Eagles’ “Desperado” Lyrics Meaning

Within the general context of this song and indeed popular American culture, a desperado is someone tantamount to lone, rugged cowboy. And the way the titular character is being presented specifically on this track is as someone who is afraid – so to speak – to fall in love. So basically what the band is telling him is that he needs to be more receptive to the idea of accepting a significant other into his life. And this advice is not only due to him “getting no younger”, as in progressively aging. But also isolating himself in such a manner in the name of “freedom” is ultimately working against its intended ideology. 

In other words, his “waking through this world all alone” is a form of imprisonment in and of itself.

So whereas there have been other interpretations of the lyrics of this song, the general idea it is speaking to is that the “desperado” needs to become more serious about finding that special someone. And why? Because his own ideology of roughing it alone is not actually conducive to his overall well-being.

Facts about “Desperado”

“Desperado” was never released as a single and as such doesn’t have much of a chart history. However, it is considered one of the Eagles’ greatest songs. In fact it was placed amongst Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” in 2004. It was also dubbed one of the “Top 100 Western Songs” by an organization known as the Western Writers of America.

One instance in which “Desperado” did chart though, on Billboard’s Rock Digital Song list, was in early 2016 when Glenn Frey passed away.

This was the first track ever written by the Eagles’ Don Henley in conjunction with Glenn Frey. The two men went on to be recognized as a potent songwriting duo. 

Backup instrumentals on this song were provided by some members of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

The producer of “Desperado” is prominent English musician Glyn Johns.

When was “Desperado” released?

“Desperado” was originally released by Asylum Records on 17 April 1973.It came out as the title track from the band’s second alum.

Notable Covers

A number of artists covered this song throughout the years, with some even achieving some notable chart success. A few of the more famous names on the list of singers who have dropped their own renditions of “Desperado” are as follows:

• Linda Ronstadt (1973)
• The Carpenters (1975)
• Johnny Cash (2002)

Famous Usage in Pop Media

“Desperado” has been featured or referenced several times in pop media. And perhaps the most notable instance is a 1996 episode of the hit sitcom “Seinfeld”. In that episode (“The Checks”), “Desperado” served as a major plot device.