The Story of How Bob Seger Co-Wrote This No. 1 Hit by Eagles

In 1979, “Heartache Tonight” was released as the lead single of Eagles’ album, The Long Run. The album hit No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 and peaked at No. 1 in multiple other countries as well. Additionally, the album’s lead single “Heartache Tonight” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The hit was co-written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey, along with longtime Eagles collaborator JD Souther, and fellow rock icon Bob Seger. JD Souther wrote or co-wrote many of Eagles’ hits, also including “Best Of My Love,” “Victim Of Love,” and “New Kid In Town.”

Bob Seger had a successful career of his own by 1979. Long before Eagles and Seger were rock stars, Glenn Frey and Bob Seger had crossed paths. Their friendship dates back to the 1960s when the two were involved in the Detroit rock scene. They bonded over a mutual love for Jimi Hendrix and spent time listening to music together. At the time, Seger became a mentor to a young and inexperienced Frey. He included Glenn Frey on his 1968 hit “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man,” where he contributed backing vocals. It would be Frey’s first brush with success, and the two remained friends for decades to come.

“Heartache Tonight” Was Written With Bob Seger Playing Bass

Ultimately, “Heartache Tonight” was inspired by Sam Cooke. The song is a call back to the sing-along tunes of the 1960s by artists like Cooke and was written with that in mind. In an interview with Louder Sound in 2018, Bob Seger detailed how they co-wrote the hit song.

“‘Heartache Tonight’ started with me and Glenn at his house. I was playing bass, and he was playing guitar. He had this little thing: ‘Somebody’s gonna hurt somebody.’ He wanted to write a shuffle. So we’re playing that groove, and Glenn’s singing the verses, and suddenly out of the blue, the chorus came to my head. ‘There’s gonna be a heartache tonight, heartache tonight, I know.’” Seger went on to explain, “I started singing that, and Glenn goes, ‘Yeah!’” I took what he was singing about and jumped right into the chorus.”

The song was further developed when Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and JD Souther arrived. Each person contributed and sorted out the hit that very night.

“Then Glenn called Walsh. Now it’s like one in the morning. Walsh gets up, comes down, and starts playing guitar on it, and comes up with the bridge. Then JD Souther came in right after Walsh, that same night. He’d help Glenn with the lyrics. The next day, Henley chimes in and goes, “Oh yeah,” and he starts writing lyrics. So that’s how that song happened.” Bob Seger appeared on the studio recording of “Heartache Tonight,” providing backing vocals.

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