You're No Good - Linda Ronstadt's Version

Linda Ronstadt's Version

Genya Ravan has indicated she vainly attempted to interest the producer of her 1974 album Goldie Zelkovitz in the idea of a remake of "You're No Good" while Maria Muldaur, discussing in a 1985 interview how she "didn't go out of way to find followup hits" to her 1973-74 breakthrough "Midnight at the Oasis", cited "You're No Good" when explaining: "I've turned down songs that have gone on to be hits for other people because I thought the lyrics were negative or neurotic".

It was Muldaur's friend and professional associate Linda Ronstadt who'd remake "You're No Good" for her Double Platinum career defining Heart Like A Wheel album released in late 1974 by Capitol Records; Ronstadt's version benefited from the contribution of Andrew Gold who provided virtually all the track's instrumentation, and string arrangements by Gregory Rose. Capitol was unsure whether to release "You're No Good" or "When Will I Be Loved" as the lead single off Heart Like a Wheel only deciding to release "You're No Good" a week after the album's release; the track ascended to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated 15 February 1975. ("When Will I Be Loved" would be issued as the followup single.) The success of "You're No Good" set a precedent for Ronstadt's single releases which over the next five years would virtually all be remakes of classic rock and roll songs. (The B-side of "You're No Good": "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love With You)" - originally by Hank Williams - was simultaneously a major C&W hit for Ronstadt at No. 2.) "You're No Good" was also a hit for Linda Ronstadt in Australia (No. 15), the Netherlands (No. 17) and New Zealand (No. 24).