http://www.guntheranderson.com/v/data/lifesbee.htm
ARTIST: Joe Walsh
TITLE: Life's Been Good
Lyrics and Chords
[ FaddG = ]
Intro: / F(V) C(III) F - / / Am(V) G(III) Am EmAm / :
I have a mansion, forget the price
Ain't never been there, they tell me it's nice
I live in hotels, tear out the walls
I have accountants pay for it all
/ F C G C / / / /
They say I'm crazy, but I have a good time
I'm just looking for clues at the scene of the crime
Life's been good to me so far
/ G FaddG C G C G C G / G FaddG C G / C G A - /
My Maserati does one-eighty-five
I lost my license, now I don't drive
I have a limo, ride in the back
I lock the doors in case I'm attacked
I'm makin' records, my fans, they can't wait
They write me letters, tell me I'm great
So I got me an office, gold records on the wall
Just leave a message, maybe I'll call
Lucky I'm sane after all I've been through
Everybody say I'm cool, he's cool
I can't complain but sometimes I still do
Life's been good to me so far
I go to parties, sometimes until four
It's hard to leave when you can't find the door
It's tough to handle this fortune and fame
Everybody's so different, I haven't changed
They say I'm lazy but it takes all my time
Everybody say oh, yeah, oh, yeah
I keep on going, guess I'll never know why
Life's been good to me so far, yeah, yeah, yeah
_______________________
"Life's Been Good" is a 1978 track by Joe Walsh, which first appeared on the soundtrack to the film FM. It was released as a single and appeared on Walsh's album But Seriously Folks. It peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, remaining his biggest solo hit. In it, he satirically reflects on the rockstar lifestyle ("My Maserati does 185 / I lost my license, now I don't drive"). Antics of all rockers of the era are reflected, such as the nod to Keith Moon and others: "I live in hotels/Tear out the walls." The 1979 Rolling Stone Record Guide called it "riotous", and "[maybe] the most important statement on rock stardom anyone has made in the late Seventies."
"Life's Been Good" has a notable style: a mid-tempo, reggae-like groove marked by bedrock guitar riffs, synthesizers, a Jew's Harp, and a confused delivery. Walsh's ARP Odyssey synthesizer (and Jew's harp) riff accompanies the guitar solo in the middle of the song. The outro-solo is longer than most radio stations allow. Bill Szymczyk and Jody Boyer perform the backing vocals. This song uses a call-and-response pattern.
Call: Joe Walsh: "Lucky I'm sane after all I've been through"
Response: Bill Szymczyk: "Everybody say, 'I'm cool'"
Response: Jody Boyer: "He's cool"
At the end of the song, (cannot be heard on the radio version) there is a clip of an inside joke stating "uh-oh, here comes a flock of waa waas", recorded from inside the studio. After the music has faded away into silence, there's a 12-second gap before the inside joke. That inside joke would also be included at the end of Disc One of The Eagles' box set, Selected Works: 1972-2000.
Made after Walsh had joined The Eagles, "Life's Been Good" was incorporated into that group's concert repertoire, appearing in shows at the time as well as reunion tours. It remains a staple of classic rock radio playlists.
During live shows, Joe Walsh is known to change lyrics, such as 'Lock the doors in case I'm attacked' to 'Lock the doors and watch the War in Iraq!' to 'I watch the Lakers, they suck without Shaq!' and, more recently, 'Lock the doors, and vote for Barack.'
Tags: Joe Walsh Life's Been Good (w/ the Eagles)
