Linda Ronstadt – Desperado

About the song

Okay, I’m ready to put on my music aficionado hat and dive deep into Linda Ronstadt’s rendition of “Desperado.” This isn’t just any song, you know. It’s a classic, a timeless piece of Americana, and Linda, well, she brings a whole other dimension to it.

Now, before we get into Linda’s version, let’s go back to the roots. “Desperado” was originally written and performed by the Eagles, those kings of California country rock. Glenn Frey and Don Henley, the masterminds behind the Eagles’ sound, crafted this song with such raw emotion and poetic imagery. It’s a ballad, really, a plea from one soul to another, begging them to let down their guard, to embrace love and connection.

The Eagles’ version is iconic, no doubt. But when Linda Ronstadt took it on, she transformed it into something truly special. Her voice, oh that voice! It’s pure, crystalline, with a touch of vulnerability that just cuts right through you. She doesn’t just sing the words, she inhabits them. You can feel the yearning, the heartache, the desperate hope in every note.

Linda recorded “Desperado” for her 1973 album, “Don’t Cry Now.” This was a pivotal moment in her career, a time when she was really coming into her own as an artist. She was already known for her powerful vocals and her ability to seamlessly blend genres – country, rock, pop, you name it. But with “Desperado,” she showed a new level of emotional depth and interpretive skill.

Her arrangement is stripped down, more intimate than the Eagles’ version. It’s just Linda’s voice, accompanied by a gentle piano. This simplicity allows the raw emotion of the song to shine through. And when she hits those high notes, with that effortless power and control, it’s enough to give you goosebumps.

Now, I know what some of you might be thinking. “Desperado” is a song about a man, sung from a man’s perspective. But that’s the beauty of music, isn’t it? It transcends gender, it transcends boundaries. Linda takes this song and makes it her own. She taps into that universal longing for connection, that desire to be loved and accepted for who we are.

So, if you’re looking for a truly moving musical experience, give Linda Ronstadt’s “Desperado” a listen. Close your eyes, let her voice wash over you, and feel the power of this timeless classic. You won’t be disappointed.

Video

Lyrics

Desperado
Why don’t you come to your senses
You’ve been out riding fences for so long now
Oh you’re a hard one
But I know that you’ve got your reasons
These things that are pleasing you will hurt you somehow

Don’t you draw the queen of diamonds boy
She’ll beat you if she’s able
The queen of hearts is always your best bet
Well it seems to me some fine things
Have been laid upon your table
But you only want the things that you can’t get

Desperado
you know you ain’t getting younger
Your pain and your hunger are driving you home
And freedom, oh freedom
Well that’s just some people talking
Your prison is walking through this world all alone

Don’t your feet get cold in the wintertime
Sky won’t snow and the sun won’t shine
It’s hard to tell the night time from the day
You’re losing all your highs and lows
Ain’t it funny how the feeling goes away

Desperado
Why don’t you come to your senses
Come down from your fences
Open the gate
It may be raining
But there’s a rainbow above you
You better let somebody love you
Let somebody love you
Before it’s too late