The Garden of Allah

The Zoo Crew is spinning The Garden of Allah by Don Henley, a track from his 1995 compilation album Actual Miles: Henley's Greatest Hits, and the Zoo Freaks are in for a treat with this one. This song is a biting piece of social commentary, presented as a modern-day fable where the Devil himself finds he’s out of a job in a world already corrupted by moral relativism. Henley has explained that the song critiques how society’s obsession with “winning at any cost” blurs the lines between right and wrong, with the Devil, played by Kirk Douglas in the music video, sarcastically offering to testify as an “expert witness” in a trial. The video, directed by Jake Scott, features Douglas lip-syncing to Henley’s quasi-rap verses, where Henley uses a voice distorter to amplify the sinister vibe. Fans on Reddit have noted the video’s rarity, with some struggling to find high-quality versions online, though one user tracked it down on a less mainstream site using DuckDuckGo.

Another layer of trivia comes from fan discussions on Songfacts, where Henley’s lyrical intent is unpacked. He’s quoted describing the song as a tale of the Devil visiting a western city, only to find his influence redundant in a society that’s already embraced selfishness and moral ambiguity. Some fans speculate it’s a thematic sequel to the Eagles’ Hotel California, pointing to its similar critique of decadence and lost ideals. Henley performs all the voices in the song, including the Devil’s, despite Douglas’s on-screen role, using what he called a “broadcasting corridor” to create the effect. The song’s dense lyrics reference literary figures like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Aldous Huxley, painting a vivid picture of a fallen paradise. On Steve Hoffman Music Forums, fans have debated whether Henley would release such a provocative song today, given its sharp political undertones.

Don Henley got his start in music far from the Hollywood cynicism of The Garden of Allah. Born on July 22, 1947, in Gilmer, Texas, Henley grew up in a small town where his early exposure to music came through church and country radio. His bio on Last.fm details how he formed a band called Shiloh in the late 1960s while attending college in Texas. In 1970, he moved to Los Angeles to record with Shiloh, a move that proved pivotal. There, he met Glenn Frey, and the two joined Linda Ronstadt’s backing band, which laid the groundwork for forming the Eagles in 1971. As the drummer and co-lead vocalist, Henley helped shape the Eagles’ signature sound, co-writing hits like Desperado and Hotel California. After the Eagles disbanded in 1980, Henley launched a solo career with his debut album I Can’t Stand Still in 1982, which included the hit Dirty Laundry. His solo work, blending rock, pop, and social commentary, cemented his status as a music legend.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper into Henley’s world, his official website at donhenley.com offers tour dates, news, and discography details. You can follow him on Facebook for updates on his music and occasional throwbacks to his Eagles days, or check out his Instagram for behind-the-scenes glimpses and tour photos. His X account is less active but still worth a follow for sporadic updates. Fans also gather on the Eagles Fan Club on Facebook, where Henley’s solo work and Eagles legacy are passionately discussed. Another fan hub is Eagles Online Central, a fan-run site with detailed archives of Henley’s career, from rare photos to concert reviews. These communities keep the spirit of Henley’s music alive for fans old and new.