Songfacts®:

• The caustic lyrics were inspired by Zevon's breakup with his long-term girlfriend and mother of his son Jordan, Marilyn Livingston. Jordan Zevon told The Guardian in 2013 that despite his mom being aware that she was the target of the song, she still found it irresistible. "Despite the subject matter, my mom would play that song to me after a couple of glasses of wine and laugh and say: 'Isn't that brilliant?'" he recalled. "She knew he was a genius."
• This is one of many Warren Zevon songs that look at life in Los Angeles, where many aspiring stars get a harsh lesson in reality. "It helped forge my richly deserved if long-forgotten reputation as the foremost chronicler of Hollywood life in the '70s," Zevon said.
• The soaring harmony vocals were provided by Don Henley and Glenn Frey of The Eagles. The album was produced by Jackson Browne, who could call in a favor from these guys anytime. Browne supplied the Eagles with their first hit: "Take It Easy."