Excitable Boy

Last updated

Excitable Boy
Excitable Boy cover.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedJanuary 18, 1978 (1978-01-18)
Recorded1977 (1977)
Studio The Sound Factory, Los Angeles
Genre Rock
Length31:29
Label Asylum
Producer Jackson Browne, Waddy Wachtel
Warren Zevon chronology
Warren Zevon
(1976)
Excitable Boy
(1978)
Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School
(1980)
Singles from Excitable Boy
  1. "Johnny Strikes Up the Band"
    Released: 1978
  2. "Excitable Boy"
    Released: 1978
  3. "Werewolves of London"
    Released: January 18, 1978
  4. "Nighttime in the Switching Yard"
    Released: 1978
  5. "Lawyers, Guns and Money"
    Released: 1978

Excitable Boy is the third studio album by American musician Warren Zevon. The album was released on January 18, 1978, by Asylum Records. It includes the single "Werewolves of London", which reached No. 21 and remained in the American Top 40 for six weeks. The album brought Zevon to commercial attention and remains the best-selling album of his career, having been certified platinum by the RIAA and reaching the top ten on the US Billboard 200. A remastered and expanded edition was released in 2007. [1]

Contents

Music and lyrics

"Excitable Boy" and "Werewolves of London" were considered macabrely humorous by some critics. [1] The historical "Veracruz" dramatizes the United States occupation of Veracruz. It was the first song Zevon wrote with Jorge Calderón. Likewise, "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner" is a fictionalized account of former mercenary David Lindell's experiences in Africa. "Lawyers, Guns and Money" is a tongue-in-cheek tale of a young American man's adventures in Cold War-era Latin America. In addition, there are two ballads about life and relationships ("Accidentally Like a Martyr" and "Tenderness on the Block"), as well as the funk/disco-inspired "Nighttime in the Switching Yard".

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Christgau's Record Guide A− [3]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Music BoxStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [5]
PopMatters 9/10 [1]
Rolling Stone (favorable) [6]
Uncut 9/10 [7]

Reviewing in Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981), Robert Christgau wrote:

The further these songs get from Ronstadtland, the more I like them. The four that exorcise male psychoses by mock celebration are positively addictive, the two uncomplicated rockers do the job, and two of the purely 'serious' songs get by. But no one has yet been able to explain to me what 'accidentally like a martyr' might mean—answers dependent on the term 'Dylanesque' are not acceptable—and I have no doubt that that's the image Linda will home in on. After all, is she going to cover the one about the headless gunner? [3]

The Globe and Mail panned the album, writing that Zevon's famous friends contributing to "this improbable collection of tunes is a testament to the constant in-breeding among the California types that have so deteriorated the scene out there." [8]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Johnny Strikes Up the Band" Warren Zevon 2:49
2."Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner"David Lindell, Zevon3:47
3."Excitable Boy"LeRoy Marinell, Zevon2:40
4."Werewolves of London" Waddy Wachtel, Marinell, Zevon3:27
5."Accidentally Like a Martyr"Zevon3:37
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
6."Nighttime in the Switching Yard" Jorge Calderón, Lindell, Wachtel, Zevon4:15
7."Veracruz"Calderón, Zevon3:30
8."Tenderness on the Block" Jackson Browne, Zevon3:55
9."Lawyers, Guns and Money"Zevon3:29
Bonus Tracks (2007 reissue)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
10."I Need a Truck" (Outtake)Zevon0:50
11."Werewolves of London" (Alternate version)Wachtel, Marinell, Zevon3:41
12."Tule's Blues"" (Solo piano version)Zevon3:13
13."Frozen Notes" (Strings version)Zevon1:59

Personnel

Additional personnel

Technical

Charts

Certifications

OrganizationLevelDate
RIAA – U.S. Gold April 17, 1978
CRIA – CanadaGoldJune 1, 1978
RIAA – U.S. Platinum November 7, 1997

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warren Zevon</span> American singer and songwriter (1947–2003)

Warren William Zevon was an American rock singer and songwriter. His most famous compositions include "Werewolves of London", "Lawyers, Guns and Money", and "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner". All three songs are featured on his third album, Excitable Boy (1978), the title track of which is also well-known. He also wrote major hits that were recorded by other artists, including "Poor Poor Pitiful Me", "Accidentally Like a Martyr", "Mohammed's Radio", "Carmelita", and "Hasten Down the Wind".

<i>Warren Zevon</i> (album) 1976 studio album by Warren Zevon

Warren Zevon is the second studio album by American musician Warren Zevon. This album was recorded in 1975 and released on May 18, 1976, by Asylum Records. A remastered version of the album with bonus tracks was released in 2008 by Rhino Records.

<i>Genius: The Best of Warren Zevon</i> 2002 greatest hits album by Warren Zevon

Genius: The Best of Warren Zevon is a compilation album by American musician Warren Zevon, released in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Werewolves of London</span> 1978 single by Warren Zevon

"Werewolves of London" is a song by American singer-songwriter Warren Zevon, written by Zevon, LeRoy Marinell and Waddy Wachtel. It first appeared on Excitable Boy (1978), Zevon's third studio album, then it was released as a single by Asylum Records in March 1978, becoming a Top 40 US hit, the only one of Zevon's career, reaching No. 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in May.

<i>A Quiet Normal Life: The Best of Warren Zevon</i> 1986 greatest hits album by Warren Zevon

A Quiet Normal Life: The Best Of Warren Zevon is a greatest hits album by American musician Warren Zevon released in 1986.

<i>Mr. Bad Example</i> 1991 studio album by Warren Zevon

Mr. Bad Example is an album by the American musician Warren Zevon, released through Giant Records in October 1991. Zevon supported the album with a North American tour, with the Odds serving as both opener and backing band.

<i>Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School</i> 1980 studio album by Warren Zevon

Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Warren Zevon. The album was released on February 15, 1980, by Elektra Records. Three singles were released from the album, one of which charted: "A Certain Girl" reached No. 57 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was Zevon's second and final hit on that chart.

<i>The Envoy</i> (Warren Zevon album) 1982 studio album by Warren Zevon

The Envoy is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Warren Zevon. The album was released on July 16, 1982, by Asylum Records. The album's lack of commercial success caused Zevon's label to terminate his recording contract.

<i>Transverse City</i> 1989 studio album by Warren Zevon

Transverse City is the seventh studio album by American recording artist Warren Zevon, released in October 1989 by Virgin Records. It features appearances from a number of prominent musicians, including guitarists Neil Young, David Gilmour, Jerry Garcia and Mike Campbell, as well as jazz pianist Chick Corea. Michael Ironside provides narration on the track "Run Straight Down."

<i>Learning to Flinch</i> 1993 live album by Warren Zevon

Learning to Flinch is a live solo acoustic album by American singer-songwriter Warren Zevon, recorded at various venues in the United States, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia and released in early 1993.

<i>The Wind</i> (Warren Zevon album) 2003 studio album by Warren Zevon

The Wind is the twelfth and final studio album by American singer-songwriter Warren Zevon. The album was released on August 26, 2003, by Artemis Records. Zevon began recording the album shortly after he was diagnosed with inoperable pleural mesothelioma, and it was released just two weeks before his death on September 7, 2003. The album was awarded the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album, and "Disorder in the House", performed by Zevon with Bruce Springsteen, won the Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance. Songs from the album were nominated for an additional three Grammys.

<i>Ill Sleep When Im Dead (An Anthology)</i> 1996 compilation album by Warren Zevon

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (An Anthology) is a two-disc compilation album by American singer-songwriter Warren Zevon, released on Rhino Records in 1996. It spans his career from his eponymous debut album on Asylum Records to date of release, ignoring his disowned initial album from 1969, Wanted Dead or Alive. It contains tracks from all ten of his albums released during this period, and includes contributions to soundtracks and his one-off album with members of R.E.M., Hindu Love Gods.

<i>Stand in the Fire</i> 1980 live album by Warren Zevon

Stand in the Fire is a live album by American singer-songwriter Warren Zevon, released December 26, 1980. It was recorded in August 1980 during a five-night residency at The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, California and featured two new original songs and one new cover. The album was dedicated to Martin Scorsese.

<i>Looking East</i> 1996 studio album by Jackson Browne

Looking East is the eleventh album by American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne, released in 1996. It peaked at number 36 on The Billboard 200.

<i>Enjoy Every Sandwich: The Songs of Warren Zevon</i> 2004 compilation album / tribute album by various artists

Enjoy Every Sandwich: The Songs of Warren Zevon, released in 2004, is a tribute album to the late Warren Zevon by several well-known musicians. It includes a previously unreleased Zevon composition: "Studebaker", sung by Warren's son Jordan Zevon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waddy Wachtel</span> American musician

Robert "Waddy" Wachtel is an American musician, composer and record producer, most notable for his guitar work. Wachtel has worked as session musician for other artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Beth Hart, Stevie Nicks, Kim Carnes, Randy Newman, Keith Richards, The Rolling Stones, Jon Bon Jovi, James Taylor, Iggy Pop, Warren Zevon, Bryan Ferry, Michael Sweet, Jackson Browne, Karla Bonoff, and Andrew Gold, both in the studio and live.

"Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner" is a song composed by Warren Zevon and David Lindell and performed by Zevon. It was included on Zevon's 1978 album Excitable Boy, and while never released as a single became a fan favorite. It was the last song he performed in front of an audience, during an October 2002 appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, before his death in 2003.

<i>Reconsider Me: The Love Songs</i> 2006 compilation album by Warren Zevon

Reconsider Me: The Love Songs is an album by American singer/songwriter Warren Zevon, released in 2006. It is the first album to be released after his death in 2003.

Jimmy Wachtel is an American photographer, art director and designer based in Los Angeles. He has designed album covers for big artists such as Joe Walsh, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Michael Stanley, Jo Jo Gunne, John Cougar, and Buckingham Nicks, among others.

"Mohammed's Radio" is a song by American singer-songwriter Warren Zevon. The song was released on his 1976 album Warren Zevon. The song was featured on A Quiet Normal Life: The Best of Warren Zevon and several other greatest hits-type albums by Zevon. Fleetwood Mac members Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks are also featured on this recording, as are Bobby Keys, Bob Glaub, and Waddy Wachtel.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Warren Zevon: Excitable Boy". PopMatters. May 2, 2007. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  2. Mark Deming. "Excitable Boy - Warren Zevon | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: Z". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN   089919026X . Retrieved March 23, 2019 via robertchristgau.com.
  4. Larkin, Colin (2007). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-0195313734.
  5. John Metzger. "Warren Zevon - Excitable Boy (Album Review)". Musicbox-online.com. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  6. (Posted: Mar 23, 1978) (March 23, 1978). "Warren Zevon: Excitable Boy : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on June 2, 2008. Retrieved October 23, 2015.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. "How to buy Warren Zevon". Uncut . October 2023. p. 71.
  8. McGrath, Paul (March 1, 1978). "Warren Zevon". The Globe and Mail. p. F2.
  9. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 348. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  10. "Charts.nz – Warren Zevon – Excitable Boy". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  11. "Warren Zevon Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  12. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1978". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2021.