Who in the Eagles sings I can't tell you why?

1980 single by Eagles

"I Can't Tell You Why" is a song by the American rock band Eagles that appeared on their 1979 album The Long Run. It was written by band members Timothy B. Schmit, Glenn Frey and Don Henley. Recorded in March 1978, it was the first song finished for the album and the first Eagles song to feature Schmit on lead vocals.[3] Released as a single in February 1980, it became a Billboard top 10 hit in April, reaching number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Adult Contemporary chart.[4] It was the group's last top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

Background

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Timothy B. Schmit provided the song title and composed the nucleus of "I Can't Tell You Why," which he then presented to Glenn Frey and Don Henley and they completed the song together. Henley described the finished song as "straight Al Green" and said that Frey, an R&B fan from Detroit, was responsible for the R&B feel of the song.[5] Frey said to Schmit: "You could sing like Smokey Robinson. Let's not do a Richie Furay, Poco-sounding song. Let's do an R&B song."[6]

Schmit describes the song as "loosely based on my own experiences."[7] Schmit said: "I had some writing sessions with Don and Glenn and I threw out a bunch of my ideas and that one [for "I Can't Tell You Why"] stuck. I had [composed] a pretty good part of it, not a huge part but enough for them to think 'That could be good' and go with it. So Don, Glenn and I finished it over a few all night sessions."[8] He also said, "When it was being developed in the studio...I knew it was a great song. I [thought] 'Yes! This is an amazing debut for me.' When we finally mixed it, we had a little listening party at the studio. As people were hearing it, Don turned to me and said, 'There's your first hit.'"[9]

Schmit sang the lead vocals, with Frey and Henley singing counterpoint. Schmit also played the bass on the track, which has a distinctive riff believed by Schmit to have been devised by Frey.[8] According to Henley, Frey wrote the counterpoint part.[6]

In 1980, the band promoted the song with a music video featuring Schmit on bass guitar accompanied by Frey on the electric piano, although Frey recorded the guitar solos on the recording, with Henley on drums, Don Felder on electric guitar, Joe Walsh on organ and Walsh's touring sideman Joe Vitale on ARP string synthesizer. Live versions of the song were released on the 1980 album Eagles Live and 1994's Hell Freezes Over.

Schmit also performed "I Can't Tell You Why" while on tour as a member of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band in 1992. Their performance of the song was included on the 1993 live album Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band Volume 2: Live from Montreux.

Reception

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Cash Box said that "Schmit’s aching, near-falsetto vocal here adds immeasurable depth to the haunting quality of this love song, with a tastefully sparse instrumental."[10] Record World said that "Tim Schmidt, the newest Eagle, lends his sweet falsetto and writing talents to this pretty love ballad."[11]

In 2017, Billboard ranked the song number six on its list of the 15 greatest Eagles songs,[12] In 2019, Rolling Stone ranked the song number 11 on its list of the 40 greatest Eagles songs.[13] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Sterling Whitaker rated it as the Eagles 5th most underrated song, praising Schmit's "beautiful falsetto" and Frey's "melodic" guitar solo.[14]

Track listing

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Side ANo.TitleWriter(s)Length1."I Can't Tell You Why"Frey, Henley, Schmit4:30Side BNo.TitleWriter(s)Length2."The Greeks Don't Want No Freaks"Frey, Henley2:20 Side ANo.TitleWriter(s)Length1."I Can't Tell You Why" (Mono)Frey, Henley, Schmit4:30Side BNo.TitleWriter(s)Length2."I Can't Tell You Why" (Stereo)Frey, Henley, Schmit4:30

Covers

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Personnel

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Chart performance

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References

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It was written by band members Timothy B. Schmit, Glenn Frey and Don Henley.
Recorded in March 1978, it was the first song finished for the album and the first Eagles song to feature Schmit on lead vocals.



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"I Can't Tell You Why" is a song by the American rock band Eagles that appeared on their 1979 album The Long Run.It was written by band members Timothy B. Schmit, Glenn Frey and Don Henley.Recorded in March 1978, it was the first song finished for the album and the first Eagles song to feature Schmit on lead vocals.Dedicated to all the peoples seeking the truth.I can't tell you why, but He has the answers!!!Feedback is much appreciated.Please subscribe.My You Tube Channel: