Don't Cry Now

Background

The tracks on Don't Cry Now were produced individually, some by John Boylan, who produced Ronstadt's preceding eponymous album; some by singer/songwriter J. D. Souther; and, for the first time in what would ultimately be a long and highly successful professional relationship, by British musician Peter Asher, former member of the '60s rock duo Peter & Gordon. Asher was the head of A&R for Apple Records prior to his move to USA.

This album contains three songs composed by Souther (Souther and Linda would become romantically involved and he would write several songs for her) one by Randy Newman, a cover of a Neil Young ballad, one originally from the Flying Burrito Brothers, and a version of the Eagles' "Desperado," which the band had released earlier that year.

Critical reception

Released in the fall of 1973, Don't Cry Now debuted on the Billboard album chart in late October and peaked at #45, the highest in her career thus far. The album had staying power, spending more than a year on the chart. In addition to "Desperado," Asylum released two other singles. The first, "Love Has No Pride," originally a minor hit for Bonnie Raitt, peaked at #51 on the Billboard Hot 100, yet the song has endured over the years becoming one of Ronstadt's signature songs, included in her 7x platinum Greatest Hits. The other, "Silver Threads And Golden Needles," was the second recording of that song by Ronstadt, a previous version having appeared on her 1969 solo debut, Hand Sown ... Home Grown. A re-make of a 1962 hit by the Springfields, "Silver Threads..." peaked at #67 on the Hot 100 and became the first of more than 20 hits to reach the Hot Country Songs chart, peaking at #20 in the spring of 1974.

Don't Cry Now became Ronstadt's second Gold-certified album and was followed by the blockbuster success of Heart Like a Wheel.