The Bomber

Album: Rides Again (1970)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The first 10,000 copies of the album included guitarist Joe Walsh playing a 90-second version of Maurice Ravel's "Bolero." Ravel's will stated that only full orchestras could play "Bolero," which is why that section was left out of the Rides Again album. It was reinstated for the Joe Walsh compilation Little Did He Know.
  • On the original album's first release, the piece was subtitled "Closet Queen/Cast Your Fate To The Wind." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jim - Oxnard, CA, for above 2

Comments: 17

  • Pkt from DenverHIS cattle on my ranches
  • Dan from SpokaneAs a lifelong JG fanatic, thanks for the clarification. I always thought the lyrics were like: Will I be back tomorrow for the parting of the dope.
  • John B from Cleveland, OhioEricnc, I came here for that very answer. Below is a thoughtful analysis that I found. I do not feel the authority to copy it all here so I will post the URL. I like this analysis and it expresses the themes Walsh integrates are (incredibly) many but straightforward from the times.

    Joe Walsh makes everything here so very musical and brilliantly poses the themes, forcing us to wonder about it. He sounds like everyone's drinking buddy but his mind and creativity are so far advanced, and I think this Bomber Medley is his single greatest example of that brilliance.

    I just love that this crunchy rock guitarist integrated Cast Your Fate To The Wind, a jazz tune from Guaraldi that made Billboard, and while far from rock guitar, is a favorite of mine.

    http://bit.ly/46npdgs
  • Ericnc from NcAll these trivial, anecdotal comments. How about what the hell is this song about?
  • Revvy Hevvy from Boise,idJoe Walsh is a genius! Many British invasion bands respected his talent!
  • Pauly The K from Buffalo NyI saw the Gang play the song live at Kleinhans music Hall in Buffalo New York in 1971. This might’ve been Joe’s last performance with the gang, I’m not sure. Was anybody else at the show that night?
  • Willie from Scottsdale, Az@Justin...Jimmy Page's 1959 Les Paul was a gift to him from...Joe Walsh. Any chance a James Gang album and LZ 4 could have been made with the same guitar?
  • Ed from Lebanon, Nh The version that appeared on the album did feature part of Vince Guaraldi's mid-1960's "Cast Your Fate to the Wind" in the body of the song; a nice touch by the Gang.

    Guaraldi's original was heard by TV producer Bill Melendez, who decided to hire Guaraldi as music director for the upcoming "Peanuts" TV shows.
  • Jake from Baltimore, MdWalsh is so amazing and i didnt know that Jimmy Fox was Jewish thats just awesome
  • Frank from Brampton, Ontario, CanadaYou know something.... I like the James Gang because of their other hits "Walk Away" and "Funk 49". When I tried to look up those 2 tunes, I was really surprised they weren't there!! But.... anyways.... that's my 2 cents worth.
  • Lemicro from New York City, NyI've seen the James Gang in a reunion concert, it was amazing, they're great.
  • Justin from Georgetown, Inif you had no sense of timing... maybe just maybe you could confuse with zeppelin
  • Ryan from Cleveland, Ohi know what you mean Paul, when i first heard the beginnin i was thinking zeppelin. i get a kick out of playing it and asking my friends who they think it is and they normally say Zeppelin. the intro has the jimmy page feel while the voice is very close to robert plant's
  • Mark from Lancaster, OhSigh. I knew Jimmy Fox for years, sort of. We were in the same Hebrew class together beginning, I believe, at age eight.
  • Steve from Torrance, CaThe full version with Ravel's Bolero also appears on the 2000 Greatest Hits compilation album.
  • Paul from Haslett, MiThis is a wild song! Makes me feel drunk listening to it. Parts of this song remind me of Whole Lotta Love
  • Josh from Puyallup, WaWalsh Is Amazing...I Love This Song
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's Songs

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's SongsSong Writing

"London Bridge," "Ring Around the Rosie" and "It's Raining, It's Pouring" are just a few examples of shockingly morbid children's songs.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Eric Clapton

Eric ClaptonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really write "Cocaine" while on cocaine? This question and more in the Clapton edition of Fact or Fiction.