51 Years Ago Today, This 1974 Rock Classic Became a No. 1 Hit
On March 1, 1975, a classic rock song became a No. 1 hit, marking a significant moment in music history because of what it meant for one of the biggest bands of all time.
After the Eagles first released their song "Best of My Love" from their album "On the Border" on November 5, 1974, it took roughly four months for it to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. While the track only remained in the top slot for one week after it ascended on March 1, 1975, that achievement changed the band's trajectory going forward.
Why the Eagles' Song 'Best of My Love' Reaching No. 1 Matters So Much
Photo by Fotos International/Getty Images
It is easy to think that the Eagles were always unstoppable since there are several reasons to recognize them as one of the most successful bands of all time. For example, in August 2018, the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) certified the Eagles' "Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975" as the best-selling album of all time in the United States, with "Hotel California" ranking third. On top of that, the Eagles remain so beloved that people still want to know how to get tickets to their upcoming concerts.
In reality, "Best of My Love" was their very first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 so it represented a watershed moment for the group. Four more of the Eagles' songs would top the chart in the years that followed: "Heartache Tonight," "Hotel California," "New Kid In Town," and "One Of These Nights."
Even now, more than five decades after the song was released, "Best of My Love" is still a radio staple and one of the Eagles' most recognizable tracks. Notable for its vocal harmonies and acoustic guitar, the song highlights the best of the band's early laid-back sound, before they embraced a harder rock style. Just as importantly, the song's lyrics speak to almost anyone who has felt love slipping away.
During a discussion with the Hollywood director and music expert Cameron Crowe, the song's main lyricist, Don Henley, discussed what the band was going through when "Best of My Love" was written.
"That was the period when there were all these great-looking girls who didn’t really want to have anything to do with us. We were just scruffy new kids who had no calling card. We could be cocky at times — which was really just a front — but we weren’t very sophisticated or confident. We were typical, frustrated, young men. We wanted the girls to like us, but we had all the immature emotions that young men have — jealousy, envy, frustration, lust, insecurity, and the lot. At the same time, however, we were also becoming quite adept at brushing off girls who showed any interest in us. 'If you want to be with me, I can’t possibly give you the time of day. I want that girl over there who couldn’t care less if I live or die.' Hence the line in 'Desperado': 'You only want the ones that you can’t get.' We knew ourselves even then."