The Eagles Song Released After Their Breakup
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In the early 1980s, tensions within the Eagles reached their peak, leading to a bitter breakup that saw the band members scatter in different directions. Years of relentless touring, creative disagreements, and personal conflicts had taken a toll, and by the time the dust settled, a reunion seemed unlikely. Don Henley even famously remarked they would get back together “when hell freezes over.”
As the years passed, each member found new ground in solo careers. Don Henley’s success with “The Boys of Summer” and other hits solidified his standing outside the band, while Glenn Frey remained largely resistant to any reunion efforts. Though their musical chemistry was undeniable, wounds ran deep, and both seemed content to let the past remain in the past.
But something changed in the mid-1990s. It wasn’t a record executive or management deal that brought the Eagles back together—it was a tribute video. And from that small, sentimental collaboration, the impossible slowly became reality.
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A Tribute That Sparked a Reunion
The catalyst came in an unexpected form—a country tribute album. Travis Tritt’s cover of “Take It Easy” for a charity project became the surprising vehicle that drew the Eagles back into the same room. Tritt asked the band members to appear in the video with him, and to everyone’s surprise, they agreed.
During the shoot, the atmosphere shifted. Glenn Frey, previously one of the most reluctant about a reunion, found himself laughing and reminiscing with his old bandmates. In the History of the Eagles documentary, he reflected on how the negative memories had faded. What remained were the good times and the realization that they genuinely enjoyed working together.
That brief moment of connection proved powerful. The laughter, the memories, and the shared sense of history rekindled a creative spark. What started as a one-off appearance gradually turned into discussions about a full-blown reunion—one that would include new material.
Writing Together Again
With the wheels in motion, the band decided they needed fresh music to accompany their reunion. Frey was hesitant at first, still haunted by the difficult process of making their last album The Long Run. But Henley approached him with an idea—he had a song title: “Get Over It.”
Inspired by his frustration with public figures blaming others for their problems, Henley poured his irritation into lyrics. Frey, hearing the passion in Henley’s voice, began building a Chuck Berry-inspired chord progression to support it. The two co-wrote the song, reviving the magic of their old collaboration.
“Get Over It” became the lead single from the Hell Freezes Over project—a biting, energetic rock track that stood out among the reworked classics on the live album. For the first time in over a decade, the Eagles weren’t just looking back—they were creating something new.
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A New Chapter Begins
The reunion concert for MTV’s Hell Freezes Over was met with enormous anticipation and fanfare. While the band was greeted warmly by audiences, the return wasn’t entirely flawless. During a live performance of the new song “Learn to Be Still,” Henley famously forgot the lyrics, prompting a moment of unexpected humor as Frey burst out laughing.
Yet it was those imperfect moments that reminded them what they loved about being a band. Frey later said that writing again with Henley left him feeling rejuvenated. It was proof they could still collaborate meaningfully, even after years apart.
Though they wouldn’t release a full studio album until Long Road Out of Eden in 2007, the seeds had been planted. That double album would eventually showcase the evolved artistry of the band, mixing old-school ballads with sharp, observational rock. But it all started with “Get Over It”—the song that proved the Eagles still had something to say, long after the world thought they were done.
