Zevon:Carmelita
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"Carmelita" is a rock song written by Warren Zevon. The song is another good example of Zevon's story-telling talents and ability to paint a nuanced picture of the downtrodden. The song is ostensibly about a heroin addicted writer in love with a Mexican girl, but, as with many songs on Warren Zevon, it might be more accurate to say that it is about Los Angeles than about the character in question.
The song first appeared on Zevon's 1976 self-titled solo album, but, like the album itself, initially garnered little airplay or attention.
Linda Ronstadt recorded a slightly altered version of the song on her 1977 album, Simple Dreams. Rondstadt's version includes a small rewrite that has Ronstadt pawning her "Smith & Wesson" as opposed to Zevon's "Smith Corona" thus re-casting our hero from writer to outlaw.
Another cover version of the song was released in 1992 by Tejano music legend Flaco Jimenez and country singer Dwight Yoakam on the album Partners. This version includes the rewrite first appearing in the Ronstadt version.
