Studio Album · No. 2
Desperado Songwriting Credits by Eagles
Produced by Glyn Johns · Engineered by Glyn Johns
Holds writing credit on 10 of 11 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 10 / 11 documented
Scored across the 11 tracks with documented writers, by whether Eagles carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 11 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Desperado is where Glenn Frey and Don Henley took over as the band's primary writers, sharing credit on the title track, 'Tequila Sunrise,' and most of the album. The two regularly brought in J.D. Souther and Jackson Browne on the album's bookend suite, while Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner each carried a song of their own. 'Outlaw Man' is the lone outside cover, written by David Blue.
Desperado is the second studio album by Eagles, released in April 1973 and again produced by Glyn Johns. A loosely Western concept album built around outlaw imagery, it deepened the Frey and Henley writing partnership that would define the band, with the title track and 'Tequila Sunrise' becoming enduring standards. The record leans on collaborations between the two and outside writers J.D. Souther and Jackson Browne, while Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner each contribute their own songs. Though it sold modestly at first, it became one of the band's most respected works and was later certified double platinum. It marked the start of Frey and Henley's dominance of the band's songwriting.
Track Listing & Credits 11 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Doolin-Dalton
|
Don HenleyGlenn FreyJ.D. SoutherJackson Browne | Donald Hugh HenleyGlenn Lewis FreyJ.D. SoutherJackson Browne | Glyn Johns | Don Henley (Lead Vocals)Glenn Frey (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Twenty-One
|
Bernie Leadon | Bernard Matthew Leadon III | Glyn Johns | Bernie Leadon (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
Out of Control
|
Don HenleyGlenn FreyTom Nixon | Donald Hugh HenleyGlenn Lewis FreyTom Nixon | Glyn Johns | Glenn Frey (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
Tequila Sunrise
#64
|
Don HenleyGlenn Frey | Donald Hugh HenleyGlenn Lewis Frey | Glyn Johns | Glenn Frey (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Desperado
|
Don HenleyGlenn Frey | Donald Hugh HenleyGlenn Lewis Frey | Glyn Johns | Don Henley (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Certain Kind of Fool
|
Randy MeisnerDon HenleyGlenn Frey | Randall Herman MeisnerDonald Hugh HenleyGlenn Lewis Frey | Glyn Johns | Randy Meisner (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Doolin-Dalton (Reprise)
|
Don HenleyGlenn FreyJ.D. SoutherJackson Browne | Donald Hugh HenleyGlenn Lewis FreyJ.D. SoutherJackson Browne | Glyn Johns | Glenn Frey (Instrumental)Don Henley (Instrumental)Bernie Leadon (Instrumental)Randy Meisner (Instrumental) |
| 8 |
Outlaw Man
#59
|
David Blue | David Blue | Glyn Johns | Glenn Frey (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
Saturday Night
|
Don HenleyGlenn FreyRandy MeisnerBernie Leadon | Donald Hugh HenleyGlenn Lewis FreyRandall Herman MeisnerBernard Matthew Leadon III | Glyn Johns | Don Henley (Lead Vocals)Randy Meisner (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
Bitter Creek
|
Bernie Leadon | Bernard Matthew Leadon III | Glyn Johns | Bernie Leadon (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
Doolin-Dalton/Desperado (Reprise)
|
Don HenleyGlenn FreyJ.D. SoutherJackson Browne | Donald Hugh HenleyGlenn Lewis FreyJ.D. SoutherJackson Browne | Glyn Johns | Don Henley (Lead Vocals) |