About the song
Poor, Poor Pitiful Me is a song written by Warren Zevon and originally released on his 1976 album “Appetite for Destruction”. The song was later covered by Linda Ronstadt in 1978 for her album “Simple Dreams”, and her version became a much bigger hit than Zevon’s original. Ronstadt’s single reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It also won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female.
“Poor, Poor Pitiful Me” is a classic country rock ballad about a woman who is down on her luck. She has lost her love, her job, and her home, and she is feeling sorry for herself. The song’s lyrics are full of self-pity, but Ronstadt’s powerful vocals and the song’s catchy melody make it impossible not to sing along.
Zevon is known for his dark and often satirical lyrics, but “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me” is one of his more straightforward songs. The lyrics are simple and direct, but they are also effective in conveying the singer’s despair. Ronstadt’s version of the song is even more emotional than Zevon’s, and she brings a real sense of vulnerability to the performance.
“Poor, Poor Pitiful Me” is a classic song that has been covered by many artists over the years, but Ronstadt’s version is the definitive one. Her powerful vocals and the song’s catchy melody have made it a favorite of fans for decades.
Video
Lyrics
“Poor Poor Pitiful Me”
Well I lay my head on the railroad track
Waiting on the Double E
But the train don’t run by here no more
Poor poor pitiful mePoor poor pitiful me
Poor poor pitiful me
Oh these boys won’t let me be
Lord have mercy on me
Woe woe is meWell I met a man out in Hollywood
Now I ain’t naming names
Well he really worked me over good
Just like Jesse James
Yes he really worked me over good
He was a credit to his gender
Put me through some changes Lord
Sort of like a Waring blenderPoor poor pitiful me
Poor poor pitiful me
Oh these boys won’t let me be
Lord have mercy on me
Woe woe is meWell I met a boy in the Vieux Carres
Down in Yokohama
He picked me up and he threw me down
He said “Please don’t hurt me Mama”Poor poor pitiful me
Poor poor pitiful me
Oh these boys won’t let me be
Lord have mercy on me
Woe woe is mePoor poor poor me
Poor poor pitiful me
Poor poor poor me
Poor poor pitiful me
Poor poor poor me
Poor poor pitiful me