The End of the Innocence by Don Henley was released on June 1, 1989, with If Dirt Were Dollars as the B side. It was a single from Henley’s third solo album of the same name.

The song peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his fifth solo Top 10 hit. It reached No. 3 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart.

Henley co-wrote and co-produced The End of the Innocence with Bruce Hornsby, who performs piano on the track. Both perform the song live in their respective concerts.