Last Good Time in Town

Last Good Time in Town

Joe Walsh

Lately I've been stayin' at home
Workin' the crosswords, turn off the phone

I never would have imagined that I would use the word “Funky” so much in talking about an Eagles record, but Joe’s song is funk personified. There’s all sorts of neat little guitar fills and jumpy little percussion instruments that give this such a fun feel. Joe sounds great and the lyrics are whimsical (though there is a serious message here too). This fits into the theme of being content with yourself and your place in the world. It’s a follow-up to the guy in “Life’s Been Good” and as a song, I think it is much more successful than “One Day at a Time”.

I’m a little unsure about the whispering in the chorus. It sounds almost like a Broadway musical or sing choir affectation, but it is fun none-the-less. It’s certainly a different harmony technique for the Eagles.

Comments

[MH]

Didn't J.D Souther co-write this?

[Elias]

I really like this track, because it has this cool fun feeling and Joe Walsh finally gets in the spotlight do f*ck around with his guitar. I hope there was more songs like this and not that many ballads.

[Ale]

Joe is an incredibly good songwriter, he always put some genius in the music he writes... LGTIT is no exception, the arrangement too is superb, and the guitar sound makes you go: "Hey, there's Joe soloing, let me listen...".

[wini]

Nah, sorry, doesn't do it for me: This is like Henley and Frey calling from the studio "Joe, where's your song?" and he sings back to them through the phone and plays a little guitar to a track playing on his stereo somewhere in the back, supposedly by Steely dan or Santana. Then Tim Schmit overdubs a ton of vocals, "uuhs" and "aahs" until the engineer calls it a day ...

[Jeff]

Nice song. Half of it sounds like a Joe Walsh solo tune and (the better other) half sounds like classic Eagles.
It´s bizar that he only gets to sing two tracks on this album...

[Vince]

Kind of relaxing in rhythmic way.

[Troy]

Im a percussionist so im a BIGGGG fan of this...all until the chorus. My buddy Jesse agrees. Once the key change hits for the chorus, it turns into too much of a ballad and doesnt really go with the flow

[Slugline]

One of my favorite songs on new record. However, the lyrics are not that great. I agree with wini, verses sound like Santana and hook sounds like Steely Dan which is not a bad thing. I especially like the chorus but it doesn't match the verses too well. Sounds like two different songs spliced together. All in all, one of my fav songs on record which is pretty thin with hits. At best there are 4 or 5 songs worth listening to in my opinion.

[Slugline]

One of my favorite songs on new record. However, the lyrics are not that great. I agree with wini, verses sound like Santana and hook sounds like Steely Dan which is not a bad thing. I especially like the chorus but it doesn't match the verses too well. Sounds like two different songs spliced together. All in all, one of my fav songs on record which is pretty thin with hits. At best there are 4 or 5 songs worth listening to in my opinion.

[JB]

Drum beat at the start reminds me of the Eric Beardon (sp?) song "Spill Wine Take That Girl" in the 70s. I'd love to see Joe do this song live.

[mitch (kiweagle)]

I think the major difference between this and previous Eagles albums is there is so much 1st person lyrical content. One Mans View. Nevertheless, I like this song, Joe does well, its more of a band feel although obviously Joe all the way. This one is a comer, one night you'll be playing this song, have had one Chardonnay too many and out of the blue you'll realise you are groovin to this. When you do, enjoy!!!

[Nils]

Oh yes he did. J.D Souther DID co-write this one. And you can hear it even.
It's a good song. Really works for Walsh.
LOOKING FORWARD to J.D.Souther's NEW ALBUM next year. Hoorahh !!!

[Scott G.]

This song keeps growing on me. Great vibe. Like Glenn's background vocal. This should be great live. Should add some fun to the live show and give Joe lots of room to ad lib with his ax on stage.

[Mr Haney]

Hey Nils, check this out!!!

http://eaglesfans.sonicdns2.net/viewtopic.php?t=9216

[Greg]

You know, for an album with 20 songs, I'm really surprised and disappointed that Joe Walsh didn't contribute more to the songwriting, the same with Tim Schmit. I was hoping to see a lot more collaboration between ALL the band members. Henley and Frey talk about the group being a democracy, but it's easy to see who calls the shots.

[JB]

TBS and Walsh are employees of the band. Frey and Henley are partners aka owners.

[Slugline]

Democracy??? You've got to be kidding - Don & Glenn are dictators. Joe & Timothy are very mellow and great guys whereas Don & Glenn can be like 12 year old spoiled brats. Don't get me wrong, they can be awesome too and there's nobody more fun when they are in good mood, but unfortunately its 50/50 at best. And when they throw their little hissyfits it completely ruins the vibe for the whole band and crew. There will never be true collaboration with this band.

[Emagles]

Great song! I love the music, Joe really nailed it this time with this one!

[Timo]

@slugline: Do you know any of the guys or their crew personally? Or is this just what you figure as an outsider?
I don't think Joe (or Tim for that matter) feels all too bad about not being in the Leadership position Glenn and Don are in...
He still has the James Gang and he's put out more solo albums than Glenn and Don together. Plus, I think part of the reason he joined the Eagles in the first place was that he was sick of always "being the boss".
I think Joe is just enjoying being able to play for so many people and not having to worry too much about making all the decisions. Don and Glenn do that rather well. At least from a business perspective.
Plus, i think the Eagles really wouldn't be the Eagles without the "benevolent Dictatorship" they have going on:)

Now I've totally forgotten to comment on the song. I kind of like it, in a strange, confused kind of way;) It shows they're not afraid of a little experimenting.

[Vince]

Not bad for a song without a melody.

[Slugline]

Yes I know everyone in the band and have for many years and think the world of all of them. Crago, Steuart, Thompson, Walsh, Timothy, and on and on, are the nicest guys you will ever meet. I just hate to be around the band when Don and/or Glenn are in a bad mood. They've been blessed a million fold and I just think its unconscionable to ruin things for everyone with tantrums. And, don't get me wrong, I love Don & Glenn as well. They just need to realize how they hurt others when they carry on in a negative way. Enough said. Party on Eagles.

[Marc]

A suprising song. Sounds a bit like Do it Again or FM (Steely Dan) meets Smooth Operator (Sade). Nice guitar licks. Lyricwise a tired old man's song. Is he finally done with partying (after having to stop drinking according to the dvd) ? But hey, he's 60 now.

[Davec]

"TBS and Walsh are employees of the band. Frey and Henley are partners aka owners."

It's hard to name a band where one or two people aren't in charge of the band, though.

Personally, I like this song, and it IS a shame that Walsh didn't have more songs on the album. Maybe he wanted it that way, maybe it was up to Frey and Henly, but either way, it's just a shame.

I hate the fact that there's not more ROCK on the album. I noticed a couple of songs, and that's it. Half and half would have been nice, at least.

[Beth]

I love this song! It's so funky, just like you said. I think the sentiments are expressed are perfect for where he is right now and I love the guitar in it.

[jb]

Best Walsh Eagles song ever. This should replace Life's Been Good in the live show.