This is a country song with the version by the Eagles still getting airplay on classic rock stations more than 30 years after it was first recorded. Country fans enjoy it, too, and Dolly Parton has recorded a popular cover version of the song.

Steve Young recorded his own song in 1969, but it was in 1980 that the Eagles added some harmonies and the song really took off. One interesting fact is that the band members used to perform the song backstage as a way of warming up before starting a gig. The harmonies were thought to give them a great vocal and musical rev-up before going on stage.

Steve Young, then living in Montgomery, Alabama, was taken to Woodley Road, aka the "Seven Bridges Road," by some friends in the 1960s, and thus knew from first-hand experience what to write about. He remembers it as a dirt road leading into the country. Of course, the road had seven bridges, hence its name. But that is a local name, invented and used by the locals from as far back as the 1860s. Young remembers the old farmhouses, churches, streams, trees with Spanish moss, and graveyards. The area had character.

After he wrote the song, Young didn't think much of it. Then he played it at a gig in Montgomery and suddenly people were interested. They knew exactly what he was singing about.

Later, he was recording his album Rock, Salt and Nails. The producer wanted covers - no originals today, thank you. Young and the session musicians worked their way through several numbers and finished, but there was still space on the album. He pulled out the chords for "Seven Bridges Road" and they ran through the number. Maybe because it was late and, as there was a spot open on the record, the producer said, "Okay, we'll use it." And that's how the song got to be recorded. Once it got airplay it proved popular, and versions by Joan Baez and Rita Coolidge gave it even more impetus.

Then ex-Monkee Mike Nesmith wrote a stunning a capella vocal arrangement for a version by Fairport Convention. But when the Eagles made their 1980 recording, they took the vocal harmonies to new heights and the song, as mentioned, is still much loved today.

Interesting that Steve Young re-recorded his song in the early 1990s, and while the tune and words are remembered by millions, the songwriter never achieved much fame or recognition.

So where and what is the real Seven Bridges Road? That's a good question. Some say it is Woodley Road leaving Montgomery. Hank Williams Jr. reckons it's the road which takes you to Oakwood Cemetery where his father is buried. One of the identification problems is caused by the development in the area since Young wrote the song. So much of what he describes simply ain't there no more. But Woodley Road does have one modest fact supporting its claim to be the original thoroughfare: There are seven bridges along that road.

Cenarth Fox
August 14, 2013 Seven Bridges Road Songfacts
Browse all Songplaces

Comments: 26

• Tye from Millbrook When I was younger that was a late night trip. 7 bridges going in and 6 coming out. Each bridge had it's own stories. On one of the bridges you could hear a baby crying, another you would hear someone walking through the water. When we use to go there it was a dirt road with wood bridges and it dead ended into another dirt road. On moonless nights it was dark beacause it was far enough from Montgomery city lights didn't effect it.
• Jim Mccoy from Pensacola, FlThe best harmony song of the Eagles. Beautiful!
• June Jackson Coglianese from Door Couny WiRemember the 7 bridges on Woodley Road I was raised on Woodley Road and could remember when the bridges were wooden and the road was dirt!
• John W from UsaThe "seven bridges road" is a quiet local area that locals like. It's actually a real road with the name according. Seven Bridges Road with stone bridges off Occidental in East side Duluth. It is a must see for anyone​with the interest.
• Larry from Dothan, AlabamaI never knew this was so close to where I grew up. Another addition to the bucket list.
• Tony Figueiredo from Ma.Love the Eagles seen them 11 times .I really want to travel to 7 Bridges Road
• Rudy Williams from Birmingham AlOne of my all time favorites. I remember the road very well.
• David from Montgomery Al.its out vaughn road
• Ronnie Rose from MontgomeryActually it ran from Woodley Rd southwestward to where it connected to Norman Bridge Rd. I taught my wife to drive on Seven Bridges Rd 54 years ago.That is where a lot of people from Montgomery first learned to drive.
• Kendal Weaver from Montgomery, Ala.It was certainly Woodley Road. The Alabama author Wayne Greenhaw wrote about it in his book, "My Heart is in the Earth," after riding with Steve Young and Jimmy Evans out Woodley Road one Sunday morning. Steve was in the back seat with a guitar and began putting the song together as they rode.
• Joe Martin from Montgomery, AlI knew Steve Young when he was a disc jockey in Montgomery in 1968. Although we were friends for only a short time, I know, because he told me, that Seven Bridges road was what is now called Woodley Road in Montgomery. I have good memories of Steve and send my most heartfelt condolences to his Family,
• Carl Andersen from Arlington, VaIan Matthews recorded a version in 1973 (on Valley Hi) that is the source of the harmonies later used by the Eagles. It's great, give it a listen.
• Suzanne (sue) from Alabama, Of Course! (fl, Now)It was out Woodley Rd in Montgomery. Spent many a night time ride and excursion out there as a teenager and early 20s. Cool place.
• Mark from MillbrookThere were some great cemeteries off 13 bridges road as well. We used to go there and drink and hang out late at night back in the eighties. 7 bridges was Woodley Rd. which was the route to Sandy Creek which was a popular outdoor concert site. Great memories!
• Kenny from Montgomery Letlone yes 13 bridges is haunted. We used to go out there as a teenager and drink "chocolate milk and eat smores"
• Denna Eggers from MontgomeryWill always remember the 7 bridges road.
• Steven from PrattvilleRoad it many many times as a teenager.
• Letlone from Montgomery, AlabamaHey we counted 13 going and 12 coming back on 13 bridges road. Which was in Macon County, Alabama. It was much more spooky than 7 bridges road. We were always told that 7 bridges road was Woodley Rd. In Montgomery, Alabama.
• Mike from Montgomery13 bridges road was in Macon county near the dog track. Currently closed due to safety concerns in regard to the bridges. Legends has it when you drive thru you would cross 7 bridges but only 6 when you turn around and drive. Alot of car wrecks on that old road.
• Jaime from Montgomery, AlYou are right ace from rome. As a teenager we took this road many times and counted 7 going in, 6 coming out! All that moss it was spooky! A memory I will always treasure!
• Ace from Rome G.aa lot of people where im from thought he was talking about ccc rd rome g.a which is supposed to be haunted and u count 7 bridges up and 6 back. but idk!
• Alabama Honey from AlabamaI lived off of Woodley in the early 1980's and it was that road with seven bridges, not Norman Bridge.
• Martian from Montgomery AlNever heard of it being after Norman Bridge Road always was refered to as Woodley Road... Too bad that destroyed the beauty of that road with the rebuilding of the new road...
• Nancyt6061@aol.com from MontgomeryAlways heard it is Woodley Road in south Montgomery going out to rural areas. Never heard it was Norman Bridge but both go south.
• Erin Irish from Alabama!I lived in Montgomery for some years and was always told the song referred to Norman Bridge Road. Interesting to see the various interpretations/facts. :)
• Kay Woodley Chandler from TexasMy dad and sister are doing geneolgy here in Montgomery an the man that built this 7 bridges road was my 4th great grandfather! In fact it was built early 1820\'s not 1860\'s because he died in 1827. He had a plantation out there an wanted to get his goods to town. So excited to find this out because I am a huge eagles fan, but that is the story so far, but dates back to 1820\'s!

see more comments