Released 30 years ago
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
Warren Zevon · 1996
152 min · 44 tracks · folk rock
A vivid tapestry of Americana, blending rock, blues, and folk with Zevon's signature dark humor and storytelling prowess.
Top tracks — play these first
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Poor Poor Pitiful Me — This track exemplifies Zevon's knack for blending humor with melancholy, capturing the essence of his lyrical wit and unique perspective on heartbreak.
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Werewolves of London — A quintessential Zevon song, it showcases his ability to fuse rock with storytelling while incorporating elements of horror and humor that define his style.
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Excitable Boy — This track stands out for its narrative depth, exploring themes of violence and societal norms through a catchy melody and ironic lyrics.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic flow with varied pacing
- dark humor and storytelling depth
- for reflective road trips
- engaging narratives with vivid imagery
- mix of upbeat and somber
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, single-focused albums
- dislike lyrical complexity and nuance
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1996, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead is a compilation album that encapsulates Warren Zevon’s career, showcasing his evolution from a cult favorite to a respected figure in rock music. This anthology came after a period of personal and professional challenges, including his battle with health issues, marking a reflective phase in his artistic journey.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jackson Browne· Loudon Wainwright III· Elvis Costello
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Excitable Boy
The verses shift from depicting an innocent childhood to detailing violent escapades, presenting a stark contrast between youth and consequence.
This structural juxtaposition effectively highlights the dissonance between societal expectations and individual actions, making a powerful commentary on masculinity.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Frank and Jesse James 4:36
- 2 Hasten Down the Wind 3:00
- 3 Poor Poor Pitiful Me 3:05
- 4 I'll Sleep When I'm Dead 2:58
- 5 Carmelita 3:35
- 6 Desperados Under the Eaves 4:46
- 7 Johnny Strikes Up the Band 2:48
- 8 Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner 3:45
- 9 Excitable Boy 2:41
- 10 Werewolves of London 3:27
- 11 Accidentally Like a Martyr 3:38
- 12 Lawyers, Guns and Money 3:31
- 13 Frozen Notes 2:00
- 14 Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School 2:59
- 15 Gorilla, You're a Desperado 2:47
- 16 Play It All Night Long 3:18
- 17 Mohammed's Radio (live version) 4:49
- 18 Jeannie Needs a Shooter (live version) 4:06
- 19 The Envoy 3:12
- 20 The Hula Hula Boys 3:02
- 21 Let Nothing Come Between You 3:39
- 22 Looking for the Next Best Thing 3:38
Disc 2
- 1 Sentimental Hygiene 5:03
- 2 Boom Boom Mancini 4:48
- 3 Detox Mansion 3:13
- 4 Bad Karma 3:12
- 5 Reconsider Me (single version) 3:26
- 6 Run Straight Down 4:05
- 7 The Long Arm of the Law 3:46
- 8 Splendid Isolation 4:29
- 9 You Don't Know What Love Is 2:30
- 10 Raspberry Beret 3:54
- 11 Suzie Lightning 4:04
- 12 Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead 2:53
- 13 Searching for a Heart 4:17
- 14 Mr. Bad Example 3:22
- 15 Roll With the Punches 2:23
- 16 The French Inhaler (live version) 4:21
- 17 The Indifference of Heaven (live version) 4:14
- 18 If You Won't Leave Me I'll Find Somebody Who Will 0:42
- 19 Real or Not 1:45
- 20 Seminole Bingo 3:11
- 21 Monkey Wash Donkey Rinse 3:55
- 22 Mutineer 3:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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