Don Henley's Lyric Aficionados Collective: "The Last Worthless Evening"
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Background
"The Last Worthless Evening" by Don Henley combines poignant lyrics with a sophisticated musical arrangement, creating a song that is reflective and emotionally compelling. Released in 1989 and co-written by Henley and collaborator John Corey, the song was part of an album that received critical acclaim and commercial success, solidifying Henley's reputation as a solo artist.
"The Last Worthless Evening" reflects on the themes of heartbreak, introspection, and hope for renewal. The song blends Henley's lyrical style with a polished musical arrangement typical of the late 1980s rock scene. The song's reflective tone and emotional depth make it a standout track, showcasing Henley's ability to connect with listeners on a personal level.
Lyrical Analysis
Heartbreak and Healing: The lyrics delve into the pain of past relationships and the cautious optimism of starting over.
"I know you broke up with him / And your heart's still on the shelf"
Narrative Perspective: The song is written from the first-person point of view, creating an intimate conversation between Henley and the listener.
"This is the last worthless evening / That you'll have to spend"
Metaphorical Language: Henley illustrates the song's emotions and situation, enhancing the lyrics' poetic quality.
Emotional Resonance: The lyrics evoke a deep sense of empathy, capturing the complexity of moving on from a broken relationship.
Read the full lyrics here!
Musical Composition
Musically, "The Last Worthless Evening" is a blend of soft rock and adult contemporary styles.
Instrumentation: Features a mix of electric and acoustic guitars, piano, and a steady drum beat.
Melody and Harmony: The song has a memorable melody with harmonious backing vocals.
Structure: Follows a traditional verse-chorus structure, with a bridge that adds contrast and depth.
Production: The production is clean and polished, typical of late 1980s rock.
Tempo and Dynamics: Medium tempo, with dynamic shifts that emphasize the emotional weight of the lyrics.
Reception
The single went to #21 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart after its release in 1989. It also reached #5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks and #4 on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks.
Song Credits
Personnel:
Don Henley — lead vocals, drums
John Corey — keyboard, guitars
Mike Campbell — additional guitars
Bob Glaub — bass
Stan Lynch — percussion
Written by:
Don Henley
John Corey
Stan Lynch
Produced by:
Don Henley
Mike Campbell
John Corey
Release Date: October 3, 1989
Label: Geffen
Length: 6:03
My Take
According to my parents, “The Last Worthless Evening” is the first song I liked. It tracks—no pun intended—given that the album was released in 1989, the same year I was born. So it likely got lots of airplay around the house and in the vehicle.
I know two things to be true about this tune:
Because this is my first favorite song, it’s always held a special place in my heart. It evokes nostalgic and sad feelings. I remember my childhood when this song played. I see my parents, at roughly the same stage of life I am in. It’s just such a weird fact of life that overlap like this can happen. You can have the lived experience and then also live in the shoes of others. That’s the power of music. Of course, I’ll never be able to go back to the specific childhood moments in my head. That gets me down, to know we can never fully replicate what once was. But I’m also grateful to have the memories this song gives me. I only want to go back because they are happy memories. Memories of times less chaotic and stressful — at least for me!
Henley is, perhaps, at his vocal best in this song. The range he hits is spectacular in a single song. The lyrics are vivid, and the music's rhythm is a terrific blending making this an easy-listening tune.
It’s also amazing the number of collaborations Henley had with Tom Petty’s band, the Heartbreakers. We’ve already covered “The Boys of Summer” and know how important Mike Campbell is to that song’s origin story. He pops up again here, as does longtime and original Heartbreaker drummer, Stan Lynch.
It’s interesting because I don’t think the Eagles and the Heartbreakers have similar sounds. Tom’s band, to me, was always more hard-rockin’. Maybe what Henley and Glenn Frey aspired to be and somewhat accomplished at the end of the 1970s.
But you can see how Petty’s music shifts during the 1980s to be more aligned with that of Henley’s. Their albums from 1989 sound much more similar than anything during the decade before. For Petty’s Full Moon Fever, the album is notable for Jeff Lynne's heavy influence, resulting in a cleaner take on the Heartbreakers' roots rock style from previous albums. Although Petty’s album was ultimately more commercially successful, it’s still interesting how the sounds from both artists became so similar at this point.
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Next week, pack your bags because I’m “Taking You Home” 🎶
Until then, let me know in the comments what you think of “The Last Worthless Evening” and share any stories, insights, and thoughts you have!
Lastly, if you have feedback on the structure of this column, drop that below too! I want this recurring column to resonate with you as much as Henley’s music does with me!!