Don Henley's Lyric Aficionados Collective: "The End of the Innocence"
Dive Deep into Don Henley’s “The End of the Innocence” and Win a Shiloh CD!
We are having a giveaway contest from now until the end of June! Any new paid subscribers will be entered into a drawing for a Shiloh CD — the first stereo recording release of the band Don Henley was in before the Eagles! So smash that button below to get started and put yourself in the running to win!
“The End of the Innocence” comes from the album with the same title, which happens to be the first Don Henley solo work I remember hearing. There is a special nostalgia associated with that. I vividly recall holding the CD case and reading the lyrics on the liner notes. I picture the album sitting in my Dad’s old dark green Nissan. Most importantly, I remember being blown away by Henley’s vocals.
This song has had a lot of different meanings for me throughout the years. But before we get to that, let’s dive deep into how the song came to be!
Background
“The End of the Innocence” is Henley's third studio album's first single and title track. It’s also the name of said album.
Looking to repeat his success collaborating with another artist — and possibly still looking to fill the void left by Glenn Frey when the Eagles broke up — Henley called Bruce Horsnby “in 1987 right around then.”
The two instantly became close when one day Horsby showed Henley a piece of music he had previously written but hadn’t gotten much further with. After Henley listened to the cassette recording, he wrote the lyrics and had himself another hit song, just like he had done with Mike Campbell’s demo of what eventually became “The Boys of Summer.”
Lyrics Analysis
"The End of the Innocence" by Don Henley is a reflective song covering themes of lost innocence, disillusionment, and the bittersweet nature of growing up. It captures a sense of nostalgia and longing for simpler, more idealistic times, mixed with the harsh realities of adulthood and the socio-political climate of the late twentieth century.
Key Themes and Interpretations:
Loss of Innocence:
The song emphasizes a yearning for the purity and simplicity of youth, which inevitably fades while confronting the complexities and challenges of adult life.
Lyrics like "Remember when the days were long / And rolled beneath a deep blue sky" evoke a sense of nostalgia for childhood and a time when life seemed more carefree and full of promise.
Political and Social Commentary:
Henley subtly (or not) critiques the political landscape of the time, referencing the disillusionment many felt during President Ronald Reagan’s administration in the United States.
"They’re beating plowshares into swords / For this tired old man that we elected king" suggests a critical view of the leadership and policies that have led to conflict and a loss of idealism.
Personal Reflection and Growth:
The song also touches on personal growth and the painful but necessary maturing process.
The chorus, "The end of the innocence," can be understood as both a personal and a collective acknowledgment of the loss of naivety and the acceptance of life's more sobering realities.
Read the full lyrics here!
Musical Composition:
The music is reflective and melancholic. The song opens with a melodic piano introduction, complementing the soft percussion and orchestral elements.
Piano Intro:
The piano melody is played by Bruce Hornsby, setting a contemplative tone for the track.
Instrumentation:
The song also features keyboards, synthesizers, subtle orchestral elements, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, and drums.
Rhythm and Tempo:
The tempo is moderate, steady, and unhurried, allowing the listener to focus on the lyrics and the emotive quality of the music.
Melody and Chord Progressions:
The melody is memorable and haunting, underscoring the reflective nature of the lyrics.
The chord progressions move between major and minor chords.
Reception
“The End of the Innocence” peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Henley’s fifth solo top-ten hit. It also became his fourth number-one single on the Album Rock Tracks chart, receiving Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
Song Credits
Personnel:
Don Henley — vocals
Bruce Hornsby — acoustic piano, additional keyboards
Jai Winding — keyboard bass
Michael Fisher — percussion
Wayne Shorter — soprano sax solo
Written by:
Don Henley
Bruce Hornsby
Produced by:
Don Henley
Bruce Hornsby
Release Date: June 6, 1989
Label: Geffen
Length: 5:16
Fun Facts
“The End of the Innocence” music video earned Henley an MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video in 1990. We are two for two in songs in that category so far. Not bad for a guy who didn’t like to do them!
My Take
I love “The End of Innocence.” I think it’s brilliantly written and sung by Henley. It’s his quintessential type of song. That’s why I continue to love the song. Because as you’ll see below, the rest of the song’s meaning doesn’t elicit the best feelings.
The opening lyric “Remember when the days were long / And rolled beneath a deep blue sky” strikes harder today, being in my mid-30s and having two toddlers. As a kid, there were times when I watched the clouds and time didn’t seem to go by so quickly. When I do it with my kids, I enjoy it, but it doesn’t evoke the same emotion. The days are no longer long, even if I’m lucky to see the Carolina Blue sky regularly.
I wasn’t alive for Reagan’s term as President of the U.S. (I missed him by roughly three weeks!) but the criticism seems to have held up well, not just for that administration, but for some that followed. And I also wonder why — more than thirty years later — we keep electing “tired old men” for political leadership positions. I’m not just talking about the current presidential candidates. In general, there continue to be so many folks who represent our country based on tenure, not accomplishments. I’d like to see that change in my lifetime.
Finally, this song hit particularly hard after the Jerry Sandusky scandal at Penn State, where I went to school. I remember feeling the proverbial glass shattering for a town that prided itself on being good and clean people. Instead, we found out there were a lot of dirty people who got away with nasty things for too long. It took a horrendous event like that to put in safer protocols for children in that area. That will forever be a sad memory that cannot be erased.
🎶 Listen on Spotify
📺 Watch on YouTube
Next week, I’ll uncover all the “Dirty Laundry.”
Until then, let me know in the comments what you think of “The End of the Innocence” 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!!
One of my all-time favorite songs. This song sounds VERY Bruce Hornsby-ish and now I know why. Keep up the good work, Colin!