What’s New?: A Timeless Echo of Unspoken Longings
Ah, dear reader, settle in, won’t you? Let’s take a journey back to a time when music was an intimate embrace, a whispered confession rather than a shouted declaration. We’re going to talk about a song that, for many of us, became an unexpected companion in the autumn of our lives, a gentle reminder of passions past and the quiet ache of what might have been. I’m speaking, of course, of Linda Ronstadt’s breathtaking rendition of “What’s New?”
Released in September 1983 as the title track from her album of the same name, “What’s New?” was nothing short of a seismic shift in the music landscape, a daring departure for a rock queen. Imagine, if you will, the collective gasp of the industry and her legions of rock-and-roll fans when Linda Ronstadt, known for her powerhouse vocals on hits like “You’re No Good” and “Blue Bayou,” decided to dive headfirst into the Great American Songbook. It was a gamble, a defiant artistic statement, and it paid off handsomely. The album “What’s New” soared, spending an astonishing 81 weeks on the main Billboard album chart, peaking at a remarkable number 3 for five consecutive weeks. This was no small feat, mind you, considering it was up against titans like Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Lionel Richie’s Can’t Slow Down. The title track itself, “What’s New?”, while not a massive pop chart smash, found a comfortable home on Adult Contemporary radio stations, reaching number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album went on to achieve triple-platinum status in the United States alone, selling over 3 million copies, with global sales surpassing five million. It even earned Ronstadt another Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female.
The story behind “What’s New?” is as rich as the song itself. Originally an instrumental piece titled “I’m Free” composed by Bob Haggart in 1938 for Bob Crosby and His Orchestra, it was later given its poignant lyrics by Johnny Burke. Burke’s lyrical genius transformed it into a unique torch song, crafted as one side of a casual conversation between former lovers. This ingenious conceit allows the listener to fill in the blanks, to imagine the unspoken replies, the lingering glances, and the bittersweet memories shared between two people who once meant everything to each other.
For those of us who have lived a few decades, the meaning of “What’s New?” resonates with a particular poignancy. It’s not a dramatic ballad of heartbreak, but rather a quiet, reflective meditation on the passage of time and the lingering embers of a past love. The singer feigns polite interest, asking about the other’s life, their new romances, their fortunes. Yet, beneath the veneer of casual inquiry, there’s an almost unbearable ache. “Pardon my asking what’s new,” she sings, the politeness barely masking the raw emotion, “Of course you couldn’t know, I haven’t changed, I still love you so.” It’s the kind of love that doesn’t demand reconciliation or even acknowledgement; it simply is. It’s a love that has matured, perhaps, into a quiet melancholy, a part of one’s very being.
Linda Ronstadt’s decision to record this album, the first in a trilogy with the legendary arranger Nelson Riddle, was a bold artistic statement. At a time when she was at the pinnacle of her rock career, she chose to honor the music she loved, the sophisticated jazz and pop standards that had largely been forgotten by the mainstream. Her exquisite voice, which had effortlessly navigated rock, country, and folk, proved to be perfectly suited for these timeless melodies. Her delivery on “What’s New?” is restrained, tender, and deeply moving. There’s a profound understanding in her phrasing, a gentle resignation in her tone that speaks volumes. It’s a performance that doesn’t just sing the words; it lives them.
Listening to “What’s New?” today, especially for those of us with a few more years under our belts, can be a profoundly nostalgic experience. It’s a song that speaks to the quiet dignity of enduring affection, the kind that survives separations and new beginnings. It reminds us of those people who, no matter how much time has passed or how far we’ve drifted, still occupy a tender corner of our hearts. It’s a reminder that not all goodbyes are final, and some loves, even when unrequited or unexpressed, continue to whisper in the quiet moments of our lives. It’s a classic, a jewel in Linda Ronstadt‘s crown, and a testament to the enduring power of a beautifully crafted song.