On The Border (1974)
The band's country schtick had mostly gone out the window by now. The few tunes with country elements, like pedal steel guitar and unsyncopated 2/4 bass lines, are so professionalized and up-tempo that it all just seems like window-dressing ("Midnight Flyer," with Meisner on lead). Instead, new Eagle Don Felder slathers his slide guitar parts on one track after another, and the band responds with flawless craftmanship, resulting in a new, uniquely slick soft-rock sound. There are hits and near-hits all over the place, leading off with the rocker "Already Gone"; continuing with the incredibly corny rock 'n' roll tribute "James Dean" and the irresistably sappy, pedal steel-laced Tom Waits ballad "Ol' 55" (a million high school couples must have called it "their" song); and ending with the sweetly harmonized #1 hit "The Best Of My Love." Even the title track is passable A-side material. It's a big step up from the last record, although the flawlessness and self-conscious good-timey humor robs it of any personality.
"Ol' 55"
Well, my time went to quickly
I went lickety-splitly out to my old fifty-five
As I pulled away slowly, feelin' so holy,
God knows I was feelin' alive
And now the sun's comin' up
I'm ridin' with Lady Luck
Freeway cars and trucks
Stars beginning to fade, and I lead the parade
Just a wishin' I'd stayed a little longer
Lord, don't you know the feelin's gettin' stronger
Six in the morning, gave me no warnin'
I had to be on my way
Now the cars are all passin' me,
Trucks are all flashin' me
I'm headed home from your place
And now the sun's comin' up
I'm ridin' with Lady Luck
Freeway cars and trucks
Stars beginning to fade, and I lead the parade
Just a wishin' I'd stayed a little longer
Lord, don't you know, the feelin's gettin' stronger
Well, my time went to quickly
I went lickety-splitly out to my old fifty-five
As I pulled away slowly, feelin' so holy,
God knows I was feelin' alive
And now the sun's comin' up, yes it is
I'm ridin' with Lady Luck
Freeway cars and trucks
Freeway cars and trucks,
Ridin' with Lady Luck
Freeway cars and trucks,
Ridin' with Lady Luck
Freeway cars and trucks
Ridin' with Lady Luck...
