Few voices in American music history have left as deep and lasting an impression as Linda Ronstadt’s. With a career spanning genres—from country rock and pop to Latin and opera—Ronstadt didn’t just sing songs; she owned them. Whether belting out a rock anthem or delivering a heartbreaking ballad, her voice was a force of nature: powerful, emotional, and unmistakably hers. In the 1970s and ’80s, she dominated the charts, reinventing classics and carving out a path that blurred genre lines and shattered expectations for women in music. She worked with legends, inspired generations, and racked up accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards and a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But beyond the awards and acclaim, it’s the songs that tell her story best. These are the anthems that made fans fall in love, the heartbreakers that brought tears to eyes, and the timeless tracks that continue to resonate decades later. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering her brilliance, this list will take you on a journey through her most iconic hits. So turn up the volume—here are the top 10 most popular Linda Ronstadt songs of all time. Get ready to relive the magic.
1. You’re No Good (1974)
Linda Ronstadt’s electrifying take on “You’re No Good” marked a defining moment in her career. Featured on her Heart Like a Wheel album, the 1974 single shot straight to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her first chart-topping hit. Though originally recorded by Dee Dee Warwick in the early ’60s, Ronstadt’s version reinvented the track with fiery conviction and raw energy. The production, helmed by Peter Asher, builds from a soft acoustic intro into a full-bodied rock arrangement, blending bluesy riffs, rich harmonies, and crashing percussion. But it’s Ronstadt’s vocals that steal the show—seductive, strong, and emotionally cutting, she embodies the song’s spirit of romantic defiance. Her performance turns what could’ve been a simple breakup track into a bold anthem of self-empowerment. This was the moment Ronstadt shattered expectations, proving she was more than a talented vocalist—she was a transformative artist capable of turning old material into something fresh, personal, and powerful. “You’re No Good” didn’t just top the charts; it announced that Ronstadt had arrived, not as someone chasing trends, but as someone setting them. This hit solidified her place in rock and pop history.
2. Blue Bayou (1977)
“Blue Bayou” is one of Linda Ronstadt’s most enduring and emotionally resonant songs—a masterclass in vocal storytelling. Originally penned and recorded by Roy Orbison in 1963, the song found renewed life when Ronstadt released her version in 1977 on Simple Dreams. Her take on the song is wistful and haunting, filled with the kind of aching vulnerability that makes time seem to slow down. The arrangement, featuring lush strings, pedal steel guitar, and a gentle, swaying rhythm, gives the song a dreamlike atmosphere. Ronstadt’s voice is soaked in longing, capturing the essence of homesickness and heartbreak in every note. Her ability to convey complex emotions so clearly helped the song connect deeply with audiences, pushing it to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning her a Grammy nomination. More than just a successful single, “Blue Bayou” became a signature moment in her career. It demonstrated her unmatched talent for transforming classic songs into something entirely her own. With every line, Ronstadt invites listeners into a world of quiet sorrow and yearning, making “Blue Bayou” not just a standout in her catalog, but a timeless American ballad.
3. When Will I Be Loved (1975)
Linda Ronstadt injected fresh fire into The Everly Brothers’ 1960 classic “When Will I Be Loved” with her rousing 1975 cover. Included on her breakthrough album Heart Like a Wheel, her rendition is fierce, rhythmic, and unapologetically direct. With a rollicking beat, punchy electric guitar, and Ronstadt’s commanding vocal performance, the song transforms into a declaration of frustration and resilience. She doesn’t just ask the titular question—she demands an answer. Her voice is bright, clear, and cutting, laced with the kind of conviction that makes you believe every word. The song’s infectious energy and country-rock arrangement gave it massive crossover appeal, sending it to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and all the way to No. 1 on the country chart. It’s a shining example of Ronstadt’s unique ability to bridge genres while keeping her interpretations fresh and personal. “When Will I Be Loved” became a staple of her live shows and a fan favorite, helping to cement her reputation as one of the most dynamic and versatile performers of her era. She didn’t just cover the song—she owned it.
4. It’s So Easy (1977)
With “It’s So Easy,” Linda Ronstadt brought playful sass and rock ‘n’ roll swagger to a Buddy Holly classic. Recorded for her 1977 album Simple Dreams, her version updates Holly’s 1958 original with an amped-up glam-country sound that feels rebellious and fun. From the opening guitar riff to the pounding drumbeat, the track is pure energy, capturing the spirit of late-‘70s rock while nodding to its rockabilly roots. Ronstadt’s vocals are sharp, cheeky, and full of confidence, adding a seductive edge to the simple lyrics about love coming easily. There’s a buoyant joy in her delivery that turns the song into a celebration of freedom, flirtation, and independence. The slick but punchy production keeps the track lively and engaging, and it quickly became a radio favorite. “It’s So Easy” climbed into the Top 10 on the charts and further cemented Ronstadt’s place as a master of reinvention. She had a knack for taking familiar songs and giving them a fresh, unmistakable spin. In this case, she made a rockabilly tune sound modern and fierce—proof that when Ronstadt sang, nothing ever felt old.
5. Different Drum (1967)
Before her solo superstardom, Linda Ronstadt made a bold entrance into the music world with “Different Drum,” a 1967 hit recorded with her band The Stone Poneys. Written by Michael Nesmith of The Monkees, the song was a revelation at the time—a breakup anthem where the woman walks away, unafraid to stand alone. Ronstadt’s voice, both tender and defiant, brought that message to life with emotional complexity that felt ahead of its time. At just 21, she delivered a performance that blended youthful sincerity with a striking sense of self-possession. The song’s baroque pop instrumentation—complete with harpsichord, strings, and a dramatic arrangement—stood apart from the typical folk-rock sounds of the day, helping it rise on the charts and turning heads in the industry. “Different Drum” wasn’t just a hit; it was a statement. It introduced Ronstadt as an artist with something to say and the vocal chops to say it beautifully. Looking back, it’s clear this early gem set the tone for her career: fearless, genre-blurring, and unapologetically herself.
6. Desperado (1973)
Linda Ronstadt’s take on “Desperado” strips away the bravado of the Eagles’ original and replaces it with quiet strength and compassion. Released on her 1973 album Don’t Cry Now, her version recasts the song’s weary outlaw as a vulnerable soul in need of comfort. Where the Eagles’ delivery is masculine and mournful, Ronstadt offers an almost maternal warmth, making her interpretation especially intimate and affecting. Her voice is rich and restrained, conveying more emotion in a whisper than many singers can with a shout. The arrangement is spare—just piano, soft strings, and subtle backing vocals—allowing her delivery to shine through with piercing clarity. “Desperado” was never released as a single, yet it became a fan favorite and a staple in her live shows. It also underscored her close creative connection with the Eagles, whose members frequently collaborated with her. This rendition is a perfect example of Ronstadt’s emotional intelligence as a performer—how she could take a familiar song and gently reshape it until it revealed something new. Her “Desperado” lingers like a quiet thought long after the last chord fades.
7. Heat Wave (1975)
Ronstadt turned up the temperature with her sizzling cover of “Heat Wave,” originally a Motown hit by Martha and the Vandellas in 1963. Her 1975 rendition, featured on Prisoner in Disguise, is a full-throttle fusion of rock, pop, and soul that grabs you from the first drumbeat and doesn’t let go. She attacks the song with vocal intensity and a sense of joyous urgency, channeling the overwhelming passion described in the lyrics. The band behind her matches her energy note for note, with blazing guitar lines, fiery horns, and a relentless rhythm section that makes the whole track feel like it’s about to explode. Ronstadt doesn’t just sing the song—she embodies it, dancing on the edge of wild desire and emotional chaos. Her version of “Heat Wave” proved that she could match the power of any Motown legend, while putting her own rock ‘n’ roll stamp on it. It’s one of the most electrifying tracks in her discography and a standout moment that showcases her ability to reimagine and elevate the music she loved. Simply put, Ronstadt’s “Heat Wave” is pure, exhilarating fire.
8. Long, Long Time (1970)
“Long, Long Time” is the song that gave Linda Ronstadt her first major solo spotlight—and it remains one of the most emotionally devastating ballads in her repertoire. Released in 1970 on her Silk Purse album, the track is a slow, aching meditation on unrequited love. Written by Gary White, it offered Ronstadt the perfect vehicle to display her gift for expressive, soul-baring vocals. With a voice full of quiet sorrow and restrained longing, she captures the hopelessness of loving someone who will never return your affection. The arrangement is minimal yet rich, built around gentle acoustic guitar, strings, and piano, all of which give her voice the room to rise and fall like a heart breaking in real time. The song earned her a Grammy nomination and broadened her audience significantly. Even decades later, “Long, Long Time” still resonates, especially after a memorable resurgence in modern television soundtracks. It’s one of those timeless tracks that cuts to the bone and reminds listeners of the emotional power Ronstadt could deliver with just a few notes. Her performance is so sincere, so vulnerable, it’s impossible not to feel it deeply.
9. Tracks of My Tears (1975)
Covering a Smokey Robinson classic is no easy feat, but Linda Ronstadt made “The Tracks of My Tears” uniquely her own on her 1975 album Prisoner in Disguise. Instead of trying to replicate the soulful Motown vibe of the original, she leaned into a more reflective, country-tinged interpretation that draws out the heartache beneath the song’s surface. With gentle acoustic guitar and a slower tempo, the arrangement allows Ronstadt’s voice to take center stage. Her vocals are full of quiet pain and emotional subtlety, transforming the track into a melancholy ballad rather than a groove. She doesn’t belt or wail—she lets the sorrow simmer, making every word feel lived-in and real. Though it didn’t chart as high as some of her other singles, her version of “Tracks of My Tears” was praised by critics and fans alike for its emotional honesty. It’s another example of Ronstadt’s uncanny ability to step into a well-known song and uncover new depths within it. Her rendition is less about performance and more about truth, revealing the vulnerability behind the smile the lyrics describe.
10. Love Is a Rose (1975)
Linda Ronstadt’s “Love Is a Rose” is a breezy, upbeat gem that blends country charm with pop sensibility. Written by Neil Young but unreleased by him at the time, the song found its audience when Ronstadt recorded it for her 1975 album Prisoner in Disguise. With its infectious chorus and rustic twang, the track quickly became a fan favorite and a commercial success, climbing both the country and pop charts. The lyrics, which contrast the beauty of love with the pain it can cause, are delivered with a lightness and wit that only Ronstadt could pull off. Her voice dances across the melody with warmth and clarity, turning philosophical musings into something that feels personal and lived-in. Backed by jangly acoustic guitars and a toe-tapping rhythm, “Love Is a Rose” evokes the feel of a sunny afternoon road trip through the countryside. It’s a perfect example of how Ronstadt could make Americana music feel fresh, fun, and accessible without losing its roots. With this track, she reminded listeners that even the simplest songs can carry deep meaning when sung with heart.
Samuel Moore is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
