Top 10 Glenn Frey Solo Songs

Photo: Steve Alexander, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Our top 10 Glenn Frey solo songs list takes a look at the solo material Glenn Frey released outside of his work with his legendary band, The Eagles. The former member of The Eagles, who sadly passed away on January 18th, 2016, is easily one of the most loved songwriters and singers in classic rock history. The work Glenn Frey did with The Eagles will last forever. It was a sad day when Glenn Frey passed away. However, this article will not look at the songs he wrote as a member of The Eagles but rather the songs he wrote and recorded during his solo career.

From 1982 to 2012, the late Glenn Frey released five solo albums. His first solo album was released in 1982, entitled No Fun Aloud. It was an album that went gold in sales in the United States. Glenn Frey followed up his debut album with another gold record in 1984, entitled The Allnighter. In 1988, Glenn Frey released the album Soul Searching. At the peak of the grunge era in 1992, Glenn Frey released his fourth solo album, Strange Weather. Eventually, The Eagles would get back together again, and it would be 20 years before Glenn Frey released another solo album, After Hours, in 2012. Our top 10 Glenn Frey solo songs list picks out ten of our favorite Glenn Frey songs from his five album solo career. We think you will enjoy this one!

# 10 – Soul Searchin’

We open up our Glenn Frey songs list with his 1988 single entitled “Soul Searchin.” The song was released on his album, also titled Soul Searchin’. The song was released as the second single from the album. While it didn’t break onto any US Billboard Main charts like the Hot 100 or Mainstream Rock track charts, it hit number five on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary charts. Glenn Frey, Jack Tempchin, and Duncan Cameron wrote the song.

# 9 – The Allnighter

As we move along on our Glenn Frey songs list, we present the song “Allnighter.” Once again, we showcase another song that also serves as the title track to his album, which is also called The Allnighter. The “Allnighter” is a bluesy-sounding late-night song that kind of chugs along to the mystery of the dark of the night. The song was issued as the second single from the Allnighter album in 1984. The song broke into the US Billboard Top 100, peaking at number 54. The Allnighter was Glenn Frey’s second solo studio album. The album itself did pretty well, hitting number 22 on the Billboard Top 200 album tracks.

# 8 – Part of Me, Part of You

In the number eight spot on our Glenn Frey songs list, we present the song “Part of Me, Part of You.” This is a perfect song that was released in 1991 on the album Strange Weather. It was the album’s first single release. The song hit number 55 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It did much better on the US Mainstream Rock tracks charts, where it was a top 10 hit, peaking at number nine. Surprisingly, the song didn’t chart even higher on the top 100 because of its inclusion on the soundtrack to the film Thelma & Louise, a massive hit in 1991.

# 7 – True Love

One more time, we return to the Soul Searchin’ album for this great song entitled “True Love.” The song was released as the album’s lead single. The song was a big hit for Glenn Frey as it became a top 20 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number thirteen. The song did even better on the U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary Charts, where it reached all the way up to number two. The song was written by Glenn Frey and his solo career songwriting partner Jack Tempchin.

# 6 – Livin’ Right

Okay, we will hit up the Soul Searchin’ LP for the song “Livin’ Right.” This was the third single released from the album. However, it only peaked at number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100. Still, it was and is such a great song. Listen to Russ Kunkel play those drums. Glenn Frey and Jack Tempchin wrote the music.

# 5 – Sexy Girl

At the halfway point on our Top 10 Glenn Frey songs list is the spectacular song “Sexy Girl.” The song was released on the album The Allnighter. The album was released in 1984. It was released as the lead single from the record. “Sexy Girl” was a successful single for Glenn Frey. The song became a Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit as it peaked at number twenty on the charts.

# 4 – The One You Love

In the number four position on our Glenn Frey solo songs list is the excellent single “The One You Love.” The song was released on Glenn Frey’s first solo album after The Eagles broke up. The album was entitled No Fun Aloud. The One You Love” was the second single released from the album. It would become Glenn Frey’s first top 20 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song also ranked number two on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary Charts. That’s legendary jazz saxophonist Ernie Watts, who plays all the way through the song.

# 3 – Smuggler’s Blues

The following three songs on this Glenn Frey solo songs list were enormous hits for Glenn Frey. Interestingly, these three songs were also placed on movie and TV soundtracks. The first one up is the excellent song “Smuggler’s Blues.” The song appeared on both the Allnighter LP and the Miami Vice soundtrack. Glenn Frey actually played the role of a smuggler on an episode of Miami Vice in 1985. The song was a big hit in the United States, peaking at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

# 2 – The Heat Is On

In the number two position on our Glenn Frey solo songs list is the classic song “The Heat Is On.” Harold Faltermeyer and Keith Forsey wrote the song. The song was written for the soundtrack of the movie Beverly Hills Cop, which stars Eddie Murphy. “The Heat Is On.” would become one of Glenn Frey’s most successful solo song releases. It hit number two on the US Billboard Top 100 song charts. The video was placed in heavy rotation on MTV. David Woodford played the saxophone part and not the girl in the video—Rick Vito, who would join Fleetwood Mac for an album, played guitar on the song. Harold Faltermeyer played keyboards, and Keith Forsey played drums.

# 1 – You Belong To The City

We close out our Glenn Frey solo songs list with the fantastic piece of music entitled “You Belong To The City.” This fantastic song would become Glenn Frey’s only number-one hit of his solo career. The song hit number one on the US Mainstream Rock Track charts in 1985. It would also hit number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song was used in the first episode of season 2 of Miami Vice. The episode was entitled “Prodigal Son.” It was all about Don Johnson’s character’s return to New York City. The song was so perfectly placed in the television series that it became a huge hit on the radio. Bill Bergman played that fantastic saxophone part.