Album: Heart Like a Wheel

Introduction
Heart Like a Wheel is the fifth solo studio album by American singer Linda Ronstadt, released on November 4, 1974, by Capitol Records. Produced by Peter Asher, the album marked a transition in Ronstadt's profession, as it was her very first album to showcase her rock-and-roll and country-rock music style. Heart Like a Wheel is extensively considered as Linda's breakthrough album and proved to be a business and crucial success. It included 2 chart-topping songs, "You're No Good" and "When Will I Be Loved", and received a Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance in 1975.

Background and Production
By the time Linda Ronstadt began working on Heart Like a Wheel, she had released 4 solo albums, however none had brought her the mainstream success she preferred. Ronstadt's first couple of albums generally focused on the folk-rock design of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Nevertheless, she chose to change her musical instructions and adopt a more country-rock sound with this album.

Ronstadt partnered with her buddy and previous collaborator Peter Asher to produce Heart Like a Wheel. Asher was instrumental in assisting Ronstadt accomplish her new noise, supervising the whole production process and recruiting top session artists. The album was recorded at the Sound Factory in Los Angeles, with additional recording sessions at Capitol Studios, United Artists Studios, and the well-known Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama.

Music and Lyrics
In Heart Like a Wheel, Ronstadt brought together a varied series of musical styles, consisting of contemporary rock, country-rock, and standard pop. She covered tunes from different artists, including Hank Williams, the Everly Brothers, and James Taylor. The album showcased Ronstadt's capability to reinterpret tunes and make them her own, in addition to her amazing vocal variety.

The album's opening track, "You're No Good", which was composed by Clint Ballard Jr., ended up being Ronstadt's very first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song included Ronstadt's powerful vocals and blended rock, nation, and R&B affects. Another standout track on the album was the Everly Brothers' "When Will I Be Loved", which was also a major hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Other noteworthy tracks on the album consist of "Faithless Love", written by singer-songwriter J.D. Souther; "Dark End of the Street", a soul traditional penned by Dan Penn and Chips Moman; and "Willin'", a country-rock tune made up by Lowell George. The title track, "Heart Like a Wheel", composed by Anna McGarrigle, is a haunting ballad that highlights Ronstadt's emotional depth and vocal ability.

Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, Heart Like a Wheel received prevalent acclaim from music critics, who applauded Ronstadt's singing prowess and the album's diverse choice of songs. It became her very first top 10 album on the Billboard 200 chart, ultimately reaching No. 1. In the years given that its release, the album has been hailed as a traditional and has actually been consisted of in many "biggest albums" lists, including Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Heart Like a Wheel strengthened Linda Ronstadt's status as one of the leading female singers of the 1970s. Thanks to the album's success, Ronstadt embarked on a respected career, releasing numerous hit albums and songs in numerous categories throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The album's mix of rock, country, and standard pop influences can still be heard in the music of modern artists today, showcasing the enduring effect of Linda Ronstadt's Heart Like a Wheel.