And Freedom? Oh freedom. That’s just some people talkin/
Your prison is walking through this world all alone.

The above line from The Eagles’ “Desperado” is one of the most underappreciated lyrics in rock. It really captures the spirit of the outlaw–the loner, the rebel, the desperado. As you walk alone are you a rebel or are you creating a prison of your own making?

At times it feels like it might be a dream to escape from this world of daily burdens: our family, our job, our significant other. Wouldn’t it be great to live a life with no cares in the world, and not have to answer to anyone? But would the loneliness be worth it?

Henley and Frey tell the young man–The Desperado–to look a little bit closer: that life is not as it seems. You will end up all alone in this world and your ‘freedom’ that you romanticized will just lead to unhappiness.

What makes “Desperado” great is the simple storytelling along with the beautiful chord progressions of the piano. The song is relatively simple, but it packs an emotional punch due to Henley’s singing. The gradual addition of the strings, then drums, then backup vocals allow the song’s energy to build to the great closing line: “You better let somebody love you, before it’s too late.”

“Desperado” is one of the first songs The Eagles wrote, and it only became popular because Linda Ronstadt released a cover of it. She was (and is!) a superstar, and the burgeoning Eagles were her backup band! Now, it is considered an Eagles classic.

Desperado Lyrics

Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses?
You’ve been out ridin’ fences for so long now.
Oh, you’re a hard one,
I know that you’ve got your reasons.
These things that are pleasin’ you,
Can hurt you somehow.

Don’t you draw the queen of diamonds, boy,
She’ll beat you if she’s able.
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet.
Now it seems to me, some fine things
Have been laid upon your table.
But you only want the ones
That you can’t get.

Desperado,
Oh, you ain’t getting younger.
Your pain and your hunger
They’re driving you home.
And freedom, oh, freedom,
Well that’s just some people talking.
Your prison is walking through this world all alone.

Don’t your feet get cold in the winter time?
The sky won’t snow and the sun won’t shine.
It’s hard to tell the night time from the day.
And you’re losing all your highs and lows,
Ain’t it funny how the feeling goes
Away…

Desperado,
Why don’t you come to your senses?
Come down from your fences, open the gate.
It may be rainin’, but there’s a rainbow above you.
You better let somebody love you,
(Let somebody love you).
You better let somebody love you,
Before it’s too late.

written by Don Henley and Glen Frey