Released 53 years ago this October
Don't Cry Now
Linda Ronstadt · 1973
35 min · 10 tracks · country music
A blend of heartfelt country ballads and introspective folk, steeped in rich melodies and Ronstadt's powerful vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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I Can Almost See It Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Desperado — This track stands out with its poignant storytelling and emotional depth, highlighting Ronstadt's vocal prowess and ability to convey vulnerability.
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Love Has No Pride — The song encapsulates themes of unrequited love and longing, showcasing Ronstadt’s emotive interpretation that resonates deeply with listeners.
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Sail Away — With its lush arrangement and hopeful lyrics, this track reflects a yearning for freedom, perfectly complementing Ronstadt's melodic style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production but is less distinctive compared to Ronstadt's later work.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo track that gradually builds in intensity, leading into more emotionally charged ballads.
- Several tracks feature layered harmonies and prominent instrumental arrangements, particularly strings and acoustic guitars.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady emotional storytelling arc
- heartfelt melodies for reflection
- for evening wind-down
- subtle nuances for headphone listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat dance tracks
- prefer standalone singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Further solidified Ronstadt's reputation after her successful previous album.
- Career context
- Released on October 1, 1973, Don't Cry Now was Linda Ronstadt's third studio album. Following the commercial success of her previous album, Heart Like a Wheel, this record further solidified her status as a leading figure in the country-rock genre during the early 1970s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Emmylou Harris· Joni Mitchell· Carole King
Tracklist
- 1 I Can Almost See It Start here 3:51
- 2 Love Has No Pride 4:13
- 3 Silver Threads and Golden Needles 2:25
- 4 Desperado 3:32
- 5 Don’t Cry Now 4:29
- 6 Sail Away 3:08
- 7 Colorado 4:19
- 8 The Fast One 3:41
- 9 Everybody Loves a Winner 3:19
- 10 I Believe in You 2:49
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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