In The City by Eagles

Album: The Long Run (1979)

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This is the proper The Eagles' version of the song; Joe Walsh already had his own version of In The City, originally done for the soundtrack to the 1979 film The Warriors. However, when he next cut an album with the Eagles in 1979 (after joining in 1976), this was included on the album as an Eagles' re-do.
Barry De Vorzon shares song-writing credit with Joe Walsh for "In The City." De Vorzon has substantial success all his own for writing songs for film soundtracks and TV show themes. Amongst his many credits are music contributions to the TV series S.W.A.T. and Simon & Simon, and the films Private Benjamin (1980), Mr. Mom (1983), and of course our own Songfacts-reader's "favorite" film Xanadu!
Oh, did you need some perspective for the lyrics to this song? The Warriors is a film that tells the story of nine members of a New York street gang known as the "Coney Island Warriors," who are part of a plot to unite every single street gang into an army capable of ruling New York, but who are later framed for the gang leader's murder and subsequently have to make their way across the city while being hunted by police and gangs alike. Pretty heavy material for the same guy who gave us "Life's Been Good," no?
The film The Warriors has achieved cult classic status, even spawning a video game of the same title, released by Rockstar Games on October 17, 2005. Twenty-five years after the film!

Comments: 5

Josh from FloridaWho sang this song on the Hell Freezes Over album — Joe or Don?
Handsome Mike On A Bike, Better Known As Minertwist. from Here On Earth's Beautiful California Golden StateWhat can I say. The Eagles have the great hits that help me to stay focused on my art. I'm trying to manifest my destiny of being one of the great artist of our time. I was lucky to be able to love and admire one of the great California lowbrow ladies and I wish she would come back into my life.
Dave Jamieson from Scotland Why was "In the city" omitted form the credits in the warrior's film?
Doug from Bristol, MeCatch the live version of "In the City" on the Eagles' Hell Freezes Over CD. From the first couple of guitar chords, the crowd goes nuts. At the end of that one, instead of the repeat-and-fade of the original JW and later The Long Run versions, they close out with the opening riff to the Beatles' "Day Tripper." Good stuff.
Mayank from Ranchi, IndiaVery happy song ;-) Joe Walsh is funny in his vocals but the lyrics are amazing about how city-life is and how people leave you when you need help.

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