The Redheaded Stranger Ain’t No Stranger

I don’t normally do back to back music related posts, but I couldn’t let the 80th birthday of one of my favorite singer/songwriters go without mention…especially following the loss of another favorite last week in “The Possum”, George Jones.

Willie Nelson, aka “The Redheaded Stranger”, has been a notorious and fun part of music tapestry for a while. In fact, Toby Keith and Scotty Emerick even wrote the above song to warn about partying with Willie. LOL! He’s one of the few who can claim to have smoked weed in the White House, and we just nod and smile tolerantly.  We all know he began the stand for farming communities through Farm Aid. With all that and his amazing talent with voice and lyric, can we really call him a stranger? It seems he’s made an impact on so many!

There was nothing like the legendary ballads he told, especially when he’d do it with his equally legendary friends. The Highwaymen is probably one of the most popular songs shared in multiple repertoires as this song was done with Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash…. Truth is, these kinds of collaborations don’t happen very often anymore. Sadly, only 2 of the Highwaymen are alive. Kris Kristofferson & Willie.

It’s funny, because they did Good Hearted Woman (In Love With A Good Timing Man)…and I think they got it right. It wasn’t an easy life, but boy, if you could hang on…you were in for the ride of your life.

There will always be a soft spot in my heart for To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before. Change the gender and adjust the word from “loved before” to “lusted for” and it could’ve been the song of my youth. The fact that he blows away another strong vocalist and Latin playboy in Julio Iglesias should tell you just how powerful Willie’s vocals are.

He has a way of making you feel his music. Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground is a prime example of how he can tear your heart out even as you sway to every word he says. In fact, this makes me think of my brothers who both died way too young. It would’ve been a great dedication for them.

As lovely as songs like this and You Were Always On My Mind are, though, my all time favorite is a duet called Seven Spanish Angels that he does with Ray Charles. I think it’s the poetry to the words and the way these two vocalists dance around the words that wowed me.

So in honor of Willie’s 80th birthday…what’s your favorite Willie song? I’d love for you to share! You can never have too much Willie. (Yes, that innuendo was deliberate….LOL!)

19 thoughts on “The Redheaded Stranger Ain’t No Stranger”

  1. Emma says:
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    The Highway Men – my Dad’s favourite. I remember many trips in the car listening to these guys. I was a highway man, along the coach roads I did ride… Memories. I still have a crush on Kris Kristofferson.
    I think my favourite song of theirs is Born and Raised in Black and White. I enjoyed belting it out back in the day.

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    • Kitt Crescendo says:
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      Kris Kristofferson is HOTTTT! I remember being a bit jealous of Barbara Streisand when she got to play opposite him in A Star Is Born. As for the song…gonna check it out now. I love Highwaymen music! 🙂

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    • Kitt Crescendo says:
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      Yeah, that’s a good one, too. Do you watch The Voice? Did you see that song done last night in the battle rounds by Judith Hill? If not, stop by my FB page…I posted it. She did a wonderful rendition. (She was a back up singer for Michael Jackson back in the day.)

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  6. L.J. Kentowski says:
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    I’ve never been a huge Willie fan, but I heard them all growing up and you couldn’t help but know he was a legend and always would be. I do love “To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before” though. It’s a classic!

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    • Kitt Crescendo says:
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      Amazing, right? He’s proof that age doesn’t have to be the end of the world. He still ::cough:: parties ::cough:: harder than most people half his age…and sings/writes with amazing conviction. I’d love to see him in concert.

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  8. Professor Taboo says:
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    I am not a country-western music fan despite being from Texas. I do like some of the neo-country (e.g. Rascal Flatts), but I emphasize “some”. Here’s a brain-teaser: I absolutely LOVE me some Patsy Cline!

    RIP George Jones. My Mom’s boyfriend was a fan of his and told me one of his nicknames: “No Show Jones”….because of his alcoholism. He often did not make his concerts, according to Mom’s boyfriend. Nevertheless and respectfully, RIP Mr. Jones.

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    • Kitt Crescendo says:
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      Ah, well, if you LOVE Cline, you know Willie wrote “Crazy”. 😉

      I find your lack of love for country to be as rare as a Chicago girl who has always loved it. Different strokes for different folks.

      My interests in music vary from classical all the way down to bands like The Revolting Cocks, so I’m sure we’ll find common ground somewhere.

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      • Professor Taboo says:
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        Ahh, we have found common ground already! I love Revolting Cocks! “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy”…the video is great. Yes, our tastes will most definitely match in several genres — rap and classic country are simply my least favorite. But everything else, including opera, I enjoy.

        And yes, Willie did indeed write that incredible song! Willie is actually a very intelligent man I respect. 🙂

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        • Kitt Crescendo says:
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          My favorite RevCo song has always been “Beers, Steers and Queers”…no idea why. It just seemed to wind itself in my head.

          As for Willie… Turns out one of my new buddies on Twitter knows him. The nickname Red Headed Stranger is apparently referring to his other head. LOL! I suppose if your name is Willie and you’re a red head…the number of euphemisms available for your Johnson expand as well. Especially if you have a clever mind & a way with words.

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