When people discuss the brilliance of Warren Zevon’s songwriting they often concentrate on antisocial behavior of the people who inhabit his songs. But the most important thing in the late Mr. Zevon’s writing is the essential humanity of those characters, their search for meaning and love and hope against overwhelming circumstances. Here are a few examples.

David Lindley and Hani Naser “Play It All Night Long” (Warren Zevon)
This song really makes you want to take up farming, doesn’t it?

The Wildhearts “Carmelita” (Warren Zevon)
There are quite a few covers of this song, most staying fairly close to the melancholy feel of the original. This one totally rocks, and that’s kind of odd for a song about being strung out on heroin.

Shawn Colvin “Tenderness On The Block” (Warren Zevon)
One of the greatest songs written by a man about a young woman coming of age.

Jerry Garcia “Accidentally Like A Martyr” (Warren Zevon)
Longtime readers know that I have no special love for the Grateful Dead, but Uncle Jerry’s style suits this wistful song well. Special thanks to Johnny Quest for helping me find this one.

Warren Zevon “Back In The High Life Again” (Steve Winwood)
The original version of this song is pretty upbeat, the song of a guy looking forward to his future. Since this is Warren Zevon singing, he sounds like he doesn’t really believe the things he’s saying.