An article for Far Out Magazine reflects on how John Mellencamp once realised he was completely outclassed by The Eagles after overhearing them recording in a neighbouring studio. The piece uses this as an example of the unique "community spirit" that comes from working in professional recording studios, an experience increasingly lost as more artists record at home to save money, and notes both the inspiration and intimidation such proximity can create between musicians.

Recalling the moment during a 2017 appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Mellencamp described walking past The Eagles' studio and hearing them working on "Life in the Fast Lane", widely regarded as one of their best tracks. Struck by the quality of what he heard, he admitted feeling completely out of his depth, saying: "I would come out of my studio, and I'd walk by their studio, and I'd hear 'Life In The Fast Lane'. I'd go, 'Oh, fuck. I'm not even in the game!'" The article also cites similar studio encounters involving Jeff Lynne at Abbey Road with The Beatles, and Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio recording near Led Zeppelin.