In early 1973, the Eagles issued the first single from their second album, Desperado, on Asylum Records. Don Henley and Glenn Frey wrote it, and Frey sang the lead on the studio cut, with Henley on drums and maracas. Producer Glyn Johns (credited alongside the band) kept it lean and acoustic-forward, matching the album’s Old West concept without turning it into a big pop ballad. Released April 17, 1973, it reached only No. 64 on the Billboard Hot 100—one reason many listeners miss that it was an actual radio single, not just an album track.
“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.” Introduction “Tequila Sunrise” doesn’t rush you. It settles…