How Joe Walsh’s “In The City” went from Warriors to Eagles

“In The City” is best known as an album cut on 1979’s The Long Run, an album the Eagles cobbled together after many months and on the heels of their epic Hotel California album and tour. But it was first co-written by Joe Walsh for the soundtrack to the cult classic film The Warriors, and it’s his version you hear in the unforgettable end scene. Find out how this song came to be recorded by both Joe Walsh and the Eagles after the film was released in this episode of Behind The Song!

Music Producer: Christian Lane
Video Director: Eva Empleo

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About Janda:
Behind The Song podcast host and creator Janda Lane is a radio DJ at WDRV-FM in Chicago, the city she calls home with her husband and podcast partner, Christian Lane, and their two cats, Ollie and Liam.

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[scottcanavan]

Great stuff, big fan of Joe Walsh. I had "Life's Been Good" on a 45 when I was 11. :)

[timhoovermusicman]

I most definitely have seen the movie... Back in '79 and this song has long been a favorite. I always liked how he starts the tune with that double skuff then plays... You hear that and you automatically know what song it is...

[robertkroberjr.]

Warriors! Come out to playeeaah!
Joe Walsh is awesome! Great movie, song and album! 😎✌️

[denizen]

It's great to read about the history of all this. Love this song.

[gleicon]

Glad the algorithm got me here, I’m rediscovering joe walsh and what a treasure. Thanks for the video

[smolville]

I remember the Joe Walsh for president stickers. Never really got it until now.

[godisamulti-racialhermaphr]

You did an excellent job of presenting this, Janda.

[nckwlch]

Great song by a great person and musician - a real survivor and someone you can relate to.

[escapefelicity]

There are no degrees of unique
"unique" means being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else

[ldolphin]

The band asked Joe Walsh back in 1993 but they remembered how Wild and destructive he had been, so it was an ultimatum that he join with the intention of not ever being drunk on tour this time. As you heard from the story, Walsh had already made that commitment, and he readily agreed to this so he could get back to doing what he did best, with the band that let him be his best. I saw him completely wasted off his gourd on a tour with .38 Special in August of 93, and I'm very glad that the Eagles and that trip to New Zealand woke him up.

[michaeldrysch]

Awesome as always Janda...Thank you and Thanks to Christian for his amazing work! just watched an "Live from Daryl's House" with Joe and the purest love of the craft is beautifully seen by Joe!!!

[The_Octopus]

Joe Walsh is the only reason I listened to Eagles

[andrewfischer]

as a nyc kid who knew all these locations and harships and dreams the song touched me

[chrissett]

Hay there.. Thanks.
Walsh been my fav since James Gang ❤😮

[kenozyuk]

You solved the mystery of the meaning of the groove etching! Big fan of this song and the great Joe Walsh.

[thequintanashow]

Algorithm just threw you at me … glad it did! Great content ❤. Love it!

[andrewfischer]

OMG i ran to the collection pulled out the record I SO HAVE the monster writing 9:35 i never knew this thank you so cool.

[ritarene]

I picked out Joe's slide playing on "Impulsive" by Wilson Phillips.
In fact, I think it was *this* record that I threw on for comparison.
And I said "that's joe".

[c.e.anderson]

Please more on the compositions of songs.

[Eagles]

Great video! Thanks for making! Side note, the Eagles last studio album was not The Long Run in 1979, but The Long Road Out of Eden in 2007.