Song of the Day 3/5: Warren Zevon, “Run Straight Down”

As America self-destructs, let’s hear from one of the most self-destructive artists of the rock era, Warren Zevon. He wrote this one for “Transverse City,” a 1989 concept album about the destruction of the environment and the tendency of Americans to retreat into suckling on the boob tube – hence the recitation of various chemicals throughout the song. Those dangers lessened a bit after CFCs were banned in 1996, but Americans’ retreat into video entertainment has only gotten stronger.

Zevon never sold a lot of records but generally got plaudits from critics, though by the late ’80s he wasn’t even popular with them. He still commanded a lot of respect from fellow musicians, though, and lots of them featured as guests on the album. “Run Straight Down” features David Gilmour of Pink Floyd on lead guitar.