Billboard Hot 100 in November of that year and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America representing one million copies sold.

"[3] The song was covered by country music singer John Anderson on the tribute album Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles, by Michael Bublé on his album Crazy Love, and by Tom Jones on his 1980s TV show.

So we’re playing that groove, and Glenn’s singing the verses, and suddenly, out of the blue, the chorus came into my head.

"[4]Billboard suggested that the handclaps provided "more of a young, vital sound" than previous Eagles' songs and particularly praised the guitar break and the vocal harmonies.

"[6] Record World highlighted the "slashing rhythm, big beat, whining guitars, & Glenn Frey's tough vocals.

"[7] The recording received a 1979 Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

"Heartache Tonight" was revived four years later in a cover version by country music artist Conway Twitty.

Allmusic reviewer Thom Jurek wrote that "Heartache Tonight" and its follow-up single, "Three Times a Lady," "offer(ed) a solid view of Twitty's amazing crossover potential, and his ability to take well-known pop tracks and turn them into solid country smashes long after the countrypolitan days of Chet Atkins and RCA.