I couldn’t decide which version to use. Linda had the hit from this Warren Zevon song but I like Warren’s version so much. Warren’s version is much cruder lyrically and musically but Linda did a great job with this song. Linda had such a powerful voice that she made it her song.
The song peaked at #31 in the Billboard 100 and the same in Canada in 1978. This is the version I first heard but I do have a soft spot for Warren’s version also.
From Songfacts
Written and originally recorded by Warren Zevon, this first appeared on his self-titled album in 1976. It became a hit when Linda Ronstadt covered it the next year. In the ’70s, Ronstadt had several hits originally recorded by other artists.
Typical of Zevon’s songwriting, this is a pretty crude and risqué song. His character is such a disaster that he can’t even kill himself: he puts his head on the railroad tracks, but the train doesn’t run anymore. He then meets a girl and engages in some sadomasochism.
Ronstadt’s cover was a cleaned-up version with the gender reversed. Her character still fails at suicide, but the S&M references are gone
Poor Poor Pitiful Me
Well I lay my head on the railroad track
Waiting on the Double E
But the train don’t run by here no more
Poor poor pitiful me
Poor poor pitiful me
Poor poor pitiful me
Oh these boys won’t let me be
Lord have mercy on me
Woe woe is me
Well I met a man out in Hollywood
Now I ain’t naming names
Well he really worked me over good
Just like Jesse James
Yes he really worked me over good
He was a credit to his gender
Put me through some changes Lord
Sort of like a Waring blender
Poor poor pitiful me
Poor poor pitiful me
Oh these boys won’t let me be
Lord have mercy on me
Woe woe is me
Well I met a boy in the Vieux Carres
Down in Yokohama
He picked me up and he threw me down
He said “Please don’t hurt me Mama”
Poor poor pitiful me
Poor poor pitiful me
Oh these boys won’t let me be
Lord have mercy on me
Woe woe is me
Poor poor poor me
Poor poor pitiful me
Poor poor poor me
Poor poor pitiful me
Poor poor poor me
Poor poor pitiful me
PowerPop... An Eclectic Collection of Pop Culture 
I like Zevron, but I much prefer Linda’s version. The country sound really suits it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is why I picked her…She makes anything hers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I can see why! My mum had a Linda Ronstadt record which I was fond of, but it’s been years since I’ve listened to her music.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I could have picked any of her songs. I had You’re No Good but changed at the last minute. I’ve started to listen to more recently.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I might have to do a crawl through her stuff. Cheers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a “twin spin”! Great song. Terri Clark did a country version of it, too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are right and I should have included it….it did really well.
LikeLike
Too bad she didn’t do an album of Zevon songs- his songs are pretty unique to him but she did a great job on the ones she did cover.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is hard to decide, as they both sound good to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do like Zevon’s dark sense of humor that would not have fit Linda…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can never go wrong with Linda’s voice and stylings! Must’ve been some amazing little “village” back then, eh… can sort of just imagine how that was with Linda driving around with Glenn Frey, maybe going down the hall to drop in on Lindsay Buckingham, Stevie Nicks and Warren Zevon to grab a glass of wine and maybe get some help on a guitar bit…
LikeLike
What fun they must have had…all being on top of the world… a very creative atmosphere.
LikeLike
Love Terri Clark’s version. She was worried that her version wouldn’t do well, she was worried that it would be compared to much to Linda Ronstadt’s version
LikeLike
You know I should have talked about that version more. I listen to country…but old old country…I do know this version though and I blew it on that.
Oh I did the TV themes yesterday…just wanted you to know. Thank you for the inspiration.
LikeLike
I will have to check that out! I’ve kind of been out of the loop this weekend. Looking forward to reading it!!
LikeLike
First time hearing Zevon’s version. Both good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Zevon’s is a little nastier… I’m posting a song tomorrow by him that is the darkest song I have ever heard….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh? I’m intrigued!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wasn’t going to post it but..I didn’t write the song…so…… Most enjoyable song to listen to…until you hear the lyrics.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What? No Zevon lyrics?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol…I know… I thought it would be confusing… I am posting a song by him tomorrow… darkest pop song ever
LikeLiked by 1 person