Don Henley reportedly felt unable to sing the Eagles’ 1973 song ‘Earlybird’, saying he had missed the moment to take part in it. The anecdote highlights the differing vocal roles within the band during its early years, before Henley became one of the group’s defining lead singers.

‘Earlybird’ appeared on the Eagles’ second album, *Desperado*, released in 1973, and was sung by guitarist Bernie Leadon. Henley later reflected that Leadon had developed the song’s distinctive vocal approach himself, leaving Henley feeling he could not convincingly replicate it.