The Sad Cafe by Eagles

Album: The Long Run (1979)

License This Song

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

This song was written about The Troubadour, which is a music club in Los Angeles on Santa Monica Boulevard where many fledgling musicians would congregate. Don Henley and Glenn Frey met there and became friends, later began writing together and eventually recruited Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner to form a back up band for Linda Ronstadt. This band eventually became the Eagles.
The line, "I don't know why fortune smiles on some and lets the rest go free" is a reference to how some people are lucky enough to get a break while other equally talented people don't.
This is the final track on The Long Run, the last Eagles album until they reformed in 1994 and released Hell Freezes Over. It's a poignant song ending with a haunting alto sax solo played by David Sanborn. >>
Suggestion credit:
Steve - Peterborough, England, for all above
Joe Walsh wrote this song with J.D. Souther, a fellow musician and friend of the band who also co-wrote "Heartache Tonight."
Don Felder, who was with the Eagles from 1974-2001, told Songfacts that this song is one of his favorites. Said Felder, "There's an acoustic guitar harmony solo where I play about six acoustic guitars and harmony together on 'Sad Cafe,' which is a really unusual solo that was kind of fun to do."

Comments: 24

Bigal from SydneyI find it impossible to ignore the multiple religious references in this song.
'It seemed like a holy place, protected by amazing grace.'
'...Expecting to fly, we would meet on that beautiful shore in the sweet by and by.'
'Now that Glory Train, it don't stop here no more.'
Even 'The powers that be' has a Christian connotation.
Put this is the context of a a post-hippie era Christian revival occuring in the late 60s and early 70s, and imagine a group of earnest, committed young Christians gathered together to sing folky songs, break bread and possibly head out into the mean streets to pass out leaflets in order to try to bring people to Jesus.
And then, a few years later, consider the same group, disillusioned, weighed down by responsibilities and either drifting away or completely alienated from their former faith.
While there may remain some fondness for their companionship and shared mission, the spark has gone.
I know these people, because I was one.
Michael Greene from Greenville ScDo the song's share initials--SC--reference Southern California?
Bobbyb from Lambertville, NjI get a slightly different read from the line "I don't know why fortune smiles on some, and let's the rest go free". To those who "made it" in the music biz, did they trade success for freedom (and perhaps even innocence)?

Who really were the fortunate ones here, when all is said and done?

Just a beautifully crafted song...
Rusty from TennThis song reminds me of a couple bars in my town that have closed down. We’d spend many nites singing and just hanging out, like it would never end…
Gmc from SoutheastClassic piece~interesting facts.Will look up many others. This song always takes one right there, 'Outside the Sad Cafe'. A group that always seemed to simply belong together. And what History they made.
Dale Adamson from EarthThis is one of my favorite eagles songs. The entire album was packed and I hope you are lucky enough to have found this one.
Dr. Gene From Kent State from Kent, OhioWhat a beautiful song and the Last Run is a freaking great album! 7 million copies asshole critics!-they don't know s--t-Don Henley what a fantastic voice-lastly-Joe Walsh live in my dorm at KSU much earlier. He was a living legend and still is in Kent.
Donna from RedlandsSome of best poets and musicians the Universe ever created...
Erik from CharlestonAccording to a TV interview with Ronstadt when she was in her 20s, she introduced Leadon and Meisner to her friends, Don and Glenn.
AnonymousToby you need to understand the difference between a trumpet on Souther’s and an alto sax by David Sanborne on Sad Cafe. They don’t sound anything alike. Not in tone nor in solos performed. I know people may not listen to “horns” anymore but please!
Ian from OregonThis is by far my favorite Eagles song. This is one of my favorite songs for me to listen to whether I need a little break from school, or just need something nice to listen to. It is absolutely beautiful and makes me want to look at my life now and see what I want to try and do with it, and it tells me how fortunate I am really am. This is the best Eagles songs, and it is one of the best songs ever created! :)
Toby from Key WestStill one of the greatest songs about success (or lack of it). "Things in this life change very slowly if they ever change at all"

Lorrie Morgan's version is good but for the best cover, check out JD Souther who of course was with The Eagles at the Troubedour and the beginning of their career and was one of those who fortune never really smiled upon. He had one hit "You're Only Lonely" but became more well known as a a songwriter and collaborator in Nashville.

His version is stripped down and haunting, with the same incredible sax solo.

Then song is on Souther's album "Natural History" which has a few other Eagles covers, "New Boy in Town" and "Best of My Love"
Jack from Mesa, AzHenley's voice is strangely unlikable to me on this unlike every other song he ever sang, yet the more I hear it the more it is one of the best of the Eagles.
Dt from Gulf Breeze, FlThis was the best track on their weakest album, pre-breakup. An extremely well written and crafted song. The Eagles seemed to be at a point in their career where they had hit the absolute zenith after "Hotel California" and instead of just enjoying life at the top, they seemed to be letting petty jealousies and greed tear them apart. I love Henley's line" Now I look at the years gone by, and wonder at the powers that be. I don't know why fortune smiles on some and let's the rest go free." I'm just guessing but maybe this is a common feeling among many in show business. I know virtually everyone pays their dues, but I'd guess almost all successful actors and musicians know others who worked just as hard, were as good looking or as talented but just never got the break. So much of life is timing. I don't know if this guilt is partly responsible for the overwhelmingly leftist political leanings in the Hollywood community.
James from Summerville, ScThe message (s) in this song are quite varied and are applicable to so many different facets of life both personal and social. I like the
semi-religious references in the lyrics which gives them an even more personal message about both the fortunes and the losses in our individuasl lives. I especially like Lorrie Morgan's version on the "Common Thread CD.
Suzanne from Long Beach, WaGlen Frey recruited Bernie Leadon from the Flying Burrito Brothers. When I listen to this song, I think of one star that fell too quickly, Gram Parsons. He was the lead singer of the Flying Burrito Brothers. It is said that the Eagles sat in at all the FBB shows and took notes. Parsons died in 1973, relatively unknown. It was the year that the Eagles made it big with "Witchy Woman" and "Take It Easy." This song could be written about Gram and the others who had so much to give, but who just didn't become big stars.
Brian from Boston, MaI just started reading the book "To the Limit" The untold story of the Eagles and it tells how the members had met at the Troubadour.I never knew this song was about the Troubadour.The Eagles are an incredible band. This was written on April 12th 2011.
Mayank from Ranchi, IndiaWonder why its not often performed in their concerts and not often included in their greatest hits or very best compilations. Its a classic, one of their top 5 in my opinion and has the best sax solo ever.
David from Knoxville, TnWhether or not you're an Eagles fan, it's hard not to respect this masterpiece.
Paul from Denver, CoLorrie Morgan did this song on the Common Thread CD, that had country singer doing the songs of The Eagles.
Liz from Smallville, KsThis song is so sad. It really you think about what you should do in life.
Mark from Madison, WiI really don't like the Eagles, but I make an exception for this song. It's a good example of luminous, beautiful sadness.
Tim from Denver, CoThe Sandborn sax solo really makers the track, don't you think?
Jeff from Cleveland, OhThis is one of the greatest works of art produced by these fine men!