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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

Jackson Browne wrote this for his first album, but he didn't know how to finish the song. He gave it to his friend Glenn Frey, who needed songs for his new band - the Eagles. Frey finished the song and the Eagles used it as the first song on their first album. So what was almost a Jackson Browne song became the first single from the new group the Eagles.

Frey's changes to the song included adding the second verse (and the line "Standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona," and stretching out the "E" in "Easy." He considers the song one of the most important Eagles tracks. In an interview with Bob Costas, he said the song represented "America's first image of our band with the vistas of the Southwest and the beginnings of what became Country-Rock."

The Eagles played this live long before they recorded it. It was one of the songs they played when they were doing 4 sets a night at a club in Aspen, Colorado. By the time they recorded it, the song had more of a Country feel.

This Songfact is a Visual.

According to Glenn Frey, the message of this song is, "You shouldn't get too big too fast."

During the Eagles 1994 Hell Freezes Over tour, Frey would intro this song by saying, "And here's how it all started. (thanks, Ricky - Los Angeles, CA)

Travis Tritt recorded this for the 1993 Eagles tribute album Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles. According to The Country Music Encyclopedia, he asked the record company to arrange for the 1980 Eagles lineup to be in the video with him, something he didn't think would happen because of conflicts within the group. To his surprise, the band joined him and appeared in the video. Said Tritt: "I saw a bunch of guys who got together and really seemed to realize that they didn't hate each other as bad as they thought they did." The video shoot took place on December 6, 1993, and led to the Eagles Hell Freezes Over album and tour. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

Comments:

I wish I had a dollar for every time I sang this song at a gig...I'd be almost as rich as Jackson & Glenn! Great tune - always gets the crowd going! I read something once "making fun" of the statue in Winslow,AZ refering to "a throw away line" from a song...it's a great line and apparently saved the song!
- Johnnys Cousin Steve, Villas, NJ

Being a Jackson fan (Eagles too) I was happy to see the comments about the song being written 90% by JB. Lots of people don't even know that he had anything to do with the song. He graciously says he co-wrote the song.
- carolyn, st pete, FL

Instantly recognizable right from the opening chord. Always thought it was a great song!
- Adam, Los Angeles, CA

I bought the 45 single when it first came out in 1972. A new song by a new band,"The Eagles". Witchy Woman was on the B-side. A great song! Listen for Bernie Leadon on the banjo.
- wayne, Salem, VA

I think i can definately relate to this song, as it reminds me of how i attract a lot of woman to me, yet i don't want to date any of the woman i attract! Reminds me to take it easy and let things work out
- Anthony, North Cape May, NJ

oh man... I love this song. and I LOVE Jackson Browne too. The Eagles sing it perfectly and Glenn Frey is the best at singing lead in this song.
- Liz, Smallville, KS

hahaha I thoght it was "Don't let the sound of your own VOICE drive you crazy"
- nady, adelaide, Australia

I like this song! I thought it was by the Fogertys. ooops!
- Jennifer Harris, Grand Blanc, MI

Ahh, the typical experts are making their usual expert '70s hits. Oh, and how interesting. One unique thing about this song is that the Eagles are using somewhat of a country sound to it - a discofied country sound. Long live the Eagles!
- andrew, birmingham, United States

During one of my cross country road trips, I spent a night in Winslow, Arizona but I don't think I went anywhere near that famous corner though!
- Michael, San Diego, CA

Their first and definitely their best!
- Alana, xx, United States

First Eagles song I ever heard. It started it all for me too. " Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy" How cool is that line ?Especially when you are behind the wheel while it's playing.
- Mike, Hueytown , AL

Okay...as far as Winslow and what Rod said about the Mural that has the history of the song... They are still trying to get it repaired and are asking for donations. If you're interested, go to www.standinonthecorner.com You can send a donation or donate online.
- Mary, Phoenix, AZ

The Eagles are awesome! Def one of my favorite bands. I heard this interview on this radio station BIG 100.3. They interviewed Timothy B. Schmit about their experiences with the new CD, as well as when it?s coming out and their experiences with Poco. Its def worth checking out. www.idigbig.com is the website.
- big100.3, rockville, MD

My wife and I have been to Winslow, AZ every year since 1987. We happened to be there the on the day that the "Standing On The Corner" memorial was being dedicated and were able to witness those members of the Eagles who returned to honor the dedication of the Standing On the Corner site. Yes, the one wall still stands and perhaps Winslow's Mayor Alan Affeldt will be able to restore the burned out site. As a Country Pedal Steel Guitarist, I would have cherished meeting "Sneaky Pete" Kleinow of the Eagles.
- Bob, New York, NY

This song turned me on to the music of the Eagles, after staying in Winslow, Arizona in the spring of '72 for a few weeks. I returned to Canada and started hearing this song everywhere and on all the radio stations. Even today when I hear "Take It Easy" I think of the great times I had with new friends I met in Winslow. What a fantastic little town. I can see why this place inspired Jackson Browne to include it in his song. I only hope to make it back there sometime in the near future...
- Kevin, Toronto, Canada

Awesomest Eagles song ever! Better than Hotel California!
- Joe, Bellingham, WA

Update on the Corner in Winslow Arizona as of 12/1/2006: The building that the mural is on burned down about 2 year ago, though that wall behind the statue is intact--so far. The Girl "window" is OK, but the paint is burned on the "window" to the right. Talked to a guy running a nearby souvenir shop; the city of Winslow is trying to figure out what to do about the wall.
- Pat, Albuquerque, NM

true...jackson browne DID get stuck in winslow, car broke down and he based that on his song "take it easy". also, frey only contributed the line "it's a girl my lord in a flat-bed ford slowing down to take a look at me" for "take it easy" and browne proclaimed that they co-wrote it.
- Sara MacKenzie, Middle of Nowhere, FL

This song is probably my second favorite Eagle song next to Hotel California and i usually don't like country but this song is rock and country so it's even cooler and Glenn Frey is a really good singer.
- Ray, Stockton, NJ

I heard a story (perhaps apocryphal) that Jackson Browne wrote the song after he had broken down in Winslow on his way to a show in Flagstaff.
- Don, Phoenix, AZ

J.D. Souther is a magnificent writer, but he had nothing to do with this song. He and Frey were roommates (they were also in a duo called Longbranch Pennywhistle that recorded an album in 1969) and their buddy Jackson Browne lived above them, in Silver Kake (an artist-hangout part of L.A.). Jackson compsed about 90 % of the song, but everyone thought it was mediocre until Frey added his magic 10 percent. Incidentally, Souther was very close to being the 5th Eagle, but wasn't interested in joining the band.
- Garrett, Nashville, TN

I had thought the "7 women" were the days of the week. The 4 that tried to own him - Monday through Thursday, The two that tried to stone him...Saturday & Sunday. And one says she is a friend of mine .."thank God it's Friday" Maybe I think too much.
- Rod, Phoenix, AZ

I don't know about the J.D. Souther connection. What I read was that Jackson Browne & Glen Frey lived in the same apartments/house/duplex - whatever. Anyway, Jackson Browne was working on this, but could not get it finished. Glen stopped by, and together, they put it together. Jackson then said, "O.K. - We co-wrote it". And, yes, the Eagles recorded it and it became their signature-hit song. The rest is history.
- John, Kirkland, WA

This song was actually written by J.D. Souther, a friend of Jackson Browne's. He gave it to both the Eagles and Jackson.
- Chris, Lynchburg, VA

The Travis Tritt cover version got the Eagles back together. He got them to join him for the video and, well, Hell Freezes Over and the Eagles go back on tour.
- Allan, Vanderhoof, Canada

Incidentally, the statue at the corner in Winslow AZ (see the Visual above) looks kinda like Jackson Browne, rather than any of the Eagles.
- Pat, Albuquerque, NM

In a BBQ place behind my house there is a sign that is a personal ad saying "Wanted: Good Woman. Must be able to cook, clean, sew, change oil, and rotate tires. Must have truck and trailer...please send picture of truck and trailer."
- Patrick, Tallapoosa, GA

The first verse is the best thing i ever heard
- Greg, Erie, PA

i have had 7 women on my mind, its not a good fealing. and i think women in trucks is kind of sexy. (im from texas)
- Anthony, Dalles, TX

I love this song!! I have been to Winslow quite a few times, but have never stood on the corner. And for y'all out there, I would very much like to drive a flat bed ford.
- Anne, Phoenix, AZ

i just have to say i love travis tritt he is actually one of the good country singers. i like to say classic country. lol. and i just also have to say well ive been runnin down the road tryin to losin my load ive got seven women on my mind. thats a good starter for a song. and i love how they fit their music with their songs its great and i could never say it enough TALENT!
- meagan, baton rouge, LA

Homer is right
- AJ, Cleveland, GA

If you visit Winslow, Arizona, they have a corner (although it may not be THE corner) marked with a sign, and you can have your picture taken there.
- Clarke, Pittsburgh, PA

What kind of girl drives a flat bed Ford? The good kinds.
- Julian, Oakland, AR

the banjo is bananas in this song
- Sam, Philadelphia, PA

Jackson Browne had a guitar student named Gabe, who now plays bass in a California band called Ray Ban & The Shades
- Ray, Portland, RI

I have never had 7 women on my mind. Thank God!!
- Jonathan, Oklahoma City, OK

great song, the opening verse is better than the rest of the song tho, it flows nicely.
- Natasha, Chico, CA

Scranton girls drive flat bed fords
- Ashley, Scranton, PA

Country singer Travis Tritt sang this on an Eagles tribute album. While the original by the Eagles has a strong country feel, the cover by Tritt was more mainstream pop-rock styled. Huh???
- Homer, Versailles, IL

What kind of girl drives a flat bed Ford? -Steve
- Steve, Chino Hills, CA

Awesome song! I love the country beat to it
- Chantal, Liverpool, Canada