The End of the Innocence (song)
Encyclopedia
"The End of the Innocence" is the lead single and title track from Don Henley
's third solo studio album, The End of the Innocence
, in 1989. The song was written by Bruce Hornsby
, with lyrics added by Henley, and both perform the song live in their respective concerts. The Henley version became his fifth solo top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100
, more than any of the other Eagles members, peaking at number eight. It also became his fourth number-one single on the Mainstream Rock Tracks
chart.
There are two political comments in the video. At the line "armchair warriors often fail" it shows a TV set showing scenes of the congressional testimony of Oliver North
. At the line "they're beating plowshares into swords, for the tired old man that we elected king", it shows a series of posters of President Ronald Reagan
. After Reagan had gone out of office, Bruce Hornsby began singing his version with the line "for the tired old man that is no longer king".
(Se7en, Fight Club
) and earned Henley an MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video
in 1990.
Don Henley
Donald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer, songwriter and drummer, best known as a founding member of the Eagles before launching a successful solo career. Henley was the drummer and lead vocalist for the Eagles from 1971–1980, when the band broke up...
's third solo studio album, The End of the Innocence
The End of the Innocence
Released in 1989, The End of the Innocence is the third album by Don Henley. It is his best selling album, selling over 6 million copies in the United States, peaking at #8. The album released three Top 40 singles "The End of the Innocence", "The Heart of the Matter", and "The Last Worthless...
, in 1989. The song was written by Bruce Hornsby
Bruce Hornsby
Bruce Randall Hornsby is an American singer, pianist, accordion player, and songwriter. Known for the spontaneity and creativity of his live performances, Hornsby draws frequently from classical, jazz, bluegrass, folk, Motown, rock, blues, and jam band musical traditions with his songwriting and...
, with lyrics added by Henley, and both perform the song live in their respective concerts. The Henley version became his fifth solo top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, more than any of the other Eagles members, peaking at number eight. It also became his fourth number-one single on the Mainstream Rock Tracks
Mainstream Rock Tracks
Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue...
chart.
Background and content
Henley's lyrics take the form of a personal remembrance related to a close friend or companion, and evoke a powerful sense of nostalgia for the lost innocence of childhood and an earlier time. The reflections and the emotional responses that result represent the end of the innocence of the baby-boomer generation, confronted with the nihilism, consumerism and militarism of the Reagan era. Even as they yearn for the simplicity and values of the past, and the uncorrupted people they used to be, the song sees these characters and this generation coming to terms with the responsibilities and challenges facing Americans entering middle-age in the 1980's.There are two political comments in the video. At the line "armchair warriors often fail" it shows a TV set showing scenes of the congressional testimony of Oliver North
Oliver North
Oliver Laurence North is a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer, political commentator, host of War Stories with Oliver North on Fox News Channel, a military historian, and a New York Times best-selling author....
. At the line "they're beating plowshares into swords, for the tired old man that we elected king", it shows a series of posters of President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
. After Reagan had gone out of office, Bruce Hornsby began singing his version with the line "for the tired old man that is no longer king".
Music video
The black and white music video for the song was directed by future film director, David FincherDavid Fincher
David Andrew Leo Fincher is an American film and music video director. Known for his dark and stylish thrillers, such as Seven , The Game , Fight Club , Panic Room , and Zodiac , Fincher received Academy Award nominations for Best Director for his 2008 film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and...
(Se7en, Fight Club
Fight Club (film)
Fight Club is a 1999 American film based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk. The film was directed by David Fincher and stars Edward Norton, Brad Pitt and Helena Bonham Carter. Norton plays the unnamed protagonist, an "everyman" who is discontented with his white-collar job...
) and earned Henley an MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video
MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video
The MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video is one of the four original general awards that have been handed out every year since the very first MTV Video Music Awards in 1984. In 2007, though, the award was briefly renamed Male Artist of the Year, and it awarded the artist's whole body of work...
in 1990.
Chart performance
| Chart (1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 3 |
| Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary | 3 |
| UK Singles Chart | 48 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 8 |
| U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary Tracks | 2 |
| U.S. Billboard Album Rock Tracks | 1 |