"Already Gone" is a song recorded by the American rock band the Eagles for their 1974 album On the Border. It was written by Jack Tempchin and Robb Strandlund and produced by Bill Szymczyk.

The song was the first single released from On the Border and peaked at No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100. Since then, the Eagles have included it in their greatest hits albums and live performances.

Background "Already Gone", which is four minutes and 13 seconds long, was written by Robb Strandlund and Jack Tempchin."On the Border - Eagles". allmusic.com. Retrieved December 30, 2011."Already Gone" . allmusic.com. Retrieved December 30, 2011. In the liner notes for The Very Best Of, Glenn Frey said that Tempchin sent him a tape of the song through the mail. Tempchin had already written one of the Eagles' previous singles, "Peaceful Easy Feeling". Excerpt also in The Very Best Of (p. 13) [CD booklet]. Warner Music Group REF.

"Already Gone" was one of the first songs that the Eagles recorded for the album after they stopped recording in London and returned to Los Angeles, and switched their producer from Glyn Johns to Bill Szymczyk. Frey was the lead vocalist.Eliot, Marc (2004). To the Limit: The Untold Story of the Eagles. Da Capo Press. p. 313. New guitarist Don Felder played a Les Paul Special and provided the song's solo lick.

Release "Already Gone" is the opening track of the Eagles' album On the Border, which was released by Asylum Records on March 22, 1974. It was released as the first single from the album in April 1974.Strong, Martin Charles (2006). The Essential Rock Discography. Canongate U.S. p. 345.Ruhlmann, William. "Eagles". allmusic.com. Retrieved December 30, 2011. Its b-side was "Is It True".

The song has also been included on some of the Eagles' compilation albums, including Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) and The Very Best Of."Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) - Eagles". allmusic.com. Retrieved December 30, 2011."The Very Best Of - Eagles" . allmusic.com. Retrieved December 30, 2011.

Critical reception Cash Box said that this was the Eagles' "best single release to date" calling it a "hard rocker driven by the group's incredible harmonies." Record World said that "one particular loneliness analogy here warrants repeating: 'And you'll have to eat your lunch all by yourself,'" and said that the song was "the act's best since 'Take It Easy.'" "Already Gone" has been described as a "classic".Reno, Jamie. "Sound". San Diego Magazine. August 2005. p. 248. In his book To the Limit: The Untold Story of the Eagles, Marc Eliot wrote that the song "was an out-and-out rocker ... Musically it sounded like a fuel-injected rave-up, with melodic echoes of both 'Peaceful Easy Feeling' and 'Take It Easy.'Eliot, Marc (2004). To the Limit: The Untold Story of the Eagles. Da Capo Press. pp. 111-112. In 2017, Billboard ranked the song number nine on their list of the 15 greatest Eagles songs, and in 2019, Rolling Stone ranked the song number six on their list of the 40 greatest Eagles songs.

Chart performance The song was a "staple" on AM and FM radio.Kubernik, Harvey (2009). Canyon of Dreams: The Magic and the Music of Laurel Canyon. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. p. 281. It peaked at #32 on the Billboard Hot 100 on June 29, 1974, spending three weeks on the American Top 40, and a total of 15 weeks on the chart.[ "Already Gone - Eagles"]. billboard.com. Retrieved December 30, 2011.

Live performances The Eagles have included "Already Gone" in their live performances since the 1970s. It was one of their "best selections" at a 1979 Michigan show, according to one reviewer.Yavorcik, Jim. "Eagles Need No Gimmicks to Satisfy Their Listeners". Toledo Blade. October 19, 1979. At a 2002 concert in Washington, the song created a "frenzy," with the audience singing along.Kershner, Jim. "Audience Soars with the Eagles". The Spokesman-Review. June 18, 2002. A performance was included on the 2005 Farewell 1 Tour DVD, which was filmed in Australia.MacIntosh, Dan. "The Eagles: Eagles - Farewell 1 Tour - Live From Melbourne". popmatters.com. January 9, 2006. Retrieved December 30, 2011. In 2006, the band played the song in Manchester, and Frey delivered it "with humour and passion."Torpey, Mike. "The Eagles, MEN Arena, Manchester". icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk. June 28, 2006. Retrieved December 30, 2011.

Personnel Glenn Frey – lead vocals, guitar solos Don Henley – drums, background vocals Bernie Leadon – guitar, background vocals Randy Meisner – bass, background vocals Don Felder – guitar solos

Track listing 7" "Already Gone" "Is It True"

Charts Chart (1974)Peakposition

Other versions

"Already Gone" was recorded by Tanya Tucker for the 1993 tribute album Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles. It reached No. 75 on the Billboard Country chart. Rolling Stone'''s Kara Manning wrote that Tucker's version "transforms its male bravado into a feminist battle cry."Manning, Kara. "I'm Alive". rollingstone.com. November 11, 1993. Retrieved December 30, 2011. The song was recorded by Wilson Phillips for their 2004 album California.Gardner, Elysa. "Wilson Phillips: 'California' dreaming". usatoday.com. June 17, 2004. Retrieved December 30, 2011. The Finnish rendering "Alan Sooloilemaan" was recorded by ) for their 1977 album Morjens''.

References