Timothy B Schmit (Photo via his Facebook page)
Timothy B. Schmit has released a new solo album. Day By Day, which arrived on May 6, 2022, includes special guests Jackson Browne, Lindsey Buckingham, John Fogerty, Benmont Tench, Jim Keltner, John McFee and Kenny Wayne Sheppard. Listen to many of the songs and watch several videos below. Schmit is on an extended tour with his Eagles bandmates.
“I still think of myself as a developing songwriter,” said Schmit in the original March 17 album announcement. “When Jackson came to the studio, we talked about how he wrote ‘These Days’ when he was 16 years old. It’s so impressive that a teenager could create something so insightful. That didn’t happen to me. I didn’t hit my stride as a songwriter during my younger years. I think I’m finally starting to get there now, and I’m in my 70s! It’s really nice. It makes me anxious to move forward and continue making music.”
About the new track, “Heartbeat”: The song is built on a subtle R&B groove reminiscent of the Eagles rhythmic classic “I Can’t Tell You Why” that Schmit sang and co-wrote with Don Henley and Glenn Frey. In the song, he candidly gets inside what makes long-term relationships work: devotion, commitment and respect, plus the shared understanding that the two people also exist as individuals: “…you don’t own me/And I don’t own you/All we do is love one another/Two lucky people/Who know how to work things through.”
Watch the lyric video for “Heartbeat”
The first release, “Simple Man,” is layered with electric guitar leads from Lindsey Buckingham and vocal harmonies from Beach Boys alumni Chris Farmer and Matt Jardine. The song nods to Schmit’s California roots, summoning up the glory days of the Laurel Canyon folk scene.
Watch the video for “Simple Man,” released on March 17, the day of the album’s announcement
Listen to “Something You Should Know”
On May 6, the day of the album’s release, Schmit shared an extended video for “I Come Alive.”
“I was feeling really good about things in general when I started this song,” he says. “I decided it wasn’t necessary to try and go particularly deep, so I let it sort of roll out of me without too much second guessing. It’s a simple love song intended to express my feelings right from the surface.” He adds: “I am a fan of reggae and its cousin, ska. This song is definitely driven by the opening guitar chords, which are played on the upbeats and remain throughout.”
The song’s easygoing charm is reflected in the relaxed feel of the video, which focuses on the camaraderie between Schmit, the musicians and backing singers.
“Shooting the video was a blast,” he says. “I was reunited with most of my touring band, including the three lady singers who play a large part in the choruses. We very much have a family vibe when we’re together, and the song lent itself to having some fun. I think it translates on camera.”
Day By Day Track Listing
Simple Man
Heartbeat
Mr. X
Question of the Heart
Something You Should Know
I Come Alive
Feather in the Wind
Grinding Stone
Taste Like Candy
Conflicted
Where We Belong
Listen to “Grinding Stone”
Schmit released his last solo album, Leap of Faith, in 2016, supporting it with an extensive 2017 solo tour.
Schmit has released six solo albums – Playin’ It Cool (1984), Timothy B. (1987), Tell Me the Truth (1990), Feed the Fire (2001), Expando (2009), and Leap of Faith (2016). He has been a longtime member of both Poco and Eagles. Schmit has won three Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received the Kennedy Center Honors as an Eagles member.
Tickets for Eagles’ 2022 concerts are available at Ticketmaster and StubHub.
Related: Our 2017 interview with Schmit
4 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationGreat song.
Absolutely love Schmit’s voice, the guitar work is lovely, awesome, masterful. But. We all have differing political views and unfortunately, having to choose between evils is difficult for everyone. Placing Trump in the same category as crimes by humanity against nature and crimes against starlets by Weinstein is just wrong and crosses the line. Once again, an entertainer whose work I’ve loved has crossed the line into political envoyism… That takes a huge ego. People are going to choose based on character, not because of an entertainers’ or celebrities’ points of view. Freedom bears Power, Power bears Freedom, absolute power corrupts. Only the individual has free will to choose. This song might help some fans decide how to choose, but doubtful the song will have the impact Schmit might hope. At least he has the freedom and power to have his say in the public forum, a privilege most of us have never known. So, i have learned something important from this song: Power + Freedom = Privilege and Privilege = Power + Corruption. Thank you for a new formula to represent human nature.
I agree wholeheartdly! I have been a fan for a lot of years. Now, not so much! I thought he was more intelligent than this. Where was the “Me too” movement for the woman Joe Biden assaulted? Strangely quiet! Seems it only matters when a liberal is attacked, although she was a supporter of Biden’s at the time. The left has now swept her under the rug! Wake up Timothy or are you a hippocrit along with the rest of the left. Always 2 sets of rules!
Timothy B Schmidt has lost another fan by his comments/lyrics.
Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Jackson Browne, etc. – all unquestionably multi-talented singer/songwriters, and musicians, who have written many poignant and insightful songs, all of whom I enjoyed immensely in my younger days.
Then, due to to their success, they seemingly believed they had platforms to be spokespeople for all of music enthusiasts – Wrong – there are many of us who love and care for America, and believe in just causes, but do not believe views protecting our republic and sovereignty are to be dismissed.
Artists are of course entitled to your views and should support/donate to your concerns and causes, with your recording and touring income, but when we spend $80.00 (usually minimum) to infinity $$$ to watch you perform, don’t preach to us, and spend 1/3 of OUR concert time trying to tell us how to think – we can think on our own.
Just play what we paid for – you to perform your terrific songs,in order that we can have a memorable evening.
The aforementioned, as well as all recording artists, may want to take a lesson from Tom Petty, who was beloved by his fans from the start of his career through every album and every tour, until his untimely passing, as he and the Heartbreakers didn’t preach – they just played their sensational brand of rock.