I also think that you have to count their friendship with Linda as being important to them because while they were her backing band in 1971, they helped her out on such C&W favorites as “Lovesick Blues” and “Silver Threads And Golden Needles.” It was also Linda who suggested getting Bernie in there in the first place. And the group was always very generous and complimentary of her, a trait which can’t always be said of all-male bands towards female singers (IMHO).

I would add “New Kid in Town” to the essential singles. Re Common thread I agree with the tracks singled out by Kevin and would add Billy Dean’s take on Saturday Night, noted by JPap, along with Suzy B’s Take It to the Limit.

While I really like Alabama, Diamond Rio and now Zac Brown, the Eagles remain my favorite band.

I cannot remember a time when they weren’t a part of my musical life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Their “Lyin’ Eyes” is my favorite song of all time.

I’ve seen them in concert twice, 2003 and 2008, and they put on a great show. Over three hours of non-stop music. I wish I could’ve seen their tour with Keith and Dixie Chicks, but that didn’t happen. I bet that had been a great show.

In thinking back over their more country sounding hits, you’ve left off one of my favorites – “Best of My Love.” It might be their most country sounding hit of all.

I will always remember my grandfather, who passed away earlier this year, loving Eagles. His favorite of their songs was “New Kid In Town.” He was always in awe of the Henley/Frey writing team and the songs they came up with. He’s the reason I’m such a fan and I’m forever grateful to him for it. Through an introduction to Eagles (and his other favorite, Linda Ronstadt) he showed me how truly masterful music can be and how well a song could be written. He also loved “Tequila Sunrise.”

As for the tribute album, it really is a great record. I still hear Travis Tritt’s take on “Take It Easy” on my local country station every now and again. The artists did a great job of covering the songs. They mostly stayed faithful to the original versions, but to even tackle these songs was enough.

My favorite track on the CD was Billy Dean’s take on “Saturday Night.” His warm voice mixed with the soft production made that track a winner. He really made that song his own.

For as much flak as the Eagles get now for “watering down” country music, I think the pop-rock elements they fused into the genre (accidentally, since all they did was create a sound people imitated) were inevitably going to sneak in as the music climate evolved. And their country-ish stuff isn’t bad, either. If Chris Young released “Tequila Sunrise” or Little Big Town released “Lyin’ Eyes” tomorrow, they’d be among the best singles of the year. The Eagles aren’t particularly deep, but they’re good at mood and melody.

From a country-influence perspective, my essential singles list would look like this:

Take It Easy
Tequila Sunrise
Lyin’ Eyes
Take It to the Limit
New Kid in Town
Heartache Tonight