The French Inhaler (Warren Zevon)

[barrybadrinath69]

how are you gonna monatize warren zevon. i bet he'd be spinning in his grave

[indigobuntingvampire]

@barrybadrinath69 I'm not making any money on this. I didn't write the song. I suspect the royalties from any commercial would go to the record company and or his estate. I don't get shit. 

[TheExcellen123]

Toooo good! I want more:)

[MrDougBaldwin]

I agree with all the positive comments on this song. As good as this posted version is, I prefer the live solo version on his "Sleep When I'm Dead" collection.

Not sure about "French Inhaler" as a term for fellatio. It doesn't quite make sense in the context of the song. In any case, I miss Warren. I've always been a big fan of singer-songwriters, and he was one of the greatest.

[spaG0]

@MrDougBaldwin

A french inhale is a term used in smoking. You don't fully inhale the smoke but you let it remain in your mouth. Then you open your mouth a tiny bit and start inhaling with your nose. It looks like a reverse waterfall of smoke. I think this meaning applies to this song because it is considered stylish for some.

[johnniedbomb]

"So Long Norman" That's not a good thing. Great in the original format, but more realistic in the live later versions. Realistic more later.

[Herbie1315]

I think that about 1000 of the of the views on this song can be attributed to me. I love Warren it's such a shame he was taken from us so early.

[theboomchasers]

Does anyone else think "Norman" at the end of the song is actually "Warren" but, being as most of it takes place at a bar, she could have mistaken his name for Norman? A little theory I like more and more...

[seancimoch]

@theboomchasers Ive played this song for years on stage and thought the same thing. He replaced Warren with Norman. It was about his ex Tullie. Read his biography. Best book Ive ever read.

[boogiebabe67]

Zevon was a brilliant lyricist and I never fully appreciated his fantastic musical abilitiy until he was gone. I heard this song was about the mother of his son, Jordan. Any truth to that rumor? I've lived a long time, but never heard the term "French Inhaler" used for fellatio. And I AM a cancer survivor who is learning to enjoy every sandwich.

[TheNickrazor]

Want to know Zevon's genius? He sings like we talk, but tells it better than us.

[genocoreno]

This is a perfectly brilliant song! The French Inhaler, about a certain kind of woman

[TheBricebo]

this may be one of the most perfect songs ever written and if you did not pick up the album in 76, you never would have heard it. Never on the radio. In three and a half minutes and less than 300 words, he strikes emotional chords which would take thousands of words in a novel, and probably the novel would not work as well as this song. And no one ever sang his songs as well as did Warren (no not even Linda Ronstat). The world is better for his having been here and less now that he is gone.

[TheNickrazor]

@TheBricebo "The world is better for his having been here and less now that he is gone." All there is to it.

[Shakey719]

@TheBricebo Agreed.

[seancimoch]

@TheBricebo Very well put. This song is the hardest song that I play on piano, and the most enjoyable, It's the 2nd song I warm up with when I practice. It its one of the greatest pieces of music Ive ever heard and Im'm proud that I've pulled it off well a few times at concerts. Do you realize who is singing back ups?

[TheBricebo]

@seancimoch on this one? The Eagles basically

[jfklebba]

I've always heard of the French Inhale as a cigarette thing. Take a hearty drag, but don't inhale, slowly release it from your mouth. It'll rise, and you inhale it through your nose. Considered very classy. That's just what I've always heard.

[MrTrenchcoatguy]

@jfklebba I've half a mind to try it right now. Will report back as soon as possible.

[MrTrenchcoatguy]

@jfklebba Alright, done. It's very possible and feels great.

Incidentally, would your name happen to be John Klebba?

[Shakey719]

@jfklebba I like to think of a French maid without a gag reflex.

[tishhead]

i am a zevon freak and this may be my favorite zevon song but i must admit the term french inhaler has always baffled me. drug reference? sex reference? ah, who the hell cares, just shut up and listen i guess.

[LevittownAquinas1]

@tishhead slang term for fellatio, bro

[461508olwb]

warren のあまりに有名な曲。　心にしみるよ、何時までも。

[brian1958usgrant]

i think and i may be wrong its noram mailer and Miss Monroe who was in love with norm an her taking her own life i have heard other stories only 17 hundred hits what a pity

[brian1958usgrant]

i think and i may be wrong its noram mailer and Miss Monroe who was in love with norm an her taking her own life i have heard other stories 

[audiotheaudio]

As if this song already wasn't already incredible enough, Glen Fry and Don Henley's backing vocals are the icing on the cake. Just saw Warren sing this on a rerun of The Larry Sanders Show. You are missed, Warren.

[MsKaraco]

@audiotheaudio Best episode of the series. When Larry asked him to play Werewolves, after they told him he could play this one exclusively...defined the man's life, and his sense of humor to the T. Good call.

[beidmann17]

This song isn't about superficial life in LA. It's about Tule, his first love. His son Jordan called it "One of the best fuck you songs ever written."

[johnthehulk1]

This is a brilliant parody of the empty lives of the people living in Hollywood. Some of them rock stars, and some actresses, and actors. Warren had a handle on the seamy side of L.A.

This is a brilliant satirical song from the 70's. Probably one of the best songs he ever wrote. Instead of "So Long Norman", it should be,"So Long Warren." RIP.

[OcracokeSurfer]

Loneliness and frustration, we both came down with an acute case. When the lights came up at two, I caught a rare glimpse of you, and your face looked like something death brought with him in his suitcase... your pretty face, it looks so wasted. another pretty face devastated. the French inhaler stamped and mailed her so long, Norman. She said, "so long, Norman." ---- Love how he throws in the Norman Mailer references. This will always be in my list of top songs.

[kp9952]

...I like your comment. For my education where are the other Mailer references in his songs?...Cheers!!....