<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section possibly contains original research . Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations . Statements consisting only of original research should be removed . (October 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section possibly contains original research . Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations . Statements consisting only of original research should be removed . (October 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> Henley's lyrics take the form of a personal remembrance related to a close friend or companion, and evoke a powerful sense of nostalgia for the lost innocence of childhood and an earlier time . The music was written by Bruce Hornsby years before . Don was driving back from Bruce's ranch in Moorpark when he found out that a friend had been indicted for securities fraud at the time the government was going after Michael Milken, thus the references to having to call the lawyers "because Daddy had to lie". The references to the "place where we can go" refer to his 50 - acre ranch outside of Aspen, Colorado off Woody Creek Rd . The reflections and the emotional responses that result represent the end of the innocence of the baby boomer generation, which for some was coupled with a perception of nihilism, consumerism and militarism during the then - current Reagan administration . Even as they yearn for the simplicity and values of the past, and the uncorrupted people they used to be, the song sees these characters and this generation coming to terms with the responsibilities and challenges facing Americans entering middle - age in the 1980s . </P> <P> The black and white music video for the song was directed by future film director David Fincher (Seven, Fight Club) and earned Henley an MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video in 1990 . </P>

Lyrics to end of the innocence by don henley