Warren Zevon - Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner (2007 Remaster) Reaction

[@mickdarcy3063]

I have always laughed at the line, "Roland aimed his Thompson gun, he didn't say a word", because, after all, he has no head or mouth to say anything with! I love the imagery of a headless Zombie mercenary looking for his enemy across Africa even though he doesn't even have eyes, because, you know, again, no head!

[@arjaylee]

"Lawyers Guns and Money", "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" Watch his last appearance on the David Letterman Show, shortly before he passed from Cancer. Very Emotional. Warren Zevon was one of a kind.

[@kanjjn]

"My Shit's Fucked Up" is hilarious and sad all at the same time. One of a kind indeed.

[@theccpisaparasite8813]

@@kanjjn Yeah only he and Frank Zappa blazed that much of a unique path

[@markofrontz1343]

Just Dave & Warren for an hour (minus commercial time) chatting interspersed with song breaks. Dave's finest hour. Warren gone way too soon

[@dennistyler8746]

@@theccpisaparasite8813 "Play it all night long"...another gr8 one.

[@dennistyler8746]

@@kanjjn "Play it all night long"...another gr8 one.

[@izzonj]

Glad you were into this. Warren Zevon (died of cancer, way too young) had a very unusual upbringing. His father was in immigrant from the Soviet Union who settled in LA and became a bookie. Among his clients were all sorts of gangsters and he'd hear wild stories from them when they were hanging around. He traveled a lot on his own and gravitated to bars in Europe where more shady characters hung out, including mercenary soldiers for hire, assassins, etc. The stories he heard shaped his artistic style and he became an expert in the bizarre, writing songs about headless mercenaries out for revenge, stylish vampires in London, young men arrested in foreign lands, etc. He could tell a complete and complex story in 3 minutes like nobody else. He was a favorite on the old David Letterman show. You should look up his final appearance on that show - he was the sole guest, performed 4 songs and told a lot of stories about himself, his sickness (and his stupidity in not seeing a doctor for 10 years) and his last bit of advise to people as he was dying" "Just enjoy every sandwich".

[@davidbenoit7818]

perfectly stated. Thank you.

[@chuckcelemin6789]

Every so often I find my self yelling: He found him in Mombassa In a barroom drinkin' gin for no apparent reason

[@DavidB-2268]

Zevon was a master of writing songs that are simultaneously upbeat and dark. Probably the best example was the title song of the album this song came from: Excitable Boy.

[@slim11yt]

Warren Zevon is my favorite artist of all time! Please do more of his music. He is extremely intelligent and a very witty song writer.

[@rhymeswithteeth]

Teez, all these young black folk, with their reaction channels, who're just now discovering the great classic Rock & Roll that myself and the white folk my age grew up with, reminds me of when myself and my friends were your age and we were discovering blues music.

[@zappafan-eu4wp]

Warren is the best. He always came at things from a different angle.

[@huarenxivonne9662]

especially his wife

[@bobschenkel7921]

Warren Zevon is high on the cool factor scale, anything from Excitable Boy is good. Werewolves Of London is fun, Lawyers, Guns and Money, and the title song are all good. Thanks for doing some Warren, thanks to the requestor.

[@delilasloan8914]

Excitable boy is one of my favorite albums ever made..every song..the thing with me is that I prefer punk music from the 80s and stuff like the misfits and dead Kennedy's... I was downloading the song werewolves of London in maybe 2005 and the only way I could get the song was to download the whole album of limewire at the time, so I downloaded the whole thing and thought well I may as well check out the rest of the songs..and listening to that album from begining to end for the first time laying in my bed with the lights out with bad ass headphones was probably one of the greatest music experiences I ever had, and iv been to a lot of concerts and came across a lot of cool music in my 41 years.

[@captainsplifford]

"Werewolves of London" is probably his most famous song, and is great fun.

[@RUSHChick]

Totally. My nephew’s belly button loves to sing that song🤣😀

[@trismaccarran9950]

Ah...whoooo....werewolves of London

[@RUSHChick]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@brianb7686]

Second being Lawyers, Guns, and Money.

[@theccpisaparasite8813]

@@brianb7686 well Jungle Work, Excitable Boy (with Linda Ronstadt and Jennifer Warnes as the ooh-wah girls in the background) and I'll Sleep When I'm Dead are also fun. The guy was so fun to watch on stage and was a pre-eminently likeable guy.

[@goittoog7563]

Zevon is beloved by many of us for his eclectic songs of violence and love and truth

[@michaelsmyth500]

Warren Zevon was a great talent that is sorely missed to this very day.

[@asgeirosnes3850]

The song is about a Norwegian mercinary, hired to fight in the Kongo war in 66 and 67. It was the last song he played publicy on the Letterman show. Letterman was a huge fan and friend, and when Warren in the final stage of cancer he had a whole show with Warren as the only guest. When he was told that he had cancer and had three months left to live, Warren set out to make his best album ever (The Wind), and several big artist came to cintribute (i.a. Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Jackson Brown and Don Henley). "Disorder in the House" is a true rocker with Springsteen going crazy on the guitar. The final song is a gut wrenching sad sad song (Keep Me In Your Heart), saying goodbye to his family and friends, who were there while he recorded it. He was too weak to go to the studio, so they recorded it at home. And also "Mr Bad Example".

[@baronesselsavonfreytag-lor1134]

OMG can't believe you did this!!! It's a good album. Kudos to the selector :-)

[@cptrex]

"I know this is a little dark, but..".......Exactly My first cd I ever bought. Love Zevon!!! So great and so underrated

[@tomward6689]

Yes! Warren sings and writes the songs. His lyrics are always unique, mixing dark and fanciful.

[@barryervin8536]

Desperados Under The Eves is my favorite Zevon song. But I love so many of them. For every one that got radio play there were 10 songs at least as good that never did. I saw Warren live countless times, almost on a monthly basis when he was living in Philly and playing local clubs all the time. Every show was great, whether he had a full band or it was just him with his piano and guitar. RIP, Warren.

[@matthiaspaulsson8827]

This is one of my favourite songs of all time. Warren Zevon was a true genious (one of the smartest people born in the US). Carmelita is another of my favourites by Warren. He had a way of making songs about bad shit happening to people, but as you said, it makes you feel cheerful in a way. I am glad you took the time to review this one. Warren Zevon, one of a kind! peace 🙂

[@brucedillinger9448]

Kudos to you dude! You're the 1st I've heard to react to this Zevon masterpiece. Thank you.

[@paulkeah-tighii7046]

"Lawyers,guns and money"you will enjoy, please 😎

[@bentindle9036]

One of the most clever songwriters that ever walked this earth. RIP

[@richardsimpson9039]

“Poor, poor pitiful me” is amazing.

[@jamesoconnor9027]

Warren Zevon, super cool!

[@cap.luisfigo9401]

Roland lives ☮

[@djangodunn5968]

Joseph great selection Fella!

[@BlackLabelMark]

This song always brings a tear to my eye. Warren Zevon will always remind me of being a kid and listening to this with my dad. I love it.

[@johnmaynardable]

I love Warren Zevon. Great talent.

[@simonmaguire5250]

I think we may have a new Zevon fan.

[@davedamron1876]

"Lawyers Guns and Money" is another great song by Warren Zevon.

[@bradmansdad]

One of my old favourites! I still have the single, it had werewolves of London on the a side! Great song too!

[@rebecca7774]

My favorite song of all time is Desperados Under the Eves by Warren Zevon (It is pronounced Zee-von) You’ve gotta check that one out!

[@NowUrJustIncoherent]

This is a year, at least, since this was posted, but I second this. Powerful song. Worth it.

[@andyv2209]

Omg you really checked out warren zevon XD please please please do more! This album is amazing! My favorite song on it is Veracruz

[@farmersteve661]

Carmalita and Veracruz ... so much great Zevon . RIP WZ 🎸❤️🎹🎧

[@ryansheehan9462]

I love Veracruz. I’ll occasionally find myself putting around at work singing “I heard Woodrow Wilson’s guns, I heard Maria cry” to myself.

[@freebirdtony]

Teez, you gotta check out "Werewolves of London", that tune totally jams! Lookin' forward to your reaction of that classic. 😊✌

[@MyGhettoChannel]

Zevon's a storyteller who can tell multiple stories in 4 mins and wrap it in a tune. He is deep but worth the dive stay away from his hit music till you grab appreciation for him, His last song is a farewell to family friends, and fans, very moving. Keep Me In Your Heart was released two weeks before he died.

[@polrua]

Zevon was one of those guys... he wasn't many people's favourite rock performer... but if you asked someone's favourite rock performer who THEIR favourite guy was... for a lot of them, it was WZ.

[@gregxkountz]

All his songs have a dark undertones excitable boy is the happiest darkest song ever written

[@bartlett247]

Warren Zevon and Nick Cave are two of my absolute favorite songwriters. Add in James McMurtry too. When I was a kid, my dad had this on vinyl and I used to play Roland over and over. Its always been one of my favorite Zevon songs.

[@TheAhirishman]

This is my favorite Warren Zevon song

[@karenmandeville7116]

my favorite Warren Zevon song! thanks

[@jackcade68]

Love the lava lamp!

[@johndrx165]

Such a cool song! Always gets to me. Hook kills!!

[@timtrotter7007]

Great song, great performer, great songwriter, but tragic story. Remember always what he lived for.

[@beverlyford4541]

I remember we shooped to it first. Music .and the icing .Agreed 🙏🗽🇺🇸👍🥁I noticed he was up 4 rock and roll hall of fame before.i remembered werewolves of london then. Hope so hes in on our soul train.🙏

[@CA5124]

Like a song that tells a story and gives a message! 🔥 😎

[@farmersteve661]

Patty Hearst ... heard the burst of Rolands Thompson Gun and bought it . 🎧🎹

[@CA5124]

@@farmersteve661 WOW just googled her name! Fascinating story ! Complicated too 🤔

[@maggalvin1339]

I always loved this one. It's like a cross between a funeral dirge and an Irish drinking song.

[@Almaltz]

This whole album, Excitable Boy, is fantastic.

[@pommelhorsepommelhorse8731]

the history of ideological violence in 4 min

[@veronikaklubertova5512]

One of the coolest! And my fav song by him, thanks!

[@barryervin8536]

Perfect comment for many Zevon songs "It's a little dark, but it makes me feel good".

[@pearlegates7079]

This is one of my husbands favorite songs. Great choice~

[@maine420grow]

Miss you warren

[@mbrando4403]

this man needs to be in th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING!!!!!!!!?????

[@duke14616]

The Lauren O'Connell acoustic version is pretty awesome as well. Lawyers Guns and Money. There all based on true stories really. If you find the truth. There really were Congo mercenaries hiding in Honduras, (like that song says). That went to work security for Pablo Escobar once Africa was lost. (The CIA decided most of that.) That's why its such a dark song.

[@duke14616]

We did it because we Loved You. So you wouldn't have to. Sorry it did not end better.

[@nerdthatknits]

His live album has the best version on this song. So good.

[@tedleimbach3724]

I watch the last performance on letterman once a year and cry.

[@mikef2813]

Zevon = legend

[@stevewalsh4850]

“Keep me in your heart”

[@Robertlynschultz]

The last line is a BAR! Patty Hearst😂😂

[@jeansands9303]

More Queen Queen Queen 💖💕👑

[@derbymankg]

Check out "My ride is here". Warren was an underrated talent that left us way too soon.

[@CJSteffen1290]

Thank you

[@willblood7082]

Describing the life of a mercenary 🔥

[@zappafans1]

Listen to "midnight in the switching yard" from the same album.

[@jwaldhelm]

It’s “Nighttime in the Switching Yard.”

[@romeosyne]

Patty Hearst! Heard the burst! Of Roland's Thompson gun and bought it...

[@armlegx]

"Gorilla, You're a Desperado" is also fantastic, if much more lighthearted.

[@user-xj2sm3xd5l]

Lawyers, Guns, And Money

[@doug4036]

Lyrics-wise his stuff is the classic rock version of the Beastie Boys and the musicianship was virtuoso level You’ll enjoy a LOT of Zevon’s stuff. Some will push you toward “Werewolves of London” or “Lawyers Guns & Money” next. I’d suggest “Excitable Boy” & “PoorPoorPitiful Me” If you want to hear him sangin’ listen to “Jeanie Needs a Shooter” To quote the man - “...enjoy every sandwich”

[@1allstarman]

"...Patty Hearse , heard the verse , of Rolands Thompson gun and bought it ! "

[@stuartkruse2690]

The song was a protest song against the war in the Congo where they used mercenaries and they just killed everything that moved

[@mikztor]

you have to hear the cover Warren Zevon- Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner (cover by Lauren O'Connell)

[@cayleyturner3556]

❤️💛🧡

[@vruth23]

There is such a macabre style that comes from England! Goth and dark academia and such... but all so sarcastically!!!! This song is a british genre, in all art forms... the father or brother or son off to the great war WWI, where they lost an insane amount of men. 886,000. other songs and albums like it are Army Dreamers- Kate bush, Tommy- A Rock Opera by the Who, Pink Floyd the Wall... moody blues days of future passed

[@patwaters3486]

Enjoy every Sandwich.

[@paulw.woodring7304]

Does this guy even know who Patty Hearst was? I always liked the description of Warren as "Rock 'n Roll's resident in-patient." He should check out the title song, "Excitable Boy", to get a better idea of Warren's somewhat twisted sense of humor. He was very much an artist of the 1970s.

[@Trac489]

New to me. 😄

[@I_dont_understand_25]

Yes brother Warren Zevon has many great songs if you want to get really weird check out "excitable boy" new subscriber by the way 👍

[@diaquitaquita8984]

React to vikki Lawrence the lights went out in Georgia!

[@osawatomie]

May I suggest a song by an artist named Leon Rosselson called “Ballad of a spy catcher”. Almost guarantee it’s a different song we’re used to.

[@osawatomie]

It’s in the same camp of dark lyrics and the tune makes you happy lol

[@brianb7686]

You want dark? Listen to his song "My Shit's Fucked Up".

[@straitjacket8319]

You need to check out this song on DLYAN C's youtube

[@koryguns]

Please forgive me if this is perceived as racist, but I think the black community has such a better connection with music. Always seem to be open to new and different music and have an appreciation for the variety of sounds and lyrics.

[@theodorechristenson8339]

Maybe check out Renegade. By warren Z...

[@jeffmazzoli9910]

You've got to try there's a certain girl

[@xenoscoot]

This is based on actual events. You can do the research. Roland didn't exist...but Van Owen, I believe, was a real person in this event.

[@FleagleSangria]

You have songs about heroes of war or legend songs such as John Henry that tell a story. This song is in the same folk story tradition. Except its a modern one that makes you see the horendous effects of war. Think about the mixture of a Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Warren's macabre dark sense of humor. A hero song in which the hero has his head blown off in the horrors of war. Now those vets deaths ring throughout the colleges and society. Lets not forget Rolland.

[@DK-wr6qs]

Why did your mom name you Teez?

[@hambone910]

Zee Von

[@frankiebowie6174]

Warren Zevon always wrote about important things of the day. It’s strange that he is not held in higher regard. I mean, I know he has his fans, but my nephews don’t know who he is. They know who John Lennon is. Maybe he got too close to the CIA, and maybe I’ve been watching too many Narcos shows on Netflix. Just kidding, no, really. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@jonmcn1970]

You need to react to Warren's best song ..Carmelita.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpbFYYJ_bdyLhJY ...nobody's reacted to it yet

[@ryansheehan9462]

I have only just found your channel so I apologize if you’ve already done any of these, but Warren Zevon had many wonderful songs. -Lawyers, Guns, and Money -Poor Poor Pitiful Me -Excitable Boy -Nighttime in the Switching Yard -My Shits Fucked Up -Veracruz -Accidentally Like a Martyr -Keep Me in Your Heart (recorded as a goodbye when he knew he was dying) Also, I urge you to check out Lauren O’Connell’s cover of Roland. It is as good or better than Warren’s original.

[@elysehfm8797]

Real pronunciation is Zuh-von, not the typical ZEE-von. Kind of like Javon. Soft "Z."

[@Ugryzh]

Lauren O'Connell cover is better than orginal for me

[@413benmc]

Werewolves of London.... Lawyers Guns and Money.... Poor Poor Pitiful Me..... Excitable Boy.... Keep Me in Your Heart.... Sooooooooo many good songs!

[@ronrichter8098]

I was there young man