, I feel them as part of the story. However, if most people don't feel the song as strongly as I do, I can't blame them.

If Glenn doesn't think much of the song today, is it possible that he feels it's more of a J.D. song and he doesn't feel as close to it as to songs that were originated within the band?

I think Freypower means that the song is underrated today - not back then.

[thelastresort]

New Kid in Town is probably my favourite mainstream Eagles song and I can't argue with a word anyone has said about it so far. I adore the final 90~ seconds or so from 'they will never forget you...': the little guitar piece after that is brilliant, the harmonies delicious and Glenn going for the 'but you're still arooooooooooooooound' might just be my favoruite Eagles vocal ever. My only complaint with it these days (aside them dropping it) is that it's a lot less keyboard driven than it should be: I love the way Joe drives the song on the recording.

[UndertheWire]

My list in chronological order:

Eagles


Get You in the Mood - so underrated that I didn't know of its existence for more than forty years. It's quite different to the tracks that made the album and it shows a direction they could have taken. Also, I can't resist "I get so wasted in the city. Last girl I hit on wasn't very pretty."
Take the Devil - I think of it as Witch Woman Part II. The guitars, the backing vocals, the way Randy's voice goes higher and higher and the echo.
Tryin' - one of their best early rockers. I love the bit where Randy sings "I'm tryin'" over the chorus.

Desperado - I'd be temped to put the whole album forward


Outlaw Man - love that fuzzy guitar and the energy
Bitter Creek -the spareness of it, Bernie's guitar playing, those harmonies, the lyrics, Bernie's voice

On the Border


On the Border
Ol' 55

One of These Nights - nothing


Hotel California


Pretty Maids All in a Row

The Long Run


King of Hollywood - those guitars

Last Road out of Eden


Somebody



I almost included Teenage Jail because I don't think it deserves the treatment it's given. I like Felder's guitar solo.

[Jonny Come Lately]

I will sound horribly biased & partisan but from one viewpoint it seems that when people talk about all the best known Eagles songs, this song is rarely mentioned. The fact that it was a Number One single & won a Grammy has been forgotten (not least by Don Felder, who entirely ignores the song's existence). It has been overshadowed by both Hotel Califorina & Life In The Fast Lane for so long that it was even dropped from their setlist for a while (when I saw them in 2010 they didn't play it). So even they don't seem to rate it that highly. Glenn's performance of it in Dublin is a virtual throwaway.

The song is a progression from Certain Kind Of Fool (another underrated song) in the way it charts the career trajectory & romantic entaglements of the protagonist. To me he embodies the whole success vs. failure thingthey're talking about in the HC album and does so in a much more sympathetic but still realistic way than the caustic & cynical Life In The Fast Lane or the grandiose Wasted Time. It's summed up in the line 'they will never forget you 'til somebody new comes along' and the way the chorus moves from the new kid, Johnny come lately, to the kid who is on the way out; 'where you been lately'. I could go into more depth about the lyrics. My only criticism perhaps is that the romantic element becomes a bit too prominent (in the bridge section).

Musically it has the Spanish feel which continues on from the title track. It has a lovely (overlooked) performance by Joe on electric piano, a fine guitar solo by Felder & perhaps the best harmonies they ever did. It also has, for what it's worth, the finest lead vocal of Glenn Frey's career. He never sang with this much passion or convction & he rarely has again so for me it's very special in that regard.

I realise that most of what I have written here is about why the song is great rather than why it's underrated but I think I addressed that in the first paragraph.

I know the song doesn't mean as much to others as it does to me so I hope you forgive me for indulging in this.

I agree with all the comments praising New Kid In Town in this thread, it is a terrific song and one of the very best of its kind. I think it has a strong case for being the greatest mellow rock song of all time. (I am reluctant to use the phrase 'soft rock', a term which carries a lot of baggage, and in any case with a few songs standing out as exceptions I don't think the Eagles fit the typical soft rock mould. I digress though am happy to explain this if anyone is interested.)

Joe's keyboard playing on the track is very good but I think Don Felder brings a lot to it, the guitar solo is excellent, I love the lick he plays after 'they're walking away, and they're talking behind you' and the sudden change to a darker more ominous tone towards the end is brilliant, an example of the music helping to tell the story.

Lyrically the song has always struck me as being metaphorical, of course it does work as a love song too but the words hold true in the music business and beyond (whenever I see One Direction and their ilk I always think of this song :hilarious: but I can also think of examples from sport. At risk of running off-topic, look at the goalkeepers at Chelsea FC (soccer) this season, with the young Thibaut Courtois displacing Petr Cech who in his youth displaced Carlo Cudicini, matching the developments in the song). Vocally it's definitely one of the band's finest performances, with Glenn's superb lead vocal being supported by great harmonies, which are the best on the HC album IMO (which otherwise vocally is defined for me by Don Henley's vocals rather than the band singing together).

I've always thought that the musical theme of New Kid In Town is something of a continuation from Hotel California - I'm glad that I'm not alone in thinking this. I've always thought of it as sounding Mexican rather than Spanish although this is probably due to Don Henley's description of the HC demo as a 'Mexican reggae' and the use of a guitarron on NKIT.

FP, in my experience in the UK if a person only knows one Eagles song then that song will be Hotel California, with Life In The Fast Lane also being very popular and widely recognised, receiving quite a lot of airplay (I've heard it on the radio several times). By contrast I've never heard NKIT on radio and it is less culturally significant than the other two so in that respect it is rather underrated on these shores.

[DivineDon]

Here's my list:

Most of Us Are Sad
Doolin-Dalton Reprise
Out of Control
My Man
Ol' 55
Too Many Hands
Pretty Maids All in a Row
Victim of Love
Those Shoes
Somebody

Runners-up:
Outlaw Man
Bitter Creek
Saturday Night
James Dean
I Wish You Peace
Hole in the World
What Do I Do with My Heart
Do Something
You Are Not Alone
I Dreamed There Was No War

I completely agree with several of your choices, Soda. I love Doolin' Dalton Reprise, Those Shoes, Pretty Maids All in A Row, Do Something and Somebody is terrific. I also love It's Your World Now, Midnight Flyer and The Sad Cafe.

I think my favourite 'most underrated Eagles' song however, is Train Leaves Here This Morning...just love it

[L101]

I agree with most of the choices here but my two most underrated songs are King of Hollywood (Guitars and drums) and Waiting in the weeds (Just love it).

[Freypower]

It's interesting that the line "They will never forget you 'til..." has just been mentioned in two posts, because it's a line that always caught my attention. I used to hear it as "Hey, we'll never forget you...", but the idea is the same.

For me this song has always been very special - more special than HC. Musically it's perfect - every chord movement is brilliant. To this day I haven't heard a modulation as wonderful as the one from "tears on your shoulder" to the last verse. It's also brilliant how it returns to the original key. I don't just hear the modulations, I feel them as part of the story. However, if most people don't feel the song as strongly as I do, I can't blame them.

If Glenn doesn't think much of the song today, is it possible that he feels it's more of a J.D. song and he doesn't feel as close to it as to songs that were originated within the band?

I think Freypower means that the song is underrated today - not back then.

Thank you chaim. I indeed meant that it's underrated now. As I said, yes, it went to Number One & won a Grammy, and that has been forgotten, maybe not by Borderers but by many others. So much attention is given to Henley's domination of the HC album that not only NKIT but PMIAR & TALA sometimes get swept aside. All three of these songs rank near the top for me.

The J.D. co-authorship part has always worried me. I have never known how much of it J.D.wrote. I would tend to agree that Glenn seems to shrug it off for this reason. I am so looking forward to watching & hearing him sing it again for the first time since 2004. Can you believe that. I understand why he doesn't do it in solo shows because his band couldn't match the Eagles harmonies.

The line 'they will never forget you etc' is almost Shakespearean and is my favourite lyric in any Eagles song.

[sodascouts]

My favorite part of "New Kid in Town" is the bridge, especially the "there's so many things you should have told her.... but night after night, you're willing to hold her, just hold her, tears on your shoulder...." the poignant vocal, the emotion behind the lyrics and in the delivery, the harmonies, the musical nuances going on... magnificent.

Another thing to think about in terms of what's "underrated" is opinions within the fandom vs. opinions of the general public. I think there are songs like "Too Many Hands" which are underrated by people within the fandom as well as the general public, whereas a song like "Waiting in the Weeds" is underrated by the general public but very highly regarded in the fandom.

[chaim]

It has been mentioned that J.D. initiated NKIT. Also, Glenn has said that he's "given some of his best songs away". I don't remember, however, whether Glenn was talking about NKIT or some other song when he said that. But I think the quote I saw was linked to NKIT.

[UndertheWire]

... but I can also think of examples from sport. At risk of running off-topic, look at the goalkeepers at Chelsea FC (soccer) this season, with the young Thibaut Courtois displacing Petr Cech who in his youth displaced Carlo Cudicini, matching the developments in the song).
The sports comparison definitely works. Indeed, Gene Clarke,a former hockey-player and friend of Glenn Frey, says the song was written about him
http://www.nanaimodailynews.com/gene-carr-headlines-class-of-2013-1.627199

[Jonny Come Lately]

The Long Run


King of Hollywood - those guitars

Last Road out of Eden


Somebody



I almost included Teenage Jail because I don't think it deserves the treatment it's given. I like Felder's guitar solo.

I really like these picks UtW, I like the King of Hollywood a lot and this is in no small part due to the guitar work, I like how the different guitars come in at different points during the intro and the three solos, all of which add a lot to the song. I love it when Glenn's solo comes in although if I had to pick a favourite from the three it would have to be Walsh's at the end. I've only become familiar with most of LROOE relatively recently but I think Somebody is one of the best songs on the album - I think it's the combination of the energy from the music with the tension and sense of fear of the central character in the lyrics. I personally enjoy Teenage Jail and I love the final solo. I was also glad to see a mention for Get You In The Mood, which I like a lot - I tend to like blues-inspired songs in general and GYITM is a solid tune as far as I'm concerned.

I couldn't agree more with soda's comments about the difference between the types of underrated songs, and I think the Eagles have several examples of both - determining which songs are underrated within the fanbase is in truth a personal judgement, but I think there are a set of songs which many of us love but don't get that much attention elsewhere. I would suggest that songs such as the Doolin-Dalton/Desperado (Reprise), Good Day In Hell, After The Thrill Is Gone, Victim Of Love, How Long and Waiting In The Weeds all fit this description.