1970s songs, looking for love

#309 Try and Love Again- The Eagles

Would I lose or win/
If I try and love again?

“Try and Love Again” is one of my favorite Eagles songs-written and performed by Randy Meisner. Meisner was the bands original bassist who was replaced by Timothy B Schmitt after Hotel California. The Eagles had a host of lineups. My impression is that Henley and Frey were difficult to work with. They wrote the majority of the songs, so they called the shots.

Try and Love Again Meaning — Randy Meisner

Meisner has several good songs, but this is his one great one. It is under-appreciated, and I have never heard it mentioned even amongst the greatest of the Eagles songs. The lyrics are earnest. The lyrics express a man trying to overcome feeling of doubt concerning getting back out there after a breakup. Will I be able to love again? Is it even worth it? Will I end up hurting more? These are legitimate questions.

The twangy guitar sound is unique to this song. It certainly stands out among Eagles songs and I am not sure I have heard this effect anywhere before. Meisner’s vocal is amazing, and we can hear his hesitancy and heartbreak. It is heartfelt and the backup harmonies are some of the Eagles finest.

Try and Love Again Lyrics

When you’re out there on your own
Where your memories can find you
Like a circle goes around
You were lost until you found out
What it all comes down to

One by one
The lonely feelings come
Day by day, they slowly fade away

Ooh, the look was in her eyes
You never know what might be found there
She was dancing right in time
And the moves she made so fine
Like the music that surrounds her

Should I stay or go?
I really want to know
Would I lose or win
If I try and love again?
Oh oh oh gonna try and love again
Oh oh oh I’m gonna try and love again
Oh oh oh gonna try and love

Right or wrong, what’s done is done
It’s only moments that you borrow
But the thoughts will linger on
Of the lady and her song
When the sun comes up tomorrow

Well, it might take years
To see through all these tears
Don’t let go
When you find it you will know

Oh oh oh, gonna try and love again

Songwriters: Randy Meisner

1970s songs, authenticity

#308 Eye in the Sky- Alan Parsons Project

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So find another fool like before/
Cause I ain’t gonna live anymore believing/
Some of the lies while all of the signs are deceiving.

“Eye in the Sky” is a great concept for a song. Alan Parsons has a revelation, and all of the sudden he sees through all the BS that his lover has been peddling to him. Everything in his life becomes clear. He looks at her differently now. It almost feels like a God-like power. He now has the Eye in the Sky to see the truth. Where was it all these years?

Eye in the Sky Meaning — Alan Parsons Project

He tells her don’t even bother lying—I see you for what you are now, and nothing is going to change my mind. While it is said that he is discovering his “power” under these circumstances, he feels a slight surge of confidence in seeing the Truth finally. And he brags about it a bit.

Eric Woolfson sings most of the song as if he is emotionally removed from the matter. It is like he is stating the facts. But we start to hear his emotion come out near the end as he sings “Cause I ain’t gonna live anymore believing/ Some of the lies while all of the signs are deceiving.”

The songs unique sound is created by using bass, keyboards and drums primarily. I believe the drums may be programmed. A little electric guitar is added at the end for flavor. He also uses a cool technique that Motown uses a lot: his background singers repeat lines in a way such that they sound like they are friends behind him also chiding the woman for lying. Kind of like using your background singers to have your back when you’re down.

Eye In the Sky Lyrics

Don’t think sorry’s easily said
Don’t try turning tables instead
You’ve taken lots of Chances before
But I’m not gonna give anymore
Don’t ask me
That’s how it goes
Cause part of me knows what you’re thinkin’

Don’t say words you’re gonna regret
Don’t let the fire rush to your head
I’ve heard the accusation before
And I ain’t gonna take any more
Believe me
The sun in your Eyes
Made some of the lies worth believing

I am the eye in the sky
Looking at you
I can read your mind
I am the maker of rules
Dealing with fools
I can cheat you blind
And I don’t need to see any more
To know that
I can read your mind, I can read your mind

Don’t leave false illusions behind
Don’t cry cause I ain’t changing my mind
So find another fool like before
Cause I ain’t gonna live anymore believing
Some of the lies while all of the signs are deceiving

Songwriters: Alan Parsons / Eric Norman Wolfson

1970s songs, couples songs

#307 She’s Always a Woman- Billy Joel

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Yeah, she steals like a thief but she’s always a woman to me.

“She’s Always a Woman” by Billy Joel is a great non-traditional love song. Compare this to a song like “Donna” by Ritchie Valens. Valens makes it pretty clear he is into her and leaves no ambiguity about his feelings. Well, after a million or so love songs have been written they need to be said in a different way to make a mark. What is Joel saying about his girlfriend exactly?

In my mind he is saying she is a modern woman. Sure, she can “wound with her eyes” and be a tough businesswoman but not with him. With him, she is different. She is exactly what he wants and needs in a woman (probably something the opposite…maybe somebody loving and gentle?)

“She’s Always a Woman” is special because the melody is great, and Billy Joel is one of the better rock piano players out there. The accompanying piano part is brilliant. It is a different level of complexity than your average piano player. (Billy Joel, Elton John, Nina Simone, and Tori Amos are the best piano players in Rock n Roll. They are on another level.) His voice is always clear and earnest and distinct.

She’s Always a Woman Lyrics

She can kill with a smile, she can wound with her eyes
She can ruin your faith with her casual lies
And she only reveals what she wants you to see
She hides like a child but she’s always a woman to me
She can lead you to love, she can take you or leave you
She can ask for the truth but she’ll never believe you
And she’ll take what you give her as long as it’s free

Yeah she steals like a thief but she’s always a woman to me
Oh, she takes care of herself, she can wait if she wants
She’s ahead of her time
Oh, she never gives out and she never gives in
She just changes her mind

And she’ll promise you more than the garden of Eden
Then she’ll carelessly cut you and laugh while you’re bleeding
But she brings out the best and the worst you can be

Blame it all on yourself ’cause she’s always a woman to me
Oh, she takes care of herself, she can wait if she wants
She’s ahead of her time
Oh, she never gives out and she never gives in
She just changes her mind

She is frequently kind and she’s suddenly cruel
She can do as she pleases, she’s nobody’s fool
But she can’t be convicted, she’s earned her degree
And the most she will do is throw shadows at you
But she’s always a woman to me

Songwriters: Billy Joel

Top 500 Greatest Rock Songs of All-time