While singer-songwriter Warren Zevon became known for his sharp songwriting throughout his long career, his biggest hit actually started as a silly joke between friends.
The idea for his hit track “Werewolves of London” began when Zevon’s friend, Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers, saw the famous 1935 film of the same name and suggested, as a joke, that Zevon write a dance song based on the title.
But Zevon wasn’t one to back down from a challenge, and he brought the idea to guitarist Waddy Wachtel and LeRoy Marinell. The trio quickly put the track together at the latter’s home in Venice Beach, Calif. Along with the unique concept for the song, the composition was built around a riff that Marinell came up with on guitar and Zevon adapted to the piano.
While it was an easy process to write the song, it turned out to be more of a challenge to record it in the studio. In the end, Zevon got help from two iconic musicians, drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie of Fleetwood Mac. Zevon played piano and Wachtel played guitar in the final recording.
The song was released as one of the lead singles on Zevon’s third album, Excitable Boy, in 1978. Thanks to his record label pushing for it to be a single, it became an unexpected hit.
“Werewolves of London” peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Zevon’s only Top 40 hit of his career. It also broke into the Top 20 in New Zealand, Canada, and Australia.
Related: 1988 Folk Hit, Ranked Among “Greatest Country Songs of All Time,” Hit Country No. 1 35 Years Later
These days, the song is seen as a one-hit wonder, but one of the best. “Werewolves of London” was included on Collider‘s list of “The 10 Best Classic Rock One-Hit Wonders,” ranked at No. 10.
The publication noted the “dangerously catchy riff” and “broader comedy than most of Zevon’s other satire-heavy songs,” but it also lamented the fact that there aren’t more of Zevon’s songs that achieved the same success.
Related: 1968 Glen Campbell Country Classic, Featuring an Unforgettable Organ Sound, Ranked Among the ‘Greatest Songs of All Time’
Hence then, the article about 1978 warren zevon hit built around an iconic piano riff named one of the best classic rock one hit wonders was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 1978 Warren Zevon Hit, Built Around an Iconic Piano Riff, Named One of the Best Classic Rock One-Hit Wonders )
Also on site :
- ‘Renoir’ Producers Join Asia-Europe Co-Production Panel at Tokyo Market as Japanese Accelerator Atmovie Global Track Partners With Ties That Bind
- Iran-aligned Houthis launch deadly attack on Yemeni presidential palace in escalating campaign against Saudi Arabia
- Martha Stewart’s Reversible 3-Piece Comforter Set Flips From ‘Elegant’ Vines to Bold Stripes, Now Nearly 50% Off