I Wish You Peace

Album: One Of These Nights (1975)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Eagles guitarist Bernie Leadon wrote this with help from his girlfriend, Patti Davis. Davis is the youngest daughter of Ronald Reagan, who was governor of California at the time and went on to become president of the United States. She once posed for Playboy.

Comments: 18

  • Jc from South Of Mason-dixonBeing old enough to know the drama that was going on within the Eagles at the time, I saw this song as a quite-touching farewell from Bernie to his bandmates AND to the band's fans. I knew he'd left before this album hit the stores. I liked what he said, and I still do.
  • Lynne Martin from Matthews NcI would like to find a copy of the lyrics to frame for my wall. Love this song and the message
  • Dmzabo from Pgh, Pa. You know this song is going to be a dumpster fire if it was co-written by that liberal lunatic Ms. Patty Davis.
    It’s no wonder the Eagles wanted to leave their relationship with co-founder of the band Bernie Leadon with this craptacular effort. Not one of the bands better efforts but that’s not due to the heavy hitters ( Henley, Frey ) within that great American band.
  • Stephen Garber from United StatesIt was brought to my attention that Bernie Leadon didn't much like the song because it was also written as a farewell to the band.
  • Robin from Bossier City, LaYa know, If you trash this song, you need to live a little. As a musician (on a national scale at times), the chord structure ALONE in this song is intelligent and the vast majority of the bashers can't BEGIN to play it correctly---without a tab. LOL If you can't relate to the sadness in the lyrics, and the haunting melody, you haven't lived long enough yet. Hang on---your time is coming
  • Mike from Hueytown , AlRich from Chicago A Hueytown is a little rinky dink town near Birmingham. Seeing how town is in the name I figured it'd be a dead give away that it was a town. I don't like most Who and Grateful Dead songs. I think I was a little harsh on Wish You Peace. It kind of sounds like a Christmas song hahaha
  • Hal from Anchorage, AkOne of the most beautiful songs ever written, lyrically, or musically. Two friends brought it to my attention on different occasions. Steve called it "The warmest personal blessing, and well wishing, from one person to another", he had ever heard.
    Years later, Tim, an amateur musician friend chose it as a practice jam project, and we worked many months tackling the beautiful, etherial, jazz chord progressions.
    I love this Masterwork by Bernie Leadon. "I Wish You Peace" towers with "The Eagles" top Masterpieces like "Tequila Sunrise", "Lyin' Eyes", "Take It Easy", "Take It To The Limit" and "Desperado".
    If you've never heard "I Wish You Peace", or don't remember it, you can hear it on: "One Of These Nights" by the Eagles, released in 1975 (available from iTunes).
    A great project for amateur guitarists who would enjoy a challenge.
    Thanks to the friends who brought it to my attention.
    Peace out.
  • Kevin from Toronto, CanadaI once knew a girl who I'd admired very much who dedicated this song to me. For years I have always played this and remembered fondly on our relationship way back then. She changed a road I was on and a direction I took in my life that I still think was a very good choice and I thank her for that and I will always wish her peace in her life...Thx Pam
  • Rich from Chicago, IlTo Mike from Hueytown,AL what particular albums by The Who & The Grateful Dead are full of lame filler? What is a Hueytown anyway?
  • Daniel from Richardson, TxDale from Boise is right on. It was Bernie's way of saying to Glenn Frey, that its alright man. "I wish you the strength to let love grow...". Prior to this song, Glenn Fry was always getting on to Bernie about were the music was going, that Glenn wanted to go away from the country, bluegrass side of it. Which they started out doing, and that was Bernie's choice of music. Bernie (before the Eagles) played on Dillard and Clark's The Fantastic Expedition (which has "Train Leaves Here This Morning". Anywho, one night at motel, Bernie took just about enough crap Glenn and poured his beer on Glenn's head and stormed out. Short while later, "I Wish You Peace" was made.
  • Jami from Redding, CaLike Don Henley said back in the day..This song is smarmy.
  • Dale from Boise, IdI like the lyrics. I understand that it was the parting song written by Bernie Leadon just prior to his leaving the Eagles band.It sounds like it is born from an attitude of letting go of the negative and allowing positive feelings to surface.
  • Mike from Hueytown , AlThis song is lame but not every song can be Hotel California. Some times songs like these are just added as filler and to please and satisfy a secondary member. I doubt they ever played it live. I doubt Henley and Frey had much of anything to do with the production of this song other than approve it. What's sad is when a group like the Who and the Grateful Dead have an album full of lame filler music hahaha
  • Dan from Kingston, CanadaDan, Sara and Johnny- why not keep your comments to yourselves if you don't know what you are talking about
  • Johnny from Los Angeles, CaThe Eagles have a lot of crap throwaway songs, see the Long Run.
  • Johnny from Los Angeles, CaWow this sounds bad! I wanna hear it!
  • Sara Mackenzie from Middle Of Nowhere, Flworst piece of garbage that ANY band has produced, and that includes disco
  • Dan from Winthrop, MaWithout a doubt the worst piece of music the band ever produced.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"They're Playing My Song

With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.