I Can't Stand Still
I Can't Stand Still is the debut solo studio album by American musician Don Henley, drummer and co-lead vocalist for the Eagles. It was released in 1982 by Asylum Records. Henley, Danny Kortchmar and Greg Ladanyi produced the album. "I Can't Stand Still" achieved gold status, and peaked at No. 24 on the "Billboard" 200 and at the same position on the UK Albums Chart. Three singles were released from the album, including the hit "Dirty Laundry", which peaked at No. 3 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 and became Henley's best -selling single. The title track "I Can't Stand Still" reached number No. 48 and the controversial track "Johnny Can't Read" reached No. 42 on the charts. The album showcased some of Henley's frustrations at the time. "Dirty Laundry" displays his disgust with the media and tabloid news coverage, and "Johnny Can't Read," shows his displeasure with the American educational system. Critical reception. Robert Palmer, music critic for "The New York Times," was surprised by "I Can't Stand Still" and wrote that it "rings with the righteous indignation of a man who has taken a good  look at what's going on around him and decided at least to speak his mind about it...The record doesn't offer any solutions, but how many pop records do? "I Can't Stand Still" scores points for its palpable anger; for its lean, stripped-down arrangements; for the lack of self-indulgence in the playing, the production and Mr. Henley's soaring vocals, and for its overall point of view, which links the disparate songs together and gives the album an admirable coherence. As far as this listener is concerned, it's better than anything Mr. Henley did  with the Eagles." Reviewing retrospectively for AllMusic, critic Mike DeGagne has written of the album, "Henley's first solo album may still have had the ghost of the Eagles lingering in the corners, but for the most part it showcases his stalwart partnership with producer and songwriter Danny Kortchmar," and then added "Henley's adept combination of lyrical wit and thought-provoking staidness begins to materialize on "I Can't Stand Still", paving the way for an extremely accomplished solo career." Track listing. All songs by Don Henley and Danny Kortchmar, except where noted. I Can't Stand Still I