Was looking for info on the Desperado album on wikipedia and saw that the title track was not a single. the singles were Tequila Sunrise and Outlaw man...good songs but wth? How was this song (one of the most popular songs of the decade) never a single? I mean, it's not like it's too long (like Stairway to Heaven). Anyone know the reason for this, and was it released later as a single?
The album was poorly received at the time of release, even Tequila Sunrise wasn’t a big hit. It wasn’t until the Greatest Hits album that these songs (Desperado and Tequila Sunrise) eventually became standards. It was Linda Ronstadt’s version of Desperado that received more attention. It was strange, for sure.
Here's another shocker for you. In 1973 the Eagles were considered a 4 way equal partnership. Bernie and Randy were equal to Henley and Frey.
The album was received poorly. Outlaw Man was indicative of the album theme. I get why it was released, they likely wanted a Glen Frey song on the airwaves with Tequila Sunrise being released previously. They pretty much wanted to go in a different direction. So rather than keep with the Western theme, they focused on the next album. They switched producers from Glyn Johns and went back to LA to record the rest of On The Boarder. Linda Ronstadt recorded the song and started performing the song live, likely as tribute to her former backing band.
This is just one example of a classic song that is universally loved today that was under appreciated when first released. There are many similar recordings that failed to make an impact initially that are now considered important "standards" in pop culture.
Why didn't Eagles come to their senses and make it a single? I know they got their reasons, but it's a hard one to answer.
I, too, was surprised when I picked up my first Whitburn chart book in the early '80s and found that Desperado wasn't listed. It was eventually released a a single, but it was an Elektra Gold "oldies series" single.
Johnny Rodriguez scored a top 5 single on the U.S. country charts with his "Desperado" cover. Now, I had never heard of Johnny Rodriguez before today, but that's beside the point.
Was Linda's version actually a hit? Maybe I'm not looking in the right place(s), but I can't find evidence of that.
Two Frey songs in a row. This sounds like a record company decision. Let's release the song that sounds like Neil Young. How could you not recognize the hit potential of Desperado, it's the title track!
Taking a closer look at the track listing of "Desperado", the title track is not even in the top 5 (in my opinion). The top 5 are (in no particular order): Twenty-One, Tequila Sunrise, Outlaw Man, Saturday Night and Bitter Creek (yes, I like Leadon's songs) Bottom 5 are Doolin-Dalton, Certain Kind of Fool, Desperado, Instrumental and Desperado reprise Not ranked is the terrible Out of Control I think they picked the right songs as singles. I would even suggest that the albums name should remain "Desperado" but replace the song and the reprise with another well sequenced instrumental, a version of "How Long" and/or a number from Frey's Pre-Eagles Longbranch Pennywhistle album or one from Henley's Shiloh band.
Singles are so overrated. Good to keep something exclusive for real fans who care enough to buy the album.
No, and it wasn't a single either, it was an album track on Don't Cry Now (which preceeded her big break-through with Heart Like A Wheel and "You're No Good", etc.), but her version was likewise included on her first Greatest Hits and may have been more popular than the Eagles own version at the time.
Was Ronstadt's version more popular? I think it's one of (the) Eagles' greatest songs and the original is better than Linda's version. One of Henley's finest performances. Why wouldn't the band want it to be a hit?
That Elektra Spun Gold 45, was likely done due to jukebox, and radio airplay demands when "Their Greatest Hits" was released. That LP is why it became a standard later.
Ronstadt's version of "Desperado" was indeed a single. In an increasingly rare move by 1974, Asylum Records released it as a double-sided promo with "Colorado" on the other side. "Desperado" made the Cash Box Coming Up chart on July 20, 1974, peaking at #105 and spending seven weeks on that chart. This was her last single before "You're No Good."
Looks like it was also released in the UK with "Silver Threads & Golden Needles" on the flip... Linda Ronstadt - Desperado
