The Eagles returned nearly three years after the release of Hotel California and all was not well. Drug use and bickering among the group members had almost reached a climax. Original member Randy Meisner would become fed up with the mess and leave altogether. He was replaced by Timothy B. Schmidt who had, oddly enough, taken over for him in Poco a number of years before.
It was difficult at best to follow the brilliant Hotel California and the biggest selling album in U.S. music history, Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975). The anticipation leading up to their next album was tremendously high and only intensified through its two-year recording process.
The Long Run may not have had the consistent excellence of some of the group's other studio albums, but it nevertheless contained a number of high points. It would ultimately prove to be a very popular release as it was the Number One album in America for over two months, contained three Top Ten singles including their last Number One hit, and garnered yet another Grammy award.
Joe Walsh was now firmly entrenched within the group and his dual guitar attack with Don Felder signaled an effective end to their country/rock inclinations as here they would veer in a harder rock direction.
“Heartache Tonight” which would reach Number One on the American charts, remains one of my favorite Eagles songs. The a capella type introduction and the morphing into a smooth rock song are a brilliant combination. Glenn Frey’s vocal along with Joe Walsh’s slide guitar make it a perfect Eagles track.
I am sure I am in the minority but my other favorite track from this album is the goofy “The Greeks Don’t Want No Freaks.” I’m not sure how serious they were when recording this song but it gets the spirit of college or toga rock just perfect. It’s just an infectious and fun, rocking romp.
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