Warren Zevon

Warren William Zevon (24 January 1947 – 7 September 2003) was an American rock singer-songwriter and musician noted for including his sometimes sardonic opinions of life in his musical lyrics, composing songs that were sometimes humorous and often had political or historical themes.

Quotes



 * From what I know about alcoholism, I'd say there's nothing romantic, nothing grand, nothing heroic, nothing brave — nothing like that about drinking. It's a real coward's death.
 * As quoted in "Warren Zevon's Resurrection: How he saved himself from a coward's death" by Paul Nelson, Rolling Stone (19 March 1981)


 * I'm insane. I'm fucked up. I have problems. But I don't get depressed and I don't get bored.
 * As quoted in Salon.com - "My Lunch with Warren Zevon" by David Bowman, at Salon.com (17 March 2000)


 * I write songs about things that I'm simultaneously trying to not think about.
 * As quoted in "My Lunch with Warren Zevon" by David Bowman,Salon.com (17 March 2000)


 * It just sort of happened. I wrote like what I'd always read and what was in the movies … I'm sure popular music is supposed to be like this.
 * Answering the question "What led you to stake out the noir Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner genre?", in "My Lunch with Warren Zevon" by David Bowman,Salon.com (17 March 2000)


 * Well, first of all, let me say that I might have made a tactical error in not going to a physician for 20 years. It was one of those phobias that really didn’t pay off.
 * The Late Show with David Letterman (30 October 2002)


 * You know, you put more value on every minute … I mean, I always thought I kind of did that. I really always enjoyed myself. But it's more valuable now. You're reminded to enjoy every sandwich, and every minute of playing with the guys, and being with the kids and everything.
 * Remarks on his attitude after discovering he had terminal mesothelioma, on The Late Show with David Letterman (30 October 2002)


 * Sickness, doctors, that scares me, not violence — helplessness. That's why I turn to violent stories.
 * As quoted in "Warren Zevon Dies" by Andrew Dansby, in Rolling Stone (8 September 2003)


 * I wrote my songs despite the fact that I was a drunk, not because of it.
 * As quoted in "Warren Zevon: Singer-songwriter author of 'Werewolves of London'" by Spencer Leigh, The Independent (9 September 2003)

Song Lyrics

 * All songs written by Warren Zevon, except as noted.

Warren Zevon (1976)
He can't find the one who was his friend. So he's hanging on to half her heart. He can't have the restless part, So he tells her to hasten down the wind.
 * She's so many women,
 * "Hasten Down the Wind"

Poor, poor pitiful me. These young girls won't let me be. Lord have mercy on me. Woe is me.
 * Poor, poor pitiful me.
 * "Poor Poor Pitiful Me"

We both came down with an acute case. And when the lights came up at two, I caught a glimpse of you. And your face looked like something Death brought with him in his suitcase
 * Loneliness and frustration,
 * "The French Inhaler"

I'll sleep when I'm dead. Saturday night I like to raise a little harm; I'll sleep when I'm dead.
 * So much to do, there's plenty on the farm;
 * "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead"

I think I'm sinking down. And I'm all strung out on heroin On the outskirts of town.
 * Carmelita hold me tighter,
 * "Carmelita"

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.
 * And if California slides into the ocean
 * "Desperadoes Under the Eaves"


 * Except in dreams, you're never really free.
 * "Desperados Under the Eaves"

Excitable Boy (1978)
Norway's bravest son. Time, time, time For another peaceful war. But time stands still for Roland 'Til he evens up the score. They can still see his headless body stalking through the night In the muzzle flash of Roland's Thompson gun; In the muzzle flash of Roland's Thompson gun.
 * Roland the headless Thompson gunner,
 * "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner", written by Warren Zevon and David Lindell

Excitable boy, they all said. And he raped her and killed her, then he took her home. Excitable boy, they all said.
 * He took little Suzie to the Junior Prom.
 * "Excitable Boy", written by Warren Zevon and LeRoy Marinell

Walking through the streets of Soho in the rain. He was looking for a place called Le Ho Fooks. Gonna get a big dish of beef chow mein.
 * I saw a werewolf with a Chinese menu in his hand,
 * "Werewolves of London", written by Warren Zevon, LeRoy Marinell, and Waddy Wachtel; this was voted best opening line of all time in a BBC radio poll

Lately he's been overheard in Mayfair. You better stay away from him. He'll rip your lungs out, Jim. Huh, I'd like to meet his tailor.
 * He's the hairy-handed gent, who ran amok in Kent.
 * "Werewolves of London"

Doing the werewolves of London. I saw a werewolf drinking a piña colada at Trader Vic's... His hair was perfect.
 * I saw Lon Chaney, Jr. walking with the Queen
 * "Werewolves of London"

Shadow love, Random love, And abandoned love. Accidentally like a martyr. The hurt gets worse and the heart gets harder
 * We made mad love:
 * "Accidentally like a Martyr"

The way I always do How was I to know She was with the Russians, too Dad, get me out of this!
 * Well, I went home with the waitress
 * "Lawyers, Guns And Money" · YouTube video
 * Send lawyers, guns and money.
 * "Lawyers, Guns And Money"

Somehow I got stuck Between the rock and the hard place And I'm down on my luck
 * I'm the innocent bystander
 * "Lawyers, Guns And Money"

I'm a desperate man Send lawyers, guns and money The shit has hit the fan
 * Now I'm hiding in Honduras
 * "Lawyers, Guns And Money"

The Envoy (1982)
'Cause I'd rather feel bad than not feel anything at all.
 * So I'm gonna hurl myself against the wall,
 * "Ain't That Pretty At All", written by Warren Zevon and LeRoy Marinell

Sentimental Hygiene (1987)
And do my job — whatever. I need some Sentimental Hygiene. Everybody's at war these days. Let's have a mini-surrender. I need some Sentimental hygiene
 * Every day I get up in the morning and go to work
 * "Sentimental Hygiene"

But the name of the game is be hit and hit back.
 * They made hypocrite judgments after the fact,
 * "Boom Boom Mancini"

Trouble waiting to happen. Should've quit while I was ahead; Trouble waiting to happen. I turned on the news to the Third World War, Opened up the paper to World War IV. Just when I thought it was safe to be bored, Trouble waiting to happen.
 * I woke up this morning and fell out of bed;
 * "Trouble Waiting to Happen", written by Warren Zevon and J. D. Souther

Transverse City (1989)
When I got older it was worse.
 * When I was young, times were hard.
 * "The Long Arm of the Law"

Mr. Bad Example (1991)
I keep a busy schedule trying to fit them in I'm proud to be a glutton and I don't have time for sloth I'm greedy and I'm angry and I don't care who I cross.
 * I'm very well acquainted with the seven deadly sins
 * "Mr. Bad Example"

I have a Craftsman lathe. Show it to the children When they misbehave.
 * Down in the basement
 * "Model Citizen", written by Warren Zevon, LeRoy Marinell, and Waddy Wachtel

Searching everyone. They say love conquers all. You can't start it like a car, You can't stop it with a gun.
 * And I'm searching for a heart,
 * "Searching For a Heart"

Mutineer (1995)
Beneath the vast indifference of heaven.
 * We contemplate eternity
 * "The Indifference of Heaven"

Life'll Kill Ya (2000)
That's what I said. Life'll kill ya, Then you'll be dead. Life'll find ya Wherever you go. Requiescat in pace That's all she wrote.
 * Life'll kill ya,
 * "Life'll Kill Ya"

But you won't want to look in the box when I do
 * I can saw a woman in two.
 * "For My Next Trick I'll Need A Volunteer"

And switch all my priorities around. Why don't you go pick on someone your own size instead?
 * You know I hate it when you put your hand inside my head
 * "I'll Slow You Down"

It had to happen to the best of us. The rich folk suffer like the rest of us, It will happen to you.
 * My shit's fucked up.
 * "My Shit's Fucked Up"