Linda Ronstadt, Blue Bayou | Throwback Vibez

In the 18th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Blue Bayou,” the cover by the versatile 11-time Grammy winner Linda Ronstadt.   

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome. In the 18^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Blue Bayou” performed by Linda Ronstadt.

“Looking forward to happier times / On Blue Bayou.” Word. Linda Ronstadt (1946 – )is kind of a big deal.  The versatile, 11-time Grammy winner has cemented herself in music history as one of the best, PERIOD.  Among her greatest songs is “Blue Bayou”, the sixth track from her 1977 multiplatinum album, Simple Dreams. Joe Melson and Roy Orbison (1936 – 1988) penned “Blue Bayou.” Peter Asher produced it.  Going back to Orbison, well, he originally recorded it.  That means, yes, Ronstadt’s version is a cover.  An incredibly successful cover, mind you, that peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.  Ronstadt earned two Grammy nominations: Record Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female.  She lost to Eagles (“Hotel California”) and Barbra Streisand (“Love Theme From A Star Is Born (Evergreen)”), respectively.

It should come as no surprise why “Blue Bayou” was a big hit. It begins with an awesome, anchoring bass line. The groove is simple but rock solid – just right! The musical accompaniment is tasteful with electric piano and the distinct sound of mandolin. “Blue Bayou” gives off country, pop, and rock vibes with a dash of tropical.  Ronstadt’s vocals are subtle initially.  She gives a cool, calm, and collected performance: “I feel so bad, I got a worried mind / I’m so lonesome all the time / Since I left my baby behind / On Blue Bayou.” She ups the ante as the song progresses, specifically in the centerpiece, the chorus:

“I’m going back someday

Come what may to Blue Bayou

Where the folks are fun

And the world is mine on Blue Bayou…”

Her upper register is incredibly potent, dramatically contrasting her cooler performance early on. The melody is marvelous – simply beautiful! Linda Ronstadt ‘ate’ on the platinum-certified “Blue Bayou”.

Linda Ronstadt // Simple Dreams // Rhino Entertainment // 1977

Linda Ronstadt, Blue Bayou: Throwback Vibez No. 18 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Rhino Entertainment; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]