Excitable Boy
Excitable Boy is the third album by Warren Zevon, released in 1978. It includes the top 40 success "Werewolves of London". The album brought Warren to commercial attention and remains the best-selling album of his career. A remastered and expanded edition was released during 2007.[3]
The tracks "Excitable Boy" and "Werewolves of London" were considered macabrely humorous by some critics.[3] The historical "Veracruz" dramatizes the United States occupation of Veracruz, and likewise "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner" is a fictionalization of a mercenary in Africa. "Lawyers, Guns and Money" is a tongue-in-cheek take on Cold War paranoia. In addition, there are two ballads about life and relationships ("Accidentally Like a Martyr" and "Tenderness on the Block"), as well as a dance tune ("Nighttime in the Switching Yard").
Track listing
All songs written by Warren Zevon except as noted.
- "Johnny Strikes Up the Band" – 2:49
- "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner" (David Lindell, Zevon) – 3:47
- "Excitable Boy" (LeRoy Marinell, Zevon) – 2:40
- "Werewolves of London" (Marinell, Waddy Wachtel, Zevon) – 3:27
- "Accidentally Like a Martyr" – 3:37
- "Nighttime in the Switching Yard" (Jorge Calderón, Lindell, Wachtel, Zevon) – 4:15
- "Veracruz" (Calderón, Zevon) – 3:30
- "Tenderness on the Block" (Jackson Browne, Zevon) – 3:55
- "Lawyers, Guns and Money" – 3:29
Bonus Tracks (2007 reissue)
- "I Need a Truck" (Outtake) – 0:50
- "Werewolves of London" (Alternate version) (Marinell, Wachtel, Zevon) – 3:41
- "Tule's Blues" (Solo Piano Version) – 3:13
- "Frozen Notes" (Strings Version) – 1:59
Personnel
Additional personnel
- Karla Bonoff – vocals, harmony vocals on "Accidentally Like a Martyr"
- Jackson Browne – guitar, vocals, harmony vocals
- Luis Damian – jarana on "Veracruz"
- Kenny Edwards – bass, harmony vocals
- Mick Fleetwood – drums on "Werewolves of London"
- The Gentlemen Boys [The Gentlemen Boys consisted of: Jackson Browne, Jorge Calderón, Kenny Edwards, J. D. Souther and Waddy Wachtel] – vocals
- Arthur Gerst – harp, Mexican harp
- Bob Glaub – bass
- Jim Horn – recorder, saxophone
- Greg Ladanyi – bells
- Rick Marotta – drums
- John McVie – bass on "Werewolves of London"
- Jeff Porcaro – percussion, drums on "Nighttime in the Switching Yard"
- Linda Ronstadt – vocals, harmony on "Excitable Boy"
- Leland Sklar – bass
- J.D. Souther – vocals, harmony
- Manuel Vasquez – requinto on "Veracruz"
- Waddy Wachtel – synthesizer, guitar, harmony vocals
- Jennifer Warnes – harmony vocals on "Excitable Boy"
- Linda Warnes – vocals
Charts
Album
Year |
Chart |
Position |
1978 |
Billboard Pop Albums |
8 |
Singles
Year |
Single |
Chart |
Position |
1978 |
"Werewolves of London" |
Billboard Pop Singles |
21 |
Certifications
Organization |
Level |
Date |
RIAA – U.S. |
Gold |
April 17, 1978 |
CRIA – Canada |
Gold |
June 1, 1978 |
RIAA – U.S. |
Platinum |
November 7, 1997 |
References
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| Compilations | |
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| Tribute albums | |
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| Songs | |
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