Willie Nelson to Complete “Trilogy of Mortality” with New Music
Willie Nelson turned 86-years-old last week, but don’t expect to see him slowing down anytime soon. If anything, he’s putting his foot down on the gas for 2019, announcing a new album, and recently extending his Outlaw Music Festival dates which will keep him busy well into the summer.
As first reported by Saving Country Music in mid April, Willie Nelson’s latest album will be called Ride Me Back Home. Now we have all the details of the new record. To be released on June 21st through Sony’s Legacy Recordings, the album is said to complete a trilogy of mortality that Willie has been making with his last three records. 2017’s God’s Problem Child and 2018’s Last Man Standing are the other two installments.
The new album will include multiple originals written by Willie Nelson with producer Buddy Cannon, as well as a few tunes that may be familiar to country fans. Of the originals on the new record, one is called “Come On Time,” which is said to carry the same strong themes of mortality as Willie’s recent song “Still Not Dead.” Another original is called “One More Song to Write,” and a third is called “The Seven Year Itch,” which Buddy Cannon says means something different to him every time he hears it. “I still don’t know what that is.”
The cover songs include Guy Clark’s “My Favorite Picture Of You,” which was the title track from Clark’s final album released in 2013. There’s also a recording of Billy Joel’s “Just The Way You Are” that was supposed to be bound for a tribute to the piano legend that didn’t materialize, but will make the track list for Ride Me Back Home instead. Those who’ve seen Willie Nelson perform lately have probably gotten a kick out of his rendition of Mac Davis’s 1980 hit “Hard To Be Humble,” which Willie sometimes performs with his two musical songs Lukas and Micah if they’re around. Willie’s version with his two sons joining him also makes the track list.
Willie Nelson also covers himself with a new rendition of his 1972 song, “Stay Away From Lonely Places.” “I’m the biggest Willie Nelson fan there is, and I thought I knew every song that he ever did,” says producer Buddy Cannon. “But I had never heard that song. It sounded totally new to me. He’s a born troubadour. It’s the greatness: That early genius that was him and his songs is still there.”
The title song for the record was written by Sonny Throckmorton, who was said to be inspired to write the tune after he heard of Willie’s work adopting horses, which he stables at his Texas Hill Country ranch. A picture of Willie with a horse adorns the front cover of Ride Me Back Home, and his care for horses makes the backdrop for the video of the song (see below).
Willie Nelson’s Ride Me Back Home is now available for pre-order.
Ride Me Back Home Track List:
- Ride Me Back Home
- Come on Time
- My Favorite Picture of You
- Seven Year Itch
- Immigrant Eyes
- Stay Away From Lonely Places
- Just the Way You Are
- One More Song to Write
- Nobody’s Listening
- It’s Hard to Be Humble [ft. Lukas Nelson and Micah Nelson]
- Maybe I Should’ve Been Listening
TXMUSICJIM
May 5, 2019 @ 11:17 am
Ride me back is a great performance from Willie we are lucky to have him still God bless Willie!!!
Maggie
May 5, 2019 @ 1:43 pm
I love this man’s voice. Have for decades. Can hardly wait for the release of the CD. God Bless you
DJ
May 5, 2019 @ 2:29 pm
The world will be worse off when Willie is gone- the epitome of the wandering minstrel.
Jean mccolgan
May 5, 2019 @ 2:32 pm
I loved willie since I was 28 years old..he changed my life in so many ways..his music hits my soul, there is only one willie so cherish him. He is in my heart forever. Not much good left in the world. We need him to stay around
David Tunnicliffe
May 5, 2019 @ 3:05 pm
He will be missed by the older fans he sings songs of yesteryears memories of the good times gone
Othelzer
May 5, 2019 @ 3:29 pm
Good to know Jesus likes Willie more than I do, him an my uncle Merely and Waylon will be singing a long time
Maury Lee
May 5, 2019 @ 4:05 pm
A singular and distinct voice. How can it still be so clear and precise. Timing is awesome. Thanks Willie. You’re an inspiration.
Jeff
May 5, 2019 @ 5:38 pm
Well, I have waited all of my life to see him in concert. I did last year; but, to my disappointment his show was about promoting his children. Yes, I get we all want to take care of our kids, but his are WAY better taken care of than mine will ever be. I paid to hear him sing and give me the full concert. Sorry if that irritates any of you, well, I really am not. His kids will never be need of money unless they squander their fortune but, chances are I’ll never get a second chance at hearing him live. Not even sure I want to now. He put himself before the fans. I guess that’s the way it iz in show biz.
Mike Roberts
May 5, 2019 @ 8:30 pm
you ought to tell Wille. I’ll bet he never thought of that. I first saw Willie almost 50 years ago, and followed him all over Texas…before he hit it big. HERE IS THE POINT:
Willie and I are “up there in years” and it lightens folks our age….to know there is a strong generation coming up.
I’ll bet Willie would want to do something to fix your complaint.
Dan
May 5, 2019 @ 8:42 pm
I love this album!
Carmen
May 5, 2019 @ 8:50 pm
I fell in love with country since 1966, it is the best, love you willie, sing for me on the road again!
Lori
May 5, 2019 @ 10:30 pm
Willie, I must you are the greatest singer I have ever heard. My dad always had your music on when I was growing up. My friends ❤️ rock and roll but I always would listen to you. My mom took me to the movie Honey Suckle Rose when I was 12. It made me your number one fan. You came to Calgary, Alberta. Canada. My Mom was going to get me concert ticket to come see you. I asked her if it had back stage passes so I could meet you. Sadly was sold out. I know what you look like, I love the way you sound, I just wanted to meet you. Two years ago I read your biography, I had a hard time putting that book down. It made me want to meet you even more. 2018 I heard you were appearing at the Camrose jamboree in Alberta Canada. Hell I was going to hitch hike there jump the fence and you on stage. Would have been worth a night in jail. I am just so in love with you. You have been with me so long as an inspiration a real man. Damn I just wanna thank you.
Dawg Fan
May 6, 2019 @ 6:11 am
I’ve always thought Willie had a lot of jazz influence with his vocals often singing a little behind the beat. But then again, the man has sung in just about every genre there is including reggae. Not many out there can match him.
Ann Stokman
May 6, 2019 @ 9:03 am
Love his energy
Benny Lee
May 6, 2019 @ 11:12 am
Willie gets that it’s about the song. He does it his way, but he always puts the song out front.
Love it.
Shanna ShivYou
May 10, 2019 @ 7:28 am
Oh Willie !!! Ball me in the mountain stream !!!!!
Fred Dealaman
May 10, 2019 @ 3:53 pm
One of the best thanks America needs you Thanks