1979 No. 1 Eagles Hit, Co-Written by an Unexpected Collaborator, Became a Classic Rock Anthem
It's one of the most beloved songs from the Eagles' catalog, but many fans don't know that it was written with the help of another rock icon.
The famous 1979 track "Heartache Tonight" was co-written by founding Eagles members Don Henley and Glenn Frey, as well as the band's primary collaborator, J.D. Souther - but another famous musician also helped shape the song's chorus.
It was none other than Bob Seger who played a part in the creation of the legendary track, which would end up becoming the Eagles' last song to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
While previously looking back on the making of the song in a liner notes interview for The Very Best of the Eagles (2003), Frey recalled, "I seem to remember that I had the verse thing going on for 'Heartache Tonight,' and I was showing it to [Bob] Seger, and we were jammin,'" per KWFR-FM. "I think we were jammin' on electric guitars at LaFontaine - and then he blurted out the chorus. That's how 'Heartache' started."
"Then Bob disappeared, and J.D., Don, and I finished that song up," Frey added. "No heavy lyrics - the song is more of a romp - and that's what it was intended to be."
Naturally, the song ended up becoming a massive success, landing a 15-week run on the Billboard Hot 100, including one week spent at No. 1. It is one of the Eagles five No. 1 hits on the Hot 100, along with "Best of My Love," "One of These Nights," "New Kid in Town" and "Hotel California.
"Heartache Tonight" also it served as the Eagles' final No. 1 hit before the group ultimately disbanded in 1980.
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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 7:36 PM.