One Of These Nights by Eagles

Album: One Of These Nights (1975)

Charted: 23 1

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Songfacts®:

Written by Glenn Frey and Don Henley, this song was inspired by the soul music Frey was listening to when he started writing it on the piano. Artists like B.B. King and Al Green were a big influence on many songs on the album.

In a 1975 interview with Phonograph Record, Frey explained: "It's like, puttin' things off... Everybody I'm sure has said, 'One of these nights I'm gonna...' Gonna drive back to that restaurant an' take that waitress in my arms, whatever. Find that girl, make that money, buy that house. Move to that country. Any of that stuff. Everyone's got his ultimate dream, savin' it for 'someday.' And 'someday' is up to you."
Don Felder, who was the Eagles newest guitarist, came up with the opening bass line. In a 1975 Rolling Stone interview, Don Henley credited Felder with helping the Eagles get away from ballads: "With Don Felder, we can really rock. He's made us nastier and he's done a great guitar solo on One Of These Nights."
In the same Rolling Stone article, Don Henley said that this song was challenging to sing live: "My voice has to be just right to hit the high notes. Sometimes I make it, sometimes I don't."
Glenn Frey cited this as an example of how he and Don Henley clicked as songwriters. "I'd go over to the piano and say, 'Hey, what do you think of this?' he told Tavis Smiley. "I'd play something, and he'd go, 'Yeah, I like that, I like that.' Maybe just get up and start singing. That's the way we wrote 'One of These Nights.' I just went over to the piano and I started playing this little minor descending progression, and he comes over and goes, (singing) 'One of these nights.' I go, yeah, yeah."
This was the Eagles second #1 single in America, preceded by "Best Of My Love" a year before.
The album One Of These Nights went Platinum in the UK and Canada, and 4x Platinum in the US. It was the Eagles' highest-selling album at the time, but their next one, Hotel California, sold even better.

A word about that Platinum rating: In 1976, album sales were growing at such a fast clip that the RIAA introduced the Platinum ranking for the first time. Guess which album was the one to receive the first Platinum status? Greatest Hits 1971-1975 by The Eagles. That one was later certified as the best-selling album of all time in America, surpassing Michael Jackson's Thriller thanks to catalog sales.
According to Frank Moriarty's Seventies Rock - The Decade of Creative Chaos, The Eagles' chief influence was The Byrds. Eagles' vocalist and guitarist Bernie Leadon was a former member of the Flying Burrito Brothers, a group which gets two of its members (Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman) from The Byrds.
Another significant development in Eagles history happened around the time of this album. Bill Szymczyk (a man whose surname spelling must surely vex the devil himself) had become the Eagles' new producer, joining them from The James Gang - One Of These Nights was their first full album together. Their former producer, Glyn Johns, had left the scene due to artistic differences during On The Border - Johns wanted to maintain a country sound, but the band wanted to break out more into the mainstream rock sound.

Comments: 33

Capt Midnight from BostonWas the song playing on the radio when I lost my virginity It was hers as well She had a key to her grandmother’s cottage ( which wasn’t used from Labor Day to Memorial Day) which made it a perfect and peaceful location. To this day whenever it comes on ( which isn’t very often in Boston) I have to momentarily stop, catch my breath and reflect back. Ok enough. As you were
Capt Midnight
Tamara from CaliforniaGreat song of many great Eagles songs!
Ehill from SingaporeOne of few songs that remains my favourite and periodically hum & strum to (Am instead of their Em), each time I have quiet private nights after a day's work with guitar at my side.
YES, the Eagles was one major reason why teens (me included) in the 70s were buying turntables to spin vinyls on countless nights with jacked headphones on amps right into wee hours of mornings.
Dan from Wyckoff, NjVocals are pristine! Felders guitar and bass are spectacular! Best Eagles solo ever! One of the best solos of all time!
Kawa from Tokyo, JapanHi Music lovers,

I think that the idea of this song came from the 1970's Occult Films as I commented on 'Hotel California' before. There were many occult films produced in 70s and many people seen in theaters over the country. I think Don Henly did, too. On the 'One Of These Night', there were many key words you'll be able to see and understand what they were coming from. I can say that again 'Race With The Devil' was one of them that Don liked to watch. That means he did it twice on the two songs ! One was 'One Of These Nights', The other one was 'Hotel California'. 'You can check out anytime you like but you can never leave'.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn June 21st 1975, the Eagles appeared at Wembley Stadium* in London, England; the crowd was estimated at 120,000 concert goers...
The following month on July 13th, 1975 the quintet’s 'One of These Nights' album would peak at #8 {for 6 non-consecutive weeks} on the United Kingdom Top Albums chart...
While back across the pond in the U.S.A. the album peaked at #1 {for 5 weeks} on July 20th, 1975 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart; and a week later on July 27th the single would reached #1 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart...
The year 1975 was a good one for the quintet; besides "One of These Night", there was "Best of My Love" also peaking at #1 {for 1 week} on February 23rd,1975, then "Lyin' Eyes" reached #2 {for 2 weeks} on November 2nd,1975 and "Take It to the Limit" entered the Top 100 on December 14th, 1975, it would peak at #4 {for 2 weeks} on March 7th, 1976...
* Other acts on the bill were Elton John, the Beach Boys, and Rufus {must have been a great show}.
Ken from Louisville, KyFor years people thought the high notes at the end were sung by Meisner. But it was Henley himself who sang the it, perhaps the only time in his life he ever sang that high on record. Henley said that while recording it, he heard Meisner and Frey sing high harmony background vocals for the song and was inspired to give it a try. Glenn has said that the only way he could sing that high is if he was singing 2 part harmony with Randy.
Camille from Toronto, OhThe article is "Conversations with Don Henley and Glenn Frey" by Cameron Crowe/August 2003. It's a very informative piece where Henley and Frey comment on all of their hits and how they came about writing them.
http://www.theuncool.com/journalism/the-very-best-of-the-eagles/
Camille from Toronto, OhAfter all these years of The Eagles music being part of the soundtrack to my life...the 70s were my teen/20s heyday... I'm finally looking at the group in a different light. I can't say I've ever been exactly thrilled with any of their music. It's not a dislike or a like, just a neutral. My husband is a huge fan, so now in our middle age, we finally went to see The Eagles in concert. Prior to the show, I read up a bit on their backstory, then listened to and memorized some of the song lyrics... not hard to do as so many easily flooded my memory. All of that made the concert more enjoyable for me. I had a great time, and since the concert, I find myself reading up more about the band, found a few books to read and plan to watch the DVD "The History of the Eagles". So anyway, in my "research" I found this:

Glenn Frey: We made a quantum leap with "One Of These Nights." It was a breakthrough song. It is my favorite Eagles record. If I ever had to pick one, it wouldn't be "Hotel California"; it wouldn't be "Take It Easy." For me, it would be "One Of These Nights."
Dt from Gulf Breeze, FlMy pick as The Eagles best song. Felder really kicked the band up a notch. As someone already mentioned the line: "I've been searching for the daughter of the devil himself
I've been searching for an angel in white
I've been waiting for a woman who's a little of both
And I can feel her but she's nowhere in sight

Oh, loneliness will blind you in between the wrong and the right
Oh, coming right behind you, swear I'm gonna find you, one of these nights"

Yeah, I guess we are all looking for that combination in a woman. Somewhere I read where someone said "the ideal wife would be Doris Day in the afternoon, Sophia Loren at night" Sounds right, although I could have dug Doris at night also.
Bruce from San Jose, CaThat haunting, sliding bass line by Don Felder which opens up the song moves ya right down in the bones... Love It!

This is one of the songs I'd put on my "Gotta Learn this if I ever Learn how to Play the Guitar"-List.
Bill from Ohio, OhIn my humble opinion, one of the best lines EVER in pop music: “I’ve been seachin’ for the daughter of the devil himself. I’ve been searchin’ for an angel in white. I’ve been searchin’ for a woman who’s a little of both, and I can feel her but she’s nowhere in sight”.
Dryattz from Atlanta, GaFor me, the middle part of the guitar solo is most extraordinary, because it sounds exactly like an R&B saxophone break!
Dan from Winthrop, MaOn the Eagles boxset felder plays the demo over the phone to henley its priceless.
Oldpink from New Castle, InMagnificent song, and yes, Felder's intro part sets it up perfectly.
Mayank from Ranchi, IndiaEarlier I didn't like this song much but over time, have started liking it more. I think its Glenn Frey's favourite number amongst all the Eagles songs.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyAt three minutes & five seconds into the song, right after the lyrics 'In between the wrong and the right', there comes a short but terrific guitar riff. Every time I play this song I'm always anticipating that magical moment. If I had to pick my favorite Eagles' song, and that's seems almost impossible because there's so many great ones, I guess this would be the one!!!
Brian from Boston, MaThis is a great song.The Eagles never got the respect of many music journalists. I remember hearing Don Henley say that Rolling stone magazine did not have many good things to say about them. This amazes and angers me. I think sometimes if your not really hard rock then your somehow "selling out" or your just a "pop" band. Nothing could be further from the truth.The Eagles were not " hard rock" but they certainly were not just a pop band. The Eagles were one of the best bands of the 70's and I think one of the best bands of all time.
Victor from Hermosillo Sonora, MexicoThe original video for this song featured many drawings and artworks from the "Heavy Metal" magazine. During Felder´s guitar solo a blonde, long haired woman appeared "dancing" in a kind of a photo "slideshow". The first take of the video was the artwork for that album.
Chris from Niagara Falls, NyIve been searching for the daughter of the devil himself...lol great
Liz from Smallville, KsI totally get what Henley is saying. When I want to sing a high note, my voice has to be right that day. Some days I just can't hit a high note.
Kylie from Liverpool, EnglandProbably the Eagles at their very best.
Tony from Chicago, IlI love the opening bass riff of this song! Great eagles song!!!! Except that I always thought it was about relationships instead of about sex
Tony from Chicago, IlI love the opening bass riff of this song! Great eagles song!!!! Except that I always thought it was about relationships instead of about sex
Jennifer Harris from Grand Blanc, MiMy very favorite Eagle Song! It reminds me of my favorite Uncle Brian and Aunt Gracie[now Divorced] and Cousins Cindy and Sherri.
Scott from Boston, MaMike: The Eagles may have peaked with this one? That implies it went downhill after that. Hotel California, their best album and one of my favorite albums ever, came out two years after this song, so I'd have to disagree w/ you there.
Andrew from Birmingham, United StatesThe Eagles are doing their usual high-quality recording. They're the usual group of the experts of the '70s. Long live the Eagles!
David from Deerfield Beach, FlPosted on 11/5/2007. I love The Eagles! They rank very high amongst my all-time favorite bands. It's really tough trying to choose a favorite out of all their many great songs, but I must say that this song might possibly be my favorite from them.
Blake from Chicago, IlOne of my favorites from them!
Ron from Auburndale, FlMy favorite Eagles song. The bassline in the beginning is absolutely awesome!
Mike from Hueytown , AlThis song is cool as hell. The Eagles may have actually peaked with this one.
Glenn from Torrington, CtThis song has the best backup vocals of any 70's song.

Glenn, Ct
Jameson from Lexington, KyI love this song. It's like all things from the 70s are rolled up into one song for me. :)

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