Linda Ronstadt Songs Ranked
Linda Maria Ronstadt (born July 15, 1946) is an American former singer who performed and recorded in diverse genres including rock, country, light opera, the Great American Songbook, and Latin. She has earned 11 Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, and an ALMA Award. Many of her albums have been certified gold, platinum or multiplatinum in the United States and internationally. She has also earned nominations for a Tony Award and a Golden Globe award. She was awarded the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award by the Latin Recording Academy in 2011 and also awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy in 2016. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2014. On July 28, 2014, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts and Humanities. In 2019, she received a star jointly with Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for their work as the group Trio. Ronstadt was among five honorees who received the 2019 Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievements. Here are all of Linda Ronstadt songs ranked.
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10. Willin (I Fall To Pieces (Live), 1974)
“Linda’s voice….that powerful, tender, boisterous, gentle voice. She could use it to give an almost un-feelable caress, a gentle slap, or a full-blown knuckle sandwich right to your nose. This is control, timing, and above all, that magical thing called “touch”.
9. Don’t Know Much (Don’t Know Much, 1989)
“No special effects; no autotune; just a beautiful song performed by an inspired duo. Whoever came up with the idea of having Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt sing a duet has my unending thanks!”
8. My Funny Valentine (For Sentimental Reasons 1986)
“Gorgeous. So many contemporary singers who try to sing the standards bore me to tears. They are often overwhelmed by the orchestra or simply don’t have the warmth, sadness and vocal beauty of Ronstadt. You can hear her ranchera heritage, a bit of her country rock belt and her pure joy of singing with a superb conductor, arranger and musicians”
See more: Linda Ronstadt Albums Ranked
7. Blue Bayou (Simple Dreams, 1977)
“This song has such an intense feeling of longing to it. The tinges of pain in Linda’s voice are a big reason, as well as everything else: the melody, the implied “sighs” in the phrasing, and the lyrics themselves. The phrase that gets me the most is “and the world is mine.” I haven’t felt like that in quite some time.”
6. Tumbling Dice (Simple Dreams 1977)
“Linda could sing anything and owned the songs. The range of her voice is just amazing. She can do soft and vulnerable with her ballads but also rock queen as with this one (and the advantage is, with her I can actually make out the words and meaning of the song!.) To me there has never been a pop/rock/folk/country singer like her.’
5. Silver Threads And Golden Needles (Hand Sown … Home Grown, 1969)
“She just absolutely irresistible. I can’t stand it! Beautiful looks, off the charts vocal performances, endless appeal. The list goes on. Her band was always top notch cats who were always way talented.”
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4. Long Long Time (Silk Purse 1970)
“One of my all time favorites for decades! Ronstadt is nothing but a brilliant performing artist since the 1970s and deserved all the awards and honors she’s received! Tragic what happened to her health wise and her gorgeous voice!”
3. Poor, Poor Pitiful Me (Simple Dreams, 1977)
“Holy crap that’s amazing. In the time before drum machines and performance/production bleed-over, this was a real rock band. I love to hear the organic sound!”
2. It’s So Easy (Simple Dreams, 1977)
“On a very short list of the greatest female vocalists ever. From a simple rock and roll romp like this to deep dark ballads to whatever she wrapped those pipes around Linda just sang her heart out.”
1. You’re No Good (I Fall To Pieces (Live) 1974)
“Linda defied musical categories. Surrounded herself with the finest musicians and wrapped that gorgeous powerful voice around great songs. Fame seemed to be a drag for the raven haired beauty but when she sang – all seemed right with our brokenhearted world.”