Revisiting 3 Warren Zevon Gems You Shouldn’t Forget

If you are a music listener who is unaware of Warren Zevon‘s profound work, don’t kick yourself. After all, the man was incredibly cunning and avoided the limelight pretty consistently. However, as of late, Zevon’s name and work have been coming up in conversations and gracing some of the world’s finest stages. Not only did Zevon recently receive an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but his hit song “Lawyers, Guns, And Money” also appeared during Zach Bryan’s set at Stagecoach in 2025. So, whether he would have liked it or not, folks are remembering Warren Zevon.

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The peak of Warren Zevon’s career was during the 70s and 80s. Particularly, Zevon became a prominent figure following the release of his 1978 album, Excitable Boy. Though still, Zevon’s music and character seemingly remain rather unknown to the majority of music listeners. However, we are here to change that fact by remembering three of his greatest songs.

“Werewolves Of London”

Commercially, this is Warren Zevon’s most successful track. Released in 1978, “Werewolves Of London” became Zevon’s claim to fame thanks to the fact that it peaked at no. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 following its release.

Now, you may not know Zevon, but you surely know the opening piano melody to this song. Furthermore, you might not have heard Zevon’s original melody from the actual song. Though you’ve surely heard it from Kid Rock’s hit single “All Summer Long” as he sampled the Zevon piece for his own track.

“Lawyers, Guns, And Money”

Also featured on his album, Excitable Boy, “Lawyers, Guns, And Money” is arguably the second most popular track from the work. Following the release of the album, the single spent minimal time on the Billboard Hot 100, but it did spend some time, as it peaked at no. 89 on the chart.

Regardless, the single not only helped the album peak at no. 8 on the Billboard 200, but it also cemented Zevon as an underground rock artist with subversive lyrics and attitude. In other words, there is a valid reason Zach Bryan featured this single in his 2025 Stagecoach set.

“Keep Me In Your Heart”

Just a couple of days before his passing in 2003, Warren Zevon released the most emotionally vulnerable album of his career. The closing track of that album was “Keep Me In Your Heart”. Given the context surrounding Zevon’s life, this is likely the most tragically perfect album arrangement of all time.

The song never made it to any charts, but that is not why it was made. Rather, Zevon made it for his fans, his family, and his friends. So, it seems the title of this song is meant to be taken quite literally. In essence, this track was Warren Zevon’s farewell to the world.

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