The 5: Perfect Willie Nelson Songs

This Week on the 5:  Songs Written by Willie Nelson

There is at least one generation of Americans who see Willie Nelson as a nice old guy who smokes weed and will record songs in any genre with just about anyone. Well, that’s true. It’s also true that Willie Nelson is one of the greatest American songwriters of all time. Here are five great songs written by Willie Nelson.

• Crazy.  Willie Nelson wrote this song in 1961 and it became a monster cross over hit for Patsy Cline. It became such a signature song for her that all these years later when Willie sings many people think he’s covering Patsy Cline. This song was listed by Rolling Stone magazine as number 85 on the top 500 songs of a time and if Willie never wrote another song he’d still be considered a brilliant songwriter.
• Night Life.  Night Life was a hit for Ray Price. This was written before Willie had money and you can hear defiance in every chord. It’s flat out Country Blues and Willie couldn’t be any more honest than he was when he wrote these lyrics:  “The night life aint the good life but it’s my life.”
• Funny How Time Slips Away. If lyrics come from experience then Willie may have had some problems with women over the years.  Just about everyone can relate to this song about seeing an ex lover who you still have unfinished business with that will never  get settled. Like many of Willie’s song this one has been covered by so many people, all who bring their own personal history to it.
• Angel Flying Too To the Ground.  This is off of Honeysuckle Rose and is a favorite of any man who has fallen in love with a dope addict or titty dancer. The original story was that Willie wrote the song about his wife but then some bikers claimed that it was written about a Hell’s Angel who died in a motorcyle crash.  When asked Willie said he’s “not going to argue with a load of bikers.” But c’mon he didn’t write this about a dude.
• Valentine.  Valentine is off of Willie’s amazing Across the Borderline album, and was written for one of Willie’s kids.  It’s simple and yet it’s also deep. It’s as sweet as it is oddly heartbreaking and as with any good country song you hope the singer can live up to the promises that he is making.

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