Warren Zevon Puts A Face (And More) to the Name Quiz

Answer: Carmelita

"Carmelita" was released in 1976 on Zevon's self-titled album. It was previously recorded by Canadian singer Murray McLauchlan in 1972. The song seems to be more about the "narrator" and not Carmelita although there's an implication that she was helping support his heroin habit.

His desperation is evident in the evocative chorus. Linda Ronstadt recorded a slightly altered version on her 1977 album "Simple Dreams" and Counting Crows also released a cover version as part of a Warren Zevon tribute in 1999.

Answer: Charlie's Medicine

"Charlie's Medicine" is a track on Zevon's album "The Envoy" released in 1982. It tells the story of Charlie, a dealer, who was murdered by a "respectable doctor from Beverly Hills". The narrator goes to Charlie's funeral, after receiving a phone call from Charlie's sister, "to finish paying his bill." There has been speculation that the song was based a real person or a composite of a seedy Los Angeles drug culture.

Answer: Bullet for Ramona

"Bullet for Ramona" appeared on "Wanted Dead or Alive", Zevon's debut studio album in 1969. It was written by Zevon and Paul Evans in a classic Country Western style. After discovering the unfaithful Ramona with a drifter, the singer shot her. He relates the heartbreaking details to his mother in a letter. In retrospect the song was quite tame compared with his more satirical storytelling that would follow.

Answer: Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner

Released in 1978, the song appeared on the "Excitable Boy" album. Zevon wrote the song with David Lindell, a former mercenary, whom he met in Spain. Using some of Lindell's real life experience, the song tells the story of Roland, a Norwegian who is recruited to fight in Biafra.

He's renowned for skills with a Thompson gun and eventually becomes a target of the CIA. His head is blown off by one of his comrades. Zevon remarked he and Lindell wrote the song in one afternoon in a bar "over many jars".

Answer: Suzi Lightning

"Suzi Lightning" is from Zevon's 1991 album "Mr Bad Example". Suzi is an actress whose career takes her away from the song's lovesick protagonist. "She lights up the sky then she's gone" is one example of Zevon's literary flourish: just a few words say so much.

Although the song was described as "pale" and "a bit of a letdown" by critics, "Suzi Lightning" wasn't meant to be another "Excitable Boy", but rather the sweet, haunting ballad it is.

Answer: Boom Boom Mancini

From The 1987 album, "Sentimental Hygiene" the song is Zevon's ode to Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, a former professional boxer. The song recounts some of Mancini's matches including his fight with Duk Koo Kim who tragically fell into a coma after the fight ended and died four days later. Zevon may have used poetic license but his lyrics and music in "Boom Boom Mancini" have been described as "savagely beautiful".

Answer: Johnny Strikes Up the Band

The song is another release from the 1978 "Excitable Boy" album. From the first notes of the intro there's an uncharacteristic element of optimism in the song. "They'll be rocking in the projects. Walking down along the strand" tells of the adulation he gets when he strikes up his band. Some interpreted the song to be about Johnny Carson while others have said it's about a drug dealer. Either way it's one of those songs that you can't listen to and sit still!

Answer: Bill Lee

"Bill Lee" is from the 1980 album "Bad Luck in Dancing School". The song is written from the (supposed) point of view of pitcher Bill "the Spaceman" Lee. He was a fan of the likes of Jackson Browne, Little Feat and Zevon. He often quoted lyrics from "Excitable Boy" and adopted it as his unofficial "theme song". Lee openly clashed with the Red Sox head office at times.

After reading of Lee's fine and severe reprimand for his revelation that he had been smoking marijuana for over a decade, Zevon was so moved he wrote a song about him.

The album made it to Number 20 on the Billboard album charts with the brief and succinct "Bill Lee" praised as an album highlight.

Answer: Mohammed's Radio

"Mohammed's Radio" also appears on Zevon's 1976 self-titled album. It tells of escape from the trials and tribulations of everyday life through the "sweet and soulful songs... on Mohammed's radio". Background vocals by Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks along with Zevon's baritone combined with the saxophone complement to his piano created a stellar combination.

Answer: Frank and Jesse James

"Frank and Jesse James" tells the story of two brothers from Missouri, who ended up on the wrong side of the American Civil War and later the wrong side of the law. The song's intro immediately showcases Zevon talent as a pianist, creating a very authentic feel of a saloon in the Old West. The ballad also makes use of banjo and fiddle. The song is first track on "Warren Zevon" released in 1976.