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Don Henley — Sunset Grill
Album: Building the Perfect Beast
Avg rating:
6.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 740









Released: 1984
Length: 6:14
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Let's go down to the Sunset Grill
We can watch the working girls go by
Watch the basket people walk around and mumble
And stare out at the auburn sky
There's an old man there from the old world
To him, it's all the same
Calls all his customers by name

Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill

You see a lot more meanness in the city
It's the kind that eats you up inside
Hard to come away with anything that feels like dignity
Hard to get home with any pride
These days a man makes you somethin'
And you never see his face
But there is no hiding place

Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill

Respectable little murders pay
They get more respectable every day
Don't worry girl, I'm gonna stick by you
And someday soon we're gonna get in that car
And get outta here

Let's go down to the Sunset Grill
Watch the working girls go by
Watch the basket people walk around and mumble
Gaze out at the auburn sky
Maybe we'll leave come springtime
Meanwhile, have another beer
What would we do without all these jerks anyway?
And besides, all our friends are here

Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill
Comments (64)add comment
Bitches be tripping... this shit is great!
what drivel, takes me back to the crap that came out in the 80's after rock was pulverized by media
Brings back many memories of a cold, cloudy winter in Texas in the winter of 1984-85, when this song was in regular rotation on the rock music station.
Nope. 
 DrLex wrote:

This is as if someone just opened a can of eighties concentrate.



You say that like its a bad thing...
Pino...  that explains it.   I've always loved the bass in this one.
 bimmerfan739 wrote:

'BCN in Boston played Mojo's song!


"Don Henley Must Die!"
Love the Nelson Riddle ending! Real or synth?
DX-7.
 Grammarcop wrote:
This absolutely sounds dated, yes. But I'm going to argue that it's also dated in its attitude because it reflects a pessimistic era that is long past.

This song was released in 1984, a time when Western cities were reaching their nadir; people were fleeing to the suburbs for fresh air, green space and a better quality of life. Only the dregs--the working girls and basket people-- were left in cities. The belief that cities were dead was in reflected in other areas of popular culture. John Carpenter's Escape From New York (1981) is a good example.

So much has changed since Henley released this. Cities are now young and hip. (Even Detroit!) They have become places where people want to live, drawn by the culture, the diversity and the opportunities.

Don't worry girl, I'm gonna stick by you
And someday soon we're gonna get in that car
And get outta here.   

There's always been a desire among certain people escape their surroundings -- urban, suburban or rural -- but if this song were released today, the lyric might sound more like this: 

Don't worry girl, I'm gonna stick by you
And someday soon we're gonna get in that car
And go into the city.

How times change. 
 

At this moment half of America would like to get in that car and drive across the ocean! Times sure have changed. Great album by the way. 
 DrLex wrote:
This is as if someone just opened a can of eighties concentrate.
 

Bump
 bimmerfan739 wrote:
This arrangement always had a bit of a Nelson Riddle flavor to me. Kinda like the Route 66 TV show theme.
 
Yeah, I'll go with that and that is not a bad thing either.

This is a song about people watching, I guess that I was 32 when this song came out and it was a big part of the exhale from the Cocaine fog of the late 70's.  I was just getting off of the street having worked it hard for the prior 10 years.  Perfect for the unwinding and decompression from all of that.

Nice to hear it in the main mix.  I'll give it an 8.
 Blasserman wrote:
See, I was 23 when then came out. So, yes, very 80's, but when you lived thru it, the 80's music was a lot like this, and then there was Disco. 

Love Don, loved the Eagles too. 
 
I, too, was 23 when this came out. And one of the reasons why I love RP so much is that almost every song I hear transports me back to the place and time in my life when I first heard the song... lots of memories. Some good, some not so much.
Great memories of being young and out of school in the 80's. Also, a fascinating musical atmosphere but also an intriguing structure. I just love Don Henley's post-Eagles stuff.
I always enjoy this song.  It evokes a good buzz on a sunny day with good friends
See, I was 23 when then came out. So, yes, very 80's, but when you lived thru it, the 80's music was a lot like this, and then there was Disco. 

Love Don, loved the Eagles too. 
I like it.  Saturday evening after a rainy day.  Works for me.
 treatment_bound wrote:

Can't wait to hear it again in 16 more years when Ivanka Trump is running for president.
 
It won't be Ivanka.  It'll be Kim Kardashian in a landslide.
 Hoosfoos wrote:
A product of its time.
 

Aren't we all?
 Grammarcop wrote:
Mojo Nixon was right. 
 
'BCN in Boston played Mojo's song!
This arrangement always had a bit of a Nelson Riddle flavor to me. Kinda like the Route 66 TV show theme.
A little heavy on the intro synth these days, but otherwise still an enjoyable tune.
Lame O
 StfuDonny wrote:
Brings out the inner Lebowski in me...
 
Was wondering how far I'd have to scroll to hit an, "I hate the f---ing Eagles," reference.  

Three posts.

Your opinion is your opinion.  I vote this a 9 for melody, structure, production, and the memories that rise when I hear it.
I suppose you had to be there.  Great sound for the day; this will always be one of my favorites of the era.
Nope. This must be a mistake.
Brings out the inner Lebowski in me...
 DrLex wrote:
This is as if someone just opened a can of eighties concentrate.
 

LinnDrum!
 Laptopdog wrote:
That synthesizer really makes this sound dated.
 
The whole production sounds very dated (but most pop hits do anyhow), the Chapman stick/fretless bass, the drum machine (used by a drummer?) multi-layered synthesized horn sounds, etc.  Whatever, it was a hit, and not a bad song; many people love it - to each his own.
just awful
Amazing record full of great songs.
Absolutely the BEST!!! Y'all could play this a lot if I have anything to say about it.
 DrLex wrote:
This is as if someone just opened a can of eighties concentrate.
 

Right from the very first note. That synth!
Flashing on Mojo Nixon 
I thought I had heard everything from the 80s. Somehow I missed this. Maybe I can miss it again the next time it comes on RP.
This absolutely sounds dated, yes. But I'm going to argue that it's also dated in its attitude because it reflects a pessimistic era that is long past.

This song was released in 1984, a time when Western cities were reaching their nadir; people were fleeing to the suburbs for fresh air, green space and a better quality of life. Only the dregs--the working girls and basket people-- were left in cities. The belief that cities were dead was in reflected in other areas of popular culture. John Carpenter's Escape From New York (1981) is a good example.

So much has changed since Henley released this. Cities are now young and hip. (Even Detroit!) They have become places where people want to live, drawn by the culture, the diversity and the opportunities.

Don't worry girl, I'm gonna stick by you
And someday soon we're gonna get in that car
And get outta here.   

There's always been a desire among certain people escape their surroundings -- urban, suburban or rural -- but if this song were released today, the lyric might sound more like this: 

Don't worry girl, I'm gonna stick by you
And someday soon we're gonna get in that car
And go into the city.

How times change. 
if I never have to hear this song again Id be ok with that....
That synthesizer really makes this sound dated.
 Relayer wrote:
Shocked by the hate.  I love it. Probably one of my favorite Don Henley solo songs.  Really good song, especially when it is combined with the short preceding/prelude song "A Month Of Sundays" on the album.

Best part of the songs is the keyboards.  The key solo after the bridge, and then the raging keyboard solo through the end of the song.  
 

Agreed.  The horn arrangements are very nice as well.
 DrLex wrote:
This is as if someone just opened a can of eighties concentrate.
 
Best comment on RP?
Yeah... no.
 
Child of the '80s solid Gen Xer here and I thought this was overly emo when it came out when I was in high-school. And I still think it's overly emo.  Its main redeeming value is that it is less annoying than "Boys of Summer".
 
I'll take The Cure or The Smiths anytime I want to wallow in '80s teen nostalgia.
 
OK, if I was a preppy stock-trader trying to get out of the rat race in the 80's then maybe I'd feel differently.
 flyboy50 wrote:

I always try to remember that the origin of a piece of music has it's own time and place.  I may not think it is contemporary enough or relevant but it was or is still for someone else.  If it is good music then that's enough for me.

You may not be so wise wiseking.



 
Agree that he may not be so wise.

It really is of its time and place. Captures that 80s cynicism as does his other songs from the same time period.

What makes it dad rock anyway? Because your dad listened to it when you were 5 or 6 in 1984/85? Tough shit if he did and that ruined it for you. Guess that means that all music from that era is "dad rock". As someone who was a teen at the time, I associate this song with the show Miami Vice, cocaine, and the decadent part of the 80s.

Bumping from 6 to 7
lov e this and new york minite
 thewiseking wrote:
PLEASE, NO MORE OF THIS STUFF. DAD ROCK AT ITS WORST.. WHAT'S NEXT? JOURNEY?  REO SPEEDWAGON?

 
Why not? Each had some good cuts. Clearly, you're not a fan of You Can Tune A Piano but You Can't Tunafish. 
 OHMish wrote:
Haha this is horrible.

  Fixed it for you.


Haha this is horrible but good

I always try to remember that the origin of a piece of music has it's own time and place.  I may not think it is contemporary enough or relevant but it was or is still for someone else.  If it is good music then that's enough for me.

You may not be so wise wiseking.


A product of its time.
 thewiseking wrote:
PLEASE, NO MORE OF THIS STUFF. DAD ROCK AT ITS WORST.. WHAT'S NEXT? JOURNEY?  REO SPEEDWAGON?

 
Check your diaper and lower your voice please. There is really no need to scream.  Mommy will be by to change you soon enough.
Shocked by the hate.  I love it. Probably one of my favorite Don Henley solo songs.  Really good song, especially when it is combined with the short preceding/prelude song "A Month Of Sundays" on the album.

Best part of the songs is the keyboards.  The key solo after the bridge, and then the raging keyboard solo through the end of the song.  
PLEASE, NO MORE OF THIS STUFF. DAD ROCK AT ITS WORST.. WHAT'S NEXT? JOURNEY?  REO SPEEDWAGON?
Following a great PJ Harvey song with this DH dreck, and making it sound listenable; Bill's magic.
Mojo Nixon was right. 
 DrLex wrote:
This is as if someone just opened a can of eighties concentrate.

 
80's Concentrate! 

Good one.

Should be a warning label.

Over-wrought synths, Chapman Stick bass...glad it is low on rotation
  Skydog wrote:
uh ho, how did Henly get in here? Is Bill on vacation?

song rating=2

  

h8rhater wrote:

"What would we do without all these jerks anyway?... besides, all our friends are here."

 
{#Lol}
Would love to hear this paired with "A Month Of Sundays", which fades into it on the original CD/Cassette version of the album.

Or maybe pairing "A Month Of Sundays" with Mellencamp's Scarecrow.
 treatment_bound wrote:

Can't wait to hear it again in 16 more years when Ivanka Trump is running for president.

 
...and flaming out against Chelsea in the general election.
 DrLex wrote:

Your wish has been granted, some nine year later (and 16 years after the previous play, it seems)

 
Can't wait to hear it again in 16 more years when Ivanka Trump is running for president.
This is as if someone just opened a can of eighties concentrate.
 Skydog wrote:
uh ho, how did Henly get in here? Is Bill on vacation?

song rating=2

 
"What would we do without all these jerks anyway?... besides, all our friends are here."
Wow! What a blast from the past. Last year of high school and the future looked bright! 8 for nostalgia alone!!
 vandal wrote:
play it
 
Your wish has been granted, some nine year later (and 16 years after the previous play, it seems)
uh ho, how did Henly get in here? Is Bill on vacation?

song rating=2
play it