4 Essential Songs Written or Co-Written by JD Souther

JD Souther quietly crafted some of the biggest hits of the 1970s.

He’d written iconic songs for the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, and James Taylor, bringing Southern California’s country-rock scene to the masses. Souther was a key figure in that burgeoning scene and was nearly the fifth Eagle. Later, he enjoyed a second act starring in the TV show Nashville.

But at the height of his musical success, he chose to step away and enjoy a quieter life. Souther once said he’s happy to have been less famous than his songs. To celebrate the life and work of the late songwriter, here’s a short playlist of essential songs written or co-written by JD Souther.

“You’re Only Lonely” by JD Souther from You’re Only Lonely (1979)

After years of penning hits for others, Souther finally had his own charting single with the title track to his third album. It reached No. 7 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Looking back on the song, Souther said, “It doesn’t really have a chorus, and it doesn’t have a third verse even.” None of this mattered to the song’s success. The voices heard crooning in the background include Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Don Felder, Jackson Browne, and Phil Everly.

“Faithless Love” by Linda Ronstadt from Heart Like a Wheel (1974)

Souther credits Linda Ronstadt with introducing him to country music. They were also central to the Eagles’ formation when Souther encouraged Ronstadt—his then-girlfriend—to hire Glenn Frey to join her backup band. Though Souther grew up listening to jazz and classical music, “Faithless Love” shows his mastery of the country-rock song craft. Glen Campbell had a hit with his version of “Faithless Love” in 1984.

“New Kid in Town” by the Eagles from Hotel California (1976)

“New Kid in Town” laments fading youth and a changing rock and roll guard—the fickleness of the music business hunting for “the next big thing.” But the song also speaks to the allure of newness to rekindle the flickering flame of a vanishing romance. When Souther brought it to the band, they were stunned. Convinced it was a hit, they asked, “Where’s that been?” Souther bashfully answered he “didn’t know what else to do with it.”

“Heartache Tonight” by the Eagles from The Long Run (1979)

While jamming in Frey’s Los Angeles home, Souther and Frey landed on a verse. They’d been listening to Sam Cooke, which inspired an idea. But Frey didn’t know where to take it, so he called Bob Seger. The Detroit legend sang the hook that has since been a staple of Eagles’ concert tours. The stomping groove and handclaps echo the rapture of Gary Glitter’s “Rock ’n’ Roll (Part 2).” “Heartache Tonight” reached No. 1 the same year Souther’s own “You’re Only Lonely” reached No. 7. Soon after, with the dawn of MTV’s cultural dominance, he mostly walked away from music. He told Rolling Stone, “I had done what I wanted to do musically and I just thought to myself, ‘All the men in my family worked until they died, and I’m going to take a few years off and build a great house and have a life.’” 

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