Busy Being Fabulous

Album: Long Road Out Of Eden (2007)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Eagles catalog is filled with songs about guys with broken hearts. In this one, the poor dude comes home to an empty house and a note reading "Don't wait up for me tonight." Seems she likes life in the fast lane, but he takes it slow.
  • Don Henley did the lead vocal on this track and wrote it with Glenn Frey. He called it "A song the Stones could have done" and said the idea to use the phrase and verse came from Don Felder, whom he and Frey kicked out of the band in 2001. In a Gold Radio interview with Nicky Horne, Henley said: "Glenn ran with it and even though Don didn't like it or think it was good enough. Glenn kept working on it and filling in the holes in the lyrics. Industry people said it was a hit."
  • Issued as a single from the Long Road Out Of Eden album, this song made the Adult Contemporary (#12) and Country (#28) charts. The double album was sold in America exclusively at Walmart its first year for just $11.88, a price that worked because the Eagles made the deal directly (they were their own record company by this point) and Walmart wanted to get shoppers into the stores for Christmas. The bargain price, along with a fanbase that would still rather buy a CD than download an album, helped it sell over 7 million copies, a number that seemed unreachable in music's digital age.
  • The only concept music videos the Eagles ever made were for this song and "How Long," another track from Long Road Out Of Eden. They broke up in 1980 before MTV went on the air and had no interest in making videos at that time. When they re-formed in 1994, they did a TV special and DVD to promote their live album Hell Freezes Over, but they didn't bother making music videos until it came time to promote their 2003 single "Hole In The World," which just showed the band working on the song in the studio. "Busy Being Fabulous" was directed by Olaf Heine, who shot the photos for the album. In the video we see the woman in the song busy being fabulous at a party while the Eagles - cleaned up in nice suits - perform. Not only was it the last Eagles video, it the only one they ever made with actors (only the band is in "How Long").

Comments: 3

  • Ks_bittersweet from IndiaSteuart Smith also co-wrote with Don & Glenn!
  • Mike from Atlanta, GaI bought tickets for their tour in Atlanta! It's on the first night! If they are not "Fabulous" I'll let you know! But I know they will be! Mike
  • Kylie from Liverpool, EnglandThis song is absolutely amazing. Have been an Eagles fan all of my life and think this is one of their best. The new album is also fantastic!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.