Joe Walsh’s Top Eagles Songs Ranked: 'Pretty Maids All in a Row' Tops List

When Joe Walsh joined the Eagles in 1975, replacing guitarist Bernie Leadon, the band didn’t just gain a new player — they gained a sonic revolution. His searing guitar tone, wry lyrics, and unapologetic rock attitude didn’t just fit the group; it redefined them. Now, nearly five decades later, Ultimate Classic Rock has published a definitive ranking of every song Walsh contributed to the Eagles’ catalog — and the results are as surprising as they are satisfying. At the top? 'Pretty Maids All in a Row' from 1976’s Hotel California. Not 'Life in the Fast Lane.' Not 'In the City.' But this understated, almost haunting track that somehow captures the quiet despair beneath the glitter of fame — and it’s 100% Walsh.

The Rise of a Rock Outsider

Before he was an Eagle, Walsh was already a legend. As frontman of the James Gang, he helped turn Cleveland into a rock hub with three straight gold albums, capped by 1970’s James Gang Rides Again. His solo work — especially 1973’s The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get — had already cemented his reputation as a guitarist who could bend strings and break rules. When Glenn Frey and Don Henley brought him into the Eagles, they weren’t just hiring a sideman. They were inviting chaos into their polished country-rock machine. And it worked.

The Ranking: From Understated Gems to Rock Anthems

The list, penned by critic Nick DeRiso, begins at No. 10 with 'Dallas' — a track originally written by former Eagles bassist Randy Meisner and recorded on 1982’s The Long Run sessions. It’s a quiet, almost forgotten moment, but Walsh’s subtle harmony vocals lift it. No. 9 and No. 8? Both live albums: Live from the Forum MMXVIII (2020) and The Millennium Concert (2021). Yes, you read that right — live recordings made decades after the band’s peak made the top 10. Why? Because when Walsh plays, the crowd doesn’t just hear the music — they feel it. His solos still spark electricity.

No. 4 is 'Last Good Time in Town' from 2007’s Long Road Out of Eden, the Eagles’ first studio album in 28 years. Here’s the twist: Walsh only sang on two tracks total for the entire record. And this was his only co-write. He penned the verses; longtime collaborator J.D. Souther wrote the chorus. The result? A wistful, acoustic-driven tune about trading the road for a quiet life — and it sounds unmistakably like Walsh. "It’s the sound of a man who’s seen it all and still finds joy in a Sunday morning," DeRiso wrote.

At No. 2 is 'In the City' — the gritty, driving anthem from The Long Run. Walsh had already released his own version for the 1979 film of the same name, and the Eagles’ cover turned it into a radio staple. But the real crown jewel? No. 1: 'Pretty Maids All in a Row.' A song so deceptively simple, it’s easy to overlook. No shredding. No big solo. Just a slow-burning riff, aching harmonies, and Walsh’s voice — worn, warm, and wise. "It’s the moment the Eagles stopped being a band and became a mythology," one longtime fan wrote in a 2025 Reddit thread.

Why 'Life in the Fast Lane' Isn’t No. 1 — And Why That Matters

Let’s be honest: most fans expect 'Life in the Fast Lane' to top the list. And for good reason. That riff — the one Walsh crafted in one take, reportedly while half-asleep — is one of the most iconic in rock history. But here’s the thing: 'Life in the Fast Lane' is a band song. It’s a group effort. 'Pretty Maids All in a Row'? That’s Walsh’s soul on tape. He wrote it alone. He sang it alone. He played every guitar part. It’s not just a song he played on — it’s the song he became.

And that’s the thread tying all these tracks together. Walsh never dominated the Eagles’ songwriting. He didn’t need to. His impact was in texture, in tone, in the way he made their sound feel lived-in. When Glenn Frey died in January 2016, the band could’ve ended. Instead, Walsh became their emotional anchor. He didn’t just play guitar anymore — he carried the memory.

Legacy Beyond the Charts

The Eagles’ Hotel California album shot to No. 11 on the Billboard charts — but its cultural weight? It’s immeasurable. Walsh’s contributions helped turn it from a great record into a generational landmark. Even in their 2000s-era comeback, when the band released Long Road Out of Eden, Walsh’s fingerprints were sparse but unmistakable. Two songs. One co-write. And still, they were the album’s emotional core.

His presence on live albums like Live from the Forum MMXVIII and The Millennium Concert proves something deeper: that his energy hasn’t faded. It’s evolved. At 77, Walsh still commands the stage like he’s got something to prove — even though he’s already proven it a hundred times over.

Multiple outlets — AOL.com, DRGNews, Classic Rock 107.7 FM, and others — republished the ranking in October 2025, each ending with the same tagline: "His impact will never be defined by any one track. It was really about the vibe." And on Instagram, producer prodbydane asked followers: "How would you rank them?" With 126 likes and 7 comments, the conversation continues.

Who Was in the Band? A Quick Roster

During Walsh’s tenure (1975–present), the Eagles’ core lineup included:

• Don Henley (bass, vocals)
• Glenn Frey (guitar, vocals — deceased January 18, 2016)
• Joe Walsh (guitar, vocals)
• Timothy B. Schmit (bass, vocals — joined in 1977 replacing Meisner)

And while Meisner, Leadon, and Frey shaped the band’s early identity, it was Walsh who gave it its teeth.