Poor Poor Pitiful Me
Encyclopedia
"Poor Poor Pitiful Me" is a rock
song written by Warren Zevon
.
. It is reputed to be a friendly swipe at Jackson Browne
, whose songs (such as "Here Come Those Tears Again" and "Sleeps Dark and Silent Gate" from The Pretender
) could be quite dark.
recorded a gender-altered version of the song during 1977. Ronstadt's interpretation was released on the multi-platinum album Simple Dreams
. Released as a single (on the Asylum
label, #45462), Ronstadt's version of the song debuted on the Hot 100 charts February 18, 1978, and scored at the No. 31 position after nine weeks. Simple Dreams also contained another Zevon song, "Carmelita
."
singer Terri Clark
. It was released in September 1996 as the lead single from her second album, 1996's Just the Same
. Clark's version was a number one hit on the Canadian RPM country charts, and a number five hit on the country charts in the U.S.
version of the song in the gym while she was working out. She said "and I thought, what a cool song. What a great country record that could make. I started doing it live, and it worked."
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
song written by Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren William Zevon 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.Zevon's work has often been praised by well-known...
.
Content
In keeping with Zevon's sardonic lyrical style, the song's verses deal with a failed suicide, domestic abuse, and a brush with sadomasochism. The song appeared first on Zevon's 1976 self-titled solo albumWarren Zevon (album)
Warren Zevon is a rock and roll album by Warren Zevon. This album was recorded in 1975 and released in 1976 . Warren Zevon Collector's Edition, a remastered version of this album with special bonus tracks, was released in 2008 by Rhino Records.-Track listing:All songs written by Warren Zevon#"Frank...
. It is reputed to be a friendly swipe at Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has sold over 17 million albums in the United States alone....
, whose songs (such as "Here Come Those Tears Again" and "Sleeps Dark and Silent Gate" from The Pretender
The Pretender (album)
The Pretender is the fourth album by American singer/songwriter Jackson Browne, released in 1976 . It peaked at #5 on Billboard's album chart. The singles from the album were "Here Come Those Tears Again" which reached number 23 and "The Pretender" which peaked at number 58...
) could be quite dark.
Linda Ronstadt version
Linda RonstadtLinda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
recorded a gender-altered version of the song during 1977. Ronstadt's interpretation was released on the multi-platinum album Simple Dreams
Simple Dreams
Simple Dreams is one of the most successful albums of Linda Ronstadt's career, spending five consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart in late 1977. It also knocked Elvis Presley out of No...
. Released as a single (on the Asylum
Asylum Records
Asylum Records is an American record label founded in 1971 by David Geffen, and partner Elliot Roberts, who had previously worked as agents at the William Morris Agency. Founded specifically to provide a record contract for Jackson Browne, the label signed Tom Waits, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell...
label, #45462), Ronstadt's version of the song debuted on the Hot 100 charts February 18, 1978, and scored at the No. 31 position after nine weeks. Simple Dreams also contained another Zevon song, "Carmelita
Carmelita (song)
"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...
."
Chart performance (Linda Ronstadt version)
| Chart (1977-1978) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 46 |
| U.S. Billboard Easy Listening | 27 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 31 |
| Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks | 9 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 36 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 31 |
Terri Clark version
Another country cover of the song was recorded by Canadian countryCountry music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer Terri Clark
Terri Clark
Terri Lynn Sauson , known professionally as Terri Clark, is a Canadian country music artist who has had success in both Canada and the United States. Signed to Mercury Records in 1995, she released her self-titled debut that year...
. It was released in September 1996 as the lead single from her second album, 1996's Just the Same
Just the Same
Just the Same is the second studio album by Canadian country music singer Terri Clark. It was released in late 1996 on Mercury Records. In the U.S., this album produced the singles "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" , "Emotional Girl", and the title track, which respectively reached #5, #10 and #49 on the...
. Clark's version was a number one hit on the Canadian RPM country charts, and a number five hit on the country charts in the U.S.
Background
Clark told Billboard magazine that she heard Linda Ronstadt'sLinda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
version of the song in the gym while she was working out. She said "and I thought, what a cool song. What a great country record that could make. I started doing it live, and it worked."
Chart performance (Terri Clark version)
"Poor Poor Pitiful me" debuted at #47 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of October 12, 1996.| Chart (1996) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks | 5 |
| U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 | 9 |