So I'm about halfway through reading "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead", the biography of Warren Zevon that was written with his complete approval by his ex-wife Crystal. First of all, this guy was messed up. I've read the biographies of Cash, Dylan, Cobain, etc. Let me tell you, those eccentric wildmen were nothing compared to Zevon. My favorite story so far involves his .357 Magnum being hidden in Joni Mitchell's trunk during a Jackson Browne concert. But anyway.....
My reason for this post is that in the book Zevon and his manager were furious that Asylum wanted to release "Werewolves of London" as the single. It was written as a funny, quirky, little song that was never intended to be Warren's calling card. It made me think about hit singles, and how people always talk down about songs that are commercially viable and catchy as if they are less important than the "real" songs an artist writes. Sure "Lawyers, Guns, and Money", "Accidentally Like a Martyr" etc. are better songs, but in this case the record company was right. I want to hear a song about a werewolf who has a craving for beef chow mein. It's rediculous, and I love it. AHHHHHOOOOOO!!
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