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]

That blond curly haired guitarist looks Waddy Watchel

Yup - besides being a member of some incredible bands, he is perhaps the most in-demand, versitile, and talented session guitarist since Jimmy Page. No exaggeration, and that's some pretty exclusive company.

[Wheelman81]

Ah, lovely Linda! I had it SO bad for her back in those days. Saw her on tour with Jackson Browne in about ‘73. Great show, good memories. I came to the conclusion a long time ago that you can enjoy someone’s talent while ignoring the idiotic political crap they spew. (Tony Bennett was every bit as crazy politically, and we still listen to his music.) Linda would be the first to tell you she had a great life and career. She might be nuts, but she’s still a sweetie in my book!

[Bigg Red]

Does that fellow actually think he looks with that hair?

[hey Bean]

Waddy is on Keith’s new solo album, they have been buds for years.

A few years ago I asked Waddy who was his favorite band and he said AC/DC .
I’ll ask him again but I bet he says the same thing. That guitar!!!

[pieceofthepuzzle]

Wonderful comments you made to your mother.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

Was backstage once at one of her concerts. She and Emmy Lou Harris were singing together, warming up for the show. Just that was pretty amazing. No need for autotune when you have voices like those.

[SkyPilot]

Good advice!

[xp38]

I saw her when she did a solo tour in 1978. It was a good show but the memory is fading fast now. I also saw her on Broadway doing the Pirates of Penzance in 1981. For the most part she has been out of the spotlight for a while now for me. Her last eruption was when she got kicked out of a Vegas hotel for dissing pubs during her show there. That was in 2004. She is a straight line leftist and she is one of many artists on my itunes iphone I am debating in my mind to keep or delete. I have about a dozen or so songs of hers.

[cuban leaf]

I own all three on vinyl. Some of the best stuff I own. A friend of mine is in several tribute bands. In one, he made his daughter the main act and calls it “Just One Look”. It’s a Ronstadt tribute band. Check out the photos. At first glance you just assume it’s Linda:

https://www.facebook.com/Just-One-Look-A-Tribute-to-Linda-Ronstadt-177332435705411/?fref=ts

[SkyPilot]

Great singer, great musicologist, idiotic political pundit.

That's pretty much the epitath for many of them, although not all. I won't defend her politics, they are odius and anti-Christian.

But that's for another thread. I do admire the music though.

[cuban leaf]

Sheesh. Check out the video:
https://www.facebook.com/177332435705411/videos/vb.177332435705411/4802918785816/?type=2&theater

[leaning conservative]

I have very fond memories of travelling to visit a young man I met thru my cousin. We were going to a university dance & we listened to a Linda Rondstadt album practically on repeat!!!!! Like you my brother loved her & loved the Rolling Stone cover of her in lingerie. Those are some great memories. She has, hands down, one of the greatest voices ever. Real talent, no machines needed.

[SkyPilot]

She and Emmy Lou Harris were singing together, warming up for the show. Just that was pretty amazing. No need for autotune when you have voices like those.

Great story. Wish I could have heard that. And I am with you, the "Autotune Artists" can't sing.

[Lurker]

I miss Warren.

[SkyDancer]

Yeah, look at her former ex-BF Jerry Brown. I bet she’s happy they didn’t link up.

[leaning conservative]

Warren Zevon was sooooooooo incredible!

[SkyPilot]

Waddy is on Keith’s new solo album, they have been buds for years.

I had heard he played with the Stones (and with Kieth solo) before. I would love to be in a room as those two played acoustic or something.

A few years ago I asked Waddy who was his favorite band and he said AC/DC

Lol. Not surprising, as no one comes up with better "rifs" than they do. I wager Waddy could cover their entire repertoire without looking at one music or chord sheet.

[jjotto]

As a very young fellow, I saw her front for Steppenwolf. (It might have been with the Stone Poneys). She was barefoot in a very short dress, obviously without underwear! And talented too!

[newfreep]

Ditto on owning those 3 on vinyl...and most of her previous LPs on vinyl.

I saw her in Cleveland at an outdoor, semi-roof covered facility on her “What’s New?” tour - warmup group was Quarterflash.

She typically had very good engineers...but the best sounding versions were mastered by my friend, Steve Hoffman - on both vinyl and CD. Check em out for great sonics and music.

[cuban leaf]

I collected a LOT of vinyl from estate sales in Seattle the last year I lived there before moving to my new farm house in central KY. I ended up with multiple copies of everything she’s done, coupled with whatever I already owned. Those Nelson Riddle ones were an incredible treat.

I read a book a few years ago called Hotel California, where her days at the Troubadour were chronicled along with a lot of other bands. It makes you appreciate her stuff even more.

http://www.amazon.com/Hotel-California-True-Life-Adventures-Mitchell/dp/0470127775