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When Timothy B. Schmit joined The Eagles in 1977, he walked into a situation that was far from idyllic. The band, already legendary for their country-rock roots, was straining under internal tensions. Ironically, it was just as the group was on the verge of crumbling that Schmit found his moment of glory.

Schmit’s first major contribution was “I Can’t Tell You Why,” a track that would quickly become a fan favorite. But what made this song so special wasn’t just Schmit’s smooth harmonies—it was how it marked a shift in the band’s sound. Originally known for their country roots, The Eagles had moved in a more pop-driven direction by the time Schmit arrived. The group, particularly Glenn Frey and Don Henley, encouraged Schmit to explore an R&B sound for his debut with the band, setting the stage for something unique.

“I did bring a portion of that song, unfinished, to them back then,” Schmit shared in an interview with Songfacts. “They wanted to introduce me on a good note, no pun intended.” Schmit’s initial concept for the song was personal, loosely inspired by his own experiences, but it was Frey who took the reins, adding his signature style to the track. Frey, known for his musical direction and meticulous arranging, transformed Schmit’s simple tune into a smooth R&B-infused anthem.

Schmit was initially uncertain, but Frey’s insistence on pushing Schmit in a different musical direction paid off. “Let’s do an R&B song,” Frey suggested. Schmit, who had grown up listening to Motown and Stax, embraced the challenge, and together, the trio crafted one of The Eagles’ most memorable tracks.

“I remember when it was being developed in the studio,” Schmit recalled. “I knew it was a great song. When we finally mixed it, we had a little listening party at the studio. As people were hearing it, Don turned to me and said, ‘There’s your first hit.’ That was pretty cool.”

Released in February 1980 as the third single from The Long Run, “I Can’t Tell You Why” quickly became a chart-topping hit, proving that Schmit had found his place in the band, even if the band’s longevity would soon be in question. The song peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard charts, becoming another successful addition to The Eagles’ catalog.

However, just as quickly as the song shot to success, The Eagles were on the brink of collapse. Shortly after the success of “I Can’t Tell You Why,” the band entered a lengthy hiatus, and Schmit wouldn’t be featured on another Eagles track until 1994’s “Love Will Keep Us Alive.”

Despite the band’s eventual fragmentation, Schmit has always remained grateful for the opportunity. “You get asked to be part of one of the biggest bands in the world, and the first song you record is a song you helped write and you hear it on the radio, it’s great,” he said. “I’m really, really fortunate.”

And as Glenn Frey later reflected, “It’s got the mood; it’s got the ‘ooh baby, baby’ vocal… it’s one of those songs that people love in our live show.” For both Schmit and The Eagles, “I Can’t Tell You Why” remains an enduring testament to the magic that could happen when the right voices came together, even amidst uncertainty.