Poor Poor Pitiful Me

"Poor Poor Pitiful Me"
Song by Warren Zevon
Released	May 18, 1976
Genre	Rock
Length	3:04
Label	Asylum
Writer	Warren Zevon
Producer	Jackson Browne

"Poor Poor Pitiful Me" is a rock song written by Warren Zevon.

Content

In keeping with Zevon's sardonic lyrical style, the song's verses deal with a failed suicide, domestic abuse, and a brush with sadomasochism. The song appeared first on Zevon's 1976 self-titled solo album. It is reputed to be a friendly swipe at Jackson Browne, whose songs (such as "Here Come Those Tears Again" and "Sleeps Dark and Silent Gate" from The Pretender) could be quite dark.^{[citation needed]}

Linda Ronstadt version

"Poor Poor Pitiful Me"
Single by Linda Ronstadt
Released	February 1978
Genre	Country pop
Length	3:42
Label	Asylum
Producer	Peter Asher
Linda Ronstadt singles chronology
"It's So Easy" (1977) "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" (1978) "I Never Will Marry" (1978)

Linda Ronstadt recorded a gender-altered version of the song during 1977. Ronstadt's interpretation was released on the multi-platinum album Simple Dreams. Released as a single (on the Asylum label, #45462), Ronstadt's version of the song debuted on the Hot 100 charts February 18, 1978, and scored at the No. 31 position after nine weeks. Simple Dreams also contained another Zevon song, "Carmelita."

Chart performance (Linda Ronstadt version)

Chart (1977-1978)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles	46
U.S. Billboard Easy Listening	27
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	31
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks	9
Canadian RPM Country Tracks	36
Canadian RPM Top Singles	31

Terri Clark version

"Poor Poor Pitiful Me"
Single by Terri Clark
from the album Just the Same
B-side	"Something You Should've Said"
Released	September 23, 1996
Format	CD single
Genre	Country
Length	3:10
Label	Mercury
Producer	Keith Stegall Chris Waters Terri Clark
Terri Clark singles chronology
"Suddenly Single" (1996) "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" (1996) "Emotional Girl" (1997)

Another country cover of the song was recorded by Canadian country singer Terri Clark. It was released in September 1996 as the lead single from her second album, 1996's Just the Same. Clark's version was a number one hit on the Canadian RPM country charts, and a number five hit on the country charts in the U.S.

Background

Clark told Billboard magazine that she heard Linda Ronstadt's version of the song in the gym while she was working out. She said "and I thought, what a cool song. What a great country record that could make. I started doing it live, and it worked."

Music video

The music video was directed by Deaton Flanigen and premiered in late 1996.

Chart performance (Terri Clark version)

"Poor Poor Pitiful me" debuted at #47 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of October 12, 1996.

Chart (1996)	Peak position
Canadian RPM Country Tracks	1
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks	5
U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100	9

Preceded by "The Fear of Being Alone" by Reba McEntire

RPM Country Tracks number-one single December 9, 1996

Succeeded by "Crank My Tractor" by Michelle Wright