Rodney Crowell – She Loves The Jerk

John Hiatt released this song in 1983 on the album Riding With The King which was his sixth album. Like all his other efforts at this time, the album was a critical success but little heard or bought by the public. They both are great versions of the song.

In 1986 Rodney Crowell released his album Street Language which was on Columbia Records for his first release on that label. He left Warner Brothers at the time and brought in Booker T. Jones to produce this album. He had some heavy hitters on this album. Vince Gill, David Lindley, Dave Loggins, and Anton Fig just to name a few.

The album peaked at #38 on the Billboard Country Charts and #177 on the Billboard Album Charts. The song peaked at #71 on the Billboard Country Charts in 1986. This was the album before Diamonds and Dust that soared to number 1 in the Country Charts with 5 number 1 Country hits.

John Hiatt said it was written in 1982 while he was living in Los Angeles at the time. The inspiration came from earlier in his life… the first girl he ever thought he was in love with. He was 15 and she was 18 and it was unrequited love. Another artist who covered this song was Elvis Costello. He released the demo version of it.

She Loves The Jerk

We’ve talked it to death, cryin’ on the telephone
Nights when he drinks at home
She has to whisper throught her tears
“Johnny,” she says, “You’d never do these things to me”
But I can never make her see he’s wasted such precious years
Well, “You married the wrong guy” is all I ever say

He’s a no good so and so, but she’ll never let him go
Though she knows it will never work, she loves the jerk
She loves the jerk

He was the guy always out on the make
I guess he had what it takes to turn the heads of pretty girls
She thought he would change; the worst of us will settle down
But he couldn’t stay out of town, not even with this precious pearl
Now she lives with the lies and the bumps and the bruises

He’s a no good so and so, but she’ll never let him go
Though she knows it will never work, she loves the jerk
She loves the jerk

Well, I hang up the phone and I pretend she’s in my arms
What I wouldn’t give for just one-tenth of what she gives Mister Charming

He’s a no good so and so, but she’ll never let him go
Though she knows it will never work, she loves the jerk
She loves the jerk

He’s a no good so and so, but she’ll never let him go
Though she knows it will never work, she loves the jerk
She loves the jerk

…

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

30 thoughts on “Rodney Crowell – She Loves The Jerk”

  1. Yet another John Hiatt song that largely went unnoticed when he put it out. This really largely sums up the story of his professional life. The man writes great songs. Other artists notice, cover them them and oftentimes have decent chart success. Well, at least Hiatt benefits from royalties! Rodney Crowell did a nice job with his rendition!

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    1. The only thing I can think of is his voice…but I love his voice so I don’t understand that. In this one he really sounds good as well.

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  3. I am getting all nostalgic over this song, I have not heard it in so long and yet it immedicably takes me right back. I have to echo Christians comments and Elvis just killed that song, wonder why he never released it?

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    1. I wondered that also Randy. I went to secondhand songs and Elvis is not listed…I guess he didn’t release it on a CD package. It is a great song…another one by Hiatt.

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      1. Max, I know Hans was covering Elvis for awhile. Did he post this one? I don’t see it listed in the many albums I have of him solo and w The Attractions. Where would you find the demo?

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      2. I found it on that link…the thing is Lisa is Secondhandsongs.com doesn’t list it! So I looked on the original youtube and it says Elvis Costello Rhino Bonus Discs…. I just looked everywhere for it and I still can’t find the disc that has this…
        BUT…I’m talking to Ron in 30 minutes…I’ll ask him.

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  7. I like both versions, but Hiatt’s edges out in front for me. I think I’ve heard this before by Elvis Costello but not these two. I know a LOT of people can relate to the story in the song from one perspective or another. Love and bonding are a twisty biscuit and impossible to fit it into the box of logic 😦 It would be so much easier if we could.

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  10. Pingback: Rodney Crowell – She Loves The Jerk – MobsterTiger

  12. I love this song. Never knew the story behind it, and honestly don’t need it. The song is great.

    Didn’t know all the covers. But then, I love Hiatt’s version. His is tops.

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