Celebration of "On the Border"

[sodascouts]

I agree, Dreamer. It's underrated. I can't believe they don't play anything from it in concert anymore. And let's not forget it spawned the band's first number one single, the lovely "Best of My Love."

[Super Frey]

Oh wow how cool Happy Birthday On The Border, another Eagles great!

[TimothyBFan]

Wow 36 years? Gosh I'm OLD!!

Maybe I'm the only one but this isn't one of my favorite albums and it seems the songs on it I either really, really love (6 of them) or just don't really care if I hear much! I'm not exactly sure why. And in listening to it this weekend and this morning, I realized that it's been a very long time since I actually sat down and listened to this whole album. I admit when a few of these songs on here come up on my ipod, I skip them.

Go ahead--I know you all want to---HAVE AT IT!!!! (hope I don't get banned and stoned to death)

[thelastresort]

In honour of its birthday I'll share my thoughts on it:

Already Gone - If you were to listen to every Eagles album back to back chronologically, the starkest immediate contrast would be between Doolin-Dalton / Desperado Reprise and this. In a way it's probably the most complete Eagles song to me - rocky with country influences, some bang on harmonies, wonderful guitar work (especially the little duel solo in the middle) and some simply brilliant lyrics. Easily a mainstay in my Top 10 Eagles songs

You Never Cry Like a Lover - Probably my least favourite from the album, but in all fairness I haven't listened to it as much as the others. The intro is nice enough but I wouldn't hesitate skipping it

Midnight Flyer - I love this song. The banjo is brilliant, Randy's voice is as good as ever, and Glenn's outro is probably his best guitar work alongside ICTWY: on a similar note Randy's bass is very nice also. It gets knocked a bit for being too bluegrass, but I think it's a rather unique member of the guy's discography

My Man - Quite an emotional song for me. I've seen a bit of debte about whether it's about Gram Parsons or another bloke Bernie knew, but either way it's a beautiful tribute. The harmonies are so wonderful, especially 'he's gone far beyond...' parts of the chorus

On the Border - I get the impression you either adore this song or detest it. I'm the former. It's one of Henley's finest drumming performances for me, and I love the 'Never mind your name' part to it. Not as strong as some of the other songs, but a decent inclusion nonetheless

James Dean - Not one of my favourite Eagles songs, but I love the raw energy and the sheer (and I have to be honest) downright sexiness of the guitars on it. Lyrics are a bit meh but I do like the 'Too fast to live, too young to die' section. Sadly so, so true

Ol' 55 - The greatest song the Eagles ever did. The haunting loneliness of Glenn's piano and the wonderful accompaniment from Bernie's steel pedal are the perfect backdrop to Glenn's vocals, as well as his, Randy and Henley's chorus harmony. I am actually struggling to put into words my love for this song, it's one in a thousand for me

Is It True - My least favourite alongside YNCLIAL currently. That may change if I ever listen to it more however

Good Day in Hell - Love the guitar work and maintained harmony throughout. Also the reason a certain Mr. Felder got involved with the band, which is probably the best thing they ever did as a group

Best of My Love - I can take it or leave it. Once more I love Bernie's steel pedal, and the harmonies are so fine, but there's just something about it that doesn't click with me

[sodascouts]

Thanks for your thoughts! I was listening to the album in the car today. BOML and "Already Gone" are my fave tracks, but I adore "Ol' 55" and "My Man" as well.

SO GLAD THEY ARE DOING BOTH "BEST OF MY LOVE" AND "ALREADY GONE" FOR THIS TOUR!

[shunlvswx]

Happy 40th Anniversary to the OTB album. My favorite songs from this album are BOML and AG.

I'm starting to like Ol 55. I would always skipped this song when I listen to my The Very Best of the Eagles CD.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

HAPPY 40TH ANNIVERSARY TO ON THE BORDER!!!

Sorry I missed posting this yesterday. For sure, this will be the featured album in my CD player this week. If I went back and read this thread, I'm sure I'll be repeating myself by saying I agree that this is a very underrated album. I love it - my favorites are also Already Gone and The Best of My Love, but I give high marks to all of the songs. And thanks for your album review, tlr. I love hearing others thoughts about Eagles songs.

[UndertheWire]

I've been closing my eyes and trying to visualise what it was like to hear this 40 years ago but it's not working too well. I think I was a little disappointed - after Desperado it seemed strange to go back to an assortment of songs without a common theme. My favourites would have been Best of My Love and You Never Cry Like a Lover but I also liked On The Border (I never could master the clapping) and My Man.

In defence of You Never Cry like a lover...
- if it had been a woman singing about her man's inability to show his softer side, would it be viewed as harshly?
- I really like the guitar. I don't see a credit in the liner notes but I'm assuming it's Bernie with Glenn on keyboards.
- I love the "carousel" part. It's one of the times that the music mirrors the words.
- Don's voice. I love his voice on the early albums but less so from HC on. It's partiicularly thrilling on this album.

[Brooke]

Happy 40th Anniversary to On the Border!

Wow, I can't believe it's that old! I really don't remember getting the vinyl, or what it meant to me back then, but I'm sure I was thrilled to have new music from the Eagles!

My faves are Already Gone, Good Day in Hell, and Best of My Love.

UtW, thanks for your review! I always enjoy reading what others think of the songs too. And, different strokes for different folks as far as 'Ol 55. It's an ok song, but never been on any of my favorites lists either.

[Freypower]

In honour of its birthday I'll share my thoughts on it:

Already Gone - If you were to listen to every Eagles album back to back chronologically, the starkest immediate contrast would be between Doolin-Dalton / Desperado Reprise and this. In a way it's probably the most complete Eagles song to me - rocky with country influences, some bang on harmonies, wonderful guitar work (especially the little duel solo in the middle) and some simply brilliant lyrics. Easily a mainstay in my Top 10 Eagles songs

You Never Cry Like a Lover - Probably my least favourite from the album, but in all fairness I haven't listened to it as much as the others. The intro is nice enough but I wouldn't hesitate skipping it

Midnight Flyer - I love this song. The banjo is brilliant, Randy's voice is as good as ever, and Glenn's outro is probably his best guitar work alongside ICTWY: on a similar note Randy's bass is very nice also. It gets knocked a bit for being too bluegrass, but I think it's a rather unique member of the guy's discography

My Man - Quite an emotional song for me. I've seen a bit of debte about whether it's about Gram Parsons or another bloke Bernie knew, but either way it's a beautiful tribute. The harmonies are so wonderful, especially 'he's gone far beyond...' parts of the chorus

On the Border - I get the impression you either adore this song or detest it. I'm the former. It's one of Henley's finest drumming performances for me, and I love the 'Never mind your name' part to it. Not as strong as some of the other songs, but a decent inclusion nonetheless

James Dean - Not one of my favourite Eagles songs, but I love the raw energy and the sheer (and I have to be honest) downright sexiness of the guitars on it. Lyrics are a bit meh but I do like the 'Too fast to live, too young to die' section. Sadly so, so true

Ol' 55 - The greatest song the Eagles ever did. The haunting loneliness of Glenn's piano and the wonderful accompaniment from Bernie's steel pedal are the perfect backdrop to Glenn's vocals, as well as his, Randy and Henley's chorus harmony. I am actually struggling to put into words my love for this song, it's one in a thousand for me

Is It True - My least favourite alongside YNCLIAL currently. That may change if I ever listen to it more however

Good Day in Hell - Love the guitar work and maintained harmony throughout. Also the reason a certain Mr. Felder got involved with the band, which is probably the best thing they ever did as a group

Best of My Love - I can take it or leave it. Once more I love Bernie's steel pedal, and the harmonies are so fine, but there's just something about it that doesn't click with me

The best song they ever did? They didn't even write it. It's nice, but I can't agree that it is as outstanding as you think it is.

My favourite tracks on this album are GDIH, AG & JD. Most of the rest of it these days I honestly don't care that much about.