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]

Ah, lovely Linda! I had it SO bad for her back in those days. Saw her on tour with Jackson Browne in about ‘73.

I love Jackson Browne (another lefty!) After his wife's suicide, he wrote some pretty sad and dark thing, which are beautiful musically. The album Late For the Sky was an epic. Released 41 years ago!!

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.)

Yup. And if you really want to help them, keep them in your prayers. That's my motto. And God gave them great talent, it was one of His gifts to them.

I read somewhere that Jackson Browne asked Linda to cover Warren Zevon's song (Poor Pitiful Me). Linda was said to have joked to Jackson before he played it to her that all his songs were so sorrowful and full of pity. Jackson took it to heart and played her Zevon's song on his accoustic guitar and also her piano at her home.

[leaning conservative]

Okay, just some completely blatant fan worship here! I have always adored Carly Simon & I believe he played on many of her albums. My baby brother is an insane Keith Richards fan, so I can’t wait to tell him. Tell your brother-in-law that he has brought so many smiles to a huge amount of people!

[FreedomPoster]

She has a cousin and a couple nephews that perform as Ronstadt Generations. Worthwhile Americana music, go see them if they come somewhere nearby, or you go to Tucson.

[SkyPilot]

I heard she moved back to Tuscon some years ago, as she could not stand living in CA anymore.

[newfreep]

Fun fact about “Hotel California”.

I mentioned Steve Hoffman’s re-mastered versions of Linda’s albums with the best sonics.

Steve also re-mastered the Eagles, “Hotel California”. Due to the poor tape used during that period, Steve literally had to bake the tapes to get them to playback properly...and then it was only a temporary “fix”.

Steve has been a very kind friend and gifted me with many, many CDRs burned direct from the raw studio master tapes...including unreleased studio demos of Beatles from their White Album daze. Amazing sonics (pre-reverb) and so cool to hear studio chatter.

[SkyPilot]

I have always adored Carly Simon & I believe he played on many of her albums. My baby brother is an insane Keith Richards fan, so I can’t wait to tell him. Tell your brother-in-law that he has brought so many smiles to a huge amount of people!

Ditto!

And don't get me started on what a cutie Carly Simon was........

[SkyPilot]

Post #46 was for you also.

[GSWarrior]

Linda had great taste in which artists to cover.

[cuban leaf]

When I left Seattle I sold four open reel decks and all my tapes (a few hundred). I was done with the format because of “tape sheding”. Interestingly, it really only affected the later formulas created partly for “environmental friendliness”. It was usually the premium tapes.

And the cure is to bake them. But it only holds for a few days - long enough to copy. You have to REALLY want what is on that tape to bother. Sounds like these tapes were worth it. :-)

[hey Bean]

Beautiful shot of Waddy! What a talent and still going strong.

[hey Bean]

If you have Netflix check out the new documentary on Keith. Recording session clips for his new album are included. There is a moment where Waddy and Keith are playing back and forth, warming up those guitars. :~D Very interesting doc.

[Fiji Hill]

I also saw her on Broadway doing the Pirates of Penzance in 1981.

I saw that same production company's version of that show in Los Angeles in 1982. Linda Ronstadt wasn't part of the cast, but fading disco star Andy Gibb played Frederic.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Well, it’s too bad that one of the original liberal crap spewing haters can’t sing anymore. Poor Poor pitiful me? I can see why he put her through it like a Waring Blender.

[hey Bean]

“Tell your brother-in-law that he has brought so many smiles to a huge amount of people!”

Will do. He loves his fans and is such and sweet and humble guy.

[SkyPilot]

I will find it - thanks! And again, the next time you see him, tell him his talent is just inspiring.

[jack308]

She used to appear at the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach when I was young ( late 60’s ) Sure was a nice looking young thing.

[az_gila]

Her younger brother and nephews are performing regularly around Tucson, and on other tours, as the Ronstadt Generations.

We do enjoy their music. Her brother Michael is on the right.

[Vinnie]

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

One round with him and she went DC. He turned her.

[PLMerite]

Ah, Linda! I'm a sucker for big dark eyes.

Oh, yeah - those eyes!

[leaning conservative]

Ditto on the Carly part!!! Back then the women were naturally beautiful. They didn’t have the grotesque surgeries, tons of make-up & the image consultants who watched over their every move. They were just beautiful & they could really sing & write. They were real people, yes they were stars, but still real. I remember men totally lost it over her “No Secrets” album cover;).