The Solo Song Don Henley Thought Was Too Controversial

A debut album is a fickle thing to pull off–especially when it’s your first introduction as a solo artist after being in a mega successful band. Don Henley fell into that trap when he released his first solo single, “Johnny Can’t Read.” In hindsight, Henley thought the song was too controversial. Not necessary because of its lyrical content, but because of its sonic direction. Find out more about why Henley regretted this song, below.

[RELATED: The Bandmate Don Henley Said Didn’t Understand Rock N’ Roll]

The Solo Song Don Henley Thought Was Too Controversial

Football, baseball, basketball games
Drinkin’ beer, kickin’ ass and takin’ down names
With the top down, get-a-round, shootin’ the line
Summer is here and Johnny’s feelin’ fine

Though the Eagles went through a couple of evolutions throughout their tenure, their roots were based in country-rock. Even when they decided to amp things up a notch, there were still western connotations in their music. Though fans go on board with a little wavering in the band’s titular sound, Henley was worried they wouldn’t be able to stomach a complete departure.

When Henley previewed his debut album, I Can’t Stand Still, with “Johnny Can’t Read,” he completely diverted from the sound he honed with the Eagles. Naturally, some fans found it hard to get on board.

But Johnny can’t read
Summer is over and he’s gone to seed
Johnny can’t read
He never learned nothin’ that he’ll ever need

“‘Johnny Can’t Read’ [the album’s first single] was the wrong thing to do,” Henley once said. “It was a little bit too much of a leftfield turn from the Eagles days, and it took a lot of people by surprise. It was too controversial. It pissed people off.”

Well, Johnny can dance and Johnny can love
Johnny can push and Johnny can shove
Johnny can hang out; Johnny can talk tough
Johnny can get down and Johnny can throw up

The track is a jaunty, upbeat anthem that you’d sooner hear on a Billy Joel album. It was a far cry from Henley’s solo hits like “Dirty Laundry” or “The Boys of Summer.” The latter two songs fit in better with what he had already accomplished with the Eagles. “Johnny Can’t Read” left the listener with a lot of heavy lifting, trying to reframe Henley’s musicality in their minds.

Revisit the song, below. What do you think? Do you find “Johnny Can’t Read” controversial?

(Photo by John Shearer/WireImage)