By Michael Baginski/ The Eagles have landed… the best-selling album in the history of the United States. Always mooted as one of the top-selling albums of all time, The Eagles’ “Their Greatest Hits (1971-75)” was officially certified by the Recording Industry Association of America this week for having sold 40 million copies – quadruple diamond – the first record to have done so.
(Note: The album has additionally sold 2 million copies in Canada).
Released in 1976, the 10-song compilation beat other contenders – Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” (traditionally considered the top selling album globally), Fleetwood Mac “Rumours,” AC/DC “Back in Black,” and Pink Floyd “Dark Side of the Moon,” among others (including the Eagles’ other classic, “Hotel California”) – to the summit.
The album largely reflected the band’s country-rock stage (before going harder on “Hotel California”) with such hits as “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” “Tequila Sunrise,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” and my all-time fave (presented here), “Take it Easy” (notably co-written by Jackson Browne).
Lyrics
Well, I’m runnin’ down the road try’na loosen my load
I’ve got seven women on my mind
Four that wanna own me, two that wanna stone me
One says she’s a friend of mine
Take it easy
Take it easy
Don’t let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy
Lighten up while you still can
Don’t even try to understand
Just find a place to make your stand
And take it easy
Well, I’m a standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona
Such a fine sight to see
It’s a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford
Slowin’ down to take a look at me
Come on, baby
Don’t say maybe
I gotta know if your sweet love is gonna save me
We may lose and we may win
Though we will never be here again
So open up, I’m climbin’ in
So take it easy
Well, I’m runnin’ down the road tryna loosen my load
Got a world of trouble on my mind
Lookin’ for a lover who won’t blow my cover
She’s so hard to find
Take it easy
Take it easy
Don’t let the sound of your own wheels make you crazy
Come on, baby
Don’t say maybe
I gotta know if your sweet love is gonna save me
(Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
(Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
(Ooh, ooh)
Oh, we got it easy
We oughta take it easy
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