Maps of Music

I Can't Stand Still (1982)

Where the lyrics of I Can't Stand Still take you, and where it was really made.

Henley's first solo album carries the Eagles' drummer's anger: its hit single 'Dirty Laundry' attacks the media and tabloid news.

Key places

Recording site: Record One, Los Angeles (1982)

Recording site Motown Recording Studios — The album is recorded at Record One in Los Angeles. The point is set at city-center level, so the exact studio building is not confirmed. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• I Can't Stand Still: debut solo studio album by Don Henley
• Henley is drummer and co-lead vocalist of the Eagles
• Released in August 1982 by Asylum Records
• Produced by Henley, Danny Kortchmar and Greg Ladanyi
• Achieved gold status

Background

• The album showed some of Henley's frustrations at the time
• "Dirty Laundry" expresses his disgust with media and tabloid news coverage
• "Johnny Can't Read" expresses his displeasure with the American educational system
• Three singles were released from the album, including the hit "Dirty Laundry"
• "Dirty Laundry" became Henley's best-selling single
• The title track reached No. 48 and "Johnny Can't Read" reached No. 42 on the charts

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Artist

Formation

• Born July 22, 1947 in Gilmer, Texas; grew up in Linden, Texas.
• Early band Shiloh formed in Texas; moved to Los Angeles in 1970 with Kenny Rogers' support.
• Met Glenn Frey in Linda Ronstadt's backing band; together they formed the Eagles in 1971.

Members

• Founding member, drummer and vocalist of the Eagles.
• Sang lead on "Desperado", "Witchy Woman", "Best of My Love", "One of These Nights", "Hotel California", "The Long Run" and "Life in the Fast Lane".
• After Glenn Frey's death in 2016 became the Eagles' only remaining consistent founding member.

Career

• The Eagles sold over 150 million albums worldwide, won six Grammys and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.
• Solo debut I Can't Stand Still (1982); "Dirty Laundry" reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
• Building the Perfect Beast (1984) produced "The Boys of Summer", a No. 5 hit that won a Grammy and MTV Video Music Awards.
• The End of the Innocence (1989) was his most successful album; the title track reached No. 8.
• Solo albums: I Can't Stand Still, Building the Perfect Beast, The End of the Innocence, Inside Job (2000), Cass County (2015).
• Solo sales exceed 10 million albums; won two Grammys.
• Ranked 87th greatest singer of all time by Rolling Stone in 2008.
• Founded the Walden Woods Project in 1990 and the Caddo Lake Institute in 1993.
• Co-founded the Recording Artists' Coalition in 2000 to advocate for musicians' rights.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Robert Palmer, music critic for The New York Times, was surprised by the album
• Palmer wrote that the record rings with righteous indignation and offers no solutions
• Palmer praised its palpable anger and lean, stripped-down arrangements
• Palmer said that, for him, the album was better than anything Henley did with the Eagles
• Cash Box described the title track as a slow, dramatic, organ-dominated tune that is almost, but not quite, reggae
• Billboard called the title track reggae California style, using heavy bass and syncopated organ

Reappraisal

• AllMusic critic Mike DeGagne reviewed the album retrospectively
• DeGagne wrote that the ghost of the Eagles lingers, but the album mainly showcases Henley's partnership with producer Danny Kortchmar
• DeGagne described the title track as a trouble-in-paradise love song

Records

• Peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard 200
• Peaked at No. 24 on the UK Albums Chart
• "Dirty Laundry" peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100
• The title track reached No. 48 on the charts
• "Johnny Can't Read" reached No. 42 on the charts
• Achieved gold status

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• The Italian Wikipedia track listing puts Dirty Laundry at 5:26, the longest track on the album after Long Way Home at 5:28 is nearly equal in length.
• The Discogs entry for the US CD release by Club Columbia House lists Greg Ladanyi as mixer.
• The album showcased some of Henley's frustrations at the time, and its songs targeted the media and the education system.
• The track listing includes 11 songs, among them You Better Hang Up and Lilah.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com · it.wikipedia.org

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