Warren Zevon, early in his life, faced with the choice between of becoming a genius or a smart ass chose the latter. But his songwriting, naturally, blended the two. Colorful language, excellent playing and endless gallows humor flesh out his songs. Warren Zevon is one of the greatest rock artists of all time. I think that title would suit him.

Zevon’s career is remarkable. His discography will reward those who are patient and attentive. But the hits will as well. These are the 10 greatest Warren Zevon songs.

Greatest 10 Songs by Warren Zevon

10. “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead”

Warren Zevon could’ve been a gangster like his dad, or a genius pianist like his mentor Igor Stravinsky. And this was a life lived well before he even made his first record.

But Zevon wanted kicks. He wanted rock n’ roll. And although on “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead” he hilariously describes the life of a hard-living farmer, it could just as well be a tale of life on the road for the average rockstar millionaire.

9. “Lawyers, Guns, and Money”

Zevon was naturally rebellious and suspicious of the world. It was a worldview that had shaped him fully by the time of his classic “Excitable Boy” album.

Musically, he resembled Elton John or Billy Joel if Bob Dylan and Tom Waits had supplied all the songs they got to sing.

Zevon was always in trouble. He was always laughing about it, too. “Lawyers, Guns, and Money” is an exception in that it was written about a taxi driver who’d picked Warren up and had to make a stop to save his kidnapped sister. The songs and the danger just followed Zevon along.

8. “Play It All Night Long”

Zevon’s songs were tragedies disguised in funny lyrics and sing-along hooks. Most sounded like light affairs. But not those on “Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School.”

The 1980 version of Zevon sounded bitter. Part of that anger is directed at himself. And, “Play It All Night Long” might just be the most rage-filled, hopeless song he ever produced.

It’s a grungey number. Zevon talks of people drinking themselves out of their wits, and into an early grave. And, frankly, it’s one of his very best.

7. “Carmelita”

Yeah, I too heard “Carmelita” first as sung and performed by GG Allin. While it’s a great version, the songwriting seemed a little out of the reach of the man who’d penned “Bite It, You Scum.”

It was years later that I learned that “Carmelita” was actually a Warren Zevon song. That made more sense! It’s a song about Mexican romances, drug addiction and dangerous games played with loaded firearms.

But it’s supremely well-written. It contains a chorus, sung by Zevn with Jackson Browne, that you’ll find yourself inexplicably chanting.

6. “Keep Me in Your Heart”

The end was tragic. Heartbreaking, really. But it all somehow seemed part of the course for the man who’d titled one album “Mr. Bad Example” and another “Life’ll Kill Ya.”

But what did Zevon have that attracted so many people? Why were fellow musicians drawn to him, and why had he become a cult act?

There was plenty of soul behind those smartass songs of his. He was clever. But he never thought of himself as smart enough to trick life.

“Keep Me in Your Heart” is Zevon’s musical will. It’s a simple song. And it’s one of the most beautiful ones ever written.

5. “Werewolves of London”

You can’t complain much about a tune everybody knows. Not when you’re a songwriter. Not when you’d struggled for years to make yourself known.

For once, Warren Zevon didn’t complain when “Werewolves of London” became his signature track. It’s a fun song. It contains funny lyrics. And it’s very well crafted.

Chicken or the egg? “Werewolves of London” or “Sweet Home Alabama”? Doesn’t matter. In this life, it’s the Kid Rocks of the world who win.

“Werewolves of London” is likely your introduction to Warren Zevon. Great! Just don’t stop there.

4. “Mohammed’s Radio”

Warren Zevon was much too cynical to ever be a protest singer. But, like his peers, he knew he’d gotten lucky. He was aware of folks having it worse off than he did. And he had a heart.

“Mohammed’s Radio” is one of the prettiest melodies Zevon ever composed. Really, he needed to do that. It’s a song about the relief offered by music to millions. Zevon talks about these people who have found nothing but angst and resentment from their work as if he knows them.

Maybe he did! Then again, the kinds of people he actually hung out with, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac, provide backing vocals here. The Concerned Rockstar Millionaire Club did show up!

3. “Excitable Boy”

The third album of his career, finally, made Warren Zevon a star. Like the character of “Excitable Boy,” the singer had led a dangerous life. He’d gambled and nearly squandered his talents. But, in the end, he won it all.

“Excitable Boy” is one of the great rock songs about not being able to do anything right and feeling fine about it. If you want a taster of the dark humour that, to be fair, permeates most of Zevon’s work, you might as well start here.

2. “Desperados Under the Eaves”

In his most famous lines, Zevon says: “And if California slides into the ocean/Like the mystics and statistics say it will/I predict this motel will be standin’ until I pay my bill.”

Zevon’s musical reputation is still safely on solid ground. And if the legends and myths are true, that bill never got paid.

“Desperados Under the Eaves” is a beautifully heartbreaking song. It’s about a rockstar lifestyle that Zevon had started well before he’d made any records. The crucified thief, here, is him trying to get out of paying for his bill. It’s an incredible song.

1. “Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner”

Had Zevon not finally pulled it together to become a rock star, he would’ve been a great action-adventure novel writer. Or a drunk. Both these things played a part in penning “Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner,” Zevon’s most imaginative and compelling song.

Before you take everything too seriously, know that Zevon wrote this while working in a pub, together with his boss. They wrote it, in fact, at the bar, trying to amuse themselves.

The story of the Norwegian fighter involved in an African civil war is entirely fictional. But Zevon will make you think he’s reading a history book entry.

“Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner” is one of the greatest songs ever written and one of many highlights of Warren Zevon’s career.