About the song
There are moments in music history when a performance doesn’t just cover a song—it redefines it. Such is the case with **Linda Ronstadt’s “You’re No Good” (1976)**, a track that catapulted her to the forefront of American pop-rock and firmly established her as one of the most compelling voices of the 1970s. Although the song itself was first recorded in the early 1960s—originally by Dee Dee Warwick and later covered by several others—it wasn’t until **Ronstadt** breathed new life into it that it truly became iconic.
By the time **”You’re No Good”** appeared on her 1974 album *Heart Like a Wheel*, which peaked in popularity in **1976**, **Linda Ronstadt** was already known in music circles for her deep emotional delivery and versatile interpretations of rock, country, and folk material. But this particular performance showcased her at a new peak—confident, defiant, and emotionally nuanced. With its slinky rhythm, biting lyrics, and dramatic arrangement, **”You’re No Good”** served as both a musical triumph and a statement of independence. It was, in essence, Ronstadt flipping the script in a genre often dominated by male perspectives.
The production—helmed by Peter Asher—is a masterclass in tension and release. The song begins with a deceptively calm guitar intro before building into a full-bodied arrangement, complete with lush strings, rhythmic backing vocals, and Ronstadt’s powerhouse voice front and center. Her vocal delivery is both restrained and explosive, capturing the frustration of romantic disillusionment without veering into melodrama.
What makes **Linda Ronstadt’s “You’re No Good” (1976)** endure is not just its catchy melody or slick production, but the raw honesty at its core. In a time when female artists were still fighting for equal footing in the industry, Ronstadt delivered a performance that was unapologetic and unforgettable. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it her first chart-topping single and solidifying her place in music history.
In hindsight, **”You’re No Good”** wasn’t just a hit—it was a cultural turning point. It gave voice to a kind of emotional clarity that resonated across gender and generation lines, and in **Linda Ronstadt’s** capable hands, it became far more than a breakup anthem. It became a declaration of self-worth.
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
