In 1974, Joe Walsh forgot fun and turned grief into his most personal album: “I was mad at God”

Joe Walsh’s 1974 album *So What* marked a stark turn from the carefree rock associated with his earlier work. Written after his young daughter Emma died in a car accident while he was away, the record gave voice to grief, anger and a loss of faith, making it one of his most personal albums.

Walsh later recalled being “a wreck” and angry at God, and said that grief fuelled his drinking. The album closes with “Song for Emma”, which leaves his questions unresolved, while “Help Me Through the Night” offers a quieter appeal for companionship; Walsh said he wrote it for a woman who gave him room to grieve. The Eagles later included the latter song in some performances on their *Hell Freezes Over* tour.