Top 20 Solo Hits from Eagles Members

Solo Eagles songs often diverge intriguingly from the band’s signature sound. Whether it was Glenn Frey’s flair for a wailing sax or Don Henley’s unexpected experimentation with synthesizers, these tracks ventured far from the Eagles’ acoustic-picking country-rock roots. Our list of the top 20 solo Eagles songs sorts through these unique moments.

Some solo ventures aged better than others, especially for fans who preferred the Eagles’ Old West aesthetic. These efforts allowed audiences to experience familiar voices differently and attracted new fans who might not have enjoyed the band’s classic hits.

The following countdown showcases not only the experimental solo tracks but also those rare moments when the former members revisited more familiar sounds. Occasionally, they sounded like their old selves again, balancing their period-specific experimentalism nicely.

No. 20. “The Heat Is On”
Glenn Frey, Beverly Hills Cop Soundtrack (1984)

Frey began distancing himself from his country-rock past with the 1982 hit “The One You Love,” which featured an unexpected sax. With “The Heat Is On,” Frey added vocals and guitar to an almost completed demo for the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack. This track reached No. 2 on the charts, making it the highest-charting solo Eagles single.

No. 19. “Don’t Give Up”
Timothy B. Schmit, Timothy B (1987)

Schmit simplified his sound, focusing on keyboards and programming on this Top 30 adult-contemporary hit. The approach highlighted Schmit’s sweet romanticism, although it may have sounded a bit too conventional for the era.

No. 18. “All Night Long”
Joe Walsh, Urban Cowboy Soundtrack (1980)

Joe Walsh’s appearance on the Urban Cowboy soundtrack matched the unlikely New Jersey-born John Travolta playing a cowboy. “All Night Long” charted at No. 19 in 1980, becoming the third of Walsh’s four Top 40 solo singles. Eagles fans might recognize it from their set lists.

No. 17. “Not Enough Love in the World”
Don Henley, Building the Perfect Beast (1984)

Henley’s 1980s work occasionally nodded to his ’70s roots. “Not Enough Love in the World” showcases a beseeching vocal and biting lyrics, reminiscent of earlier Eagles hits.

No. 16. “Sunset Grill”
Don Henley, Building the Perfect Beast (1984)

Henley placed his discontent characters into a modern setting with help from Randy Newman, who created the orchestral feel with synthesizers. Guitarist Danny Kortchmar’s synthesizer solo was one of the most surprising elements on an Eagles-related record.

No. 15. “You Belong to the City”
Glenn Frey, Miami Vice Soundtrack (1985)

Frey co-wrote, sang, and played most instruments on “You Belong to the City.” Created for Miami Vice, this track reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, just like “The Heat Is On.”

No. 14. “All She Wants to Do Is Dance”
Don Henley, Building the Perfect Beast (1984)

Guitarist Danny Kortchmar’s Yamaha DX7 synthesizer experimentation resulted in a groove that balanced Henley’s political criticisms, specifically targeting U.S. involvement in Central American conflicts.

No. 13. “Hearts on Fire”
Randy Meisner, One More Song (1980)

Meisner left the Eagles after “Take It to the Limit” but scored another Top 20 hit with “Hearts on Fire,” which harked back to the Eagles’ early country-rock sound.

No. 12. “Smuggler’s Blues”
Glenn Frey, The Allnighter (1985)

Miami Vice producer Michael Mann built a first-season episode around “Smuggler’s Blues” and included its lyrics in the dialogue. Frey later wrote “You Belong to the City” for the show’s second season opener.

No. 11. “Dirty Laundry”
Don Henley, I Can’t Stand Still (1982)

Henley’s criticism of news sensationalism came to life in the gold-selling No. 3 hit “Dirty Laundry,” which starts with a strong groove but shifts into chaotic shouting towards the end.

No. 10. “Rocky Mountain Way”
Joe Walsh, The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get (1973)

Inspired by the scenic mountains of Boulder County, Walsh’s first post-James Gang solo hit, “Rocky Mountain Way,” captures his awe at the natural landscape around him.

No. 9. “The Heart of the Matter”
Don Henley, The End of the Innocence (1989)

Henley and co-lyricist J.D. Souther, both dealing with recent breakups, created “The Heart of the Matter,” a track focused on forgiveness that remains one of Henley’s most introspective works.

No. 8. “True Love”
Glenn Frey, Soul Searchin’ (1988)

Frey’s Detroit R&B roots shine through on “True Love,” co-written with Jack Tempchin, blending his affection for soul music with his unique style.

No. 7. “The Last Worthless Evening”
Don Henley, Building the Perfect Beast (1984)

Co-written by John Corey and Stan Lynch, this song just missed the Top 20 but stands out for its emotional depth, avoiding Henley’s usual lyrical jabs.

No. 6. “A Life of Illusion”
Joe Walsh, There Goes the Neighborhood (1981)

Reviving a song from his 1973 sessions, Walsh’s Top 40 hit “Life of Illusion” blends mariachi-style trumpet with themes that align with his ongoing battles with addiction.

No. 5. “The One You Love”
Glenn Frey, No Fun Aloud (1982)

Co-written with Jack Tempchin, this early No. 15 hit merges Frey’s Eagles roots and his new solo style, featuring his fascination with the sax.

No. 4. “New York Minute”
Don Henley, The End of the Innocence (1989)

Henley captures the phrase “New York minute” in a song full of lost and searching characters, set against the bustling backdrop of the city.

No. 3. “Life’s Been Good”
Joe Walsh, But Seriously Folks … (1978)

Walsh humorously reflects on the excesses of his life in “Life’s Been Good,” a No. 12 hit that has since gained a sense of irony after his recovery from addiction.

No. 2. “The End of the Innocence”
Don Henley, The End of the Innocence (1989)

Henley’s collaboration with Bruce Hornsby resulted in this piano-driven Top 10 hit that discusses the loss of innocence with poignant lyrics.

No. 1. “Boys of Summer”
Don Henley, Building the Perfect Beast (1984)

Henley’s No. 5 hit “Boys of Summer” stems from a moody demo by Mike Campbell. The song reflects on aging and the passage of time, becoming one of Henley’s signature tracks.