I'm not ashamed to admit that I felt myself tearing up a bit on my drive home tonight. WFUV was playing Warren Zevon songs back-to-back. I immediately knew what that meant. Warren's death certainly wasn't unexpected, but that doesn't make it any less tragic. He was a brilliant songwriter with an acerbic wit to the very end. There's not much I can say about him that his music doesn't convey better. So while stations around the country play "Werewolves of London" (a brilliant song in its own right) in tribute, I offer up some alternate tunes in commemoration.
So long, Warren. I promise to enjoy every sandwich.
"Hasten Down The Wind" from Warren Zevon (1976) [right click, save target as]
"Carmelita" from Warren Zevon (1976) [right click, save target as]
"Mr. Bad Example" from Mr. Bad Example (1981) [right click, save target as]
"Keep Me In Your Heart" from The Wind (2003) [right click, save target as]
Posted by mikewolf at September 08, 2003 07:31 PMI had a similar moment this past Father's day. I was in L.A., listening to KCRW and they played a Zevon song ("poor, poor, pitiful me") after mentioning that his daughter had just given birth to his grandchild, and that he was dying. I couldn't help but cry.
It's very sad.
For me Warren was all about love. I found him in high school and the lyric "should have done, should have done we all cried" twisted my world. I just knew I would have to live so I would never say that.
Twenty-five years later and I've said it a few times -- a very few times. Tell that to those who claim music can't change lives.
I purchased every album knowing that he'd have a lyric or two that would speak to my current relationship. It's difficult to imagine no new Zevon songs playing in my head ever again.
I find it a testament to his strength that he survived to hold his grandchildren and see that last album so well received.
In his story "Warren Zevon" Michael Swanwick wrote of how to deal with the loss -- "Or maybe I'll just sit down and try to write more, tougher, truer, better. Maybe I'll do my tiny bit to carry on the fight."
A perfect response to such a loss.
Posted by: CG Welch on September 9, 2003 08:33 PM