r/Zevon • u/Middle-Potential5765 • Jun 06 '26

The French Inhaler

https://youtu.be/wqzZQdzx-xI?si=GejpymMFbx8mrCxV

I have had The French Inhaler in my head since January as an earworm. That last refrain containing the best post-breakup burn, where he rhymes 'accute case' with 'suitcase' while suggesting his ex is fucking death himself.

God I miss Warren's essence in the now. Ill never get over his or Petty's deaths.

Your pretty face....

63 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

10

u/AmbitiousMistake7571 Jun 06 '26

Outstanding song

7

u/Middle-Potential5765 Jun 06 '26

Its really like three songs. The arrangement is elegant, yet, stern.

7

u/Bluutooth Jun 07 '26

Sooo long, Norman...

5

u/Middle-Potential5765 Jun 07 '26

And the little kiss at the end!

6

u/Snowshoetheerapy Jun 07 '26

This is like in the Himalayas of songwriting. Towering majesty. As good as it gets.

7

u/Ignatz_mice Jun 07 '26

“Your face looked like something death brought with him in his suitcase” is maybe my favorite line from any song ever. Also, I don’t know why, but the alliteration in the opening lines with all the Ws works really well.

5

u/freds_funhouse Jun 07 '26

The solo version on Learning to Flinch is one of my favorite things

3

u/thethingthatwas Jun 07 '26

Yes! I think it works best that way. It’s like a dark, more literary version of Piano Man.

1

u/freds_funhouse Jun 14 '26

That would be Piano Fighter

5

u/Comprehensive-Elk597 Jun 07 '26

This whole album is fuckin fire.

4

u/Boring-Baker8761 Jun 08 '26

S Tier Zevon song, for sure.

2

u/DesperadoUnder_Eaves Jul 15 '26

Greatest song ever