5 Eagles Songs That Deserved to Be Hits but Never Made It to Radio

The Eagles ruled the ‘70s airwaves with their smooth blend of rock and country. They scored 17 Top 40 hits, and 10 of those made it into the Top 10. But even a band as successful as The Eagles left a few gems tucked away on albums—songs that could’ve soared on the charts if they’d just been released as singles.

Here are five lesser-known Eagles tracks that had major hit potential.

#1 “Desperado” – A Classic That Never Hit the Charts
It’s hard to believe that one of the most iconic Eagles songs wasn’t even released as a single. “Desperado,” from their 1973 album of the same name, is a heartfelt ballad penned by Don Henley and Glenn Frey. It perfectly captures the album’s theme and has become one of their most beloved songs over the years. Still, radio audiences back then didn’t get the chance to hear it as a single. “Desperado” has since become one of the band’s most famous and beloved songs.

#2 “My Man” – A Tribute With Heart
From On The Border (1974), “My Man” is another missed opportunity. Written and sung by Bernie Leadon, it’s a tender tribute to country-rock legend Gram Parsons, who died in 1973. The Eagles initially went with two uptempo singles that didn’t perform well before finally scoring with “Best Of My Love.” Had “My Man” been released, it might have connected with listeners emotionally just as strongly.

#3 “Hollywood Waltz” – Lush and Overlooked
The Eagles had a flawless singles run with One of These Nights (1975), but “Hollywood Waltz” could’ve easily been their fourth Top 5 hit. With its rich harmonies and emotional depth, this track—co-written by Tom Leadon, Bernie’s brother—shows the band at their melodic best. “They do a great job with it, as those lush vocal harmonies wring every last bit of pathos out of the lyrics.”

#4 “Victim of Love” – A Missed Rock Hit
Hotel California (1976) was packed with chart-toppers, but if any album deserved more singles, it was this one. “Victim Of Love” brings gritty guitar work and punchy lyrics that rival any of their hits. “The song rocks as hard as any in their catalog, while the lyrics get their point across in succinct fashion.”

#5 “Those Shoes” – Funky, Dark, and Perfect for Radio
By 1979, The Eagles were burning out, and The Long Run was trimmed down from a planned double album. But one standout track, “Those Shoes,” could’ve made waves. With its moody tone, biting lyrics about LA’s nightlife, and a cool vocoder effect, it was right in step with the era. “The song features some of Don Henley’s most biting lyrics about LA nightlife.”