About the song
Linda Ronstadt – that name alone conjures up images of a powerhouse vocalist, a woman who could seamlessly shift between country, rock, and pop, leaving her indelible mark on each genre. With a voice as smooth as silk and strong as steel, she dominated the airwaves in the 70s, and her influence continues to resonate today. One song that perfectly encapsulates Ronstadt’s effortless mastery is “It’s So Easy,” a deceptively simple tune that belies a world of emotion beneath its surface.
Originally penned by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty, “It’s So Easy” first appeared in 1958 as a Crickets B-side. It wasn’t until Ronstadt breathed new life into it in 1977 that the song truly found its wings. Featured on her multi-platinum album Simple Dreams, Ronstadt’s rendition transformed “It’s So Easy” into a rock-tinged anthem, a bittersweet ode to love’s effortless beginnings and its often tumultuous end.
What makes Ronstadt’s version so captivating? It’s a masterful blend of vulnerability and strength. Her voice, with its characteristic warmth and clarity, glides over the melody, capturing the initial euphoria of falling in love. Yet, there’s a subtle ache in her delivery, a hint of foreshadowing that adds depth and complexity. The instrumentation, a perfect marriage of country twang and rock ‘n’ roll grit, further enhances this duality. Waddy Wachtel’s stinging guitar licks intertwine with Dan Dugmore’s shimmering pedal steel, creating a soundscape that is both tender and tough.
But beyond the sonic brilliance, “It’s So Easy” taps into a universal experience – the intoxicating rush of new love and the inevitable sting of its demise. The lyrics, delivered with Ronstadt’s signature blend of innocence and world-weariness, tell a tale as old as time. It’s a story of passion that ignites quickly, burns brightly, and then fades, leaving behind a trail of ashes and the lingering question of “what if?”
Ronstadt’s interpretation doesn’t dwell on bitterness or recrimination. Instead, there’s a sense of acceptance, a recognition that sometimes love, like life itself, is fleeting. And in that transience, there’s a poignant beauty.
So, settle in, pour yourself a glass of something fine, and let Linda Ronstadt transport you back to a time when music was raw, real, and spoke directly to the soul. Let the haunting melody of “It’s So Easy” wash over you, and allow yourself to be swept away by the sheer power and artistry of one of music’s most enduring voices.
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Lyrics
It’s so easy to fall in love
It’s so easy to fall in love
People tell me love’s for fools
Here I go, breaking all the rules
It seems so easy (it’s so easy, it’s so easy)
Oh-oh, so doggone easy (it’s so easy, it’s so easy)
Yeah, it seems so easy (it’s so easy, it’s so easy)
Oh-oh
Where you’re concerned my heart can learn
Oh-oh-oh
It’s so easy to fall in love
It’s so easy to fall in love
Look into your heart and see
What your love book has set aside for me
It seems so easy (it’s so easy, it’s so easy)
Oh-oh, so doggone easy (it’s so easy, it’s so easy)
Yeah, it seems so easy (it’s so easy, it’s so easy)
Oh-oh
Where you’re concerned my heart can learn
Oh-oh-oh
It’s so easy to fall in love
It’s so easy to fall in love
It seems so easy (it’s so easy, it’s so easy)
Oh-oh, so doggone easy (it’s so easy, it’s so easy)
Yeah, it seems so easy (it’s so easy, it’s so easy)
Oh-oh
Where you’re concerned my heart can learn
It’s so easy to fall in love
It’s so easy to fall in love
It’s so easy to fall in love
It’s so easy to fall in love
It’s so easy to fall in love
It’s so easy to fall in love
This is a song by my friend Lowell George
It’s called “Willin'”