Introduction
What happens when America’s sweet-voiced queen of ballads suddenly decides to grab the microphone and set it on fire? In 1980, the world found out. Linda Ronstadt, the voice who had given us heartbreak, tenderness, and folk-rock poetry, suddenly unleashed something nobody saw coming: “How Do I Make You.”
This was not the gentle Linda fans had known from her country-rock roots. No, this was a Linda who exploded into raw power, urgency, and rock ’n’ roll defiance. The track hit like a shockwave—fast, edgy, unapologetically fierce. It wasn’t just a song; it was a revolution in three minutes, proof that Ronstadt could not, and would not, be put in a box.
When the single roared onto the scene, jaws dropped. Fans who expected sweet melodies were suddenly confronted with a punk-inspired anthem of lust and obsession. It was Linda proving that she could do more than sing a pretty love song—she could snarl, demand, and dominate the stage like the fiercest rocker alive.
Critics didn’t know what to do with it. Some praised her bold reinvention, others were stunned at the sheer audacity. But one truth was undeniable: Linda Ronstadt had shattered every expectation. With this song, she wasn’t just America’s sweetheart—she was a dangerous, unstoppable force.
More than four decades later, “How Do I Make You” still jolts listeners with its electricity. It reminds us that true legends don’t just follow trends—they create earthquakes. And Linda Ronstadt? She was the epicenter.
So ask yourself: when you hear her demand, “How do I make you…?”—do you feel it in your bones? Because that’s the sound of a woman tearing down the walls of music history.
Video
Lyrics
You’re a doll
Your eyes see all
And how do I make you
How do I make you
How do I make you
want to see me?
You’re so young
But your feelings are deep
And how do I make you
How do I make you
How do I make you feel for me
You put your head on my pillow
And you’re fast asleep
And how do I make you
How do I make you
How do I make you
Dream about me?
Ooh, ooh, baby
The world’s a wall of ice
You’re gonna need someone
To treat you warm
And keep you nice
I like the way you dance
The way you spin
And how do I make you
How do I make you
How do I make you
Spin for me?
You put your head on my pillow
And you’re fast asleep
And how do I make you
How do I make you
How do I make you
Dream about me?
Dream about me?
