The Eagles as they were in 1977.

With news out today the Eagles are returning to New Zealand in 2015 for the first time in 20 years, here’s a song I rate alongside Lyin’ Eyes, Hotel California and The Last Resort as being amongst the band’s greatest epics. The only difference is Waiting In The Weeds didn’t come out in the group’s 70s heyday and as a result is relatively unknown.

Like the songs mentioned, 2007’s Waiting In The Weeds is long, as in over seven minutes. And like the Eagles’ trio of 70s epics, it is also filled with melancholy, superb harmony and has a beautiful melody. More than that, Waiting In The Weeds could also be a contender for being lyrically the finest song in the entire Eagles’ catalogue.

From the double LP Long Road Out Of Eden – the only full Eagles’ studio release since 1979’s The Long Run – Waiting In The Weeds could be about the band itself: “I’ve been biding time with the crows and sparrows, while peacocks prance and strut upon the stage.” Are the mentions of other birds in reference to this most iconic of American bands – the Eagles – taking a step back in the 1980s while other acts who were all show and no substance pranced and strutted in their place? Possibly, but I choose to think of this song as a broken-heart story.

The lyrics tell a tale of seasons changing and a love that slowly breaks apart. But just as seasons change for the worse, don’t they come around again for the better? The singer still loves the girl he lost, believing if he waits long enough she’ll leave the more exciting man she’s with – “the darling of the chic, the flavour of the week” –  and return to him. Here’s one verse and chorus:

 

The Eagles play seven dates in Australia before their March 14, 2015 concert at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland. Here is Waiting In The Weeds:

Click here for further details about the Eagles 2015 Australasian tour.