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.

Warren Zevon version

Background

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 version

"Poor Poor Pitiful Me"
Single by Linda Ronstadt
from the album Simple Dreams
B-side	"Simple Man Simple Dream" (or "Blue Bayou")
Released	January 10, 1978
Format	7" vinyl
Genre	Rock, country rock
Length	3:42
Label	Asylum 45462
Writer(s)	Warren Zevon
Producer(s)	Peter Asher
Linda Ronstadt singles chronology
"It's So Easy" (1977) "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" (1978) "Tumbling Dice" (1978)

Background

Linda Ronstadt recorded a gender-altered version of the song during 1977. Ronstadt would recall Jackson Browne had pitched "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" to her, teaching it to her in the living room of her Malibu home.^[1] Ronstadt's interpretation was produced by Peter Asher for her multi-platinum album Simple Dreams. 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.

Reception

Released as a single (on the Asylum label at the beginning of 1978, Ronstadt's version was the week's highest debut on the Billboard Hot 100 chart the week of January 28, 1978. It reached number 26 on the Cash Box Top 100^[2] and number 31 in Billboard.

Chart performance

Terri Clark version

Background

Another hit cover version of the song was recorded by Canadian country singer Terri Clark. It was released in September 1996 as the lead single from her second album, 1996's Just the Same. Clark told Billboard magazine that she heard Linda Ronstadt's version of the song in a local gymnasium while she was exercising. She said "and I thought, what a cool song. What a great country record that could make. I started doing it live, and it worked."^[4]

Reception

"Poor Poor Pitiful Me" debuted at number 47 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of October 12, 1996. Clark's version was a number one hit on the Canadian RPM country charts, and a number five hit on the country charts in the U.S.

Music video

The music video was directed by Deaton Flanigen and premiered in late 1996.

Chart performance

Year-end charts

Other versions

• In 1986, SNFU did a hardcore punk cover of the song on the compilation It Came from the Pit.
• Country Kickers covered it in 1997 on The Best of Country ’96.
• Also in 1997, Mick Lloyd’s Nashville Sound Machine did it on The Best of Country Line Dancing.
• In 2003 Anne Louise Blythe covered it for Nashville Star: The Finalists.
• Vitamin String Quartet recorded a instrumental version of the song on Dad Get Me Out of This: The String Quartet Tribute to Warren Zevon in 2003.
• In 2003 The Lonestar Ladies did the song on A Tribute to Terri Clark.
• In 2004 Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt covered it on Enjoy Every Sandwich: The Songs of Warren Zevon.
• In 2005 Tim Crouch, Randy Kohrs, Larry Richardson, Kurt Mason and Bo Baseman covered it for Pickin’ to Kill: Pickin’ On Terri Clark: A Bluegrass Tribute.
• Also in 2005, Roots 66 did the song on Play Back.
• In 2009, Patty Stone covered it for The Cowgirls of Country.
• Trudy Andes did it on World Tour Live in 2009.
• In 2010, Tamra Hayden covered the song on I Believe in the Fire.
• In 2011 Kellie Witham did the song for Gone Country Part 2.

References

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics

Linda Ronstadt Stone Poneys albums The Stone Poneys featuring Linda Ronstadt Evergreen, Volume 2 Linda Ronstadt, Stone Poneys and Friends, Vol. III Studio albums Hand Sown ... Home Grown Silk Purse Linda Ronstadt Don't Cry Now Heart Like a Wheel Prisoner in Disguise Hasten Down the Wind Simple Dreams Living in the USA Mad Love Get Closer What's New Lush Life For Sentimental Reasons Canciones de Mi Padre Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind Mas Canciones Frenesí Winter Light Feels Like Home Dedicated to the One I Love We Ran A Merry Little Christmas Hummin' to Myself Collaborations Trio Santiago Trio 2 Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions Adieu False Heart Compilations Different Drum Greatest Hits Greatest Hits, Volume 2 The Very Best of Linda Ronstadt Mi Jardin Azul: Las Canciones Favoritas Duets Hit singles "Different Drum" "You're No Good" "When Will I Be Loved" "Heat Wave" "Love Is a Rose" "The Tracks of My Tears" "That'll Be the Day" "Blue Bayou" "It's So Easy" "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" "Tumbling Dice" "Back in the U.S.A." "Ooh Baby Baby" "Just One Look" "Alison" "How Do I Make You" "Hurt So Bad" "I Can't Let Go" "I Knew You When" "What's New?" "Somewhere Out There "Don't Know Much" "All My Life" "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby" Related topics Discography Mr. Plow Book:Linda Ronstadt