Introduction
It wasn’t just a hit. It wasn’t just another cover song. When Linda Ronstadt unleashed “You’re No Good” in 1974, she detonated a bomb in the middle of American pop culture. With one fearless performance, she transformed a forgotten tune into a national obsession—and in doing so, rewrote the rules of what a female rock singer could sound like.
The track begins deceptively smooth, almost lulling the listener into safety. But then Linda’s voice crashes in—sharp, soaring, merciless. It isn’t just a breakup song; it’s an execution. She doesn’t merely tell you you’re no good—she makes you feel it in your bones. For the male-dominated music industry of the early ’70s, it was a seismic wake-up call: women weren’t just background singers or sweet-voiced balladeers anymore. They were powerful. They were dangerous. They were unstoppable.
By the time “You’re No Good” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Ronstadt wasn’t just a star—she was a threat. Her voice had the purity of crystal and the fire of a blowtorch. She could sing country, rock, or pop and burn them all to ashes. Critics called her “too aggressive,” “too emotional,” “too raw.” But the public knew better. This wasn’t a flaw. It was the future.
And here’s the real shock: nearly fifty years later, the song hasn’t lost an ounce of its venom. Play it now, and it still slices through the speakers like a blade. Younger generations who stumble upon it react the same way listeners did in ’74—shocked, silenced, and then hooked.
“You’re No Good” isn’t just a song. It’s a warning shot. It’s Linda Ronstadt showing the world that a woman with a microphone could be more dangerous than any guitar riff, any drum solo, any swaggering frontman. And once she proved it, pop music would never be safe again.
Video
Lyrics
Feelin’ better now that we’re through
Feelin’ better, ’cause I’m over you
I learned my lesson, it left a scar
Now I see how you really are
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
Baby, you’re no good
I’m gonna say it again
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
Baby, you’re no good
I broke a heart that’s gentle and true
Well, I broke a heart over someone like you
I’ll beg his forgiveness on bended knee
I wouldn’t blame him if he said to me
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
Baby, you’re no good
I’m gonna say it again
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
Baby, you’re no good
I’m tellin’ you now, baby
And I’m going my way
Forget about you, baby
‘Cause I’m leavin’ to stay
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
Baby, you’re no good
I’m gonna say it again
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
Baby, you’re no good
Oh, oh, no
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
Baby, you’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good, oh
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good, oh
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good, whoa
You’re no good
You’re no good
You’re no good
Maybe you’re good
