Wisdom in the Face of Mortality
I’ve loved Warren Zevon since Werewolves of London first came out of the radio in the 1970s. Much later in his life, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and wrote this reflective, self-aware, poignant masterpiece, My Shit’s Fucked Up. Warren manages to deal with the subject of his imminent death – remarkable in itself – with great diginity and using simple language which anyone can acknowledge. It’s emotional without being sentimental. This is a truly great performance.
If I can be as sanguine about my own fate, should it come to that, I will have achieved something of great merit.
2 Replies to “Wisdom in the Face of Mortality”
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Very, very good song. Zevon is one of the most underrated songwriters of all time. His first two records are masterpieces. However, “My Shit’s Fucked Up” is from 2000’s “Life’ll Kill Ya” (brilliant record). That album was released nearly two years before Zevon’s grim diagnosis. It is ironic though.
He did write and record an entire record between the time he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and his death, 2003’s “The Wind.” I’d definitely recommend that you read his amazing biography, “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead: The Dirty Life & Times of Warren Zevon,” which was penned by his ex wife Crystal Zevon. Excellent read. Thanks for a great video post!
Thanks very much for the correction. Agreed Warren is underrated both as a lyricist and a tunesmith.