# Rickie Lee Jones' 1979 Hit from Friend's Departure

> Rickie Lee Jones turned a friend leaving town into a No. 4 hit in 1979.
- Title: Rickie Lee Jones' 1979 Hit from Friend's Departure | Shortify
- Summary: Rickie Lee Jones turned a friend leaving town into a No. 4 hit in 1979. Rickie Lee Jones created the 1979 hit 'Chuck E.'s In Love' after her friend Chuck E…
- Keywords: rickie lee jones, chuck e. weiss, tom waits, chuck e.'s in love, 1979, grammy award, rolling stone, music, culture, Rickie, Lee, Jones'
- Source: American Songwriter — https://americansongwriter.com/how-rickie-lee-jones-mined-a-friend-leaving-town-for-a-huge-hit-in-1979
- Author: Jim Beviglia
- Published: 2026-10-11T20:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: rickie lee jones, chuck e. weiss, tom waits, chuck e.'s in love, 1979, grammy award, rolling stone, music, culture
## Rickie Lee Jones' Debut
Rickie Lee Jones released her debut single 'Chuck E.'s In Love' in 1979.
## Friend Leaves Town
Chuck E. Weiss left town after meeting someone and falling in love.
## Tom Waits' Insight
Tom Waits told Rickie Lee Jones, 'Chuck E.'s in love.'

> Chuck E.'s in love.
## Hit Song Success
The song reached No. 4 in the US and won Rickie Lee Jones a Grammy.
## Key takeaway

Rickie Lee Jones created the 1979 hit 'Chuck E.'s In Love' after her friend Chuck E. Weiss left town.