Don Henley and Glenn Frey flipped a different meaning from the name of a popular cocktail. The guy is presented as a “hired hand”, a cowboy – keeping with the theme of the album “Desparado”. He has a romantic interest in a certain lady, and the setting is in a bar. When Frey sings “take another shot of courage” he’s referring to using tequila to remove the fear of approaching her. The song doesn’t idealize drunkenness, but rather using the drink so he can talk to women, however “right words never come”. Please enjoy “Tequila Sunrise”. Stay safe. Stay strong.
