Song for Emma - Joe Walsh

[alienlovecharm]

God Bless Joe... We are not suppose to bury our young.. Heard this song all my life as well and now I get it..

[Luciaz100]

Jimmy Page was with Joe in these tragic and sad days.Really tragic story about little Emma.

[toptails101]

my friend emma was killed over the summer at age 16 in a car accident...this song makes me cry every time.

i love you emma <3

[SBMPLYMA]

@toptails101  :) <3

[Floydfan717]

wow , ii new part of the story behind the song,(and i've heard this song lots of times ) but just heard the birds singing at the end of this - wow, great touch Joe -

[Msdistarr]

There's a feeling I get when I look to the sky As if someone is watching, Someone hears every word. We are filled with regret, it was such a short time, But we told him we loved you, hoping somehow he heard. We hoped he heard... You were with us for a while then he took you, and it made your mama cry. I can see it in her eyes, there's a question as to why. And after all this time, still I find that I'm without an answer. Good Bye. Bye love.

[85Funkadelic]

Emma Kristen Walsh was killed by a drunk driver at age 3... never forget that when you get behind the wheel. Others lives are in your hands.

[Roberthenryii]

I like joe walsh solo and with the james gang better than his work with the eagles. to me the eagles are his side project.

[Backyard76]

I had no idea until recently what this song was about...so I took it to a 'higher-power.'

He works...

There is always a tomorrow....

[Backyard76]

I had no idea until recently what this song was about...so I took it to a 'higher-power.'

He works...

[redfishradical]

Always loved beautiful song, a real tearjerker. Knew it was personal but not how much till I read a Stevie Nicks interview. She was going on & on about how hard her life is as a star etc. Joe asked her to meet him the next day. They went for a drive then he took her to the park to Emma's fountain. He'd never told Stevie about it (very private). He had her read the plaque, told her about boosting her to get drinks. Then all he said was "Life can always get worse". Stevie says that cured her.

[JJJZANESVILLE2]

still without an answer, Joe? There is none. As you know.

[astranine]

Emma was killed in a car accident, in1974, when she was about 3 years old. At the time Joe and his family lived in Colorado and Joe would take Emma to a city park in North Boulder, one of Emma's favorite places to go. Her one complaint though was that the water fountains were high for her to reach by herself. After her death, Joe had a small drinking fountain installed at the park, along with a plaque, in memory of Emma. I wonder if it is still there?

[bamafannnc]

weirdguy75... you are SO wrong! God is the answer to the grief you feel after a loved one passes... he helped me during the passing of my brother, and he still helps me. I think of him often and God is always there to comfort me, letting me know that my brother is safe in his arms.

[MusicbyBenjamin]

@bamafannnc Well done fellow brother. May I be caught up with you in Heaven when I physically die.

(In other words: You shown that weirdo what needed to be shoved in his face of devilish means)

[dixieflsts]

listening to this puts me back in 1975, in a $80 VW, easing along a muddy dirt road, drizzing rain, windows rolled up tight and the car full of smoke.

[weirdguy75]

A truly beautiful yet heartbreaking song. Dealing with loss is never easy but we all get through it. To all the people who consider "god" to be your outlet to grief, you're wasting your time.

[Msdistarr]

@weirdguy75 You are making a HUGE assumption when you say "Dealing with a loss is never easy but we all get through it". People's emotions and the ability to handle a huge loss are different. Not everybody "Gets through it". They may have made it through physically but the emotional level is a different story. I lost my husband suddenly and unexpectedly. My body is still here but trust me, I DID NOT make it through it. Saying it "Isn't Easy" is an understatement of great proportions.

[SupernalOne]

Joe had a wife, so he couldn't just die of grief - but he'd lost his daughter so he couldn't just live on - poor guy, such a terrible blow, you know he's never gotten over it - after we live long enough, life has as many shadows as lights, often more

[SupernalOne]

Tragedies like this one are the reason we need to believe in God - or we'd all try to kill ourselves when our loved ones die

[Msdistarr]

I remember this album and this song in particular. I always felt there was something special about it, as if there was a story behind this beautiful piece of music. I just discovered what it was. My heart goes out to Joe and the mother of this child. There is alot more to this man than I ever imagined.

[benjam61]

This is a great song, like "tears from heaven", seems when an artist tragily loses a child, they really hit it outta the park when they write about it. I heard the story via Stevie Nicks, as she told the story in a concert before she did the song, I think she said she and Joe were close and he called her about the whole tragity and she helped him thru that time.

[TheEmmaTempest]

Thank u for such a beautiful song :**** My name is Emma :***

[Emmalicious115]

@TheEmmaTempest mine too!

[MetallicBill]

Todd Rundgren titled one of his albums The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect, and it sums up how great music is touched by tragic and sad moments in life. a Breakup for Don Henley would come about as a great song for the Eagles to record, as Don Felder recounts in his book

[MetallicBill]

@tjrtherocksponge It's been joked the band's name is really The EGOES.... Er, Eagles. haha I still jokingly say that, though I am a fan. It's true that their management sided with Glenn and Henley in terms of who made the Eagles most successful, and without Frey, nothing happened so he's the man most responsible for giving the Eagles their longest history, and Henley, in Felder's book, was most opposed to Walsh fitting with the Eagles's music, but he was willing and it worked!!

[MetallicBill]

@tjrtherocksponge I'd wondered about it after hearing the song, like Henley's party that wound up with him arrested, and the band's 3rd encore parties after shows, not to mention, less concealed drug abuses, I read about in Rolling Stone magazine, the Eagles were hardly clean living, getting along sorts. They had plenty of issues, but there's nothing like all of them on stage together!! Joe is just a funny, warm human being

[MetallicBill]

People blame God for death, it's a natural thing in life, you don't get to choose when, but as well, we are tempting fate in various things we do, as well, I believe evil contributes to untimely death, Suicide bombers are not the work of a Loving God, so who can deny that?

[Skubishack]

I also lost my daughter at 3 1/2 yrs old. I know what he is feeling but never questioned why. The sorrow is enough for me... why does not matter.

[JJJZANESVILLE2]

@Skubishack never questioned why? Why? Why doesn't why matter? ps: I am so sorry for you and your daughter, skubishack

[Skubishack]

@JJJZANESVILLE2 ... You tell me "WHY" why matters. I have already explained... The sorrow was enough for me... If I am bereaved, then I am bereaved... "Why" will not change that. I have no desire to question Gods reasons... There will be plenty explained later... for now being bereaved is enough to handle each day, week, month, year, decade that goes by.

[cathiefredrickson]

So very moving, knowing the story, remembering those times in the past.

[martinzalle]

Very touching

[jcart12357]

A great song. And the birds chirping at the end was a nice touch.

[babygiraffe123]

This song is absolutely heartbreaking, but beautiful. Very sad to hear that he lost his daughter, so many years ago. That's the kind of devastation and pain that no parent should EVER have to endure.

[WisherSurferGirl]

Just beautiful.

[janssenrose]

So very touching, one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. thank you, jan

[Kylie2102]

@tjrtherocksponge well, on the fountain that was built for emma, there is this: april 29, 1971- april 1, 1974

[TheSmithbelynda]

@tjrtherocksponge I read or heard an interview once that Robert said the song "All of My Love" came from the death of Karac.

[Kylie2102]

Emma would have celebrated her 3rd birthday in less than a month. she wasn't 3 years old yet...

[Kylie2102]

success, money, drug, alcohol quite destroyed lives of ALL the eagles, maybe except timothy. the marriage and becoming fathers have changed frey and henley lives. but joe... his life was a chaos... this sad sad sad loss... and many other things... I'm so happy he's okay now. he's talented, funny and sweet. he deserves to be happy and TO REMEMBER the important moments. he's just lost too much...

[MetallicBill]

@Kylie2102 Most of the 70s he was drinking like a fish, even Ozzy Osbourne survived long boughts with drink and drugs, but many can't handle it, so it's not the same for everyone, nor should it be attempted. Ozzy says he's lived more then a few lives, all in one! He also commented that his life would make a great movie. I'm waiting for that to happen!

[TheSmithbelynda]

What a beautiful song. Joe Walsh is one of a kind, and it breaks my heart that he had to go through the loss of a child.

[Thadmotor1044]

revelation , some one is watching , listening , just look to the sky

[theosu66]

No words...

[kattfisher4]

Thanks Chris: Beautiful .....chills

[kakaduty]

Beautiful...

[astranine]

Joe used to take his daughter Emma to a small park in North boulder, Colorado. She had a difficult time drinking from the drinking fountains there and always asked for his help. After her death, Joe had a small drinking fountain installed at the park in memory of Emma with a plaque mentioning her. I believe it is still there.

[scoop3201]

He heard, Joe...

[chadlovesdrums]

hang in there joe we all love you

[gibsongold1970]

Joe, i hurt with you brother.

myself and my girl are behind you

no matter what.GOD bless your daughter

and her mamma and pappa.we love you!

rock it joe! rock it forever! sigh.....................

[wndebu]

Stevie NIcks song "Has anyone ever written anything for you" is about this song and this incident.

[Seattlecarnut]

Beautiful song! I'm crying now just listening to this song, it's so sad.

[marsiozo]

this is song is heartbreakingly beatiful if you read the lyrics and you know the story behind it...

[SBMPLYMA]

@marsiozo  Truly.

[w70asa]

he just says bye emma

[Theospeak1]

There is nothing like the love of a father for his child. Nothing.

[redeyereader]

There is a drinking fountain in Boulder, Co. in a park in north Boulder that is dedicated to Emma...

[JJJZANESVILLE2]

And how many people feel as I do:

That the Eagles took a step forward to include Joe...and that Joe graced them.

[cholulasaucehot]

ive got 3 fuckin words for the gay eagles

joe fuckin walsh

gay choir boy group without mr. walsh

denis leary said this in concert

and the dude made a referance to this in the big lebowski

i hate the fuckin eagles man

jeff bridges said it and he is right

just like the great neil young improved csn....although csn was way better without neil than the gay eagles were without joe.....

[sjoerdenstef]

FUCK YOU!!

Joe Walsh is my favorit guitarian and the eagles are my favorit band. Who cares some songs aren't as good as the other ones. It's about the good ones.

Respect for that dead girl.

JOE WALSH FOR LIFE!!!!

[cholulasaucehot]

well your only half fucked up then.....

kinda like OBAMA.......half fucked up

not bad though......your favorite guitarist is one of the koolest dudes ever

and

your favorite band sucks nuts.....bunch of choir boy faggots, over rated played out radio sell out losers, thank god joe was there to do that incredible guitar INTRO on the full lenght version of hotel california, and when you think about it the eagles best songs were with joe and joes solo stuff ? wow BARNSTORM !

[wayheavy]

actually it is Don Felder who wrote and performs the intro to Hotel California

[cholulasaucehot]

not when walsh DID it

with the eagles...

[wayheavy]

I don't think that you understood what I said...it is FELDER who plays the intro not Joe Walsh

[MetallicBill]

@cholulasaucehot Joe gifted, even drunk, but discounting the Eagles won't hold a drop of water, THEY have more talent that you can shake a stick at

[MetallicBill]

@MetallicBill That -> Then (two typos there, and I should not feed the trolls, but I love the Big Lebowski, but for Eagles' fans, we side with the cabby! haha Also should be noted, look at Jeff Bridges as a musical artist, he's performing songs along the lines of the Eagles! I'm sure it's all intended as humor in the film

[septip123]

It was a shot in the arm when Joe came aboard

[JJJZANESVILLE2]

Can you expand on that reply, sep?

[septip123]

I mean when Joe joined the Eagles. He gave the band a edger sound

[JJJZANESVILLE2]

Sep, I somewhat agree. And I think you meant 'edgier'. And I believe you recognized the comparitively shallowness/commercial aspects of most of the Eagles music compared with the soul of Joe's music. Joe just didn't care, he didn't give a fart. He composed and wrote with his own heart's desires.I always felt that the Eagle's music was written very well, played very well...but fell short in the dept. of sincerity. In a word: contrived. Joe's music was REAL. Of the mind and heart.

[JohnTaupin]

@JJJZANESVILLE2 Don and Glenn wrote songs with universal themes, so that pretty much anyone could relate to them.. if that's not deep.. hell, I don't know what is. Joe is so great and this song can relate to many people as well. Every Eagles song has a story behind it. Look them up. You can't say Don Henley, one of the best lyricists of all time, isn't deep. Well actually you could say it, I just hope you wouldn't believe it. You are right though, Joe's music is exceptional!

[MetallicBill]

@septip123 They felt it would be a jarring effect adding Joe Walsh to the band, but Joe compliments them, no doubt, and he'd had enough of navigating the business as a solo artist, so he never squabbled about his pay wages compared to Henley or Frey. Sit down you're Rockin the Boat, to paraphrase a Henley song! haha

[kittyfacegirl]

i really love joe walsh. this is the saddest song ever. i always cry really hard when i hear it.... when you reach the end.. turn the volume up because you can hear him say goodnight. im crying really hard. may emma rest in peace... sleeping with the angels.

[Beemerboy324]

If a tear should fall not from thine eyes and the hand of God not lightly grasp thy throat, perhaps there breaths no longer life in thy very breast. Fly away little one.

[lookingfortalent2007]

the song " has anyone ever written anything for you" by Stevie Nicks is her reply to Joe Walsh when he told her

[Joemusic1390]

I agree with you Benmart5....this is about Joe's little daughter that passed away....so sad...yet so beautiful...rest in peace sweet little Emma....sleep with the angels...sigh...

[benmart5]

This is a beautifully composed song. Also the saddest and most heart wrenching of all time. Long live Joe Walsh and the memory of his daughter Emma!!

[spiralarch]

Oh man, that's heartbreaking to learn. I always loved and wondered about the origin and meaning of this song. That's so sad. :~{

Joe whispers something around the 3:48 mark, I can't quite make it out.

[crumpsall86]

joe whispers, goodbye emma at this point in the song

[gregf67]

@spiralarch I heard it too. It sounds like he says " I love you"

[floydgenesisnut]

Joe's daughter was killed by some cenile lady drunk driver in 1974 when the lady ran a stop sign. Joe tried to kill himself for 18 months after she died and he called the album So What because of how he felt after his first daughter was killed. He didn't go to either People Magazine or Associated Press about it and dealt with loss in private and found salvation when he joined The Eagles in early 1976 (joining them saved his life).

[floydgenesisnut]

On In The Studio for the making of The Smoker You Drink and But Seriously Folks, Joe said he tried to kill himself for 18 months after his daughter Emma died. He joined The Eagles to get his mind off of his daughter's passing. He wasn't strong enough spiritually, physically and mentally to continue making solo records which he wouldn't until 1978's But Seriously Folks.

[drummasta11]

how old was she does anyone know

[floydgenesisnut]

Emma was only four years old when she sadly passed away. No one knew about it in the press for many years. If you want to hear the interview Joe did with well respected rock radio personality Redbeard on In The Studio, go to the In The Studio website and click on interview for The Smoker You Drink Joe Walsh and Joe talks about his career from leaving The James Gang up until he joined The Eagles. Also recounts the sad tragedy of losing his daughter.

[uggligr]

wayheavy, why did you bring that up? This comes in from left field or outer space or something. Are you a neocon?

[JJJZANESVILLE2]

Benmart5

I appreciate your sentiment and I have been fascinated with this song for a long time...I have the vinyl LP, bought when it was released. Some years ago I finally heard thru this magnificent, and at times scary, internet what it actually concerned. But don't overly sentimentalize the song's structure as the saddest and most heart wrenching song of all time, ben. As i said, I love it. It is what it is, ain't it?

[richjard]

I really like these Barnstorm years. I wish he would run a reunion tour. Thanks for posting this