For the love of rock, Vol I, Issue I – “The end of the innocence”

VOLUME I, ISSUE 1-(15 June, 2016)

Name of song- The end of the innocence

Singer- Don Henley

Album-The end of the innocence

Writer- Don Henley/Bruce Hornsby

Release year- 1989

Chart records-  US Billboard Album Rock Tracks-1
US Billboard Adult Contemporary Tracks-2
US Billboard Hot 100-8
Canadian RPM Top Singles-3
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary-3
UK Singles Chart-48

Special mention- Grammy Awards-Best Rock Male Vocalist-1989
MTV Video Music Award-Best Male Video-1990

Similar artists-  Steve Winwood/Bryan Adams/Steve Miller/Bruce Springsteen/Sting/Christopher Cross/Glenn Frey

Resources- Wikipedia.org and allmusic.com

The end of the innocence

Reviewers-Bikash Shrestha/Nirab Kayastha

No doubt, one of the best creations of former Eagles front-man, Don Henley, ‘The end of the innocence’ is a song which would stay in our hearts forever. The title track of his third album post Eagles disbandment, co-written with Bruce Hornsby, is a soothing song with a tinge of melodious pop rock with deep sentimental touch.

It is a smooth song which reminisces everyone’s memory and can spellbind anybody. The fantastic arrangement of the synthesizer and a catchy piano with an angelic voice and the haunting saxophone is a perfect combination for an amazing musical fantasy and for many, a nostalgic trip down a memory lane.

It was presented in two versions-Don Henley’s and Bruce Hornsby’s. Both are good, perhaps, Henley’s version is better and is more popularly known. Both the singers have given best of their efforts in this song. And both the versions are worth a choice.

It got him the Grammy for Best Rock Male Vocalist of the year 1989.
The song opens up with a catchy piano rhythm, and Don Henley’s angelic voice swindles us into the reminiscence of wonderful past. This song drives to those childhood days where everything was so carefree and relaxed. The song compares the sweet memory of the past with the present love and affection. The simply powerful wordings of this song cherishes our past memories as well as future dreams. The beauty of nature is perfectly blended with the romantic theme, resulting in a mellow rock ballad. Henley’s voice and the nostalgic melody has made this song an all time favorite rock lullaby.

Few songs touch our hearts, penetrate it further with time and then remain there forever. This is one of those songs which stay in our hearts forever.

Happy listening!!!

Link for the Song : https://www.facebook.com/intheloveofrock/videos/1736287876632054/

Lyrics

Remember when the days were long
And rolled beneath a deep blue sky
Didn’t have a care in the world
With mommy and daddy standing by

When happily ever after fails
And we’ve been poisoned by these fairy tales
The lawyers dwell on small details
Since daddy had to fly

But I know a place where we can go
Still untouched by man
We’ll sit and watch the clouds roll by
And the tall grass wave in the wind

You can lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair fall all around me
Offer up your best defense
But this is the end

This is the end of the innocence
O’ beautiful, for spacious skies
But now those skies are threatening
They’re beating plowshares into swords

For this tired old man that we elected king
Armchair warriors often fail
And we’ve been poisoned by these fairy tales
The lawyers clean up all details

Since daddy had to lie
But I know a place where we can go
And wash away this sin
We’ll sit and watch the clouds roll by

And the tall grass wave in the wind
Just lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair spill all around me
Offer up your best defense

But this is the end
This is the end of the innocence
Who knows how long this will last
Now we’ve come so far, so fast

But, somewhere back there in the dust
That same small town in each of us
I need to remember this
So baby give me just one kiss

And let me take a long last look
Before we say good bye
Just lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair fall all around me

Offer up your best defense
But this is the end
This is the end of the innocence