Just because people have a "Phobia" about doctors doesn't they are not intelligent. Warren Zevon had an extremely high IQ. He just thought he was healthy, until he started getting shortness of breath. By that time the cancer had metastathized and spread to his lymph nodes. He was exposed to asbestos in the 50's ,and 60's. Alot of people got sick from asbestos, including Steve McQueen. He died of Mesothelioma like Warren did.
This promptede me to watch the whole documentary. Some of it includes interviews with Zevon, Jacxkson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, and Bonnie Raitt. it's pretty good. And vintage. I like the other episode of Warren approaching two women who are visiting LA, and he is pointing out where Hollwood is, in conjunction from the LA Observatory where they are chatting.
My friend, you can find this Swedish TV documentary by referring to the Youtube 1977 live version of Carmelita by Warren. Swedish TV interviews both a dude who looks like he might be Hispanic, both being interviewed at "The Pioneer Chicken Stand" he is referring to in this song. The guy talks to Warren ,face-to-face, and praises him about writing about music from his neighborhood in "Echo Park".
G.G. allin a legend does an amazing cover of this is where the confusion is coming from from im punk so i like GG just had to here the original not to bad needs more emotion and gotta be faster
@oldschoolpunkchris1 Where as GG was probably more serious about singing and playing this, Warren is known for insanely dark sense of humor. He was more than likely very sarcastic and uninspired when he recorded this. Which would be a lot like Warren.
The song is about heroin. Brown and black tar heroin is called carmelita by drug dealers because it is a dark caramel color. Yes a song can be interpreted any way you want, but I sure thought this song was literal. Yes it has been used as a name for an individual female, but he is begging the heroin to last a little longer before he gets sick, not asking his girlfriend to cuddle more. Seriously just think about it gg allin and warren didn't both have gf's named carmelita, they both did heroin
@TallBlackPoppies In 1969 Tucson, it was called 'Mexican Mud'. Looked like coffee grounds. For what would cost you a $k, back in Beantown, you could carry a $40. party balloon back from Nogales in your belly, puke it up in the bath tub and get loaded for a week.
Of course, if the Federales decided to kick you in the stomach until you offered it up on the Mexican side, well . . . your still there. lolol
A song is about how u interpret it. This song might b about a neighborhood but it very easily interpreted as a woman and a man going through a difficult time in their life.
Actually Carmelita is about the neighborhood Warren lived in which was right near Echo Park. If you get a chance check out Warren's live documentary from 1977, done by Swedish TV. You will understand more about this song, and it's history. It is not about a woman, but a neighborhood.
@johnthehulk1 hey bro where would i find that documentary i checked my usual source, couldn't find it. i'd love to see it and learn more about the zev. found him about a year ago, have all his stuff now.. cept that!
Mesothelioma is what took Warren out. He experimented with heroin, but was not an addict. He was an alcoholic foremost. Warren recovered, and mustered quite a bit of sobriety, before he got sick. His pathos, and understanding of the "Street People" he lived with in Los Angeles in the early, and mid 70's, make this song so poignant.
Carmelita was also another name for the Black Tar Heroin. There was a video of a girl singing this who claimed that he wrote about her-to be honest I don't know-but I do know first hand as a recovering heroin addict and Musician the ravages of this addiction-I can't even tell you how many friends I've lost-many of them Musicians and other very gifted artists-including my kid brother who played in the same band with me at home in Boston for years. Warren Zevon went out the Right way---RIP.
Warren was not a "stuffy intellectual". But a "street person", who wrote songs about his neighborhood, as well as his addictions. He was down-to-earth. 160 IQ but, he was "tragically human". That is why his songs are endearing. Poignant and "right on".
Warren was not a "stuffy intellectual". But a "street person", who wrote songs about his neighborhood, as well as his addictions. He was down-to-earth. 160 IQ but, he was "tragically human". That is. why his songs are endearing. Poignant and "right on".
Doesn't matter who sang it first, anyone who has ever been in the depths of heroin will find that both versions are beautiful. The song is so sad and true, that if anyone takes time to argue which is better is missing the point of what is being said. There is a reason why so many artists covered this song... It hits home to all of us who have been dope sick, lonely and utterly helpless.
Respond to this video... gg allin is a nobody!!!!!! NOBODY LISTENS TO HIM FAGGOTS!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOO ONE HIT WONDER. zevon dont even have a cult following. he is just as much as of a nobody as GG WAS. wwol is his only OK song nobody listens to this doooooch aaaaaaoooooooooooooooooooooooo
Respond to this video... o real haunting... NOT!!!!!!! u wanna hear haunting listen to the real song!!!! GG ALLIN KILLS IT. sorry warren. FAIL HAHAHAHA FAGGOT!!!!!!!!!!!
@bluesman341 Warren wrote this song and sang it to Linda Ronstadt who put it on vinyl, which he was grateful to her for doing.He didn't get much cash out of it but she had a big following and helped him gain pop muzak cred in the business.He fought personal demons [like most truly gifted do] of substance abuse on a daily and lifelong basis. The pioneer [piney ] chicken stand mentioned was[maybe still is] in Tucson and the mexican mud there was black as cofee.Ms Ronstadt knew it well.
@pestleman1951 The mexican mud herion was dark dark brown, so dark that it left little tattoo spots where you shot it. Most Tucson hypes had little dots tattooed up and down their arms over their veins.Very embarrassing at the family dinners necessitating the wearing of long sleeves even in 100+ weather. I can look and see black dots on my arms and I'm clean nearly 40 years. In one year,1970,6 of the 8 friends I had in Tucson met premature ends.
@FieldswordShinobi I've got 10 days after a major relapse. Drugs and booze. Also got Hep C + Cirrhosis. AA + NA are where the help is. That's also where God is. Recovery joke--- Q: Hey, where is Jesus? A: He's downstairs making coffee for the meeting.
@GDS4VR Man it's a one day at a time thang just stick with it if you're serious. And yeah I've seen him there a couple times, wish he'd quit buying the cheap shit lol
hahahahaha im sorry i will not hold you tighter, especially if you all strung out on heroin! lol hilarious!!! so just when i thought my name was too unique to be sung in a song, i find this, could have been more romantic #sigh
Totally Warren Zevon. He wrote many, many songs... some song were sung by other and hit the top 40's back in the day but this was totally him. It's sad that he passed away in 2003. He will definitely always be remembered by me and others growing up with me when he started out. Having known a former recovered heroin addict a lifetime ago, this song is great but really, really sad to listen to.
"Carmelita" is a rock song written by Warren Zevon. The song was originally recorded by Canadian singer Murray McLauchlan on his self-titled album of 1972. Zevon himself recorded it four years later, in 1976, on his self titled album. Linda Ronstadt recorded a well known version in 1977, and various covers have followed.
Why are there so many cretins on these comments? Of course it's Warren's song. Nobody else could write a song like this. And who are the 3 fuckin morons that clicked "dislike"?? Seriously dudes, grow a brain.
Don Henley and Waddie Wachtel are playing guitars on this recording. Warren is playing keyboards. From the third album. Warren is a pretty fair gutiar player but is not playing on this recording. It is one of the most compelling songs about drug addiction, and loss, ever written. Warren Zevon was a musical genius.
Beautiful guitars in this. Who are the players? Is Warren a guitarist? Anyone one know? Nah; I don't care about all of your petty little arguments. Just like the Music!
This song was written by Warren Zevon in the very early seventies. Murray McLauchlan used it on his album in 1972. Zevon first used it in '76 followed by Linda Rondstat in '77. It was a hit for all three of them. Just a really great song that transcends styles.
Stevie Nicks said people should listen to Warren if they want to learn how to write a song. And she knew and -- like virtually everyone who knew him, no matter how messed up he was -- loved him. I never knew him except for the music and research and reading of his life in the book Crystal put together. I believe Warren lived every thing he sang. True master. He deserves hall of fame.
Warren Zevon wrote this song originally in about 1972. He recorded it live in 1977. It was on his third album. Warren had a mild heroine addiction himself. But I think his real drug of choice was "Alcohol". I saw him at "The Quiet Night" in Chicago. He was so drunk he forgot the words to "Excitable Boy". But he still put on a great show.
I don't want to say either this one or GG's is "better" they're both great versions of a great song. HOWEVER, GG's has a little more validity to it, when he sings it, you know he's feeling every word because he's experienced it and that shows in the emotion in his version (which is extremely rare for GG anyways). Ultimately it doesn't fucking matter which version is "better" because every version I've heard sounds great in it's own way. Warren gets credit for writing such a great song though
@FonghoulaForsure You might want to read his biography before you say that. It was well known among those who knew him that, as Letterman said he "enjoyed himself to the point of abusing others."
@FonghoulaForsure Warren said that he partied like Jim Morrison but didn't die. He lived on another 30 years...or something like that. It's in one of the last Letterman interviews. I knew he had done a lot of stuff. He wasn't bragging. It was just a statement.
Keith had the money to always pay for the best quality.......It's not really the drugs that do you in, it's the impurities and adulterants. And this pisses me off, because the pharmaceutical industry has to lace everything that is worth a damn with acetaminophen.
@namey420 Are you familiar with the Robert Johnson story he told and apparently believed, that the way he was able to be the 1st true rock guitarist in history by was going to a crossroads at midnight. meeting the devil and selling his soul for the ability to play guitar? Well, instead of Robt. Johnson , think Keith Richards...
Maybe we shouldn't get so complicated about technicalities. Just enjoy this song as a great piece of music. Well sung. Great back up vocal. Awesome Waddie Wachtel guitar solo. What more could you want. Warren was a master.
"the county won't give me no more methadon-they've cut off you're welfare check" that's some DEEP shit--you've had to been there to understand how Down that is-it brings tears to my eyes------
Why are people so retarded as to ask what a song is about? It's better to be quiet and have people think you're stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
@tishhead Your comment made my day-heard this song 1st in a gg allen doc-then my dumb ass thought it was a cover-listend to it and have been playin it all day- didnt know it was werewolves of london guy
this is talent this makes money........not enough money?........fight fight fight fight fight.......more: he should have made MORE..........high eq........underappreciated.....hall of fame...................meanwhile the tribal people dance and sing together FOR FREE.....it's just a pretty good country song people.
Warren should have sold several million records. Unfortunately he was never appreciated for his genius both as a song writer, or as a performer. Kind of sad. But this song is an epitaph to his talent. Flawless.
If you really like Zevon, I would recommend the CD "Stand In The Fire". He recorded it live at the Roxie in 1980, in Hollywood. One of the best live albums around. Great guitar, heart-felt and Warren sober, for the first time. But he's still pretty wild. All-in-all one of the best CD's I have ever heard.
Mary: This song was written by Warren Zevon in 1970. Linda Ronstadt, GG Allin, Jackson Browne, and a myriad of other recording artists made their own versions of this song. Warren Zevon may not have had the best voice, but his style and musical composition knowledge made his version a cut above the others. But you have a right to your opinion too Mary. Whatever version you like best, you must agree the lyrics made it what it is. The best ballad about heroine addiction ever written.
Every time I listen to this song, I realize how brilliant Warren was, not only as a songwriter, but the awreness of the neighbor in which he lived. He was kind of a latter day Van Gogh, writing about people on his neighborhood. Like Vincent painted coommon people in Holland. The street people. Both geniuses. Both misunderstood.
This is an answer to John's comment. Warren had a great sense of humor. His intelligence was so prodigious that he often wrote very dark songs. I do not think Warren ever wanted to die like Jim Morrison did. He just liked to push the envelope.
Warren Zevon scored the highest IQ ever recorded in Fresno, Calif. His I.Q. was 161. 140 is considered Genius Level by most standard IQ tests. Jim Morrison, another great lyricist, also hung up on "Death" was 140. Warren's preoccupation with death was more tongue in cheek. Until he was diagnosed late stage "Lung Cancer". And he still wrote great music until his death."The Wind" was his last CD, and a great peace of music. Warren never gave up.
so I am a record store manager in the 70's one boring afternoon and a former employee walks in, picks up whatever piece of crap is playing on the turntable and throwing it across the store, announces "this is real music" and spins this disk.
All are good! This is song writing at it's best! Lou Reed can ONLY wish he had been on West Coast looking for H instead of NY. All are good! It's like "storytelling" at it's best! I like G.G Allin too! Maybe Lou can do this now!
I love this song......There's a great version by a Canadian singer-songwriter, Murray McLaughlin. Haven't heard it since my vinyl was ripped off in '81. If anyone has it...please post! Thanks!
Willie DeVille and Johnny Thunders should have covered of this tune.
rjplamf61 11 hours ago
thank you Warren for everything
wrp54 3 days ago
Love this song. My favorite Zevon song by far.
ShhBrad1984 4 days ago
thanks electric bill for turning me on to this
hatfield11000 1 week ago
Brilliant
vader6972 2 weeks ago
Ah Christ, everytime i hear this song....EVERYTIME
auxemoron87 2 weeks ago
I meant doesn't mean they are not intelliegent.
johnthehulk1 3 weeks ago
Just because people have a "Phobia" about doctors doesn't they are not intelligent. Warren Zevon had an extremely high IQ. He just thought he was healthy, until he started getting shortness of breath. By that time the cancer had metastathized and spread to his lymph nodes. He was exposed to asbestos in the 50's ,and 60's. Alot of people got sick from asbestos, including Steve McQueen. He died of Mesothelioma like Warren did.
johnthehulk1 3 weeks ago
am a punk rocker,and i love that fucking song,its kind of remind me my old life,thanks god,am not stone on heroin on the outskirts of town anymore
satan666691 3 weeks ago
Comment removed
satan666691 3 weeks ago
This man did not go to the DR in over 25 years, so anyone speaking of his IQ should think twice about what they say
Dubmajicks 3 weeks ago
@Dubmajicks He was a genius. And if you can't understand that, you might wanna think twice about saying another word.
greenapplepuppyranch 3 weeks ago
personally, Adam Duritz kills this version, IMO don't have Adam cover your songs cuz he blows whoever away
Dubmajicks 3 weeks ago
This promptede me to watch the whole documentary. Some of it includes interviews with Zevon, Jacxkson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, and Bonnie Raitt. it's pretty good. And vintage. I like the other episode of Warren approaching two women who are visiting LA, and he is pointing out where Hollwood is, in conjunction from the LA Observatory where they are chatting.
johnthehulk1 3 weeks ago
My friend, you can find this Swedish TV documentary by referring to the Youtube 1977 live version of Carmelita by Warren. Swedish TV interviews both a dude who looks like he might be Hispanic, both being interviewed at "The Pioneer Chicken Stand" he is referring to in this song. The guy talks to Warren ,face-to-face, and praises him about writing about music from his neighborhood in "Echo Park".
johnthehulk1 3 weeks ago
hey bro there's five of them (morons) now bro i take it that they're all related warren songs are the bomb mate a big thumb's up to this one
MAZDAMOB101 1 month ago
G.G. allin a legend does an amazing cover of this is where the confusion is coming from from im punk so i like GG just had to here the original not to bad needs more emotion and gotta be faster
oldschoolpunkchris1 1 month ago
@oldschoolpunkchris1 Where as GG was probably more serious about singing and playing this, Warren is known for insanely dark sense of humor. He was more than likely very sarcastic and uninspired when he recorded this. Which would be a lot like Warren.
ChromaticDeathVox 1 month ago
The song is about heroin. Brown and black tar heroin is called carmelita by drug dealers because it is a dark caramel color. Yes a song can be interpreted any way you want, but I sure thought this song was literal. Yes it has been used as a name for an individual female, but he is begging the heroin to last a little longer before he gets sick, not asking his girlfriend to cuddle more. Seriously just think about it gg allin and warren didn't both have gf's named carmelita, they both did heroin
TallBlackPoppies 1 month ago
@TallBlackPoppies In 1969 Tucson, it was called 'Mexican Mud'. Looked like coffee grounds. For what would cost you a $k, back in Beantown, you could carry a $40. party balloon back from Nogales in your belly, puke it up in the bath tub and get loaded for a week.
Of course, if the Federales decided to kick you in the stomach until you offered it up on the Mexican side, well . . . your still there. lolol
kbswzawl0 1 month ago
@TallBlackPoppies epic as hell.
juicyjayification 3 weeks ago
A song is about how u interpret it. This song might b about a neighborhood but it very easily interpreted as a woman and a man going through a difficult time in their life.
RenegadeNXW 1 month ago
Actually Carmelita is about the neighborhood Warren lived in which was right near Echo Park. If you get a chance check out Warren's live documentary from 1977, done by Swedish TV. You will understand more about this song, and it's history. It is not about a woman, but a neighborhood.
johnthehulk1 1 month ago 2
@johnthehulk1 hey bro where would i find that documentary i checked my usual source, couldn't find it. i'd love to see it and learn more about the zev. found him about a year ago, have all his stuff now.. cept that!
psychelingus 3 weeks ago
carmelita is a name dumbass
danielesteva 1 month ago
Loved when they used this in Californication, at the end of season 3. Was creepy yet powerful
PELICANFLY 1 month ago 3
I love all the idiots that dont know what carmelita is.
yourekiddingm3 2 months ago
playing solitaire with my pearl handed deck ...means playing russian roulotte . he was russian too . too cool !
daherazar 2 months ago
GG Allin RIP
ThePoopcash 2 months ago
beautiful song
sealjf 2 months ago
if the Z was nothing else, he was true to himself, how many of us can say the same?
scottymacIII 2 months ago
Mesothelioma is what took Warren out. He experimented with heroin, but was not an addict. He was an alcoholic foremost. Warren recovered, and mustered quite a bit of sobriety, before he got sick. His pathos, and understanding of the "Street People" he lived with in Los Angeles in the early, and mid 70's, make this song so poignant.
johnthehulk1 3 months ago 2
Carmelita was also another name for the Black Tar Heroin. There was a video of a girl singing this who claimed that he wrote about her-to be honest I don't know-but I do know first hand as a recovering heroin addict and Musician the ravages of this addiction-I can't even tell you how many friends I've lost-many of them Musicians and other very gifted artists-including my kid brother who played in the same band with me at home in Boston for years. Warren Zevon went out the Right way---RIP.
bluesman341 3 months ago
you... understand??
727chitown 3 months ago
great song RIP Warren
rebob59 3 months ago
This is a GREAT song. More than 138k people need to hear this.
genecorrado 3 months ago
And I'm sittin here playing solitaire with my pearl handled deck ....[only one thing I ever had pearl handles] -amazing imagery
pestleman1951 3 months ago in playlist Watch Later
i love you warren ....your music is what its all about
cyclo1224 3 months ago
This man wrote some of the most beautiful songs ever written and was greatly underrated.
RIP Warren Zevon!!
As to scottmycheck, or whatever you call yourself, Dude you don't have to listen to Warren... go somewhere else, stupid.
spicylou 4 months ago 4
This comment has received too many negative votes show
warren zevon sucks. bottom line
scottmattecheck 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Warren was not a "stuffy intellectual". But a "street person", who wrote songs about his neighborhood, as well as his addictions. He was down-to-earth. 160 IQ but, he was "tragically human". That is why his songs are endearing. Poignant and "right on".
johnthehulk1 4 months ago
Warren was not a "stuffy intellectual". But a "street person", who wrote songs about his neighborhood, as well as his addictions. He was down-to-earth. 160 IQ but, he was "tragically human". That is. why his songs are endearing. Poignant and "right on".
johnthehulk1 4 months ago 12
Doesn't matter who sang it first, anyone who has ever been in the depths of heroin will find that both versions are beautiful. The song is so sad and true, that if anyone takes time to argue which is better is missing the point of what is being said. There is a reason why so many artists covered this song... It hits home to all of us who have been dope sick, lonely and utterly helpless.
nooodles939 4 months ago 3
Well,,,thanks to scottmattecheck,,,i now know why sometimes animals eat their young!!!
methehappyone 4 months ago 6
My gfs name is Carmelita
darkgaspasser90 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
GG ALLIN GOT THIS ONE BITCHES. FUCK NIGGERS 1488
Finess42 4 months ago
Respond to this video... gg allin is a nobody!!!!!! NOBODY LISTENS TO HIM FAGGOTS!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOO ONE HIT WONDER. zevon dont even have a cult following. he is just as much as of a nobody as GG WAS. wwol is his only OK song nobody listens to this doooooch aaaaaaoooooooooooooooooooooooo
scottmattecheck 4 months ago
Respond to this video... o real haunting... NOT!!!!!!! u wanna hear haunting listen to the real song!!!! GG ALLIN KILLS IT. sorry warren. FAIL HAHAHAHA FAGGOT!!!!!!!!!!!
scottmattecheck 4 months ago
One of my all-time favorite Zevon songs. Amazing...
Broblem12 4 months ago
gg was still in diapers when Warren wrote this nearly 40 years ago most of you people have no idea what your talking about
brian1958usgrant 4 months ago
i named my truck carmelita
liam8984 4 months ago
GGT Allin is nobody.WTF?
souldogdave 4 months ago
He stole this song from GG Allin.
garnerboy420 4 months ago
@garnerboy420 What kind of idiot are you? Your boy is a NOBODY who covered this.End of story.Pisses me off.
souldogdave 4 months ago
@souldogdave lol You got trolled dude :)
garnerboy420 4 months ago
@garnerboy420 hahah
HillsideKlepht 4 months ago
Zevon wrote this---The girl Carmelita in this song re-recoreded it after Zevon died-
bluesman341 5 months ago
@bluesman341 Warren wrote this song and sang it to Linda Ronstadt who put it on vinyl, which he was grateful to her for doing.He didn't get much cash out of it but she had a big following and helped him gain pop muzak cred in the business.He fought personal demons [like most truly gifted do] of substance abuse on a daily and lifelong basis. The pioneer [piney ] chicken stand mentioned was[maybe still is] in Tucson and the mexican mud there was black as cofee.Ms Ronstadt knew it well.
pestleman1951 3 months ago
@pestleman1951 The mexican mud herion was dark dark brown, so dark that it left little tattoo spots where you shot it. Most Tucson hypes had little dots tattooed up and down their arms over their veins.Very embarrassing at the family dinners necessitating the wearing of long sleeves even in 100+ weather. I can look and see black dots on my arms and I'm clean nearly 40 years. In one year,1970,6 of the 8 friends I had in Tucson met premature ends.
pestleman1951 3 months ago
@pestleman1951 Good for you man on being 40 years, my uncle's 40 years too. He's NA
FieldswordShinobi 2 months ago
@FieldswordShinobi I've got 10 days after a major relapse. Drugs and booze. Also got Hep C + Cirrhosis. AA + NA are where the help is. That's also where God is. Recovery joke--- Q: Hey, where is Jesus? A: He's downstairs making coffee for the meeting.
GDS4VR 2 months ago
@GDS4VR Man it's a one day at a time thang just stick with it if you're serious. And yeah I've seen him there a couple times, wish he'd quit buying the cheap shit lol
FieldswordShinobi 2 months ago
Sounds just like Gordon Lightfoot - nothing new here.
lisaratz 5 months ago
@lisaratz - Clearly you've listened to neither Gordon Lightfoot or Warren Zevon. Or you're deaf.
vt92psyc 5 months ago
sorry G.G,. Warren owns this one!
tagmaggot1 5 months ago
hahahahaha im sorry i will not hold you tighter, especially if you all strung out on heroin! lol hilarious!!! so just when i thought my name was too unique to be sung in a song, i find this, could have been more romantic #sigh
carmygraph 5 months ago
DO ENOUGH HERION AND YOU WILL BE CRYING "SEND LAWYERS, GUNS AND MONEY
GDS4VR 5 months ago
HOLY SHIT! I HAVE A NEW FOUND RESPECT FOR THE OLD WEREWOLF DUDE. THE ONLY VERSION OF THIS I EVER GAVE A LISTEN TO WAS GG'S COVER.
1234HELLBOUND 6 months ago
This is my favorite. Thanks for posting this...
TheJamesalden 6 months ago
gg allins cover was better. hands down
blackserenade24 6 months ago
@blackserenade24 - Was going to try to respond to your comment, but then I remembered what my mama taught me. Never, ever argue with crazy people....
vt92psyc 5 months ago
@vt92psyc lol i like that comeback. touche my friend
blackserenade24 5 months ago
@blackserenade24 your a fucking idiot
sketch0324 5 months ago
@sketch0324 ur not the first to say that. honestly dude, im surprised i havent gotten any thumbs down yet
blackserenade24 5 months ago
my life.
daniruuu 6 months ago
Totally Warren Zevon. He wrote many, many songs... some song were sung by other and hit the top 40's back in the day but this was totally him. It's sad that he passed away in 2003. He will definitely always be remembered by me and others growing up with me when he started out. Having known a former recovered heroin addict a lifetime ago, this song is great but really, really sad to listen to.
tammygurl64 6 months ago
"Carmelita" is a rock song written by Warren Zevon. The song was originally recorded by Canadian singer Murray McLauchlan on his self-titled album of 1972. Zevon himself recorded it four years later, in 1976, on his self titled album. Linda Ronstadt recorded a well known version in 1977, and various covers have followed.
monted9 6 months ago 2
Why are there so many cretins on these comments? Of course it's Warren's song. Nobody else could write a song like this. And who are the 3 fuckin morons that clicked "dislike"?? Seriously dudes, grow a brain.
bris2world 6 months ago 26
@bris2world Anyone who doesnt like this song is truly musically retarded. One of the best vocals by Warren.
genecorrado 3 months ago
who the f is gg?
frogg25 6 months ago 2
@frogg25 GG Allin, a love him or hate him kinda artist. Interesting character, nonetheless.
rutgers1961 6 months ago
Don Henley and Waddie Wachtel are playing guitars on this recording. Warren is playing keyboards. From the third album. Warren is a pretty fair gutiar player but is not playing on this recording. It is one of the most compelling songs about drug addiction, and loss, ever written. Warren Zevon was a musical genius.
johnthehulk1 6 months ago 2
Beautiful guitars in this. Who are the players? Is Warren a guitarist? Anyone one know? Nah; I don't care about all of your petty little arguments. Just like the Music!
swiggy58a 6 months ago
this guy stole gg's song
kwatemok 6 months ago
@kwatemok How can he steal a song he wrote?
jch009tia 6 months ago
This song was written by Warren Zevon in the very early seventies. Murray McLauchlan used it on his album in 1972. Zevon first used it in '76 followed by Linda Rondstat in '77. It was a hit for all three of them. Just a really great song that transcends styles.
mustangjjz109 6 months ago
Huh, An old American country song that talks about the L.A. neighborhood of Echo Park, and Alvarado St in Downtown L.A ? Interesting.
56kanaka 6 months ago
i love both versions, linda ronstadt n warren's...both equally good.
clouds882 7 months ago
This is still my favorite version of this song. It is a supreme musical statement by a great underrated rocker.
johnthehulk1 7 months ago
SORRY NOT HIS FIRST ALBUM WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE IS THE FIRST ALBUM BY WZ RIP WARREN I LOVE YA BROTHER
brian1958usgrant 8 months ago
Stevie Nicks said people should listen to Warren if they want to learn how to write a song. And she knew and -- like virtually everyone who knew him, no matter how messed up he was -- loved him. I never knew him except for the music and research and reading of his life in the book Crystal put together. I believe Warren lived every thing he sang. True master. He deserves hall of fame.
TheBricebo 8 months ago 2
Warren Zevon wrote this song originally in about 1972. He recorded it live in 1977. It was on his third album. Warren had a mild heroine addiction himself. But I think his real drug of choice was "Alcohol". I saw him at "The Quiet Night" in Chicago. He was so drunk he forgot the words to "Excitable Boy". But he still put on a great show.
johnthehulk1 8 months ago 2
I don't want to say either this one or GG's is "better" they're both great versions of a great song. HOWEVER, GG's has a little more validity to it, when he sings it, you know he's feeling every word because he's experienced it and that shows in the emotion in his version (which is extremely rare for GG anyways). Ultimately it doesn't fucking matter which version is "better" because every version I've heard sounds great in it's own way. Warren gets credit for writing such a great song though
SnakeOilGhost 9 months ago
So great...
retrofire100 9 months ago
there is no way zevon lived hard enough to write this
FonghoulaForsure 9 months ago
@FonghoulaForsure You might want to read his biography before you say that. It was well known among those who knew him that, as Letterman said he "enjoyed himself to the point of abusing others."
carrots001 9 months ago
@FonghoulaForsure Warren said that he partied like Jim Morrison but didn't die. He lived on another 30 years...or something like that. It's in one of the last Letterman interviews. I knew he had done a lot of stuff. He wasn't bragging. It was just a statement.
MyMoppet52 8 months ago
@FonghoulaForsure look at keith richards that dudes done more drugs then anybody and he's still alive
namey420 8 months ago
@namey420
Keith had the money to always pay for the best quality.......It's not really the drugs that do you in, it's the impurities and adulterants. And this pisses me off, because the pharmaceutical industry has to lace everything that is worth a damn with acetaminophen.
jamcrane3 8 months ago
@jamcrane3 thats true that will kill your liver faster than any hard drug
namey420 8 months ago
@namey420 But surely Keith has made the Robert Johnson midnight deal..
pestleman1951 2 months ago
@pestleman1951 i hear that i wonder if he's actually human stones are my fav band of all time but really how the fuck is he still alive
namey420 2 months ago
@namey420 Are you familiar with the Robert Johnson story he told and apparently believed, that the way he was able to be the 1st true rock guitarist in history by was going to a crossroads at midnight. meeting the devil and selling his soul for the ability to play guitar? Well, instead of Robt. Johnson , think Keith Richards...
pestleman1951 2 months ago
@pestleman1951 yeah i know all about that story it's cool as hell my dad told me about it a long time ago cause i've been playin guitar for years
namey420 2 months ago
Love Zevon's work, great songwriting. I even posted my own cover of Carmelita on my channel.
MelodalMusic 9 months ago
Maybe we shouldn't get so complicated about technicalities. Just enjoy this song as a great piece of music. Well sung. Great back up vocal. Awesome Waddie Wachtel guitar solo. What more could you want. Warren was a master.
johnthehulk1 9 months ago
@johnthehulk1 well said.
manni62 9 months ago
the counting crows cover is good. can't find it anywhere though.
brijssoni 9 months ago
"the county won't give me no more methadon-they've cut off you're welfare check" that's some DEEP shit--you've had to been there to understand how Down that is-it brings tears to my eyes------
farone100 9 months ago 2
Who recorded this first? Warren or GG?
Toilap 9 months ago
@Toilap It is Warren's song/
ebhughes 9 months ago 17
@ebhughes its not warrens or gg´s song. this is old american country song,dont remember the guys name,hes not very popular
MakeTheSnake 7 months ago
@Toilap it was gg u dolt
legrandp 9 months ago
@Toilap Warren in 1976
alec1806 8 months ago
@Toilap Warren in 1976. GG's recording is from Linda Ronstadt's cover.
alec1806 8 months ago
Cubehead, Linda Ronstadt did a nice version too, but still, there was no reason to do it over.
JayMoneMU 9 months ago
Besides the song being haunting his voice is delicious, warm and soothing
jtstallings 9 months ago
whiskey, weed and warren zevon :)
basuarindam 9 months ago
Why are people so retarded as to ask what a song is about? It's better to be quiet and have people think you're stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
acupunk74 10 months ago
RIP warren. and, for that matter, RIP pioneer chicken and smith-corona typewriters, too.
tishhead 10 months ago
@tishhead Your comment made my day-heard this song 1st in a gg allen doc-then my dumb ass thought it was a cover-listend to it and have been playin it all day- didnt know it was werewolves of london guy
threethirteen666 9 months ago
@threethirteen666 if you want to explore warren further, you'll be in for a treat. private me if you want to know more.
tishhead 9 months ago
@tishhead Watch out for that Pearl Handle Deck
enlightenedDiamond 9 months ago
this is talent this makes money........not enough money?........fight fight fight fight fight.......more: he should have made MORE..........high eq........underappreciated.....hall of fame...................meanwhile the tribal people dance and sing together FOR FREE.....it's just a pretty good country song people.
posthumanhero 10 months ago
There are a handful of songs that just shouldn't be done by anyone else, like Stevie Nicks' Landslide, anything done by the Beatles, and this.
JayMoneMU 10 months ago 2
@JayMoneMU GG did this song justice.
Cubehead666 9 months ago
@Cubehead666 haha
farone100 9 months ago
its about heartbreak and heroin.
cdinfm 10 months ago
@cdinfm i'm wrong. its about dope and despair.
cdinfm 10 months ago
thx for Tom Kapinos and his band that i have discovered this masterpiece of music!
Blasevonb01110111 10 months ago
Warren should have sold several million records. Unfortunately he was never appreciated for his genius both as a song writer, or as a performer. Kind of sad. But this song is an epitaph to his talent. Flawless.
johnthehulk1 10 months ago 3
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long live warren...also gg allin covered this rip gg
MrBrianlowdown 11 months ago
long live warren...also gg allen covered this rip gg
MrBrianlowdown 11 months ago
Who is the one idiot who dislikes this?
carrots001 11 months ago 2
Great song ,because of it's era and the lyrics it has almost become a country standard....warrren is missed and appreciated
EdC371 11 months ago
If you really like Zevon, I would recommend the CD "Stand In The Fire". He recorded it live at the Roxie in 1980, in Hollywood. One of the best live albums around. Great guitar, heart-felt and Warren sober, for the first time. But he's still pretty wild. All-in-all one of the best CD's I have ever heard.
johnthehulk1 11 months ago
Mary: This song was written by Warren Zevon in 1970. Linda Ronstadt, GG Allin, Jackson Browne, and a myriad of other recording artists made their own versions of this song. Warren Zevon may not have had the best voice, but his style and musical composition knowledge made his version a cut above the others. But you have a right to your opinion too Mary. Whatever version you like best, you must agree the lyrics made it what it is. The best ballad about heroine addiction ever written.
johnthehulk1 11 months ago
Dwight does this better............If you disagree you you are still wrong.
marydwyer14119 11 months ago
@marydwyer14119 "You you?"
MidasSwell 10 months ago
I meant awareness of his neighborhood. A simile to Van Gogh. I am a lousy typist.
johnthehulk1 1 year ago
Every time I listen to this song, I realize how brilliant Warren was, not only as a songwriter, but the awreness of the neighbor in which he lived. He was kind of a latter day Van Gogh, writing about people on his neighborhood. Like Vincent painted coommon people in Holland. The street people. Both geniuses. Both misunderstood.
johnthehulk1 1 year ago
Thumbs up if you're here because of Hank Moody and you stayed because Zevon's music is fucking bottle excellence.
DrReaperZero 1 year ago 4
GG for me :)
stankmonster 1 year ago
I misspelled piece of music. But regardless, this is one of Warren's best songs. A heart felt ballad.
johnthehulk1 1 year ago
This is an answer to John's comment. Warren had a great sense of humor. His intelligence was so prodigious that he often wrote very dark songs. I do not think Warren ever wanted to die like Jim Morrison did. He just liked to push the envelope.
johnthehulk1 1 year ago
Warren Zevon scored the highest IQ ever recorded in Fresno, Calif. His I.Q. was 161. 140 is considered Genius Level by most standard IQ tests. Jim Morrison, another great lyricist, also hung up on "Death" was 140. Warren's preoccupation with death was more tongue in cheek. Until he was diagnosed late stage "Lung Cancer". And he still wrote great music until his death."The Wind" was his last CD, and a great peace of music. Warren never gave up.
johnthehulk1 1 year ago
@johnthehulk1 The sad part of that story is that he was in Fresno.
WallyVanRiper1 1 year ago
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@johnthehulk1 The sad part of your story is that he was in Fresno.
WallyVanRiper1 1 year ago
Warren never fails to cheer me up.
Was this guy bleak or what?
1timejohn 1 year ago
1 person is not strung out on heroin!!! XD
freewheelinQ 1 year ago
Nonsense, Warren owned this.
ebhughes 1 year ago 11
@ebhughes it was warrens song, GG OWNED this song, made Warrens version look foolish
robthomas8700 7 months ago
G.G. was better
just2pissyouoff 1 year ago
so I am a record store manager in the 70's one boring afternoon and a former employee walks in, picks up whatever piece of crap is playing on the turntable and throwing it across the store, announces "this is real music" and spins this disk.
Unbelievable music
TheBricebo 1 year ago 55
Oh, I miss Pioneer Chicken!
PackerGreg 1 year ago
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love this song shows a side to life most are scared to try it
milton9863 1 year ago
love this song shows a side to life most are scared to try
milton9863 1 year ago 2
Haunting, O.K. But a country song... This???? And ECC902. He will be in the Hall Of Fame one day
dakarlion1 1 year ago
Warren Zevon is the fucking man. He should be in the hall of fame for fuck sakes.
ECC902 1 year ago
Great song and I have heard many cover it, but I think Dwight Yoakam has taken it to a whole new level. BTW, they were close friends.
ProbablyNotAdam 1 year ago
All are good! This is song writing at it's best! Lou Reed can ONLY wish he had been on West Coast looking for H instead of NY. All are good! It's like "storytelling" at it's best! I like G.G Allin too! Maybe Lou can do this now!
ukeuke4u 1 year ago
@skronnyrotten,,,sorry, disagree.
ebhughes 1 year ago
@ebhughes you are kidding, right?
cdinfm 7 months ago in playlist music
@ebhughes gg allen did not write this man this is 100% warren zevon
namey420 7 months ago 2
gg allins version is way better than this
skronnyrotten 1 year ago
thank you for posting this song. i appreciate it a lot.
blaine1764 1 year ago
californication season 3 episode 12 at 2:46
1poison7Girl6 1 year ago
I love this song......There's a great version by a Canadian singer-songwriter, Murray McLaughlin. Haven't heard it since my vinyl was ripped off in '81. If anyone has it...please post! Thanks!
Warren IS the best!
buzz0617 1 year ago
@buzz0617 uploaded Murray's version for ya! youtube.com/watch?v=4ujzb29qgxE
rehvan77 1 year ago
Didn't even know Warren wrote this much loved, much covered song of dismay, brilliant
deborahkauffman09 1 year ago
LOVE THIS SONG.
ShhBrad1984 1 year ago