I love the music of Glenn Frey. He had a spectacular run with the Eagles and then as a solo artist. I happened upon a video of him singing "Desperado," which he co-wrote with fellow Eagle Don Henley, on The David Letterman Show. He was promoting his album, The Allnighter, so it must have been 1984. Frey did the honors on the piano; Dave's band backed him on instruments and vocals. (Frey's shaggy hair and outlaw look are gone, replaced by a staid suit and tie that would have done him proud on Wall Street.)
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It was magical. Mesmerizing. The audience went nuts for it. How could they not? I have heard so many exceptional singers - Linda Ronstadt, Carrie Underwood, and Kelly Clarkson among them - perform this beautiful song. They did it justice, but no one's version comes anywhere close to Glenn Frey's. Pure and powerful, it insinuates its way into your soul. Watch the video. You will be floored like I was.
Frey, who died in 2016 at 67, sadly left us far too young. He must have had so much more music in his heart to share with us. Even so, we are blessed with such a wealth of songs from him to enjoy forever. Here are some of his best solo tunes. They prove that Glenn Frey was a true virtuoso.
'The One You Love' (1982)
According to Ultimate Classic Rock, this song from Frey's freshman solo album, No Fun Aloud, ranks number 2 on a list of his top 10 solo efforts. UCR likens it to two Eagles classics - "New Kid In Town" and "Lyin' Eyes," thanks to its subdued tone of "sad resignation." The tenor sax is prominent on this song, from both Jim Horn and Ernie Watts. A bluesy, emotionally-muted classic. It's a potent Frey - Jack Tempchin collaboration.
'The Heat Is On' (1984)
From Beverly Hills Cop
Per American Songwriter, in 1984, Frey's solo career was gaining traction. Still, he was in the hunt for a smash hit to catapult him to the top. Enter Frey's manager, who wrangled an invite for Frey to an advance showing of the Eddie Murphy film, Beverly Hills Cop. Frey recorded the pulsating song, which was written by Keith Forsey and Harold Faltermeyer. It landed at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
'Smuggler's Blues' (1984)
From Miami Vice
Frey teamed with his good friend Jack Tempchin to write this memorable song. Their aim was just to come up with a catchy tune about a drug smuggler for a possible film that might be made from a book on that topic. So although "Smuggler's Blues" ended up in an episode of Miami Vice instead, it was not specifically penned for the show. Interestingly, per American Songwriter, Michael Mann, who was the mover and shaker behind Vice, was intrigued by it and grabbed it for the offbeat law enforcement drama. Frey acted in the episode that showcased the song. It's a track on his album, The Allnighter.
'You Belong To The City' (1985)
From Miami Vice
Miami Vice had a short but impactful run on TV from 1984 to 1989. It made a star of heartthrob actor Don Johnson, popularized nifty fashion trends like wearing a t-shirt under an ice cream-colored man's suit, and pioneered used cinematic values for a moody, hour-long cop drama. Frey's song, "You Belong To The City," underscores the tone of Miami Vice perfectly. The sinuous wail of a sax and the lyrics that hint at someone cornered, isolated, and at the end of their tether impart a bleak, noirish feel. A gem.
