Linda Ronstadt's Underrated Masterpieces: Hidden Gems in Her Discography

Linda Ronstadt, a legendary figure in the music industry, is often celebrated for her hit covers of popular songs. However, there are several standout tracks that have been overshadowed by her more commercially successful works. This article explores some of Linda Ronstadt's most underrated songs, specifically her covers and original compositions that deserved more recognition.

What is Linda Ronstadt's Most Underrated Song?

The song that consistently gets overlooked is someone to lay down beside me, a haunting cover of Karla Bonoff's composition. Another lesser-known but superb rendition is her take on Eagles' “Desperado,” titled “I Like Her Take on Depcdra.”

Linda Ronstadt's Influence on the Music Industry

Linda Ronstadt, an incredible singer hailing from the 70s era California country-rock scene, is known for her remarkable vocal prowess and cover songs. However, her original compositions are equally impressive and often overshadowed by the commercial success of her covers.

Analysis of Linda Ronstadt's Covers

One of her most lauded covers is her version of "Long Long Time," which made it to number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite her impressive vocal range and musical prowess, her work has not always been given the recognition it deserves.

Overrated and Underrated

Typically, Linda Ronstadt's songs were considered overrated rather than underrated. The public and airwaves were saturated with her music, and many fans have grown tired of her name. Nevertheless, in recent years, she has delved into exploring her Mexican-American heritage, leading to works that were largely ignored by the English-speaking public. A prime example of this is her album “Canciones de Mi Padre,” which remains underappreciated.

Linda Ronstadt's Best Underestimated Songs

Of particular note is her 1976 album "Hasten Down The Wind," which features a captivating song called "Lose Again," written by Karla Bonoff. Her performance of this track is stunning, and it is often overlooked despite being one of her best.

A Personal Favorite

Another song that deserves more recognition is "Poor Poor Pitiful Me," which Linda perfectly adapted from Warren Zevon's original work. By switching the gender perspective, Ronstadt made it her own, creating a powerful ballad. This version, although peaking at 31 on the Billboard Top 100, did not achieve the same level of success as her other hit songs.

The Foundation: The Stone Poneys

Before achieving stardom as a solo artist, Linda Ronstadt fronted the band The Stone Poneys. Any discussion of Linda Ronstadt's music should start with this influential period in her career. The experiences she had with The Stone Poneys had a profound impact on her development as an artist and set the foundation for her future success.