# In 1975, Don Henley didn’t want the Eagles to release a song. Today, it’s considered a classic

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1975-don-henley-didnt-want-the-eagles-to-release-a-song-today-its-considered-a-classic/
- Published: 2026-10-28T22:28:07+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-29T03:33:25+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/in-1975-don-henley-didnt-want-the-eagles-to-release-a-song-today-its-considered-a-classic/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- “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.

## Summary

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.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.