Linda Ronstadt - Poor Poor Pitiful Me

YouTube ^ | 22 Nov 15 | Warren Zevon and Linda Ronstadt

[SkyPilot]

Linda Ronstadt - Poor Poor Pitiful Me

"Poor Poor Pitiful Me" is a rock song written and originally recorded by Warren Zevon in 1976. It is best known as one of Linda Ronstadt's signature hits from 1978. Country music singer Terri Clark scored a hit in 1996 with her own cover of the song. There have also been many other versions of this song. In keeping with Warren Zevon's sardonic lyrical style, the song's verses deal with a failed suicide, domestic abuse, and a brush with sadomasochism. The song first appeared on Zevon's 1976 self-titled solo album. It is reputed to be a friendly swipe at Jackson Browne, whose songs (such as "Here Come Those Tears Again" and "Sleeps Dark and Silent Gate" from The Pretender) could be quite dark.

The song "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" was produced by Jackson Browne and was featured on Zevon's eponymous 1976 album Warren Zevon with backing vocals by Lindsey Buckingham. The track was later included on his greatest hits compilations A Quiet Normal Life (1986), I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (1996), and Genius: The Best of Warren Zevon (2002). Live versions appeared on 1980s Stand in the Fire and 1993’s Learning to Flinch. Alternate studio versions were included in the 2008 reissue of Warren Zevon, as well as the posthumous 2007 compilation Preludes: Rare and Unreleased Recordings.

Linda Ronstadt recorded a gender-altered version of the song during 1977. Ronstadt would recall that Jackson Browne had pitched "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" to her, teaching it to her in the living room of her Malibu home. Ronstadt's interpretation was produced by Peter Asher for her multi-platinum album Simple Dreams. It had already been a hugely popular radio hit as an album cut. Simple Dreams also contained another Zevon song, "Carmelita." Ronstadt’s live version appeared on the soundtrack album to the smash 1978 movie FM, while the studio version was included on her Platinum-plus album Greatest Hits, Volume 2.

Released as a single (on the Asylum label, #45462) at the beginning of 1978, Linda Ronstadt's rocking version of the song was the week's highest debut on the Hot 100 chart the week of January 28, 1978. It reached number 26 on Cash Box Top 100 and number 31 in Billboard.

[SkyPilot]

This is a great song, originally written by Warren Zevon. Ronstadt is beautiful in this video, in both voice and stature. It was recorded live in Atlanta.

It features the great Rick Moratta on the drums (with cowbell) and the incredible Waddy Wachtel on guitar.

Linda Ronstadt cannot sing these days, as she suffers from Parkinson's disease. Yes, she is far left in her politics, and dated Gov. Moonbeam. But the music on display here is a seperate category, when talent was real and genuine.

[McGruff]

Boy did I have the hots for her. I was wondering what happened to her.

Too bad we all get older. Wonder if she can still belt out a song though.

[real saxophonist]

When Linda did her album with Nelson Riddle, my parents played it nonstop for months. I think they were completely unaware of her earlier Rock days.

[Catmom]

It was hanging out with Jerry Brown that did her in.

[jjotto]

As I recall, Ronstadt had other health problems with her voice many years before the Parkinson’s.

[Twinkie]

Yep. We all get older. Even stars *****. - My mother had
a form of Parkinson’s. She used to call it “that old
shaking disease”. You can’t belt out a song or much else
with that. - Momma used to worry about what people in
restaurants were thinking about her shaking. I told her,
“Momma, look all around here. Are any of these people
going to pay even one of your bills or mine this month?”
She replied, “No.” I said, “Then, why should we care
WHAT the dickens they think? Besides, they’re too busy
concentrating on their own selves to care about what
we’re doing.”

[WhiskeyX]

Reportedly nutritional ketosis or a ketogenic diet can be beneficial in treating and preventing Parkinson’s Disease.

[miss marmelstein]

I laid my head on the railroad track!

Great singer, great musicologist, idiotic political pundit.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

I doubt “hanging out” with Brown did it. Allegedly, she was going to hop into the sack with him, until she got a look at his shrimpy courting tackle, and said “’bye”.

[sauropod]

I used to be a big fan of hers. Then she went far, far left and spouted some really hateful stuff. No more. Words matter.

I’m sorry about her Parkinson’s. She’s repugnant.

[McGruff]

Great singer, great musicologist, idiotic political pundit.

LOL. Aren't they all (or most).

[newfreep]

LR did a trio of albums with Nelson Riddle - all great!

[spintreebob]

Moonbeam’s girlfriend during his ‘78 race.
Hit #1 in more genre than anyone else.
#1 in many genre of her native Mexican culture.
#1 in rock, in metal, in country, etc.
Truly versatile performer.

[AppyPappy]

written and originally recorded by Warren Zevon

[hey Bean]

Waddy is my brother-in-law and YES, an incredible musician and a wonderful guy.

[fidelis]

I saw her perform this song in concert on her "Get Closer" tour in the 1980's. I've always loved her voice and she was such a knockout when she was younger.

I bought lots of her albums back in the day, and still enjoy her music, but because of her outspoken Lefty politics I will never put another dime in her pocket. Not that she doesn't have a right to her (wrong) opinions (this is America, after all) but I don't want my money to end up in the coffers of politicians that are seeking to destroy this country.

[SkyPilot]

Waddy is my brother-in-law and YES, an incredible musician and a wonderful guy.

You're kidding. Really?!

Holy smoke. Next time you see him, tell him he is an amazing musician. I saw a comment on YouTube that he was "America's Keith Richards." Well, don't know if he is a Stones fan, but I thought that comment was pretty dead on.

[kanawa]

That blond curly haired guitarist looks Waddy Watchel,
the same fellow that worked with Stevie Nicks when she was doing solo work.

https://youtu.be/Bh6sMpfBNoc?t=1m16s

[kanawa]

LOL...guess I should have read your comment before posting.

[rrrod]

Years ago she recorded an album “Songs of My Father” in Spanish....she was a terrific singer. Wish her the best.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmYExGh-F88