Our initial look at Linda Ronstadt‘s essential songs covered many of the hit recordings most closely associated with her extraordinary career. But when you’re dealing with a catalog as deep as hers, plenty of worthy tracks are bound to be left off the list.

Here are 12 more songs—hits, album favorites and memorable covers—that reveal the depth of a catalog that extended far beyond the great singer’s best-known radio staples. [Before you wonder where “Different Drum,” “You’re No Good” and “It’s So Easy” are, take a look at Part 1.]

“Some of Shelly’s Blues” (1968)
Written by Michael Nesmith, this highlight from the third and final album of the Stone Poneys helped introduce a wider audience to one of his strongest songs. She had a knack for finding great songs from unexpected places, and her reading of Nesmith’s melancholy gem remains one of the finest versions ever recorded.

“Roll Um Easy” (1975)
Lowell George’s track was a natural fit for her diverse catalog. The song fit comfortably alongside the California country-rock sound that dominated FM radio during the mid-’70s. One of the most popular tracks on the AOR format.

“Carmelita” (1977)
Years before Warren Zevon became a household name, Ronstadt was introducing his songs to a much wider audience. A highly popular album track that was never released as a single.

“Faithless Love” (1974)
Written by J.D. Souther, this track became a cornerstone of mid-’70s country-rock. His bittersweet lyric and the straightforward delivery proved to be a natural combination.

“Get Closer” (1982)
Written by Jon Carroll, this title track returned the vocals to the Top 40. Its contemporary sound showed an ability to adapt to a new decade without losing the qualities that brought success in the first place.

Related: Our Album Rewind of Ronstadt’s Heart Like a Wheel

“Heat Wave” (1975)
This recording gave the Motown classic by Martha and the Vandellas a rock makeover. Released as a single, the energetic take transformed the favorite track into something unique. The single reached #5 on the Hot 100.

“Tracks of My Tears” (1975)
Rather than mimic the original, the song was approached from a unique perspective, and it made it work beautifully. Peaked at #25 and tackled Smokey Robinson and the Miracles’ classic.

“Someone to Lay Down Beside Me” (1976)
Written by Karla Bonoff, this song became one of the highlights of a mid-’70s masterpiece. The songwriter penned several tracks that seemed tailor-made for this voice, and this may be the finest example.

“Tumbling Dice” (1977)
Taking on a Rolling Stones song was no small challenge, but Ronstadt brought enough confidence and swagger to the recording to make it her own. The driving arrangement managed to trade the gritty, basement blues of the original for a polished, high-energy rock groove that dominated the airwaves.

“Long Long Time” (1970)
Written by Gary White, the song became the breakthrough hit that yielded her first Grammy nomination. More than five decades later, the poignant ballad remains one of the defining performances of a legendary career.

“How Do I Make You” (1980)
Written by Billy Steinberg, this rock-oriented single reached the Top 10 of the Hot 100. The harder-edged sound signaled an unwillingness to repeat past formulas as a new decade began.

“I’ve Got a Crush on You” (1983)
This version of the George and Ira Gershwin standard appeared on a landmark collection that marked a first collaboration with legendary arranger Nelson Riddle. The project became one of the biggest surprises of a diverse career and introduced the vocals to a completely new audience.

Ronstadt’s recordings, including a 2026 release, The Early Years, are available in the U.S. here, in Canada here and in the U.K. here.