I have decided "New Kid in Town" is Glenns best work

[Jeremy Lawrence]

Use to think it was "Lyin Eyes" because he conceived of the song, wrote, and sang it.

But just heard New Kid, I think that might be his best work. Not sure why, but just really listened to it in the car by myself.

-jl

[WalshFan88]

Out of all of the songs Glenn has written himself or wrote with someone, it's also my favorite of his.

Lyin' Eyes, for me personally, is just too long and it doesn't hold my attention and seems to drag on forever. I've never liked it. It's lyrically very strong but I don't feel any connection to them and it gets boring after the first couple verses.

[Glennsallnighter]

Lyin Eyes is my favourite

[Freypower]

Jeremy, I agree with you. Not only is it Glenn's high point, it is the Eagles' high point - my favouirte Eagles song. I also agree with GA about Lyin' Eyes, which comes second. I have never tired of it, not for a minute.

[buffyfan145]

I think I agree but then I feel like my favorite of Glenn's changes depending on my mood. LOL But "New Kid in Town" for sure though is a favorite of his & the Eagles in general. I've always loved the sound of it and it's such a great song. It's also on my playlist for my 5th novel I'm currently writing that I'm mixing of all the scenes I pictured to Eagles songs as a kid and plays a big part of the story I'm telling.

The song also has a huge connection to my local classic rock station in Columbus, QFM 96, as when they debuted in 1977 the very first song they played was "New Kid in Town". That also was the first song they played when Glenn passed away as it kicked off their station and they thanked him and the band for their music and being part of the reason the station still exists. :)

[Witchy Woman]

New Kid is my favorite song sung by Glenn. It is definitely his best work.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

Since this thread is specifically about Glenn's songs, I moved it to this forum.

I'm torn about this - while I absolutely love New Kid in Town and it is one of my favorite Eagles songs, I feel about the same regarding Heartache Tonight. And, of course, then there is Take It Easy and Lyin' Eyes, etc., etc. There are also some gems in his solo work such as YBTTC, POMPOY, and River of Dreams that shouldn't be ignored either.

Okay, I told you I was torn. :confused:

[WS82Classics]

"New Kid in Town" is certainly one of his best Eagles songs. For me, it's a tough choice between that one, "Tequila Sunrise," and "After the Thrill is Gone" for the Gold.

Quite a few good contenders in his solo catalogue. 'Heat is On' and "You Belong to the City" are obvious contenders, though there were a couple of really good lesser-known songs off the 'All-Nighter' album whose names escape me at the moment. "Strange Weather" and "Big Life" also rate high up there.

[Delilah]

Absolutely, Glenn's best vocal performance is "New Kid in Town" IMO. Playing TLR Survivor game reminds me of one of this album's weaknesses: no great Glenn vocal lead on a country track. There's has been one on every album up to this one. I understand country rock was on its way out by this time and Glenn wanted to move towards a more commercial rock sound. I find this ironic considering Glenn had such a great country voice--warm, soothing, strong. Plus it was different and stood out. NKIT is probably one of my top 3 Eagles songs.

[UndertheWire]

I was thinking the same about The Long Run album - it lacks a "signature" Glenn vocal. By "signature", I mean that warm, relaxed, friendly vocal that we hear on "Peaceful Easy Feeling", "Tequila Sunrise", "Ol' 55", "Lyin' Eyes" and "New Kid in Town". I know he also had "rock" vocals on the first three albums but it's the softer ones that identify with him. Of course, he returned to them on LROOE.

Maybe it's an unpopular opinion, but I believe that Glenn really did need to go solo in 1980. Imagine if the Eagles had continued with an album every three years with just one Frey lead vocal on each.

[GlennLover]

I was thinking the same about The Long Run album - it lacks a "signature" Glenn vocal. By "signature", I mean that warm, relaxed, friendly vocal that we hear on "Peaceful Easy Feeling", "Tequila Sunrise", "Ol' 55", "Lyin' Eyes" and "New Kid in Town". I know he also had "rock" vocals on the first three albums but it's the softer ones that identify with him. Of course, he returned to them on LROOE.

Maybe it's an unpopular opinion, but I believe that Glenn really did need to go solo in 1980. Imagine if the Eagles had continued with an album every three years with just one Frey lead vocal on each.

Good point, UtW.

[Freypower]

I think Heartache Tonight IS a signature vocal & I'm disappointed that he became so identified with ballads.

[scottside]

I wholeheartedly agree with FP about "Heartache Tonight" being a signature vocal for Glenn. The first time I heard that on the radio back in 1979 I was floored! I always thought he should sing more rockers.

[LuvTim]

I think Heartache Tonight IS a signature vocal & I'm disappointed that he became so identified with ballads.

Heartache Tonight rocks. I love it now as I loved it then. 8) Can't imagine anyone else singing it as Glenn did.

[DJ]

I too was thinking when I was listening to New Kid, that this is one of his very best songs. His voice is primo. I have always loved the line: When he's holden her, and your still around. There is something in his voice on that particular line that makes my knees weak.

[Jonny Come Lately]

I can see both sides of the argument here. On one hand, Glenn always did a great job with the warm, mellow country rock vocals. Those songs suited his voice very well for sure. Yet I would also agree that the more energetic rockers are every bit as much 'signature' Glenn vocals as the softer songs. Heartache Tonight is a fine example - it's a superb vocal performance, indeed a Grammy winning one - but I'd also point towards Desperado and On The Border, where Glenn, not Don, was the band's primary rock and roll singer. On the former album especially, it's Don who sings on the slow paced title track and the acoustic waltz tempo Saturday Night, whereas the two hardest rockers, Out Of Control and Outlaw Man are by Glenn. Unfortunately this tends to be overlooked because those albums were less commercially successful than the later albums where Don was singing most of the rockers and also because Glenn was self-depreciating about his abilities as a vocalist, especially as a singer of rock and roll songs.

I can understand why people miss Lyin' Eyes or New Kid In Town type tracks on The Long Run, but I personally don't think either song would fit on the album. There's almost no evidence of any country influence on that record, let alone that the band was once at the forefront of country rock. They would seem out of place amongst the darker, predominantly electric guitar based songs that make up the bulk of that record, IMO.

As for New Kid In Town itself, I agree that it is probably Glenn's greatest Eagles vocal. Although I personally think that his delivery on Tequila Sunrise is also up there, especially the 'take another shot of courage' verse.

[WalshFan88]

I prefer his rockin' numbers, but that's who I am. Not much for soft country rock/folk rock/soft rock type stuff.

My favorite Glenn moments vocally are:

Heartache Tonight
Already Gone
James Dean
Out Of Control
Good Day In Hell

Strangely enough, most of them are in their more countriest of albums (Desperado, On The Border, etc).

There is shamefully few Glenn rockers on OOTN, HC, and TLR. When he does sing, it's the smooth stuff I'm not much of a fan of. Granted NKIT, LE, PEF, TIE, TS, etc are great pieces of music, they don't personally move me. But I'm a classic rock/hard rock guy and I prefer an electric guitar to an acoustic guitar, etc.

I was a huge fan of when they did TIE as an electric number in the HC era (and on the Central Park video, etc)... I think it spiced it up and I'm a major fan of that. Diehard country/country rockers are probably not as crazy about it. I also really love the way JW plays the TIE solo. Really adds great energy IMO.

[UndertheWire]

I love the vocal on Heartache Tonight but it's not what I think of as a typical Glenn with the Eagles vocal, whereas the vocal on New Kid in Town, is.

I think it's interesting that in his solo career, his vocals were often very different to what had come before. It gave him the change to stretch (with encouragement from Bob Seger, according to an early 80s interview) and try new things.

[Freypower]

I agree with both of you, Austin & UTW, but I would add Somebody & How Long from LROOE to Glenn's list of rockers. I know you don't like LROOE much Austin, but those are just as worthy of a mention as the others. I'm so glad we got those & I'm so glad I actually saw him sing Somebody three times.

We have to be grateful for the solo work for the variety of vocal styles as UTW said. But we also have to be grateful for LROOE & that he came to his senses & sang more than one/two songs on it.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

Well – I am truly a hardcore because I’ve never heard a Frey vocal that I didn’t love. Okay, there is maybe one – Such a Lovely Child. :wink: I’ve always said one of the things that appeals most to me about Glenn’s voice is that it is so versatile. AFAIC, his voice is equally effective whether he is singing a silky smooth ballad or a rough rowdy rocker. As evidence, my two favorite vocals are probably New Kid In Town and Heartache Tonight, although I find it extremely hard to choose because he has so many exceptional vocals throughout his entire career. Starting with Take It Easy to You Belong To the City to How Long to After Hours and everything in between – it’s all just pure perfection for me.

[WalshFan88]

I agree with both of you, Austin & UTW, but I would add Somebody & How Long from LROOE to Glenn's list of rockers. I know you don't like LROOE much Austin, but those are just as worthy of a mention as the others. I'm so glad we got those & I'm so glad I actually saw him sing Somebody three times.

We have to be grateful for the solo work for the variety of vocal styles as UTW said. But we also have to be grateful for LROOE & that he came to his senses & sang more than one/two songs on it.

It's hard for me to view How Long as a rock song as the twangy guitar sound that starts it and goes throughout is very country. But it IS an upbeat tune and could be considered a rocking tune, so yes I think it should be considered. It's my fav off of that album. Somebody to me is more of a rocker, and I forgot about it.

[GlennLover]

Well – I am truly a hardcore because I’ve never heard a Frey vocal that I didn’t love. Okay, there is maybe one – Such a Lovely Child. :wink: I’ve always said one of the things that appeals most to me about Glenn’s voice is that it is so versatile. AFAIC, his voice is equally effective whether he is singing a silky smooth ballad or a rough rowdy rocker. As evidence, my two favorite vocals are probably New Kid In Town and Heartache Tonight, although I find it extremely hard to choose because he has so many exceptional vocals throughout his entire career. Starting with Take It Easy to You Belong To the City to How Long to After Hours and everything in between – it’s all just pure perfection for me.

I absolutely agree on all points, Dreamer!

[chaim]

A good decision. It is one of the greatest pieces of music by anyone ever.

[sodascouts]

I also love the versatility of his voice and thought that he shouldn't limit himself to the romantic numbers, although I love those. Wild, rocking Glenn appeals to me as much as soft, smooth Glenn.

[WalshFan88]

I also love the versatility of his voice and thought that he shouldn't limit himself to the romantic numbers, although I love those. Wild, rocking Glenn appeals to me as much as soft, smooth Glenn.

Agreed.

[Jonny Come Lately]

It's hard for me to view How Long as a rock song as the twangy guitar sound that starts it and goes throughout is very country. But it IS an upbeat tune and could be considered a rocking tune, so yes I think it should be considered. It's my fav off of that album. Somebody to me is more of a rocker, and I forgot about it.

The way I see it How Long is one of those songs that today, or back in 2007, could definitely be seen as a country song, but in the 1970s it would have been considered a rock song. I personally think it's less traditionally country than virtually everything on Cass County, for instance. I tend to think of it as a rocker myself, although I listen to classic rock more than I do modern country. Personally, I think what has happened is that the genre boundaries have shifted in the intervening period - country has claimed sounds that used to belong to the rock genre (and elsewhere I believe there is music that is often seen as rock now that would have been considered pop had it been around in the 1970s), and the Eagles, with their influence on numerous country artists, were a very important part of that.

[WalshFan88]

The way I see it How Long is one of those songs that today, or back in 2007, could definitely be seen as a country song, but in the 1970s it would have been considered a rock song. I personally think it's less traditionally country than virtually everything on Cass County, for instance. I tend to think of it as a rocker myself, although I listen to classic rock more than I do modern country. Personally, I think what has happened is that the genre boundaries have shifted in the intervening period - country has claimed sounds that used to belong to the rock genre (and elsewhere I believe there is music that is often seen as rock now that would have been considered pop had it been around in the 1970s), and the Eagles, with their influence on numerous country artists, were a very important part of that.

I think How Long is an upbeat tune but to me that Telecaster twangy sound bills it for me as a country song just because of that. I've seen the old clip of them doing it back then, and it was a bit more rock n' roll.. I think when it's stripped down I consider it more of a rock song. But Stu's country licks in the song on LROOE messes with my head.

I love modern country that sounds like rock, so I definitely agree with you that the genre's have cross-pollinated in 2016. I also give a lot of credit to the Eagles. Country artists like Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean are far more rock than country. The lines are a bit blurred. I like more upbeat rockin' songs so I'm more of a modern country fan than a classic country fan. I like the above mentioned artists and a whole heap of others. To me modern country is closer to classic rock than modern rock is to classic rock. I find it funny, actually. I think the later 70s Eagles when they started doing things in more rock format was highly influential to today's country artists and songwriters. The fact you could put country lyrics and country instruments on a upbeat rock n' roll song was very influential I think.

I think when LROOE dropped in 2007 it sounded a lot more like a contemporary country record for the time as far as How Long and BBF go, and then you have polar opposites on songs like the title track or some of the Henley darker songs on the album.

[scottside]

I think that "How Long" was purposely recorded with more of a country sound for LROOE. Back in 1973 when they were playing it live, it was all electric guitars and pretty much straight ahead rock. When I first heard the studio version in 2007, as much as I loved it, I found it to a bit more country than I would've preferred, but it grew on me immediately and now I love it both ways.

[WalshFan88]

I think that "How Long" was purposely recorded with more of a country sound for LROOE. Back in 1973 when they were playing it live, it was all electric guitars and pretty much straight ahead rock. When I first the studio version in 2007, as much as I loved it, I found it to a bit more country than I would've preferred, but it grew on me immediately and now I love it both ways.

Agreed, ss.

[Jonny Come Lately]

I think you're right about the differences between the 1973 and 2007 takes of How Long, ss. The guitar on the former is definitely less twangy, and more akin in tone to the rockers on the first two albums. I love both versions - I have both on my iPod, and the LROOE version is my most played song from that album. Returning to the original topic, I really do like Glenn's vocal on the third verse of the studio take, especially the way he sings on the lines 'everybody is out there on the loose' and on 'what you get is not quite what you choose', the latter in particular. I enjoy Randy's vocals on the original too, but I really like the way Glenn re-interpreted that part of the song.

[buffyfan145]

I totally agree too JCL about "How Long" and how it would be considered country by today's standards. It reminds me of how one of my local country stations' morning DJs have said for years if the Eagles came out now they would automatically be considered country. It's also because rock as a genre doesn't really exist too much anymore unless it's alternative or hard rock. Pop music is too electronica and hip hop now, so it's probably why today's country is such a mixture of genres because they don't fit anywhere else now.

I even remember "How Long" getting played on my local country stations and older Eagles songs would get played on the classic country station we used to have, especially from their earlier albums. Plus, I loved "How Long" and was so excited they had a new single.

Back to Glenn's voice I've always loved both the smooth country style and the harder rock one. Then his solo career helped him explore even more styles. It's probably why even as a little girl I always preferred Glenn's voice to Don's. :)

[Delilah]

I think How Long is an upbeat tune but to me that Telecaster twangy sound bills it for me as a country song just because of that. I've seen the old clip of them doing it back then, and it was a bit more rock n' roll.. I think when it's stripped down I consider it more of a rock song. But Stu's country licks in the song on LROOE messes with my head.

Not to get too far off-topic, but I agree that "How Long" is not a rock song, at least not the LROOE version. If I'm not mistaken, I believe it even won a Grammy in the country music category. Plus they performed the song at the CMAs. Ironically enough, the 1973 live version sounds more like a rock song to me, even Bernie's solo.

[Jonny Come Lately]

I'm starting to think this might be a good idea for a new topic - maybe something along the lines of 'Shifting Boundaries (in Country and other Genres')? The change in the definition of country would be a good starting point but I wouldn't want to restrict it to that genre if the focus shifts to other styles of music.