Zevon's work has often been praised by well-known musicians, including Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young. His best-known compositions include "Werewolves of London", "Lawyers, Guns and Money", "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner" and "Johnny Strikes Up The Band," all of which are featured on his third album, Excitable Boy (1978). Other well-known songs written by Zevon have been recorded by other artists, including "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" (a top 40 hit by Linda Ronstadt), "Accidentally Like a Martyr," "Mohammed's Radio", "Carmelita", and "Hasten Down the Wind".
Along with his own compositions, Zevon recorded or performed occasional covers, including Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" and Leonard Cohen's "First We Take Manhattan". He was a frequent guest on Late Night with David Letterman and the Late Show with David Letterman. Letterman later performed guest vocals on "Hit Somebody! (The Hockey Song)" with Paul Shaffer and members of the CBS Orchestra.
He was born to a Russian Jewish father and a Mormon mother and soon moved to California. At the age of 12/13, Warren Zevon was a regular visitor to the home of Igor Stravinsky where he, along with Robert Craft, would study music.
He turned to a musical career early, including a stretch as part of a Sonny and Cher-type male/female duo called Lyme and Cybelle, and spent time as a session musician (notably as piano player for the Everly Brothers) and jingle composer. He wrote several songs for his White Whale label-mates the Turtles, though his participation in their recording is unknown. Another early composition ("She Quit Me") was included in the soundtrack for Midnight Cowboy, released in 1969. His first attempt at a solo album, Wanted Dead or Alive (1969), did not fare well, and his second effort, Leaf in the Wind, was scrapped (though release was considered just prior to his death). In the early 70s he toured regularly with the Everly Brothers as keyboard player and band leader/musical coordinator. His dissatisfaction with his career and the opportunities for a song-writer led him to move to Spain briefly, where he played in a small bar owned by a former mercenary. Together, they penned Zevon's classic "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner."
In the mid-70s he moved to Los Angeles, and became associated with the then-burgeoning West coast music scene, including collaborations with Jackson Browne, who would produce and promote Zevon's self-titled major-label debut in 1976, The Eagles, who appeared on that first album, and Linda Ronstadt, who would record several early Zevon songs including a hit version of "Poor Poor Pitiful Me". Zevon's first tour in 1977 included guest appearances in the middle of Jackson Browne concerts.
In 1978 Zevon released his breakthrough album, Excitable Boy, to critical acclaim and popular success. Several tracks from this album received heavy FM airplay and the single release "Werewolves of London", which featured a relatively lighthearted version of Zevon's signature macabre outlook, was a top-ten hit.
For the next 20 years Zevon would continue to record and release albums sporadically and with varying levels of success, while fighting personal demons including an acknowledged battle with alcoholism and drugs. (His fourth album, Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School is dedicated to novelist Ross Macdonald, who crucially assisted Zevon during a particularly difficult episode in 1979.) Apparently success did not treat Zevon well, as evidenced by his movements (living on Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square, etc.), well-documented stints in rehab, and withdrawal from the spotlight. After the release of The Envoy in 1982, Zevon effectively quit his career as a full-time occupation, appearing rarely and usually solo, without a band. He also collaborated with several members of R.E.M. to record as the Hindu Love Gods in 1990, though initial collaboration occurred during his "lost period" in 1984.
In 1987 Zevon made a comeback with a modest hit album Sentimental Hygiene, which featured collaborations with Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and members of R.E.M., among others including long-time collaborators Jorge Calderone and Waddy Wachtel. The follow-up album, Transverse City in 1989 also featured guests, including Jerry Garcia and David Gilmour. The tradition of collaborations with more famous musical talents was consistent throughout his career, from the appearance of Jackson Browne and The Eagles on his first album, to Bruce Springsteen on his last.
Zevon toured the US regularly during the 90s, often alone, with minimal accompaniment. He did conduct a tour with Odds, a band from Vancouver, Canada. Many tours started in Colorado to allow Warren an opportunity to visit with his long-time friend, Hunter S. Thompson. Warren was close to several prominent writers who also collaborated on song-writing, including Carl Hiassen. He also served as musical coordinator for an ad-hoc group called the Rock Bottom Remainders, a collection of writers performing rock and roll standards at book fairs and other events. This group included Stephen King, Dave Barry, and other popular writers.
In interviews, Zevon described a lifelong phobia of doctors and seldom received medical assessment. In 2002, after a long period of untreated illness and pain, Zevon was encouraged by his dentist to see a doctor; when he did so he was diagnosed with inoperable mesothelioma (a form of lung cancer associated with exposure to asbestos rather than smoking). He then began recording his final album, The Wind, with guest appearances from close friends including Bruce Springsteen, Don Henley, Timothy B. Schmit, Joe Walsh, David Lindley, Billy Bob Thornton, Emmylou Harris, Tom Petty and others.
On October 30, 2002, Zevon was featured on the Late Show with David Letterman as the only guest for the entire hour. Zevon performed several songs and spoke at length about his illness. Zevon was a frequent guest and occasional substitute bandleader on Letterman's television shows since Late Night first aired in 1982. It was this show where Zevon offered his insight on facing death: "enjoy every sandwich."
Zevon previously stated that his illness was expected to be terminal within months after the diagnosis in the Fall of 2002; however he lived to see the birth of twin grandsons in June of 2003 and the release of The Wind on August 28, 2003. When his diagnosis became public, he told the media that he just hoped to live long enough to see the next James Bond movie, a goal he also accomplished. Appropriately, the film was called Die Another Day.
Zevon died at his home in Los Angeles, California, on September 7, 2003. The Wind was certified gold by the RIAA in December of 2003 and Zevon received 5 posthumous Grammy nominations, including Song Of The Year for "Keep Me In Your Heart".
A tribute album titled Enjoy Every Sandwich: Songs of Warren Zevon was released October 19, 2004. His son, Jordan Zevon, did a large part of the work on the album and performed "Studebaker," a previously unreleased composition. A second tribute album, titled Hurry Home Early: the Songs of Warren Zevon (the lyrics "hurry home early" are from the song "Boom Boom Mancini," on Sentimental Hygiene) was released by Wampus Multimedia on July 8, 2005.
On February 14, 2006, VH1 Classic premiered a video from a new compilation, "Reconsider Me: The Love Songs of Warren Zevon." The video, titled "She's Too Good For Me," aired every hour on the hour throughout the day. The video was not well received among many of Zevon's fans, as evidenced by their responses on the official Bulletin Board.
Boom Boom Mancini
Warren Zevon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
From Youngstown, Ohio, Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini
A lightweight contender, like father like son
He fought for the title with Frias in Vegas
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
When Alexis Arguello gave Boom Boom a beating
Seven weeks later he was back in the ring
Some have the speed and the right combinations
If you can't take the punches, it don't mean a thing
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
When they asked him who was responsible
For the death of do Koo Kim
He said, "Some one should have stopped the fight
And told me it was him."
They made hypocrite judgements after the fact
But the name of the game is be hit and hit back
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
The lyrics of Warren Zevon's song "Boom Boom Mancini" are a tribute to the boxer Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, who was a lightweight contender, originally from Youngstown, Ohio. The song starts with a repeated plea to hurry home, suggesting that the action taking place - Mancini's fight against Bobby Chacon - is something that the characters can't bear to miss. Zevon then goes on to describe Mancini's rise to fame, including his fight for the title against Frias in Vegas, which he won in just one round.
Zevon also acknowledges the dangers of the sport, describing Mancini's tough fight against Alexis Aguello, which left him beaten but ready to get back in the ring just a few weeks later. However, the darkest part of the song comes with the revelation that Mancini was involved in the death of a Korean boxer named Do Koo Kim. When asked who was responsible, Mancini responded that he wished someone had called the fight and that he didn't know how seriously injured Kim was. Zevon's lyrics suggest that Mancini was unfairly judged and condemned by many for what happened, with the final lines saying that the name of the game is to be hit and hit back.
Overall, the song is a poignant tribute to a talented athlete whose career was cut short by tragedy, and Zevon's lyrics convey both his admiration for Mancini and his discomfort with the brutality of the sport.
Line by Line Meaning
Hurry home early hurry on home
Please come home early, do not delay
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
Ray Mancini is boxing with Bobby Chacon
From Youngstown, Ohio, Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini
Raymond Michael Mancini is from Youngstown, Ohio
A lightweight contender, like father like son
Ray Mancini is a lightweight boxer, following in his father's footsteps
He fought for the title with Frias in Vegas
Mancini fought Ernesto Espana Frias for the championship belt in Las Vegas
And he put him away in round number one
Mancini knocked out Frias in the first round
When Alexis Arguello gave Boom Boom a beating
Alexis Arguello won against Mancini in a previous fight
Seven weeks later he was back in the ring
Despite his previous loss, Mancini returned to boxing after only seven weeks
Some have the speed and the right combinations
Other boxers possess agility and correct fighting techniques
If you can't take the punches, it don't mean a thing
However, if one cannot handle the punches, having speed and technique does not matter
When they asked him who was responsible
When questioned about the death of Duk Koo Kim
For the death of do Koo Kim
For the death of boxer Duk Koo Kim, who died after fighting Mancini
He said, "Some one should have stopped the fight
Mancini replied that someone should have ended the fight
And told me it was him."
Informing him that Kim was the one who got hurt
They made hypocrite judgements after the fact
Others criticized Mancini after the fight took place
But the name of the game is be hit and hit back
Boxing is about being hit and fighting back, so criticism is unwarranted
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WARREN WILLIAM ZEVON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Zed137
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
From Youngstown, Ohio, Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini
A lightweight contender, like father like son
He fought for the title with Frias in Vegas
And he put him away in round number one
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
When Alexis Arguello gave Boom Boom a beating
Seven weeks later he was back in the ring
Some have the speed and the right combinations
If you can't take the punches, it don't mean a thing
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
When they asked him who was responsible
For the death of do Koo Kim
He said, "Some one should have stopped the fight
And told me it was him."
They made hypocrite judgements after the fact
But the name of the game is be hit and hit back
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
Raymond Barata
One of the best songwriters of all time. The guy could literally write a song about anything. A gorilla, hockey player, boxer, spys you fucking name it. A true genius.
Carl Wilkes
Amen brother 🙏
zelmo999
@Joel Barry Except that he was much more than a lyricist, he could compose in any genre you can think of, Frank & Jesse James C+W to Mr.Bad Example circus music to Hasten Down the Wind ballads. What he wasn't was a pop composer, Ronstadt left out the last verse of Poor Poor Pitiful Me (a song about suicide) & turned it into a macho brag, that ended their relationship. He wrote Hostage-O & said: "There, let 'em try to make a f'ing pop song out of that one."
Joel Barry
Great description of Zevon. 👍
Zed137
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
From Youngstown, Ohio, Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini
A lightweight contender, like father like son
He fought for the title with Frias in Vegas
And he put him away in round number one
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
When Alexis Arguello gave Boom Boom a beating
Seven weeks later he was back in the ring
Some have the speed and the right combinations
If you can't take the punches, it don't mean a thing
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
When they asked him who was responsible
For the death of do Koo Kim
He said, "Some one should have stopped the fight
And told me it was him."
They made hypocrite judgements after the fact
But the name of the game is be hit and hit back
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
Hurry home early hurry on home
Boom Boom Mancini's fighting Bobby Chacon
Fabio Renzi
Always amazed with the tender and respectful touch to Mancini by Warren Zevon. He had been called a killer and things after the Kim fight and this songs gives him justice back, "the name of the game is be hit and hit back". Warren Zevon was a great and sensitive artist.
Mike Valdez
Fabio, absolutely! And Zevon was respected by everyone, Springsteen....and all the artists of his day-- just check Wikipedia
Anarchy Now
Yeah Boom Boom did his job. Kim’s comer and the in ring officials are responsible. He was getting his ass beat, if he wouldn’t quit, then his corner should’ve thrown in the towel. If his corner wouldn’t quit the referee should’ve stopped it. But I. No way should Boom Boom have stopped hitting him. If he backed off and Kim came back and won, everyone would be on his case he should’ve been aggressive.
Fabio Renzi
@zelmo999 True.
zelmo999
Mancini went to S. Korea years later, he was treated like a hero. Kim Duk-koo was one hell of a boxer & national champion/hero to the S. Korean people. Respect.
Also, it was that fight that changed 'The Distance' in championship boxing matches from 15 rounds to 12.