Busy Being Fabulous by Eagles

Album: Long Road Out Of Eden (2007)

License This Song

artistfacts

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

More Songfacts:

Just Can't Get EnoughThe Black Eyed Peas

The Black Eyed Peas shot the video for "Just Can't Get Enough" in Japan just a week before a devastating earthquake hit the country.

Cigarettes And Chocolate MilkRufus Wainwright

"Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk" describes a time in Rufus Wainwright's life when he found himself hungover and pounding chocolate milk to feel better. It didn't work, so he smoked a cigarette, which is when he realized his addictive personality could be a problem.

Wrecking BallMiley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus didn't write "Wrecking Ball" but could very much relate to it. She was having problems in her relationship with Liam Hemsworth, so the theme of giving your love only to have it wrecked really resonated with her.

Why Can't We Be Friends?War

War got the idea for "Why Can't We Be Friends?" when they were traveling in Japan and found they had a kinship with the citizens even though they didn't speak the same language.

Opposites AttractPaula Abdul

MC Skat Kat was created for the remix of "Opposites Attract," which was released as the last single from Paula Abdul's Forever Your Girl album. The team that created the Kat also did a-ha's "Take On Me" video.

Don't You Want MeThe Human League

Phil Oakey of The Human League recorded his vocals for "Don't You Want Me" in the studio bathroom. The recording was disrupted by guitarist Jo Callis reaching through an open window from outside to repeatedly flush one of the toilets.