I don’t mind doing two or three Eagles songs and playing the drums. I’m not one of those artists who’s going to sit here and deny the past.

Meaning of the quote

Don Henley, the famous American musician, is saying that he's happy to perform some songs from his time with the band Eagles. He doesn't try to pretend that part of his life never happened. Instead, he embraces his past work and is willing to share it with his fans, even if it's not his newest music.

About Don Henley

Don Henley is a legendary American musician and co-founder of the iconic rock band Eagles. He has had an illustrious solo career, winning multiple awards and releasing countless hit songs that have stood the test of time. From his early days with the Eagles to his successful solo ventures, Henley’s impact on music is truly remarkable.

More about the author

More quotes from Don Henley

The Eagles and the critics were not the best of friends.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

It was pretty frightening because as we all know, when large, famous groups breakup, a lot of the members don’t survive in solo careers.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

Sometimes you get the best light from a burning bridge.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

Some records with drum machines on them sound phony and plastic. It all depends on how you use the tools.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

I think my first instrument was a ukulele that they gave me. I used to know how to play that pretty well.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

Mick Jagger can’t even make a successful solo album, and the Stones are the biggest rock group that ever was.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

I’m certainly not thrilled with everything the Eagles did, but there are some things I’m quite proud of.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

I have a certain pool of subject matter that I like to write about, things that interest me: politics, religion, ecology, and relationships between men and women. And that’s usually what I focus on.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

I try to write conversationally; I try to write like people speak and put the emphasis on the right syllable.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

I don’t mind doing two or three Eagles songs and playing the drums. I’m not one of those artists who’s going to sit here and deny the past.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

Selling eight million copies of your first album will mess you up.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

The Eagles ended on a rather abrupt note, although in retrospect I realize now that it had been ending for quite some time.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

I’m not on any crusade.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

Sometimes songwriters and singers forget that. They get a melody in their head and the notes will take precedence, so that they wind up forcing a word onto a melody. It doesn’t ring true.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

A man with a briefcase can steal millions more than any man with a gun.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

Playing the drums hurts my back.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

Let hope inspire you, but let not idealism blind you. Don’t look back, you can never look back.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

I don’t care what anybody says about Ringo. I cut my rock-n-roll teeth listening to him.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

I’m blessed with a pretty good voice. So just sitting back there banging on the tubs wasn’t enough.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

I’m fortunate that I’ve been in this business long enough that I’ve earned the right to be left alone by my record company.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

I have a bad back partially from playing the drums and singing. I used to have to hold my body in such a position that my spine got out of alignment.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

I played drums on Keith Carradine’s first record.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

I could have played more complex stuff. I could have been a busier player. But that’s not what I wanted to do. I played what I wanted to play.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

I’m always jotting things down on pieces of paper. I’ve got pieces of paper all over my house.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

Lawsuits should not be used to destroy a viable and independent distribution system. The solution lies in the marketplace and not the courtroom.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

I could stand out front and sing Eagles songs that I sing in my set, but I think people enjoy watching me sing and play the drums. It seems to fascinate people. I don’t know why.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer

Between each album I try to gain a new insight that I didn’t have before and perhaps write a song about something that I’ve written about before, but from a fresh viewpoint.

Don Henley

American singer, lyricist, producer and drummer