#490: Linda Ronstadt, ‘Heart Like A Wheel’

Capitol, 1975

Today’s “can do” attitude is sponsored by Linda Ronstadt and my sweater, Adidas boys size 14 track pants combo.

A lot of dads love Linda. This is the chatter I overhear at garage sales, record stores or just casual father/daughter chit chat. Linda Ronstadt was a big deal and these dads always say something like, “what a killer voice.”

*Please note that my dad gets why Linda is a big deal but he feels more admiration for Karla Bonoff, the woman who wrote most of the songs Linda made famous.*

Here’s my unsolicited two cents: not my favorite but I have a feeling we are going to hear more from her on this list and I think that my opinion, like a supple *(see screenshot)* can be twisted and coerced into someday saying, “Wow, what a killer voice. Gee wiz, I love Linda.”

The thing about Linda for me is that she reminds me of a time in American pop history that I never experienced but hearing her voice definitely takes me there. It’s the same with Karen Carpenter-- I know the second Karen’s voice comes on the radio, my parent (either one) will stop everything and say, “I love Karen Carpenter” and clutch their chest. The voice is so of that time and as someone not of that time, I don’t get it.

Both Karen and Linda bring me to a place that I don’t identify with.

On the other hand, though, I listened to this album four times today by accident. I got in the zone writing some stories for Utah Business Magazine and there are some songs that upon this fourth listen are real bangers.

The coercion has begun and like a brand new puppy, I am being trained through repetition to love her.

It might happen. Who knows?

Top Songs: It’s now been five listens and the whole album is pretty good by now. “It doesn’t matter anymore” is starting to have tiny Stevie Nix moments. One song I did not like was her cover of “Dark End of the Street.” If it is not Cat Power’s cover or James Carr’s original, I don’t want it. Sorry, Linda.