Album: Eagles (1972)

Charted: 12

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• Well, I'm a-runnin' down the road try'n to loosen my load
  I've got seven women on my mind
  Four that want to own me, two that want to stone me
  One says she's a friend of mine
  
  Take it easy, take it easy
  Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy
  Lighten up while you still can
  Don't even try to understand
  Just find a place to make your stand, and take it easy
  
  Well, I'm a-standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona
  And such a fine sight to see
  It's a girl, my Lord, in a flat-bed Ford
  Slowin' down to take a look at me
  Come on, baby, don't say maybe
  I gotta know if your sweet love is gonna save me
  We may lose and we may win
  But we will never be here again
  So open up, I'm climbin' in to take it easy
  
  Well, I'm a-runnin' down a road tryin' to loosen my load
  Got a world of trouble on my mind
  Lookin' for a lover who won't blow my cover
  She's so hard to find
  
  Take it easy, take it easy
  Don't let the sound of them old wheels make you crazy
  Come on, baby, don't say maybe
  I gotta know if your sweet love is gonna save me
  
  (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
  (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
  (Ooh, ooh)
  
  Oh, we got it easy
  We oughta take it easy Writer/s: Glenn Frey, Jackson Browne
  Publisher: Downtown Music Publishing
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 73

• Linda from CaAwesome and so detailed. Downloading song now for our next jam. Love the Eagles
• Tish from ScGreat detail above! Now that William Lee Golden and the Golden's have released their version in 2022, and it's been a great success with the unique acapella intro and 4 part harmony, hope you will add that to the above history.
• Rowdy Roddy from MemphisBeen there, done that and bought the shirt. The bronze statue is there and the flatbed Ford parked next to him. If you are a fan of the Eagles it is worth the trip. Driving to Winslow is just a hop, skip and a jump from Memphis.
• Madengineer from NzYeah definitely switches to 9/8 on the second D7sus4 as described.
• Stewart Burns from Devon, Uk@Daniel from NM you are quite right. Jackson Browne has said in an interview that he was standing on a corner in Flagstaff AZ, near a restaurant now called The Dog House when a girl driving a Toyota pickup slowed down and looked at him, but those lyrics don't flow as well as the finished version though....
• Daniel from Socorro NmI heard the event that took place was not in Winslow but in Flagstaff AZ? Standing on the corner just curios
• René Christensen from DenmarkThis song has always given me goosebumps and reading about it does too...
• AnonymousThe best song love it. They where the best band all there songs are so true.
• AnonymousDave from Auckland, New Zealand; its in 4/4, there is no 9/8 anywhere in the song, especially the intro!
• C.g. Dee from Big D, Texas, UsaThe Flying Burrito Brothers with Gram Parsons are the roots of Country Rock. However, when Take it Easy came out, there were all sorts of rumors that Neil Young was the brainchild of the band. The early 70s in a nutshell. Country Rock could even be laid at the feet of Michael Nesmith of The Monkees with all those wonderful tunes he wrote. Make no mistake. This one song set every thing in motion and the beat, to quote Sonny Bono, goes on. God Save The Eagles!!
• Ken from Louisville, KyThe two women who wanted to "stone" the singer weren't looking to get him high - they wanted to throw stones at him! Obviously they thought he did them wrong.
• Kawa from Tokyo, JapanHi Music lovers,
  
  I almost forgot to tell you. The music of this song 'Take It Easy' came from the song called 'Cotton Fields', CCR's cover in 1969. Lat's take a look at the song 'Cotton Fields' and take it slow to think!
• Kawa from Tokyo, JapanHi Music fans,
  
  I think that the idea of this song came from the song 'The Weight' played by the Band in 1968. Also the album called 'Music From the Big Pink' made by The Band in 1968, which had a song 'The Weight', was very famous and influenced many musicians like Eric Clapton. So did the Eagles, too. Jackson Browne liked it, too and so he tried to write a song like 'The Weight' because his thought it was cool, I think, but he didn't make it so Glenn Frey tried to help him writing and made it ! I can tell you this because the lyrics of the song,'Take It Easy' was alike the lyrics of the 'The Weight'. 'The Weight' was a song about a guy were travelling looking for a place to live and a woman to take care of him. So 'Take It Easy', too ! I think in this case, the title 'The Weight' was just a sort of metaphor or symbol. The song tried to tell us that the guy looked for a woman who loved me and he finally knew he's already got her. So 'Take It Easy' almost Did, too !
• Christopher from Hugo, OklahomaI've always liked the song and after my father shared with me a little something not everyone knows about is that Jackson Browne was arrested in Winslow, Arizona by my father who was under sheriff at the time. He even mentioned the old Jeep just like the story tells not for certain why he was arrested who knows I just thought I'd share that.
• Ron from Mt Rainier, WaIt was 1977 I had a beat up old unreliable car, it broke, a friend gave me his Oldsmobile, that broke, I bought myself a 1973 Challenger. I had always blasted this song "Take it Easy" on each of these cars. Just memorable times. I don't think many songs can take that easy feeling of driving and passing beautiful sceneries, and including pretty women walking by.
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn June 18th 1972, the Eagles were performing their 6th show of their 'Eagles LP Tour'; and about 33 miles west of Dallas, Elvis Presley was performing in concert at the Tarrant County Convention Center in Fort Worth, TX...
  At the time the Eagles' debut record on the Top 100, "Take It Easy", was at position #35, eventually it would peak at #12 (for 2 weeks) on July 16th, 1972...
  And Elvis' covered version of "An American Trilogy" had just dropped off Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart the day before, it was the 26th song he performed that night in Fort Worth...
  R.I.P. to The King (1935 - 1977).
• P.a from Co. Spgs., CoSteve, a gear head girl. Too sexy. This was my first decent taste of country / rock. I liked the faint banjo in the background. This was some of the best harmonizing by an American band ever. BTW, before I joined the U.S. Navy , 1976. I travelled to "a corner in Winslow Arizona". I could visulaize a total '10' "in a flat bed Ford'...
• Camille from Toronto, OhWell, I learned a lot checking in to Songfacts about this song. I've always been a Travis Tritt fan, so I love that he was instrumental (no pun intended) in getting hell to freeze over and the Eagles reunited, to the delight of countless fans the world over. I didn't realize "Take It Easy" was The Eagles first hit. Oh, and my first Songfacts "visual", loved that. I believe my husband and I drove thru Winslow last year on a trip from Las Vegas to see the Grand Canyon. Tonight, we see The Eagles in concert for the first time at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA. We're in our mid-50s, husband has always loved The Eagles...I have recently become a fan.
• Bubblesk from Memphis, TnThis song just energizes me everytime I hear it. When it was on the charts moving upward, I was an unruly youth in grade school. This song is what got me more focused on rock & roll. Before, I just had a passing interest in rock. Then I took the time, by high school, to learn about the roots of rock & roll and the giants like Little Richard, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, Elvis, and others. So this song is personal to my learning about rock & roll. Neat, huh? The Eagles rock!
• Dave from Auckland, New ZealandNotice the delightful 9/8 bar at the end of the intro (bar 8). Nice touch.
• Gordon from Lake Havasu City, AzI heard an interesting rumour regarding the standing on a coner line. Legend has it that Jackson Browne was actually standing on the corner of Route 66 and Switzer Canyon Drive which is in Flagstaff, not Winslow. Could it be true? Perhaps. It's fun to think about little tidbits like that.
  
• Carli from Pheonix, AzJackson Browne concert lastnight in Phoenix, "Probably the most popular song I've ever had any thing to do with...." He did this in acoustic it sounded GREAT!
• Dan from Winthrop, MaI purchased the 45 in 1972 and the b side was not Witchy Woman it was Get You in the Mood.
• Rob from Fort Frances, OnOne of my favorite songs as well. I finally got a chance to see the Eagle live in Winnipeg on June 22 2010, it was the first large concert I had ever been to and my seat was centre stage second row! These guys can still rock!
• Scott from Escalante, UtI found the "standing on the corner" on Google Earth last spring while planning a vacation to Pinetop AZ. My wife said she wanted a picture of it with her in it. While driving into Winslow on old route 66, not knowing where the statue was, you'll never believe what song came on the Sirius radio. It was still playing when we found the corner. Well worth the stop and the people there were very nice to us. One lady related the story about Jackson Browne and how he broke down and was taken in for vagrancy. All newly renovated with the red flat bed ford up the street. As we used to say, "It was COOL". TAKE IT EASY!
• Mayank from Ranchi, IndiaAn Indian TV commercial (perhaps for Kinetic scooty) adopted a variation of this song, also starting with "Well I was running down the road trying to loosen my load" and ends with "Take it easy, cool and easy".
• Zury from Mexico, MexicoI love this song because if I have seven women on my mind Four That want to own me, my four daughters
  2 That want to stone me, my mother and the mother of my wife, One says she's a friend of mine, my wife, this song comes to me like a glove, besides that on one occasion a girl beats me after I spent some weeks taking flowers to her house, just signed the cards with my initials and after all that sent me flying after that I had to go to a driving side and my best friend said that I do not do crazy depressed and right there began to sing, Take It easy, take it easy Do not let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy, that's why I love this song and I go crazy every time I hear it
• Frank from Rochacha, NyI wish so badly i was an 80s 70s teenager insted of a 00s teenager. what am i suposed to grow up with Eminem? Nelly? F that. I choose classic rock insted
• Randy from Houghton Lake, MiThis song came out in the summer when I was 16 having a blast. Now I'm 54 but hearing this song always puts right back there. It also reminds me of the time I seen the Eagles at the "Day on Green concert" presented by promoter Bill Graham in Oakland, CA in the mid 70s.
• Craig from New Castle, PaOne of my favorite songs ever. I actually went to Winslow Arizona to stand on the corner.
• Johnnys Cousin Steve from Villas, NjI wish I had a dollar for every time I sang this song at a gig...I'd be almost as rich as Jackson & Glenn! Great tune - always gets the crowd going!
  
  I read something once "making fun" of the statue in Winslow,AZ refering to "a throw away line" from a song...it's a great line and apparently saved the song!
• Carolyn from St Pete, FlBeing a Jackson fan (Eagles too) I was happy to see the comments about the song being written 90% by JB. Lots of people don't even know that he had anything to do with the song. He graciously says he co-wrote the song.
• Adam from Los Angeles, CaInstantly recognizable right from the opening chord. Always thought it was a great song!
• Wayne from Salem, VaI bought the 45 single when it first came out in 1972. A new song by a new band,"The Eagles". Witchy Woman was on the B-side. A great song! Listen for Bernie Leadon on the banjo.
• Anthony from North Cape May, NjI think i can definately relate to this song, as it reminds me of how i attract a lot of woman to me, yet i don't want to date any of the woman i attract! Reminds me to take it easy and let things work out
• Liz from Smallville, Ksoh man... I love this song. and I LOVE Jackson Browne too. The Eagles sing it perfectly and Glenn Frey is the best at singing lead in this song.
• Nady from Adelaide, Australiahahaha I thoght it was "Don't let the sound of your own VOICE drive you crazy"
• Jennifer Harris from Grand Blanc, MiI like this song! I thought it was by the Fogertys. ooops!
• Andrew from Birmingham, United StatesAhh, the typical experts are making their usual expert '70s hits. Oh, and how interesting. One unique thing about this song is that the Eagles are using somewhat of a country sound to it - a discofied country sound. Long live the Eagles!
• Michael from San Diego, CaDuring one of my cross country road trips, I spent a night in Winslow, Arizona but I don't think I went anywhere near that famous corner though!
• Alana from Xx, United StatesTheir first and definitely their best!
• Mike from Hueytown , AlFirst Eagles song I ever heard. It started it all for me too. " Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy" How cool is that line ?Especially when you are behind the wheel while it's playing.
• Mary from Phoenix, AzOkay...as far as Winslow and what Rod said about the Mural that has the history of the song... They are still trying to get it repaired and are asking for donations. If you're interested, go to www.standinonthecorner.com You can send a donation or donate online.
• Big100.3 from Rockville, MdThe Eagles are awesome! Def one of my favorite bands. I heard this interview on this radio station BIG 100.3. They interviewed Timothy B. Schmit about their experiences with the new CD, as well as when it?s coming out and their experiences with Poco. Its def worth checking out. www.idigbig.com is the website.
• Bob from New York, NyMy wife and I have been to Winslow, AZ every year since 1987. We happened to be there the on the day that the "Standing On The Corner" memorial was being dedicated and were able to witness those members of the Eagles who returned to honor the dedication of the Standing On the Corner site. Yes, the one wall still stands and perhaps Winslow's Mayor Alan Affeldt will be able to restore the burned out site. As a Country Pedal Steel Guitarist, I would have cherished meeting "Sneaky Pete" Kleinow of the Eagles.
• Kevin from Toronto, CanadaThis song turned me on to the music of the Eagles, after staying in Winslow, Arizona in the spring of '72 for a few weeks. I returned to Canada and started hearing this song everywhere and on all the radio stations. Even today when I hear "Take It Easy" I think of the great times I had with new friends I met in Winslow. What a fantastic little town. I can see why this place inspired Jackson Browne to include it in his song. I only hope to make it back there sometime in the near future...
• Joe from Bellingham, WaAwesomest Eagles song ever! Better than Hotel California!
• Pat from Albuquerque, NmUpdate on the Corner in Winslow Arizona as of 12/1/2006: The building that the mural is on burned down about 2 year ago, though that wall behind the statue is intact--so far. The Girl "window" is OK, but the paint is burned on the "window" to the right. Talked to a guy running a nearby souvenir shop; the city of Winslow is trying to figure out what to do about the wall.
• Sara Mackenzie from Middle Of Nowhere, Fltrue...jackson browne DID get stuck in winslow, car broke down and he based that on his song "take it easy". also, frey only contributed the line "it's a girl my lord in a flat-bed ford slowing down to take a look at me" for "take it easy" and browne proclaimed that they co-wrote it.
• Ray from Stockton, NjThis song is probably my second favorite Eagle song next to Hotel California and i usually don't like country but this song is rock and country so it's even cooler and Glenn Frey is a really good singer.
• Don from Phoenix, AzI heard a story (perhaps apocryphal) that Jackson Browne wrote the song after he had broken down in Winslow on his way to a show in Flagstaff.
• Garrett from Nashville, TnJ.D. Souther is a magnificent writer, but he had nothing to do with this song. He and Frey were roommates (they were also in a duo called Longbranch Pennywhistle that recorded an album in 1969) and their buddy Jackson Browne lived above them, in Silver Kake (an artist-hangout part of L.A.). Jackson compsed about 90 % of the song, but everyone thought it was mediocre until Frey added his magic 10 percent.
  Incidentally, Souther was very close to being the 5th Eagle, but wasn't interested in joining the band.
• Rod from Phoenix, AzI had thought the "7 women" were the days of the week. The 4 that tried to own him - Monday through Thursday, The two that tried to stone him...Saturday & Sunday. And one says she is a friend of mine .."thank God it's Friday"
  
  Maybe I think too much.
• John from Kirkland, WaI don't know about the J.D. Souther connection. What I read was that Jackson Browne & Glen Frey lived in the same apartments/house/duplex - whatever. Anyway, Jackson Browne was working on this, but could not get it finished. Glen stopped by, and together, they put it together. Jackson then said, "O.K. - We co-wrote it". And, yes, the Eagles recorded it and it became their signature-hit song. The rest is history.
• Chris from Lynchburg, VaThis song was actually written by J.D. Souther, a friend of Jackson Browne's. He gave it to both the Eagles and Jackson.
• Allan from Vanderhoof, CanadaThe Travis Tritt cover version got the Eagles back together. He got them to join him for the video and, well, Hell Freezes Over and the Eagles go back on tour.
• Pat from Albuquerque, NmIncidentally, the statue at the corner in Winslow AZ (see the Visual above) looks kinda like Jackson Browne, rather than any of the Eagles.
• Patrick from Tallapoosa, GaIn a BBQ place behind my house there is a sign that is a personal ad saying "Wanted: Good Woman. Must be able to cook, clean, sew, change oil, and rotate tires. Must have truck and trailer...please send picture of truck and trailer."
• Greg from Erie, PaThe first verse is the best thing i ever heard
• Anthony from Dalles, Txi have had 7 women on my mind, its not a good fealing. and i think women in trucks is kind of sexy. (im from texas)
• Anne from Phoenix, AzI love this song!! I have been to Winslow quite a few times, but have never stood on the corner. And for y'all out there, I would very much like to drive a flat bed ford.
• Meagan from Baton Rouge, Lai just have to say i love travis tritt he is actually one of the good country singers. i like to say classic country. lol. and i just also have to say well ive been runnin down the road tryin to losin my load ive got seven women on my mind. thats a good starter for a song. and i love how they fit their music with their songs its great and i could never say it enough TALENT!
• Aj from Cleveland, GaHomer is right
• Clarke from Pittsburgh, PaIf you visit Winslow, Arizona, they have a corner (although it may not be THE corner) marked with a sign, and you can have your picture taken there.
• Julian from Oakland, ArWhat kind of girl drives a flat bed Ford?
  
  The good kinds.
• Sam from Philadelphia, Pathe banjo is bananas in this song
• Ray from Portland, RiJackson Browne had a guitar student named Gabe, who now plays bass in a California band called Ray Ban & The Shades
• Jonathan from Oklahoma City, OkI have never had 7 women on my mind. Thank God!!
• Natasha from Chico, Cagreat song, the opening verse is better than the rest of the song tho, it flows nicely.
• Ashley from Scranton, PaScranton girls drive flat bed fords
• Homer from Versailles, IlCountry singer Travis Tritt sang this on an Eagles tribute album. While the original by the Eagles has a strong country feel, the cover by Tritt was more mainstream pop-rock styled. Huh???
• Steve from Chino Hills, CaWhat kind of girl drives a flat bed Ford?
  
  -Steve
• Chantal from Liverpool, CanadaAwesome song! I love the country beat to it

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