There’s a fun article over at, of all places, the Wall Street Journal on Linda Ronstadt and the recording of her first monster hit, Different Drum. It’s been characterized as the first “it’s not you, it’s me” breakup song. The version on the record was done without rehearsal, with musicians with whom she’d never worked, without the words in front of her, and, since she couldn’t read music, without even a lead sheet.
Be sure to listen to the song’s composer, Mike Nesmith’s rendition of the song. You might remember him as the member of The Monkees who wore the stocking cap. They also included the first recorded version of the song by the Greenbriar Boys, the album version, and a later performance by Ms. Ronstadt.
