In 1975, Don Henley didn’t want the Eagles to release a song. Today, it’s considered a classic
Don Henley was initially reluctant to release the Eagles’ “Best of My Love”, despite it becoming their first US number-one hit. Its success mattered because it expanded the band’s audience while highlighting a tension between the mellow sound fans embraced and the harder-edged rock direction Henley wanted to pursue.
The song appeared on 1974’s *On the Border*, an album shaped by disagreements with producer Glyn Johns and a change in production approach. Henley said the band added more uptempo songs and electric guitar, including “Already Gone” and “James Dean”, but the ballad “Best of My Love” was the track that reached number one. The article presents that success as both gratifying and frustrating for the band.
In short
- “Best of My Love” became the Eagles’ first number-one hit.
- Henley wanted the band to pursue a harder rock sound.
- The ballad’s success brought fans but underscored that tension.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Releasing “Best of My Love” made sense because it connected with a broad audience and gave the Eagles their first US number-one hit, helping more listeners discover the band. Its success showed that a restrained, melodic song could carry emotional weight and become part of the band’s lasting appeal.
The case against
Henley’s reluctance was understandable: the band had deliberately added faster songs and electric guitar to pursue a harder-edged sound, yet the ballad became the defining hit. That outcome risked encouraging audiences and the industry to expect more of the mellow style, making it harder for the band to develop in the direction Henley wanted.
Explained simply
The Eagles are an American rock band formed in the early 1970s, known for combining rock with country influences and close vocal harmonies. Don Henley was one of the group’s singers and songwriters, and the band’s sound shifted as its members debated how their records should be made.
Their 1974 album On the Border took shape amid disagreements with producer Glyn Johns and a move towards a more electric, harder-edged style. The album included faster songs such as “Already Gone” and “James Dean”, alongside the softer “Best of My Love”. The song’s reception reflected a broader question for the band: whether to follow the sound that attracted listeners or pursue a different musical direction.