Linda Ronstadt – “Tracks of My Tears” (1975) 

Motown heartbreak, reimagined through a country-rock lens.

Originally recorded by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles in 1965, “Tracks of My Tears” was already a beloved soul classic. But when Linda Ronstadt put her spin on it a decade later—on her 1975 album Prisoner in Disguise—she didn’t just cover it. She redefined it.

Stripping away the silky Motown polish, Ronstadt slowed the tempo and leaned into the emotional undercurrent, turning the song into something rawer, sadder, and deeply personal. Her version trades Smokey’s smooth falsetto for a crystalline wail that cuts straight through the heart. It’s a performance drenched in ache, but never overdone—just honest.

 “So take a good look at my face / You’ll see my smile looks out of place…”
With those lines, Ronstadt doesn’t just sing about pain—she becomes its voice.

By transforming this upbeat soul classic into a country-rock ballad, she bridged genres with effortless grace, making the song accessible to a new generation who may have never heard the original. The arrangement is spare—mostly acoustic guitar, soft percussion, and pedal steel—which allows her voice to stand completely exposed, delivering every lyric like a confession.

“Tracks of My Tears” became another milestone in her unmatched run during the 1970s, showcasing her genius as an interpreter of other people’s songs. Whether country, pop, rock, or R&B, Linda Ronstadt didn’t just cover a song—she lived inside it.

 A masterclass in emotional translation. One voice. Infinite feeling.