Ever wonder what musical legends really think of each other? It turns out, even the biggest names in rock have their own opinions – and sometimes, those opinions are less than flattering. We're diving into the surprising story of how Steely Dan, known for their sophisticated sound, once threw some serious shade at the Eagles.
Before the Eagles soared to superstardom, Don Henley had a clear vision. He knew it wasn't just about filling stadiums; it was about crafting unforgettable songs, a perfect blend of lyrics and melody. While Henley was the creative force behind the Eagles, he revealed that one of his contemporaries wasn't a fan of one of their biggest projects.
As the Eagles began their journey in the California rock scene, they quickly assembled a dream team of country-rock stars. Henley and guitarist Glenn Frey became the group's leaders, constantly challenging each other to write more songs and refine their original material.
Henley credits the single 'Witchy Woman' as his songwriting debut, but Frey was responsible for many of the band's early hits. He sang the Jack Tempchin-penned 'Peaceful Easy Feeling' and helped Jackson Browne finish the lyrics to 'Take It Easy.'
After touring, Henley envisioned a concept album centered on historical gunslingers, titled Desperado. Given their country-tinged sound, adopting a Western persona seemed natural. Henley and Frey collaborated on early co-writes like 'Tequila Sunrise.'
Around the same time, Steely Dan was also making their mark. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, preferring the studio to the stage, pushed sonic and musical boundaries with albums like The Royal Scam and Aja.
But here's where it gets controversial... Although Fagen maintained a professional relationship with the Eagles, he didn't hold back from some playful jabs. Henley recalls a conversation where Fagen expressed his dislike for Desperado.
Discussing that era, Henley remembers Fagen's candid assessment of their gunslinger personas. In The Very Best of the Eagles, Henley quoted Fagen calling it, "'cowboy dream crap' [laughs]. Anyway, it was a time of great openness and camaraderie."
While Desperado wasn't a massive commercial success for the Eagles initially, it didn't stop them from evolving. They later released Hotel California, their biggest album, with the title track subtly referencing Steely Dan. Despite the playful digs, don't expect Steely Dan to gush over the country-and-western elements of their musical rivals.
So, why the musical crossfire?
Steely Dan fired the first shot, referencing the Eagles in their 1976 song 'Everything You Did' from The Royal Scam. The line, "Turn up the Eagles, the neighbors are listening," is open to interpretation, but the song itself is a harsh critique of a disloyal lover.
"Apparently, Walter Becker's girlfriend loved the Eagles, and she played them all the time,” Glenn Frey is quoted as saying. “I think it drove him nuts. So, the story goes that they were having a fight one day, and that was the genesis of the line.”
So, the animosity wasn't directly aimed at the Eagles, but the association wasn't exactly a celebration, either. Ultimately, there seemed to be no lasting bad blood.
What do you think? Did Steely Dan's criticism of the Eagles' Desperado ring true? And do you think the 'Eagles' reference in 'Everything You Did' was a genuine insult, or just a bit of playful rivalry? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
