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Carmelita
Warren Zevon Lyrics

I hear Mariachi static on my radio
And the tubes they glow in the dark
And I'm there with her in Ensenada
And I'm here in Echo Park

Carmelita hold me tighter
I think I'm sinking down
And I'm all strung out on heroin
On the outskirts of town

Well, I'm sittin' here playing solitaire
With my pearl-handled deck
The county won't give me no more methadone
And they cut off your welfare check

Carmelita hold me tighter
I think I'm sinking down
And I'm all strung out on heroin
On the outskirts of town

Well, I pawned my Smith Corona
And I went to meet my man
He hangs out down on Alvarado Street
By the Pioneer chicken stand

Carmelita hold me tighter
I think I'm sinking down
And I'm all strung out on heroin
On the outskirts of town

Carmelita hold me tighter
I think I'm sinking down
And I'm all strung out on heroin
On the outskirts of town

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Warren Zevon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them

"Carmelita" is a rock song written by American singer-songwriter and musician Warren Zevon. The song was first recorded by Canadian singer Murray McLauchlan on his self-titled album of 1972. Zevon's own version was released four years later, in 1976, on his self-titled album (his 1974 demo version was included as a bonus track on the 2008 reissue of the 1976 album). Linda Ronstadt recorded a well-known version in 1977, and various covers have followed. Read Full Bio"Carmelita" is a rock song written by American singer-songwriter and musician Warren Zevon. The song was first recorded by Canadian singer Murray McLauchlan on his self-titled album of 1972. Zevon's own version was released four years later, in 1976, on his self-titled album (his 1974 demo version was included as a bonus track on the 2008 reissue of the 1976 album). Linda Ronstadt recorded a well-known version in 1977, and various covers have followed.

Zevon's version featured prominently in the 2004 film "Around The Bend" starring Christopher Walken, Michael Caine and Josh Lucas, and in the film "Looper" starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, and Jeff Daniels.

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01Frank and Jesse James4:33

02Mama Couldn't Be Persuaded2:53

03Backs Turned Looking Down the Path2:27

04Hasten Down The Wind2:58

05Poor Poor Pitiful Me3:04

06The French Inhaler3:44

07Mohammed's Radio3:41

08I'll Sleep When I'm Dead2:56

09Carmelita3:32

PT3M32S

Warren Zevon

10Join Me In L.A.3:13

11Desperados Under The Eaves4:45

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

69v96

Słyszę jak Mariachi brzęczą w eterze
A ekrany w ciemności świecą
I jestem z nią tam w Ensenada
I jestem tu w Parku Echo

Carmelita trzymaj mnie mocniej)
Bo się zapadać zaczynam
Gdzieś na obrzeżach miasta
Złapała mnie heroina

Więc siedzę i stawiam pasjansa
Mą talią oprawną perłowo
Odcięli mi mój metadon
I wzięli Ci zapomogę

Carmelita złap mnie mocniej
Bo czuję że w ziemię wrastam
Wrąbany po uszy w herę
Gdzieś na rubieżach miasta

Cóż, zastawiłem Koronę
I idę spotkać dilera
Trzyma się Alvarado Street
I stoiska z kurczakami Pioneera

Więc trzymaj mnie Carmelita
Bo się zaczynam zapadać
Wrąbany w heroinę
Tam, gdzie się kończy osada

Gdzieś na obrzeżach miasta
Dopadła mnie heroina
Więc trzymaj mnie Carmelita
Bo się osuwać zaczynam
-
https://www.tekstowo.pl/piosenka,warren_zevon,carmelita.html

All comments from YouTube:

Steve Labuski

6y↑237

One of the best songs ever written about heroin addiction.

screwyootube1

Some great songs mentioned here, would make a killer playlist/CD/mixtape!

Has anyone heard Gillian Welch's "My Morphine"...?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuFQfiOKdds

Stephen Robillard

I heard that! 🎶🙏🏼

Spoons House

@liamsimpson1994 you are thinking of the Needle and the Damage Done

Spoons House

Along with the Velvets "Heroin" and "I'm waiting for the man" and Ramones "Chinese Rock"

Kayden

10w↑1

@some guy have you listened to the cover of that song by Townes van Zandt? It's played during the outro of the Big Lebowski. I prefer it over the Stones' version personally. It has a much more raw quality to it

21 More Replies...

john meyer

10y↑59

56. He died of Mesothelioma in Sept. 2003. One of best rock lyricists of all time. And a damn good performer too, as this tune attests.

raymond hatton

wow correct you are ,,weird gone but still here

stapleremover

21w↑1

Reading this comment nine years after you posted it, still not over losing him. He was, is, and always will be my favorite musician ever. RIP.

thestcroixkid

34w↑5

Noble attempts, but all understatements, he was a fucking genius...end of story...

Nepia Hemopo

34w↑1

An accomplished musician, sadly missed😔😔😔

Steve Perreira

44w↑4

His music and lyrics are simply beautiful. Who needs country music from Nashville when we have Mr. Zefron.

TyPreston88

5y↑31

GIG Allin did a great cover of this song. Up until tonight I thought GG wrote it and that it was one the few real gems in his catalouge. No surprise it was actually warren zevon

hbowlan

@Giorgio Curcetti Glad you looked more into him, he's fantastic eh?

zzevonplant

Linda Ronstadt's rendition was fantastic as well.

B Moni

@Ben Young he's a massive looser your right but I like his version more

Ben Young

@B Moni GG did it better? 😂 oh man, you got me rolling all over the floor… That shit throwing loser has zero good songs, garbled that shit into a nightmare. Did it the least justice than almost everyone else. I do believe that there’s a group of ppl that would never heard of the song unless he covered it. But that’s all he gets credit for…

Bart Hescock

Dwight yoakam did much better in my opinion

7 More Replies...

westcoastOGee

2y↑64

Lol honestly this song is way more upbeat than my 13 years of heroin addiction was

Giorgio Curcetti

10w

@westcoastOGee: hahaha, I cuncur. A fellow former user

westcoastOGee

16w

@tripp really not bragging. Proud to be clean now, yeah. But easily worst decision I've ever made and I'm embarrassed to mention it to anyone irl.

Miom Mahabarata

16w↑1

Relating to others who've shared your struggles isn't bragging, but okay mate

Miom Mahabarata

16w

Not necessarily upbeat when you really listen to the lyrics. But still, cheers man. 3 years clean after a ten year run here!

They Call Me Gator

19w

@Ori0n1975 lol

7 More Replies...

Colette Bembenek

9y↑14

Warren Zevon, in my opinion, is one of the best! Talent unbounded.... the more you hear his songs and the more you learn of him, you begin to find yourself going back to listen to his many masterpiece works.

john meyer

9y↑12

Warren Zevon was "One of a Kind" in rock. Extremely out spoken. Intelligence of a genius. Dark sense of humor. But an ability to capture imagery in his songwriting no other rock musician could envision. I saw Warren once in 1978. A great experience.

Zodiac581

5y↑244

This isn't meant as hate to NWA, but the fact that NWA has been inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame and Warren hasn't yet is absolutely ridiculous.

pestleman1951

@doconnell565 Thanks for the fact check... although @James Eidson beat you by a couple years... 😏

doconnell565

4w↑1

@pestleman1951 Its not lost to time, you have the wrong writer. It's Sturgeons Law.

Helen

15w

well jay z is also in the "rock and roll hall of fame" so they dont care about the music being actual rock as long as its mainstream enough

Pat Disaster

48w

Who cares about the hall of fame .....not my rock n roll.

Anodyne Hipster Influencer

1y↑1

RRHOF has been a joke for a very long time.

32 More Replies...

Per Moen

5y↑126

Everytime i listen to this tune it tells me to stay strong and to to stay away from the chicken stand.

Chris Norton

3y↑3

Used to live by the one in Echo Park. Around the same time I discovered this song

MyTapePoppedToys

3y↑2

@Tile King There's still one on Soto Street in LA.

Brad Gauger

3y↑2

Same, stay strong

Tile King

3y↑4

Oh how I miss Pioneer Chicken ™🍗🐔

Rachel Petalver

3y↑9

I adore Warren Zevon’s tunes and lyrics to the depths of my soul. I especially appreciate this one as my Mother’s name was Carmelita. She was the youngest of eight children in an Appalachian family of Scot-Irish/Cherokee ancestry. She was named after a Missionary that came out to the hills of SW Ohio. I hope Carmelita and Warren have both found their illusive peace and happiness.

Rhonda Bothelio

My mother's name is Carmelita, she was named after a actress in the 1940,s..

Madeleine Hague

5y↑20

"I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" is a harrowing biography at times, but what a life. It's a great book. RIP, Warren - you sure did rip it up during your lifetime.

Margaret Tyler

9y↑9

I am so glad this song is becoming known among the younger WZ fans. This is one piece of art. Art that can't be confined to music or poetry. It cracks me up that I actually used a "Smith-Crorona" typewriter when I was in college. Love you, Mr Z, wherever you are, and all best to family and friends. m

Robert Guatelli

4y↑2

This is my favorite Warren song. The lyrics are perfect and guitar arrangement is just amazing

Melissa A. Romero "Princess of Romance"

6y↑159

I love this song because I'm Mexican American and I live in El Paso, Texas, the South West. Warren was a genius, a true artist and his voice was beautiful. I miss him.

Rhonda Bothelio

Believe it or not my mother's name is Carmelita...

Anthony Prusacki

jay see My Buddies took me there on my 21st birthday and 48 now I still remember boys town

Anthony Prusacki

Melissa A. Romero "Princess of Romance" Did you see the Dwight Yoakam version

Skweeid h

2y↑1

@BossBass7o7 crybaby BITCH

New Notification

4y↑3

BossBass7o7 a strong cup of hypersensitivity this morning?

14 More Replies...

navycolt41

8y↑178

Warren's drug of choice was Stoly vodka,he was not and never was on heroin...he of course died of cancer and was totally sober for years before...He is an American institution a true genius..and great writer and musician.

illmsg77

7w↑1

@pestleman1951 I’m trying, only got a couple days though. Wish it wasn’t so debilitating, but unless you’ve done it, you can’t describe the craving or sickness. It’s hard to think about how hijacked I’ve become. I’m a host to a parasitic poison that forces me to sit and become a passenger along with it ultimately to end up with me dead, but before it succeeds, makes sure all I have left is suffering and shame.

Jane Doe X

abcabc22100 coke does.

Stefan Schleps

@therewillbecocaine True that. Some people got hero worship bias.
Peace. ( Love that name 83.6 percent pure fishscale mother of pearl)

pestleman1951

3y↑8

@Daylin Roberts Yeah me too man, I was at bottom and getting nothing but more broken and deeper into the dregs for 3 years. A one man crime wave too. I'd have died beyond any doubt, most all of my friends and crimeys did. Only thing that saved me was a year in the slam on a burglary charge. Rough at the time but soooo worth it. I was on the inside 1974-75. But after I got my mind clear and my body and endorphin receptors working again, I turned around and built myself a good life. Been with the same woman, just had or 50th anniversary and 3 adult kids ... 2 with Masters Degrees. If anyone reading this wonders if it can be done, trust me there's a possibility of a very good life even the worst heroin addiction that's just waiting for you to find your way out... It can be done.

Paulie Ireland

Alcohol heroin methadone who gives a shit their all "sober" while gobblin the pills
Short
Of
Been
Entirely
Ready ..

9 More Replies...

Richard Gonzales

1y↑30

A song as real and true as a Bukowski poem being read at a funeral .

Spoons House

Sir ,that statement is poetry. Thank you.

georat16

39w↑1

Buk and Warren: El Lay defined :-)

Jay Franklin

1y↑1

Warren Zevon is ,going away, the most under appreciated man in rock and roll. Was a genius...

Envision Tacoma-Pierce

7y↑6

The very best, performed by the very best. Have found nothing better in my musical life!

Susan Johnson

9y↑2

What a great song! Love it! He was an amazing songwriter and singer!

Aniceta Samin

12w↑2

Wow, first time I heard this sad song, almost made me cry, sounds perfectly same as Marty Robbins, really love this

Timothy Stoutland

wonderful song; sure tugs at the heart strings! Love you Warren, RIP!!!

Monica R

2y↑2

Warren was an incredible songwriter 🎶🎶💙. Thanks for the music

Captain Freedom

5y↑25

I think a big part of Warren's mystique is that he wrote songs set in places that no longer exist. The Pioneer chicken stand on Alvarado Street? The Hollywood Hawaiian Hotel? Lee Ho Fook's? So the man wrote what he knew. And what he knew is disappearing. No more big dishes of beef chow mein.

Captain Freedom

10w

@Arise Guitar enthusiasts? Old school stereo kooks? Record noids? A bit of overlap I would imagine. A fun Venn diagram.

Arise

10w↑1

Places, yes, and things from everyday life too......will future generations have any comprehension of 'the tubes, they glow in the dark'?

Captain Freedom

36w↑1

@willbrewale Nope. Real place, jerk: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Ho_Fook

willbrewale

36w

“Lee Ho Fook’s” ......Holy F__k .... duh ... it’s not a place .... hahahahaha

Stephen Dias

37w

It's called Life.

2 More Replies...

michael chirrick

4y↑3

Amazing Singer Songwriter. The fact that this man isnt in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a joke.

David Holdren

We're trying...

Dennis King

4y↑1

Warren Zevon
what a great Musician, Composer, and Writer.
I've been listening to this tune for years, and I still love it.. Warren died of cancer, in his home, in his bed, surrounded by his family.. RIP Warren..

Michael Wilson

2y↑15

Wonderful tune. The “Pioneer Chicken Stand”.

Paul Salazar

1y↑2

Remember Pioneer Chicken from my time out in Hollywood in 1982.

mcpaplus

3y↑8

I saw the grateful dead 18 times and only recall them having an opening act once. It was at Folsom field in Boulder. Warren Zevon opened with a truly legendary set. During werewolves of London he altered the lyrics to say "I saw Bob Weir and Jerry Garcia having tea with the Queen, and their licks were perfect!" The crowd exploded! Then the Dead came out and had Warren sit in on US Blues. Fantastic memory. At some point I was certain the Dead were going to cause the very mountains to tumble down. Probably that old ooh-aah stuff I ingested. Many years ago. I still think of Warren every time I listen to the Dead, and vice versa. RIP Warren. If you get a chance, could you please send me some lawyers, guns and money from beyond?

Ambi Francois

10w

Lol thanks for sharing that story, cheers 🍻 Warren send me some of that stuff too ;) and maybe a new guitar 💝💫✨💫🌼

Pete French

Phuque me.......wot a great experience. dead werewolves to you Brother McP

33Luger

That would have been an epic concert to attend. Jealous.

David Tried of the bullshit

Was lucky to see him back in the 80s he was great in concert!!!

john meyer

8y↑54

K.H. made a correct comment. Warren died from mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer. He was exposed to asbestos when he was a young boy playing in his father's carpet store. Warren had kicked both drugs and alcohol in the 80's. It is true he might have done a little drinking when he recorded "The Wind". But by then he was dying and was in a lot of pain. Who can blame him. He made restitution with his family and went out like a champ.

ouncy

13w↑1

@larue138 They wore condoms whilst filming.

larue138

@Robert Duffy Oh my god did they do anything safely during the making of that flick?

Robert Duffy

Ty for that info. Very interesting. The snow in The Wizard of Oz was asbestos blown in with large fans.

Carmelita Nazario KPopSoulJazzDiva

6y↑60

I was named after this song title. I love this song. :D I hope to God that my lover will NEVER EVER sink into drugs. :'(

g26s239

6y↑6

Good point. Dope screws everything up even when it doesn't kill the addict. Carmelita is a lovely name, your parents named you well as well as having great musical taste.

Malcolm Platt

3y↑1

Adam Duritz covered this wonderfully, as have many others, but there's none better than the original.

zhong kui

saw him live once and he put on a hell of a good show

Shawn David Clare

Classic!!...conjuring something with this level of depth, vibe and sad beauty is a rare and wonderful thing...thanks and praises to warren zevon.

Howie Long

4y↑1

One of my favorite Warren Devon Song! Guitar is soul felt.

Howie Long

Zevon

Morag MacGregor

7y↑186

Most people pawn their Smith & Wesson 'cause no one knows what a Smith-Corona is anymore

cyanrobot

10w

I think pawning your Smith-Corona (a tool of work and creativity) is more depressing that pawning your Smith & Wesson. Hence that appropriate choice for a song about despair.

Michael W. Dean

28w↑1

I pawned my IBM Selectric for dope at one point.

Brooks Truitt

47w

Dwight Yoakum actually changed it to S&W in his version

Tyler Ross

1y↑1

I used to have an Olivetti typewriter. It must have weighed 25 pounds. It had medium-throw keys.What a racket that thing made.

Morag MacGregor

1y↑1

@Trollificus Do you own a gun? Because then you'd be a poet who owns a gun 🤭

48 More Replies...

Charles Howard

8y↑45

I hear Mariachi static on my radio. WTF! Only Warren could come up with those lyrics.

Jayme Olson

2y↑2

I grew up in LA. Mexican radio stations so close to US frequencies would bleed or chop thru. I image that as Mariachi static.

Howie Long

Love this song and singer!

Wolfgang Zarges

this one never gets old

Allinson Dixon

2y↑3

The love of my life couldn't fight her demons and choose to leave this world ,that being said i still love this song

Tyler sloan

14w

Sorry for your loss

Jack Frost

9y↑1

love it, what a beautiful man.

john meyer

3y↑2

I haven't heard this song in about 3 years, But being a recovered alcoholic for 34 years, and cancer survivor, for 5 years, I can still feel the pain that Warren instilled in this beautiful ballad of heroine addiction originally written in about 1974. Warren could write crazy dark stuff, or a beautiful song like this, that was remembered by those who lived in Echo Park by the Pioneer Chicken Stand. Warren understood the common man, and wrote about him like Van Gogh painted. What a lyrical genius he was.

tommyapologist

My mom and dad had this on their playlist and I actually really like this song

1NABUCCO1705

Не оставляй меня, кармелита! ))) Отличная песня! Мне правда исполнение Де Вилля больше нравится, но и автор тоже шикарно поёт! Спасибо

Gregory S

I'm no musician, but I can sense the little things the members of the band are doing that makes this song (and most of the others on the album) so special.

Ruadh MacBradaigh

This song is magnificent!

NoAction10

As you can probably tell by my user name, I love Elvis but I agree with you. Both excellent renditions.

Robert Guatelli

3y↑1

Great writers like Warren don't come around but every few decades. His songs are short stories

M. Hernandez

2y↑1

Exquisite. Who hasn't been there? Genius.

Emily Carlstrom

5y↑7

I listen and sing along to this song often when I'm missing my momma. She didnt die of an O.D but she did battle addiction and she loved sing this song!

Per Moen

Think i can understand your mom,i do the same. Greetings from Norway

Mike Merriman

4y↑1

Warren has always been one of my favorites. I just noticed this was his song, not Linda's.

Sandy Robertson

7y↑84

So WZ had problems in his life, that doesn't devalue his wonderful music. I interviewed him in London in the 80s and he was delightful. Artists can have substance use issues just like other people. If his friends and family can forgive him for things he did, then we don't need some twat posting here about him being a "druggie loser", especially when said person obviously has no understanding of how long drugs have been around. Aleister Crowley, for instance, was using every drink and drug known to man over 100 years ago. Yes, some can beat addiction, as a well-informed poster says here. I myself have not, as I still need methadone and have found 25 years since stopping smack that I have hep c. But as Oscar Wilde said, the only thing you should never regret are your mistakes. My shit's fucked up, but life'll kill you no matter what. Enjoy every sandwich. Viva Warren Zevon!

Murk StalinskiTM

16w

@Ljudi Čovjek I have been on medication not a "substitute" as you call it for 14 years and I'd bet my last dollar I am 10x more healthy than you ever have been or will be in your life. You can't blame being unhealthy on a medication even you eat like shit and don't take care of your body and that's what most people do. I took Suboxone and my teeth fell out, in reality said person didn't brush their teeth for ten years then quit doing dope everyday and suddenly realized it.

Sandy Robertson

1y↑1

@Ash Wolf No. A few years ago an NHS doctor I was seeing was offered a heroin licence and she refused because she knew if she accepted she'd have every dopefiend in the neighbourhood on her doorstep!

Sandy Robertson

1y↑1

@Ash Wolf I had been on them in London since 1983. Started with a private doctor then the NHS. When I moved to a different part of town I was refused the injectables so had to go private again. Very few people get them nowadays and policemen and health workers have told me injectable methadone doesn't exist and I had to prove it to them!

Sandy Robertson

1y↑1

@Ash Wolf Part of my prescription was injectable methadone. During the covid19 shenanigans it was unobtainable for months. When I got it again I found my veins had shrivelled so had to give them up. Now I'm on oral alone. When injecting became a problem not a treat the desire just vanished. I have cut down intake over the years but I just can't see me quitting entirely.

Sandy Robertson

1y↑1

@Ash Wolf Well done. In 2017 I got the new direct-acting drugs and cured my hep c in eight weeks. Feel so much better.

6 More Replies...

badbob1946

Such an oddly beautiful song.

Åke Sjögren

What a wonderful and sad song, I live it1

Karen Mcardle

Not heard this in decades . We also had some of our best times way back when. Different days .
((Big hugs)) keep Golden and keep lifted ❤🌟

Johnny Strömbäck

13y

The Wildhearts just released a great punkrock version of this song on their cover album "Stop us if you heard this one before vol.1". Great stuff!

Trollificus

Great song, in no small part because he's so frank in it, no "code names" or "obscure slang", just spells it out. I've heard people say he was never on heroin, and if not, it's even more amazing, because it captures that horrible, trapped-with-no-way-out hell of heroin addiction. You may have other loves in your life, but at 2AM you'll be sick in a Walmart parking lot, waiting on your 'man'. And "dealer time" is an entirely different thing than "dopesick time". shudders

Raymo Mull

One of my favourites

Theo P.

3y↑38

Whisky, weed and Warren Zevon. It's the little things...

Bob Lazar

Lawyers Guns and Money

JB Curran

2y↑1

Alright I'm ankling,Runkle is ankling WOOOOOOOOOO

Fabian Sosa

2y↑1

Madafukaaaaa

Robert Garcia

Hank moody

Travis

forreal haha

Chris Plenty

A Classic, you can't say more than at.

26871193

Love this song!

Deborah Fisher

What a wonderful song. It tugged at my heart I remember those days

Bardo Fox

8y↑11

Get over yourselves! Gesh, it's a masterful written song that tells a good tale.

Melanie Anderson

4y↑1

Seems so appropriate for what is going on right now. Those of us who are a bit on the older side have seen this before at least once. My heart goes out to my young friends. They have no idea that it's going to get worse before it gets better. Take care of each other.

Jimmy Martin

2y↑87

He's playing solitaire with a pearl handled deck. Russian roulette with a revolver. I'm understanding now

illmsg77

@ironheart191 personally and regretfully, I understand exactly what you mean by that. And have to fully agree. This song always makes me want to hear Ain’t it fun by The Dead Boys immediately afterward for some reason. Thank you for that comment

Spoons House

9w↑1

@Estefanía Hernandez Russian roulette with a pearl handled gun...

Paddy Tate

37w↑1

@Brenda Harper gg allies version is good

Phillip Jameson

42w

Also I think that "Smith Corona" (typewriter) is a reference to Smith and Wesson (gun company).

ironheart191

43w↑1

@DEBATE NIGHT love your comment... If I may, it's not the despair of withdrawal only, living with heroin addiction having as much as you want is pretty full of despair to warrant thoughts of suicide

17 More Replies...

arlog11

3y↑3

The depths of despair this song touches on are truly beautifully portrayed here.... Man oh man is this a good song!!!!!

fanaticfare

13y

Dwight Yoakam has an excellent version of this song, and for the record I dont give a shit who the hell is or isnt on heroin, this is a great song.

Johnathan Cross

3y↑1

Warren Zevon is a genius.

Michelle Lambert

3y↑3

Whatever the case may be, this song cuts to the bone.

Otis 777

....by myself...a bad case, same case...

Bill Clarke

3y↑1

I never could decide if this or "Desperados Under The Eaves" was his best composition. Coin toss, really.

Jonah Pachuau

19w

Dont know when I listened to this song the last time.. maybe 20 years ago! somehow it kept popping into my mind today!

Marsh Sherrif

as an Englishman i know this man is missed. sounds crass but i think

maria luy lavayens

9y↑5

Love him, love his words with that voice. Love him. Oh that I love him, so cute.. He is not gone.. he is present more than ever ...

Scott Harris

Great, great song by a great songwriter. But I have to admit that I like Dwight Yoakum and Flaco Jimenez's cover better than Warrens own.

Tommy Thomson

Bite me!

Jim Martinez

7y↑11

I remember the Pioneer Chicken stand on Alvarado and Sunset Blvd, Echo Park.....great memories

Brian Breckon

6y↑1

I'm in El Nido Philippines and very much connect with the feeling this song conveys. No drugs here.

Chris Plenty

A great song and one hell of a singer,

Ian Weeks

7y↑3

This is one of my favourite songs ...

Je Suis Ce Que Je Suis

7y↑5

@Ian Weeks And here I was thinking the Internet and YouTube was invented so that I could recover my entire music collection that "disappeared" some years back. :P

What I find interesting is that people of different generations generally have different tastes in music because we most love what we're exposed to in our formative years. The best music for me was pre 1980s although I can't deny there's been some good music after that time. I find that people who have no interest in music are pretty much "dead" to life, if that makes sense.

Ian Weeks

7y↑2

I never heard this on commercial radio or record - I was lucky enough to hear a couple of folk singers (the "Goodwills" - Bob Wilson and Laurel Toogood) perform it live a few times at the "Quart Pot Folk Club" in Toowoomba in the late 70's or early 80's, and it grabbed me so strongly that I never forgot it. Eventually the internet and YouTube was invented so that I could track it down again - isn't life strange?

Je Suis Ce Que Je Suis

It's a great song, but I can't say I've heard it before. Werewolves of London is the only song of his I'm familiar with. And man, did they flog that on the radio?

Frank Moore

23w

great song and great version, it blows the linda ronstadt version away IMO.

Spoons House

Of course. He wrote it.

john meyer

10y↑1

This beautiful ballad was never designed to be sung other than in the guise of it's creator Warren Zevon. Dwight Yoakam although a Country Singer, did a respectable version of this song, as did Linda, Ronstadt. All were Zevon's friends. Any other versions were tritely done. Later his buddy Jackson Browne did a version of "Carmelita" live after Warren died. And it was a nice tribute. Next thing, they'll be doing a Rap Version to "Carmelita". Forget it.

Bryan Coburn

4y↑5

I was talking to a neighbor the other day and Warren's music came up. The first thing he had to say was," I heard he was an asshole."
I told him to shut his mouth. He opened his mouth to argue but all of a sudden he couldn't talk. I guess me having a hand on his throat chilled him out. Mr. Zevon may have been a lot of things but asshole was not one of them. He is missed by his friends and his fans. He was also loved and that never stops. Rest in Peace old friend.

Samuel A.

Life takes weird turns, I discovered Zevon through GG Allin many years ago, ain't that just quacking crazy.

John Lavelle

8y↑11

i have no idea why but if think this is the sweetest love song I have heard. or hasten down the wind.

Andrew Steele

In my top 10 all time numbers. When we get together round the campfire one sings Danny Boy, lots of Joni Mitchell but my party piece is Carmaleta. Then we all sing Werewolves. It's great being old!

Lady Jane

1y↑1

The first time I heard this song was on Imus in the morning. They are both gone now. My husband who loved this song is gone too. I play it for you baby!

Elijah Skyeagle

4y↑1

what's not to like about this work warren's work was all genius there still not ready for him

Bill G

On the bus to the methadone clinic now. This is my shit I wish James brown or ray Charles covered it but I’m down with this forsure

Jay Franklin

44w

I came to know this via Linda Ronstadt at 12...After a 309 mg oxycodone habit, via pain and pain management, I think I understand this song. Love Mr Zevon.

New Notification

4y↑8

The Pioneer Chicken on Alvarado and 8th. Aint there no more. Been gone for almost 20yrs. Anthony Kiedis writes about scoring his dope at that exact same spot.

kathy misuraca

Ohhhh god i love this song

69v96

tim burke

heres to the point in our lives where we realize that other artists can speak for us....iand we can appreciate it without angst.... its all good brother....

john meyer

Nice to see George Gruel make a comment on Warren. George was Warren's road manager. And it appeared Warren really liked him from "Live at the Roxie" album. Also great to hear from G.G. Allin who did several versions of this tune too. Warren wrote great lyrics and was a master story teller. He will be revered as one of the great rock and pop song writers of the 20th century. Unfortunately Warren like Elvis has made a great impact posthumously. But he is at least appreciated as a great talent.

Takamine Man

3y↑2

One of the most accurate and underrated tracks on addiction I have ever heard... so haunting...
"Well, I pawned my Smith Corona, and I went to meet my man."

K Botes

Such brilliance. Another 'Vincent' moment.

JULIE COFSKE

8y↑43

The most beautiful drug addition song ever!

L K

3y↑2

Heroin by Velvet Undergroud is also quite beautiful

Per Moen

5y↑1

True!!!!

Shelley Goodman

5y↑1

he was a genius. yes it is about heroin a terrible addiction.. but the song is hauntingly beautiful and makes me cry every time I hear it

maynardmoleman

9y↑4

I really miss Warren alot..........

brice bogle

simply one of he best songs ever recorded performed by the only one who understood it

nilton rafael

3y↑1

Whisky, weed and Warren Zevon. It's the little things...
Z was one of a kind and there be another
The most beautiful drug addition song ever!

pistolerosdelafrontereahuero

7y↑25

Why is everyone having a shit fit over song lyrics? This is the best song Warren ever wrote so it's in the top 10 of songs ever written. By the way, it's pawning a Smith Corona which is a typewriter, if you pawned a Smith and Wesson you'd be pawning a pistol. Can't believe the "85's"that post on these sites.

Life WILL kill you

Stefan Schleps

O.K.Just for clarity's sake. Yes originally the lyric is Smith and Wesson.A Pearl handled one. But a song about withdrawal, and heroin, and guns? Think about it a second. I mean anybody with half a brain. Which is twice what I got. Will know that Warren was trying to get some play time on the radio. Oh yeah, Radio. Uh Radio is an device that put out and picked up radio waves. Before Youtube we listened to the radio. Ask your grandparents.