A lot of Joe Walsh’s music, specifically the song “Life’s Been Good”, sounds as if it was made by a half-drunk, rule-breaking goofball. The reason it sounds like that is because that is exactly what it is.
The intro begins with a bass drum. This is quite standard in any song except this bass drum has an offset rhythm resembling the sound of an intoxicated man trying to walk. Not only does it seem to be a drunk person playing the drums but also an extremely intoxicated Walsh trying to sing the vocals.
(1)
After ten seconds of nothing but the repeated strange rhythm of the drum, Walsh cuts into the song with one of his signature powerful multi-chord guitar riffs that will serve as the bridge for the tune. A second guitar is layered on with steel strings to add timbre and some unique flare. Next the guitars and drum drop out and a third guitar plays the same riff but this time the guitar is acoustic and the electric guitar provides support as it pierces through the silence in the background.
Well over a minute into the song the timbre changes as we begin the first verse and it sounds as if we are on a beach as an electric keyboard plays a repeated chord offbeat to create a more reggae sound making the song upbeat. The change is not only sudden but is an extremely odd choice for a rockstar to integrate a reggae beat into their verses. The sporadic changes in instrumentation in this song is similar to the personality and lifestyle of Walsh(2). The famous guitarist was known for his unpredictability and party animal persona, and this song by instrumentation alone has captured that.
The song, whether it be intentional or not, is quite humorous. Everything Walsh says in this song is true. The first verse contains the following lyrics, “I Live in hotels tear out the walls. I have accountants pay for it all” this is a reference to Walsh’s obsession with joint hotel rooms. If a hotel couldn’t find him one he would literally tear the wall down to make two rooms connect(3). Every verse the reggae beat returns paired with wild anecdotes from Walsh’s past. In-between the verses is where the chorus lies the chorus is simply, “Life’s been good to me so far” and as his voice tails away the instruments become the focal point once again.
Joe Walsh being photogenic with ex-girlfriend, Kristin Casey(4)
Next we finally get to the bridge which consists of a solo for a Jew’s harp which creates a low rattling sound. Walsh of course can’t resist but accompany this strange instrument with guitar. What is most evident as you journey through this song is that it is just really Walsh experimenting with different sounds and jamming on his guitar, for almost every live performance he performs the song in a different way(5). The solo continues as the guitar fades away as an occasional thud from a bass drum and a held single note on a synthesizer create suspense as the song builds back up. Then Walsh cuts back in with the same guitar riff he used in the intro and the song follows suit as if it has completely started over from the beginning with dueling guitars and the offbeat drum. The song repeats almost verbatim.
Then a cowbell is added after the final chorus, playing a four on the floor beat. What follows is a jam session including blaring drums, guitars, and piano. The collection of instruments all play simultaneously until eventually they fade away. As the song concludes you are greeted by silence until a few seconds later a strange voice breaks the silence with a strange statement, “uh-oh here comes a flock wah-wahs” which then is ensued by numerous people making wah-wah noises as if trying to emulate birds for almost an entire minute(6). An extremely strange and unexplained ending is the perfect accompaniment to the strange musical arrangements in this song. The bizarre ending and unorthodox sounds in this song are the perfect musical embodiment of who Walsh was as an individual and as a musician. Walsh was a free-spirited hard partying rock n’ roller who loved a virtuous guitar riff.
Joe Walsh touching ex-girlfriend, Kristin Casey, who was a stripper(7)
References
(1)Walsh, J. (2014) Life’s Been Good https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXWvKDSwvls.
(2)Uhelszki, J. (1975) “Joe Walsh: Lonely In The Spotlight”. Creem. Joe Walsh. Retrieved from http://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/joe-walsh-lonely-in-the-spotlight-
(3) Stooksbury, C. (1999) “To the Limit: The Untold Story of the Eagles.” The American Enterprise, vol. 10, no. 2, p. 82.
(4)Howe, C. (2018, March 14). Eagles’ Joe Walsh had a taste for BDSM and coke, memoir reveals. Retrieved from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5496413/Eagles-Joe-Walsh-taste-BDSM-coke-memoir-reveals.html
(5)Grundy, S., & Tobler, J. (1983) “Joe Walsh”. Interview. Joe Walsh. Retrieved from http://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/joe-walsh
(6)Mendelssohn, J. (1975) “Joe Walsh: So What“. Phonograph Record. Joe Walsh. Retrieved April 28, 2020, from http://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/joe-walsh-iso-whati
(7)Howe, C. (2018, March 14). Eagles’ Joe Walsh had a taste for BDSM and coke, memoir reveals. Retrieved from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5496413/Eagles-Joe-Walsh-taste-BDSM-coke-memoir-reveals.html