Linda Ronstadt, celebrated for her vocal versatility across country, rock, pop and Latin music, has long remained sharply self-critical despite her extensive success, disliking the sound of her own voice even at the height of her acclaim. She has singled out her 1983 album What's New, made with arranger Nelson Riddle, as the record that finally made her feel she understood how to sing properly, calling it the point at which her artistry truly came together.

What's New marked a bold shift away from Ronstadt's rock roots towards mainstream pop standards from the Great American Songbook, and she reportedly had to persuade her manager, Peter Asher, to let her pursue the new direction. The gamble paid off, restoring her confidence in her own musicianship, and she later told Rock Cellar in 2013 that it was only after this Broadway-influenced period that she "really landed" on her voice, describing the standards as "exquisite works of art" written specifically for singers.