Entertainment · Music · 4 hrs ago
Gram Parsons’ ‘Hot Burrito #1’ Wins a Poll Against ‘#2’
Gram Parsons is being inducted posthumously into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The Flying Burrito Brothers recorded “Hot Burrito #1” and “Hot Burrito #2” for their 1969 debut album, *The Gilded Palace of Sin*.
Parsons and bassist Chris Ethridge wrote the songs together, drawing on melodies Ethridge remembered from his youth.
“#1” is a yearning heartbreak ballad, while “#2” is a more energetic country-soul track.
Every music lover asked preferred “Hot Burrito #1”, though several praised both songs.
The album helped shape Southern California’s country-rock sound, blending influences from Nashville country and Memphis soul.
A Rolling Stone poll found that its panel preferred Gram Parsons’ “Hot Burrito #1” over “Hot Burrito #2.”
No one asked was willing to go on the record in sole support of “#2.”
The two songs were written by Parsons and bassist Chris Ethridge and recorded by the Flying Burrito Brothers for their 1969 debut album, The Gilded Palace of Sin.
“#1” is a yearning ballad, while “#2” is a rocking country-soul song.
The poll was conducted ahead of Parsons’ posthumous induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
- Who
- Rolling Stone’s panel of writers, musicians, filmmakers and others voted, with Gram Parsons’ daughter Polly also asked for her pick.
- What
- The panel preferred “Hot Burrito #1” over “Hot Burrito #2.
- When
- The songs were recorded in 1969. The poll was published on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- The songs were recorded by the Flying Burrito Brothers; the article says they wrote them at Burrito Manor in California.
- Why
- The article describes “#1” as a vulnerable heartbreak ballad and says it was generally seen as superior.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Flying Burrito Brothers recorded “Hot Burrito #1” and “Hot Burrito #2” for their debut album, The Gilded Palace of Sin.
Rolling Stone asked a panel to choose between the two songs.
Rolling Stone published its poll results, with “#1” preferred.
- Poll result
- Hot Burrito #1” was preferred
- Album
- The Gilded Palace of Sin
- Recording year
- 1969
- Songwriters
- Gram Parsons and Chris Ethridge
- Publication date
- November 9, 2026
What people are saying
‘#1’ is usually seen as superior. ‘#2’ is great, but one of many great moments on Gilded Palace.
‘Hot Burrito #1’ by a Cosmic American Mile. Gram at his most forlorn, pained, aiming for high notes he can’t reach, even the mega-cringe line, just perfect.
‘HB#1’ — the song most likely to break your heart
‘Hot Burrito #1’ please, with extra longing and a side of strange but beautiful chord progression. No fuzz.