Linda Ronstadt’s five best cover songs
No matter how critical Linda Ronstadt became of her own talent, her voice was always her biggest weapon.
It’s also what encouraged her to leave her home in Tucson, Arizona, for the uncertainty of Los Angeles – she just wanted to be a singer, it was as simple as that. And what she found at the bustling scenes at the Troubadour was both a stage for self-expression and an opportunity to learn – how to be, how not to be, and how to absorb the teachings of others to become greater.
Beyond her voice, Ronstadt also became a legend because she’s one of the most diverse musicians in history. Her moniker, the Queen of Country Rock, feels especially reductive, knowing how much of her own heritage she loved to pour into her own art and how her proudest works are usually the ones that gained the least attention.
And by the time she felt she’d truly found her own voice, she’d already become a major name, often helping to push the songs of others to a new peak of popularity. That was also a big part of Ronstadt’s offering – she had no fear if she came across a song she wanted to cover, just as she didn’t care for commercial rewards if a song would become a hit, but she had no connection to it.
She always went with her gut, no matter the style, genre, trend, or accessibility of a certain song. If it felt like it was hers, that was it. Which is incidentally the reason why the following songs rank high in the list of her best-ever covers.
Linda Ronstadt’s five best covers:
‘You’re No Good’
Most people with a semblance of an interest in music will know the power of right timing. Sometimes, there’s no rhyme or reason for things that become hits – just as there’s no real linearity to what we think is the cultural zeitgeist at any given time.
Ronstadt covering Dee Dee Warwick’s ‘You’re No Good’ might seem prophetic now, but it actually went through several people before landing in Ronstadt’s lap. Now, it’s impossible to imagine anyone else doing it as much justice. As Ronstadt’s only number-one, her version of the song no doubt bolstered her position as a rock maestro, adding a more authentic grittiness to the song and making it feel more timeless.
‘When Will I Be Loved’
Somehow, Ronstadt always had this knack for taking a classic and making it feel richer, without mucking about too much with what made it brilliant to begin with. Tackling a tune by The Everly Brothers might’ve felt like a tall order for most, but Ronstadt gave it her own spin – a bit of country-rock flair that brought it right up to date without losing any of its heart.
Given the fact that this song went head-to-head with ‘You’re No Good’ for the lead single off Heart Like a Wheel, it’s clear they were both destined for their popularity. The label eventually decided to release both, proving not only that Ronstadt’s talent was second to none but that she was the forerunner of breathing new life into old, forgotten gems.
‘Tumbling Dice’
There was a period of time when The Rolling Stones seemed entirely off limits when it came to covers. It makes sense, too; they’re not exactly the easiest to try to emulate, especially if you don’t already possess the same level of bravado or reckless machismo that they did throughout the 1960s.
What Ronstadt did with ‘Tumbling Dice’ wasn’t just impressive; it was brave, a complete reinterpretation from a woman’s perspective with lyrics that turned rock ‘n’ roll on its head. It was an empowering affair, a demonstration that Ronstadt wasn’t going to shy away from challenges or industry scrutiny so long as she was representing her most authentic voice.
‘Desperado’
From day one, Ronstadt had a penchant for pulling out all the best sides of the Eagles. She mentored them to greatness, pushed them to explore their own artistic expression, and supported them when they were still figuring out what it meant to be a rock group. ‘Desperado’ wasn’t even a single, nor was it a hit, and yet she saw an opportunity to call attention to a different side of a band she already fully believed in.
On top of all of that, Ronstadt also provided a version that’s legitimately better than the original. As always, the shining aspect is her voice, which grounds the song with emotion and makes it seem like it was already hers to begin with. Eagles knew that, if anyone were to cover any of their songs, Ronstadt was the one for it. And she delivered. Again.
‘Blue Bayou’
Whenever you think of Ronstadt’s legacy, it’s hard not to immediately think about ‘Blue Bayou’. Roy Orbison’s classic is already a perfect version of everything that the song should be. This just adds to the fact that Ronstadt pulled off the impossible, enhancing its heartfelt sentimentality and surpassing the original in terms of timelessness.
Once again, she also sparked renewed interest in the original while also holding her own with record smash after record smash. ‘Blue Bayou’ went to number three, and also attracted two Grammy nominations – one for Record of the Year and one for Best Female Vocal Performance.
