Introduction
When Linda Ronstadt walked into a recording studio in 1974 and unleashed her fiery version of “You’re No Good,” no one could have predicted the musical explosion that followed. This wasn’t just another pop single—it was a cultural lightning bolt that shattered expectations and made the world realize that America’s sweetheart wasn’t afraid to get dangerous.
At first listen, the title alone feels like a slap in the face: “You’re No Good.” But when sung through Ronstadt’s powerful voice—part velvet, part steel—the phrase becomes a declaration of independence, a middle finger to every man who ever thought he could break a woman and walk away unscathed. In a music scene still dominated by male voices, Ronstadt’s performance was nothing short of a rebellion.
What makes this moment so shocking is not just the song itself, but its reception. Radio stations were hesitant at first—was this too raw, too biting, too bold for mainstream America? But the public answered with roaring approval. The single shot straight to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Ronstadt’s first chart-topping hit and rewriting the rules of what a female rock vocalist could do.
Behind the scenes, the recording was electric. Ronstadt’s band—led by producer Peter Asher—laid down a driving groove that fused country-rock with pop polish. But it was Linda herself, standing at the microphone, who turned the track into a storm. Her delivery wasn’t just singing—it was a confrontation. You could hear the years of heartbreak, strength, and raw emotion channeled into every syllable.
The shockwave was immediate: suddenly, women across America were blasting “You’re No Good” from car radios, kitchen stereos, and jukeboxes, singing along not with sadness, but with power. It wasn’t a love song—it was an anthem of survival.
Today, more than four decades later, Linda Ronstadt’s “You’re No Good” still sounds like a warning, a confession, and a victory cry all at once. It’s proof that sometimes the most shocking thing an artist can do is tell the truth—loudly, fearlessly, and without apology.
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
