The End of the Innocence (song)

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“The End of the Innocence”
Single by Don Henley
from the album The End of the Innocence
Released 1989
Format CD
Genre Rock
Length 5:16
Label Geffen
Producer Don Henley and Bruce Hornsby
Don Henley singles chronology
"Sunset Grill"
(1985)
"The End of the Innocence"
(1989)
"I Will Not Go Quietly"
(1989)

"The End of the Innocence" was the lead single and title song from Don Henley's third solo, studio album, The End of the Innocence in 1989. The song was written by both Don Henley and Bruce Hornsby, and both perform the song live in their respective concerts. The Henley version became his fifth solo Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, which is more than any of the other Eagles members, peaking at number 8 on the chart.

After George H. W. Bush became president, instead of the lyric "they're beating plowshares into swords, for the tired old man that we elected king" Bruce Hornsby began singing his version with the line " for the tired old man that is no longer king" since Reagan was out of office.

 Music sample:

"The End of the Innocence" excerpt

From the album The End of the Innocence. This sample includes a portion of chorus.
Problems listening to the file? See media help.

The music video for the song was directed by future film director, David Fincher (Se7en, Fight Club) and earned Henley an MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video in 1990.