Simple Dreams

One bright, sunshine-filled, California day, my parents were driving by the beach. I was in the backseat staring at the waves when they decided to put on a Linda Ronstadt CD. At ten years old, I fell in love with her angelic, incomparable voice. 'It's So Easy' blasted through the car. I don't remember where we were going or where we were coming back from. All I remember is that voice. From that day on, Linda Ronstadt was my idol.

That following year, for a fifth grade drama class assignment we had to bring in our favorite song. While my former classmates brought in the likes of Justin Bieber and Owl City, I brought in Linda (and Stevie Wonder for the second semester). You could say I've always been an old soul...

In September of 1977, "Simple Dreams" was released by Asylum. Spending five weeks at number 1 on Billboard and Billboard Country, the album displaced the likes of Elvis Presley and Fleetwood Mac with "The King" previously holding fifteen weeks on Billboard Country, and the famous "Rumours" holding a record breaking 29 weeks on Billboard. Linda knocked them all down a peg! With covers like 'Carmelita', 'Poor, Poor Pitiful Me' (both written by Warren Zevon) 'Tumbling Dice' (originally by The Rolling Stones) and 'It's So Easy', the latter being Ronstadt's second Buddy Holly cover, "Simple Dreams" shows how Ronstadt made songs her own. And then there's 'Blue Bayou'. Although written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson, 'Blue Bayou' became Ronstadt's signature song. "Simple Dreams" caused Linda to become the first act since The Beatles and first female artist to have two singles in the top five at the same time, 'It's So Easy' and 'Blue Bayou'. The latter became Platinum-certified AND earned Ronstadt two Grammy Nominations, Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

"Simple Dreams" houses one of Ronstadt's collaborative works with Dolly Parton, pre-"Trio". (Link below for my write up on those albums!) Parton joined her on the traditional ballad 'I Never Will Marry', which became a Top 10 Country hit during the summer of '78. Meanwhile, Ronstadt, Parton, and mutual friend and fellow musician, Emmylou Harris were working on the first"Trio" album, although ill-fated at that same time, the album would finally be released nine years later.

As for me, my love for Linda still remains. Her music brings back so many wonderful memories and it all started with that one car ride.

Favorite song on the album: Tumbling Dice

"TRIO" link: https://www.thehotchildinthecity.com/post/_trio