Sunset Grill (song)

"Sunset Grill" is a song written and performed by Don Henley, released in 1984 as the second single from his second solo album, Building the Perfect Beast. The song peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, becoming one of Henley's most recognizable and enduring hits.

The song's lyrics paint a somewhat ambiguous and atmospheric picture of a real-life restaurant of the same name, located on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. While the Sunset Grill exists, the song is not a straightforward description of the location. Instead, Henley uses the setting as a backdrop for exploring themes of loneliness, alienation, and the search for meaning in a modern, often superficial world.

The lyrics are deliberately impressionistic, leaving the interpretation open to the listener. The "Sunset Grill" itself seems to function as a symbol of both the allure and the emptiness of Hollywood culture. The repeated line, "I see you've got that look again," suggests a recurring pattern of disillusionment among those who frequent the establishment, and perhaps by extension, within the wider Hollywood scene.

Musically, "Sunset Grill" is characterized by its distinctive, layered instrumentation and Henley's distinctive vocal delivery. The use of synthesizers, programmed drums, and Henley's trademark harmonies contributes to the song's unique sound and atmospheric quality.

The song remains a popular fixture on classic rock radio stations and is considered one of Don Henley's signature songs.