Warren William Zevon ( January 24 , 1947 -- September 7 , 2003 ) was an American rock singer-songwriter and musician known for including his strange and somewhat critical opinions of life in his lyrics ( words to his music ) . Warren William Zevon ( January 24 , 1947 -- September 7 , 2003 ) was an American rock singer-songwriter and musician noted for including his unique and sometimes sardonic opinions of life in his musical lyrics , composing songs that were sometimes humorous and often had political or historical themes .