Willie Nelson: His 90 Best Songs
Let’s be real: Willie Nelson is an American treasure. He’s a guy who can go from hanging out in the White House (no matter who is living there at any…
(Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for H&M)
Let's be real: Willie Nelson is an American treasure. He's a guy who can go from hanging out in the White House (no matter who is living there at any given moment) one night to a honky tonk the next. He's collaborated with country's biggest stars, as well as rock, hip-hop, jazz and blues icons. He's more tha 70 albums into his solo career, he's just turned 90 and still shows no signs of slowing down. Not only does he still play amazing concerts, he still puts out great records, up to and including his latest couple of albums, I Don't Know A Thing About Love: The Songs Of Harlan Howard and Bluegrass.
How beloved is Willie? It's hard to quantify that. But at his 90th birthday concert celebrations in Los Angeles, he had a pretty much unprecedented guest list. (We say "celebrations" because the party took place over two nights). Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, Neil Young, George Strait, Stephen Stills, Snoop Dogg, Sheryl Crow, Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert and Dave Matthews were some of the performers. A few months later, at the age of 90 years young, Willie became one of the few country artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
If you're a younger fan and trying to figure out what the big deal about the guy is, you can start here, with our list of his best songs (in our opinion). One of the fun things about being a Willie fan: he still releases albums and they're almost always good, and sometimes great.
90. "Busted" from 'I Don't Know A Thing About Love: The Songs Of Harlan Howard'
Legacy Recordings89. The Willie Nelson Family - “I Saw The Light” from ‘The Willie Nelson Family’ (2021)
Sony Music88. The Highwaymen - “The Devil’s Right Hand” from ‘The Road Goes On Forever (1995)
Capitol Records Nashville87. Snoop Dogg featuring Willie Nelson - “Superman” from ‘Doggumentary’ (2011)
Capitol Records86. “Border Song” from ‘Restoration: The Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin’ (2018)
UMG Recordings85. Kacey Musgraves featuring Willie Nelson - “Are You Sure?” from ‘Pageant Material’ (2015)
Mercury Records84. Chris Young featuring Willie Nelson - “Rose In Paradise” from ‘The Man I Want To Be’ (2009)
Sony Music83. Kenny Chesney featuring Willie Nelson - “That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day)” from ‘Lucky Old Sun’ (2008)
Blue Chair Records82. “He Was A Friend Of Mine” from the ‘Brokeback Mountain’ soundtrack (2005)
The Verve Music Group81. U2 featuring Willie Nelson and Mickey Raphael - “Slow Dancing” (B-side of “If God Will Send His Angels” CD single, 1997)
Universal/Island Records80. “Bird On A Wire” from ‘Tower Of Song - The Songs Of Leonard Cohen’ (1995)
A&M Records79. Frank Sinatra featuring Willie Nelson - “A Foggy Day” from “Duets II’ (1994)
Captiol Records78. “Our Song” from ‘First Rose Of Spring’ (2020)
Sony Music77. “Delete and Fast Forward” from ‘God’s Problem Child’ (2017)
Sony Music76. “Last Man Standing” from ‘Last Man Standing’ (2018)
Sony Music75. “Summertime” from ‘Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin’ (2016)
Sony Music74. Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard featuring Jamey Johnson - “It’s All Going To Pot” from ‘Django and Jimmie’ (2015)
Sony Music73. “The Scientist” (single-only release, 2011)// later released as a bonus track on ‘Heroes’ (2012)
Sony Music72. “My Way” from ‘My Way’ (2018)
Sony Music71. “Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down” from ‘Country Music’ (2010)
Rounder Records70. “Come Rain Or Come Shine” from ‘American Classic’ (2009)
Blue Note Records69. Willie Nelson featuring Calexico - “Senor (Tales of Yankee Power)” from ‘I’m Not There (Music From The Motion Picture Soundtrack)’ (2007)
Columbia Records68. “Bubbles In My Beer” from ‘You Don’t Know Me: The Songs Of Cindy Walker’ (2006)
UMG Recordings67. “The Rainbow Connection” from ‘Rainbow Connection (2001)
Island/Def Jam66. Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis - “Bright Lights, Big City” from ‘Two Men With The Blues’ (2008)
Blue Note Records65. “Gravedigger” from ‘Moment of Forever’ (2008)
UMG Recordings64. Willie Nelson featuring Kenny Wayne Shepherd - “Texas Flood” from ‘Milk Cow Blues’ (2000)
Island/Def Jam63. “The Harder They Come” from ‘Countryman’ (2005)
UMG Recordings62. “Maria (Shut Up And Kiss Me)” from ‘The Great Divide’ (2002)
UMG Recordings61. “Vote ‘Em Out” (YouTube-only release, 2018)
(Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 29: Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-TX) (R), joined by singer Willie Nelson, waves to supporters at a campaign rally at Auditorium Shores on September 29, 2018 in Austin, Texas. O'Rourke is running against Republican incumbent Ted Cruz for his senate seat. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
60. Willie Nelson featuring the Time Jumpers - “Heartaches By The Number” from ‘For The Good Times: A Tribute To Ray Price’ (2016)
Sony Music59. Willie Nelson and Asleep At The Wheel - “Hesitation Blues” from ‘Willie and the Wheel’ (2009)
Bismeaux Records58. “I Didn’t Come Here (And I Ain’t Leavin’)” from ‘It Always Will Be’ (2004)
UMG Recordings57. “I Never Cared For You” from ‘Teatro’ (1998)
Island/Def Jam56. Willie Nelson and Ray Price - “Run That By Me One More Time” from ‘Run That By Me One More Time’ (2003)
UMG Recordings55. “What Was It You Wanted” from ‘Across The Borderline’ (1993)
Sony Music54. “Who’ll Buy My Memories” from ‘The IRS Tapes: Who’ll Buy My Memories’ (1991)
Sony Music53. Carlos Santana featuring Willie Nelson - “They All Went To Mexico” from ‘Havana Moon’ (1983)
Sony Music52. Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson - “Write Your Own Songs” from ‘WWII’ (1982)
Sony Music51. Willie Nelson with Waylon Jennings - “Take It To The Limit” from ‘Take It To The Limit’ (1983)
Sony Music50. Neil Young featuring Willie Nelson - “Are There Any More Real Cowboys?” from ‘Old Ways’ (1985)
UMG Recordings49. The Highwaymen - “Highwayman” from ‘Highwayman’ (1985)
Sony Music48. “Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond Of Each Other” (single-only release, 2006)
UMG Recordings47. “Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends” from ‘Willie Nelson Sings Kristofferson’ (1979)
Sony Music46. Willie Nelson and Leon Russell - “Heartbreak Hotel” from ‘One For The Road’ (1979)
Sony Music45. “Blue Skies” from ‘Stardust’ (1978)
Sony Music44. “Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again)” from ‘Willie Nelson Sings Kristofferson’ (1979)
Sony Music43. “Till I Gain Control Again (live)” from ‘Willie And Family Live’ (1978)
Sony Music42. “Georgia On My Mind” from ‘Stardust’ (1978)
Sony Music41. “If You’ve Got The Money, I’ve Got The Time” from ‘The Sound In Your Mind’ (1976)
Sony Music40. “I’d Trade All Of My Tomorrows (For Just One Yesterday)” from ‘Country Favorites - Willie Nelson Style’ (1966)
Sony Music39. “Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning” from ‘Always On My Mind’ (1982)
Sony Music38. “For The Good Times” from ‘Willie Nelson Sings Kristofferson’ (1979)
Sony Music37. “Darkness On The Face Of The Earth” from ‘And Then I Wrote’ (1962)
Capitol Records Nashville36. “Bloody Mary Morning” from ‘Phases and Stages’ (1974)
Warner Music35. “I’ll Love You Till The Day I Die” from ‘A Beautiful Time’ (2022)
Sony Music34. “It’s Not Supposed To Be That Way” form ‘Phases and Stages’ (1974)
Warmer Music33. “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” from ‘Willie Nelson Sings Kristofferson’ (1979)
Sony Music32. “She’s Not For You” from ‘Shotgun Willie’ (1973)
Atlantic Records31. “Three Days” from ‘And Then I Wrote’ (1962)
Capitol Records Nashville30. “Sad Songs And Waltzes” from ‘Shotgun Willie’ (1973)
Atlantic Records29. “Mr. Record Man” from ‘And Then I Wrote’ (1962)
Capitol Records Nashville28. “City Of New Orleans” from ‘City Of New Orleans’ (1984)
Sony Music27. “Shotgun Willie” from ‘Shotgun Willie’ (1973)
Atlantic Records26. “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” from ‘Red Headed Stranger’ (1975)
Sony Music25. “Hello Walls” from ‘And Then I Wrote’ (1962)
Capitol Records Nashville24. Toby Keith featuring Willie Nelson - “Beer For My Horses” from ‘Unleashed’ (2002)
SKG Music Nashville/Dreamworks Records Nashville23. “Picture In A Frame” from ‘It Always Will Be’ (2004)
UMG Recordings22. “Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground (live)” from ‘Honeysuckle Rose - Music From the Original Soundtrack (1980)
Sony Music21. Willie Nelson featuring Paula Nelson - “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” from ‘To All The Girls…’ (2013)
Sony Music20. Willie Nelson featuring Snoop Dogg, Kris Kristofferson and Jamey Johnson - “Roll Me Up” from “Heroes’ (2012)
Sony Music19. Willie Nelson featuring Bonnie Raitt - “Getting Over You” from ‘Across The Borderline’ (1993)
Sony Music18. Willie Nelson featuring Paula Nelson - “Be That As It May” from ‘It Always Will Be’ (2004)
UMG Recordings17. Willie Nelson featuring Lukas Nelson - “Just Breathe” from ‘Heroes’ (2012)
Sony Music16. Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson - “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” from ‘Waylon & Willie’ (1978)
Sony Music15. “Stay All Night (Stay A Little Longer)” from ‘Shotgun Willie’ (1973)
Atlantic Records14. “Time Of The Preacher” from ‘Red Headed Stranger’ (1975)
Sony Music13. “It Always Will Be” from ‘It Always Will Be’ (2004)
UMG Recordings12. Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson - “Pancho and Lefty” from ‘Pancho & Lefty’ (1983)
Sony Music11. “Whiskey River” from ‘Shotgun Willie’ (1973)
Atlantic Records10. “American Tune” from ‘Across The Borderline’ (1993)
Sony Music9. Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson - “To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before” from ‘1100 Bel Air Place’ (1984)
Sony Music8. “Me and Paul” from ‘Yesterday’s Wine’ (1971)
BMG Music7. “Making Believe” from ‘Country Favorites - Willie Nelson Style’ (1966)
Sony Music6. Ray Charles and Willie Nelson - “Seven Spanish Angels” from ‘Friendship’ (1984)
Sony Music5. “Night Life” from ‘Country Willie - His Own Songs’ (1965)
Sony Music4. “Crazy” from ‘And Then I Wrote’ (1962)
Capitol Records Nashville3. “Always On My Mind” from ‘Always On My Mind’ (1982)
Sony Music2. “Funny How Time Slips Away” from ‘And Then I Wrote’ (1962)
Capitol Records Nashville1. “On The Road Again (live)” from ‘Honeysuckle Rose - Music From The Original Soundtrack’ (1980)
Sony MusicBrian has been working in pop culture and media for about three decades: he’s worked at MTV, VH1, SiriusXM, CBS and Loudwire. Besides working as a writer and an editor-in-chief, he’s also appeared on air as a pundit, guested on radio shows and hosted podcasts. Over the years, he’s interviewed the surviving members of Led Zeppelin, the members of U2, Beyonce, Pink, Usher, Stevie Nicks, Lorde… and is grateful to have had the chance to interview Joe Strummer of the Clash and Tom Petty.
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