Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. – Ecclesiastes 2:11

Today's Scripture Reading (January 28, 2026): Ecclesiastes 2

I love the history of bands. And so, I watch and consume what is available. One of the bands I have studied in recent history is "The Eagles." And one of the great stories from the band is the fight between Glenn Frey and Randy Meisner over the song "Take It to the Limit." The song was primarily written by Meisner. The Eagles' bass guitarist also sang the song. "Take It to the Limit" was the first million-selling song in the Eagles' history. And often, the band held the song back for a possible encore. The problem was that, because of the song's demanding musical range, he was the only member of the band who could sing it; Meisner was also very shy and hated the spotlight. He was not confident that he could consistently reach the high notes at the end of the song. As a result, sometimes, at the end of the concert, with the crowd going wild, there was a fight taking place backstage about whether Meisner was willing to sing the hit song. "Take It to the Limit" became one of the key factors that would eventually break up the band.

Another storyline from the band involved the Eagles replacing guitarist Don Felder with Joe Walsh. The reality was that the trade would cost them vocally. There is no doubt that, from a musical basis, Felder's voice is more melodic than Walsh's. However, the gain would be in guitar playing. If you have listened to the musical interlude in Hotel California, that interlude of dueling guitars was written by Joe Walsh and Glenn Frey, each trying to one-up the other. Another gain the band would realize in Walsh would be in the intangible "Rock Cred." Joe Walsh led a "Rock and Roll" lifestyle. Joe Walsh's song "Life's Been Good" is autobiographical, and it tells a rock-and-roll story. Walsh wrote both the music and lyrics of the song.

I have a mansion but 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.

 

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.

 

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 making 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
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.
I keep on goin' guess I'll never know why
Life's been good to me so far.

Joe Walsh's song is autobiographical, but it is also the song of a modern-day Solomon. I selfishly denied myself of nothing. But part two of the story is essential as well. Walsh was one of the original Bad Boys of rock and roll. He admits trashing hotel rooms for no other reason than boredom. At the same time, an older Joe Walsh acknowledges that part of the problem is that he never felt he truly belonged. His own self-confidence was low, and with everything he had consuming everything he wanted, nothing satisfied him.

Both Solomon and Joe Walsh present similar accounts. I denied myself nothing, and yet none of it satisfied: it was all meaningless.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 3