About The Song
“Funky New Year” is a track by the American rock band Eagles, originally released as the B-side to the single “Please Come Home for Christmas” on Asylum Records (catalog AS-11008) in November 1978. The song was recorded in 1978 during sessions that also produced the holiday single, with production handled by Bill Szymczyk. Written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Jim Keltner (the renowned session drummer who contributed to the track), it features Henley on lead vocals with band harmonies, and includes a distinctive funky groove driven by Keltner’s percussion, Joe Walsh’s guitar work, and a prominent clavinet riff. The track runs approximately 3:58 and represents one of the Eagles’ few non-album singles from the late 1970s period, bridging their Hotel California (1976) and The Long Run (1979) eras. It was later included on various compilations, including The Very Best of the Eagles (2003 international edition), Selected Works 1972-1999 (2000 box set), and Holiday Inn (a 2015 Christmas compilation featuring the A-side).
“Funky New Year” did not chart as a standalone single on the Billboard Hot 100 or other major lists, though its A-side “Please Come Home for Christmas” reached number 18 on the Hot 100 and became a perennial holiday classic. The song has a runtime of about 3:58 and embodies a rare upbeat, dance-oriented departure for the Eagles, blending rock with funk and R&B influences popular in the late 1970s. It emerged during a transitional time for the band: after the massive success of Hotel California and amid growing internal tensions that would culminate in their 1980 breakup following The Long Run. The track was not included on any original studio album but gained cult status among fans for its groove and playful energy, contrasting with the band’s typical introspective or country-rock ballads.
Musically, “Funky New Year” stands out with its clavinet-driven funk rhythm, punchy horns (arranged by Jim Horn), layered percussion from Keltner, and Walsh’s funky guitar fills. Henley’s lead vocal delivers lyrics celebrating the arrival of a new year with a party vibe (“It’s a funky new year, everybody’s here / Gonna dance the night away”), while verses reference resolutions, champagne, and leaving the old year behind. The chorus features tight four-part harmonies from Frey, Henley, Walsh, and Randy Meisner (the bassist/vocalist at the time). The production by Szymczyk emphasizes a loose, celebratory feel with prominent bass and drums, making it one of the Eagles’ most rhythmically adventurous recordings. It reflects late-1970s influences like disco and funk, though the band kept it grounded in rock.
The single’s release capitalized on the holiday season, with “Please Come Home for Christmas” (a cover of the 1960 Charles Brown song) becoming a radio staple. “Funky New Year” served as the upbeat counterpart, offering a forward-looking party anthem. In later years, it has been praised in retrospectives for showcasing the band’s versatility and the contributions of outside collaborators like Keltner. While not a commercial hit, the song has endured in compilations and fan discussions as a hidden gem from the Eagles’ classic lineup era. It remains a fun, lesser-known entry in their discography, highlighting their ability to experiment with groove and celebration amid their more famous introspective work.
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Lyric
Well, here it is, another New Year
And I don’t feel any different than I did last year
But I’m gonna try to change my ways
And be a better man in so many waysIt’s a funky new year
Everybody’s here
Gonna dance the night away
It’s a funky new year
Everybody’s here
Gonna ring in the new dayI’m gonna make some resolutions
Gonna keep ’em too
No more drinkin’ and drivin’
No more bein’ blueIt’s a funky new year
Everybody’s here
Gonna dance the night away
It’s a funky new year
Everybody’s here
Gonna ring in the new dayChampagne’s on ice
And the music’s nice
Everybody’s feelin’ fine
It’s a funky new year
Everybody’s here
Gonna have a real good time