Warren Zevon Lived

My favorite Desperados are no longer out riding fences but somewhere more abstract – more raw – between the Hollywood Hawaiian Hotel and the Green Frog Cafe. I have no extra time this week to write my complete thoughts here but Warren Zevon left a mark on me – several marks. There are several decent online resources that count down both his work and his quirks so I would be merely regurgitating as much is already out there. Simply stated, I relate to his work and his life on many levels. Top 10 Songwriter/ Performers in my life. Lyrical Fucking Brilliance. So many great songs stand out but Splendid Isolation is among my favorites because , well simply because. I added a few others that stand out but if you are unfamiliar, please take a deep dive into his life and work. Most birthdays suck – especially the ones we miss while dead.

Splendid Isolation

I want to live alone in the desert
I want to be like Georgia O’Keefe
I want to live on the Upper East Side
And never go down in the street

Splendid Isolation
I don’t need no one
Splendid Isolation

Michael Jackson in Disneyland
Don’t have to share it with nobody else
Lock the gates, Goofy, take my hand
And lead me through the World of Self

Splendid Isolation
I don’t need no one
Splendid Isolation

Don’t want to wake up with no one beside me
Don’t want to take up with nobody new
Don’t want nobody coming by without calling first
Don’t want nothing to do with you

I’m putting tinfoil up on the windows
Lying down in the dark to dream
I don’t want to see their faces
I don’t want to hear them scream

Splendid Isolation
I don’t need no one
Splendid Isolation

Songwriters
ZEVON, WARREN

Published by
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group

The French Inhaler

My All Time Favorite – Desperados Under the Eaves

I was sitting in the Hollywood Hawaiian Hotel
I was staring in my empty coffee cup
I was thinking that the gypsy wasn’t lyin’
All the salty margaritas in Los Angeles
I’m gonna drink ’em up

And if California slides into the ocean
Like the mystics and statistics say it will
I predict this motel will be standing until I pay my bill

Don’t the sun look angry through the trees
Don’t the trees look like crucified thieves
Don’t you feel like Desperados under the eaves
Heaven help the one who leaves

Still waking up in the mornings with shaking hands
And I’m trying to find a girl who understands me
But except in dreams you’re never really free
Don’t the sun look angry at me

I was sitting in the Hollywood Hawaiian Hotel
I was listening to the air conditioner hum
It went mmm…
Look away
(Look away down Gower Avenue, look away)

Desperados Under the Eaves – Live Version – Worth a listen