Anatomy of a Song: 'Saturday Night' Quiz

Answer: A dream

"Seems like a dream now, it was so long ago".

'Saturday Night' was the only Eagles song for which the four original members of the Eagles (Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner) were co-credited as songwriters.

Answer: The moon

"The moon burned so bright and the time went so slow"

Sometimes it seems to me that good times go very fast, and it's only the bad times that linger, but if you really think about the good times, it can be as if they lasted a lifetime. 'Saturday Night' was released on the Eagles' second album, 'Desperado' in 1973.

Answer: A ring

"And I swore that I loved her and gave her a ring"

The album 'Desperado' was about Wild West outlaws and the two tracks that were released as singles were 'Tequila Sunrise' and 'Outllaw Man'. 'Saturday Night' was never released as a single, although it was covered by Billy Dean on his album 'Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles'. The song suits his voice well.

Answer: The bluebird

"The bluebird was high on the wing"

Those bluebirds get everywhere...now there's an idea for a quiz! On the back of the album cover for 'Desperado', the Eagles are playing dead and they are joined by J D Souther (a country rock singer and actor who co-wrote some of the Eagles' biggest hits, like 'Heartache Tonight' and 'New Kid in Town') and the legendary Jackson Browne.

Answer: Was I all right?

"Whatever happened to Saturday night
Finding a sweetheart and holding her tight?
She said, "Tell me, oh, tell me, was I all right?"
Whatever happened to Saturday night?"

Oh, we ladies. You rarely find the gentlemen asking these things, although 'Do you love me?' was a hit for The Contours, a male group. 'Do I look all right?' was a question from the great Eric Clapton song 'Wonderful Tonight'. 'Does my bum look big in this?' is an unanswerable question.

Answer: The railroad

"The years brought the railroad
It ran by my door"

Following the UK, the first steam railroads in the USA were built in the 1820s and 30s. However, another song on the album ('Doolin Dalton') details a gang that operated in the 1890s, which was when private entrepeneurs like Cornelius Vanderbilt were getting very rich with private railroads.

Answer: No

"Now there's boards on the windows
And dust on the floor"

'Saturday Night' was also on the compilation box set 'Selected Works: 1972-1999' that was released in 2000.

Answer: His pride

"And she passes the time at another man's side
And I pass the time with my pride"

Something obviously upset their relationship, and in 1980 the Eagles acrimoniously split up, with Glen Frey and the 'fifth Eagle', Don Felder, famously declaring that they couldn't even be in the same state together. Although after 14 years and successful solo careers for the members, they reformed, Don Felder was fired and subsequently sued the group. The suit was settled in 2007.

Answer: Web

"What a tangled web we weave
Go 'round with circumstance
Someone show me how to tell the dancer
From the dance"

Walter Scott wrote "Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive" in 'Marmion' in 1808. Researching this quiz, I discovered that this quote is often mistakenly attributed to Shakespeare.

Answer: Are you all right?

"What ever happened
To Saturday night?
Choosin' a friend and losin' a fight
She said,"Tell me, oh, tell me, are you all right?"
Whatever happened to Saturday night?
Whatever happened to Saturday night?"

So ends this little ballad, which is one of my favourite Eagles' songs. Bernie Leadon plays banjo, fingerpicked guitar and mandolin, making an interesting and original sound. I hope that you've enjoyed the quiz and that it might inspire you to listen to the song.