This Johnny Rodriguez cover of the Eagles song "Lyin' Eyes" was written by Eagles bandmates, Glenn Frey and Don Henley. The title and idea for the song came when Frey and Henley were in their favorite Los Angeles restaurant/bar, frequented by many beautiful women.
They were talking about beautiful women who were cheating on their husbands. They saw a beautiful young woman with a much older wealthy man, and Frey said: "She can't even hide those lyin' eyes." Johnny's version
has to be one of the best covers on this song by anyone.
The song was a #2 hit for the Eagles in 1975 and Johnny recorded the song and released it on the album "Reflecting" the following year in 1976.
The album made it to number eleven on the US Country charts. Three songs off the album all made the top five, however, this really well done Lyin' Eyes cover song never got any real recognition.
Johnny Rodriguez "Lyin' Eyes" vinyl memories, a classic song by the Eagles, tells the tale of a beautiful woman trapped in a loveless marriage with an older, wealthy man.
Despite the comforts and luxuries her husband provides, she finds herself unfulfilled and yearning for true love and excitement. Seeking solace, she embarks on a clandestine affair with another man.
In a small, upscale town, the woman, let's name her Sharon, fills her days with shopping, charity events, and social gatherings. Her husband, Gary, is a successful businessman who is often away on trips and preoccupied with his work. Sharon's striking beauty and charm make her the envy of many, but beneath her polished exterior lies a deep sense of loneliness.
Sharon finds herself drawn to Michael, a handsome, rugged outdoorsman who lives on the outskirts of town. The secrecy and thrill of their romance provide an escape from her gilded cage. Michael, enamored by her allure, listens attentively as she shares her feelings and dreams, offering a contrast to the cold and distant relationship she has with Gary.
As their affair deepens, suspicions begin to arise within their tight-knit community. Gossip spreads like wildfire, and Sharon feels the pressure of maintaining her double life. Despite her careful planning and well-rehearsed lies, she starts to slip. The once immaculate facade begins to crack, revealing the truth behind her "lyin' eyes."
Sharon's eyes, windows to her tormented soul, betray her. As much as she tries to hide her deceit, her emotions are etched in her gaze.
At social events and dinners with her husband, she catches herself glancing at Michael, her longing and guilt surfacing. Gary, though often preoccupied, notices the change. He sees the spark missing from Sharon's eyes when she's with him and the way she lights up when she's elsewhere in her thoughts.
The story reaches a crescendo when Gary decides to confront Sharon. With a heavy heart, he tells her, "You can’t even hide those lyin' eyes." The confrontation forces Sharon to face the mess she has created and the pain she has caused.
In the end, Sharon faces a choice: continue living a lie that leaves her empty or find the courage to make a change. The storyline of "Lyin' Eyes" is a poignant reminder of the consequences of deceit and the importance of facing one's truth, no matter how painful it may be.
I love doing cover songs because there are some covers that are actually better than the original artist or group. The really good covers are a matter of opinion, but the covers I have added to my vinyl record memories are good enough, I believe, to change a few minds.
The producers changed the arrangement, added different instruments and bingo, same song with a distinctive new sound. The classic music lyrics by Frey and Henley makes "The Eagles" an easy pick as one of the premier bands of all time and the lyrics to this song are "cheatin' perfect."
On this song it would be hard for anyone to out shine the Eagles original recording. However, Johnny took it, put a country twist on it, and turned it into the best Johnny Rodriguez cover of this song I have ever heard. Again, just my opinion.
Side Note: Enjoy this Johnny Rodriguez video and take note that he did some re-arranging with the lyrics but I added the lyrics as they were written by Frey and Henley.
The single version of the song is shortened quite a bit from the album version. Top 40 Radio in 1975 didn't usually play songs longer than 4 minutes so the run-time on the 45RPM label needed to be shorter.
This
song has one of the better story lines and could be the reason this
song is over five minutes long, but well worth the listen.
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