Welcome to episode #19 of Classic Rock Album Olympics. In this episode music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez turn the light on the Eagles’ One Of These Nights and select their gold, silver and bronze medal winning songs.

Medal Winners

Bonus Tracks

If You Don’t Know Me By Now – Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes

The Thrill is Gone – B. B. King

Hearts – Marty Balin

Hearts On Fire – Randy Meisner

Within Without You – Beatles

I Can’t Tell You Why – Eagles

Journey Of The Sorcerer – Eagles

I Wish You Peace – Eagles

Too Many Hands – Eagles

One Of These Nights, released in 1975, is the Eagles 4th album and their first to hit #1 on the Billboard 200. It cemented the Eagles’ status as international superstars.

The core lineup on this album consisted of Glenn Frey on vocals, rhythm guitar and keyboards, Don Henley on drums and vocals, Bernie Leadon on guitars and banjo, Randy Meisner on bass and vocals, and Don Felder on guitar — this would be the last Eagles studio album with that original configuration before Leadon’s departure and eventual replacement by Joe Walsh.

Produced by Bill Szymczyk, the album blends rock, country rock, folk, and soft rock influences. Three singles from the record became Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: the title track “One of These Nights,” which became the group’s second No. 1 hit; “Lyin’ Eyes,” which peaked at No. 2 and and “Take It to the Limit,” reaching No. 4.

Artistically, the album marked a shift toward sleeker production, stronger rhythmic drive, and a more urban, R&B-inflected groove — particularly evident in the bass line and feel of “One of These Nights.” Glenn Frey and Don Henley’s songwriting partnership came into sharper focus here, emphasizing ambition, disillusionment, and romantic fallout with a sharper lyrical edge than earlier records.

P.S. Tom Morello mentioned in the podcast is the guitarist from Rage Against The Machine and a frequent Bruce Springsteen collaborator.

Track Listing

Side One

One Of These Nights

Too Many Hands

Hollywood Waltz

Journey Of The Sorcerer

Lyin’ Eyes

Side Two

Take It To The Limit

Visions

After The Thrill Is Gone