Ten Songs Inspired By Willie Nelson

“Willie the Wandering Gypsy and Me” – Billy Joe Shaver
In the 1970’s Billy Joe Shaver and Willie were close–best friends as Shaver describes their relationship in his autobiography, Honky Tonk Hero. It was during that time Shaver says he saw a part of Willie that he was able to put in “Willie the Wandering Gypsy and Me,” a romanticized song about the essence of Willie.

“What Would Willie Do?” – Bruce Robison
Despite whatever obstacles Willie is facing he takes them in stride, confident that things will work out the way they’re supposed to. He possesses a spiritual aura in the way he handles his life and doles out Bhudda-like advice to those who ask for it. It’s that aura that led Joe Nick Patoski to coin the term “The Holy Willie Effect.” He says the “effect was so pervasive it was parodied, riffing off ‘What Would Jesus Do?’” Bruce Robison put his spin on it with this single–from the 2001 disc Country Sunshine–which was later covered by Gary Allan.

“Willie’s Guitar” – John Anderson
This song finds Anderson cleverly comparing the hole worn through his heart to the hole in Willie’s guitar and features a duet with Willie himself along with a beautiful acoustic guitar solo.

“Ode to the Hole In Willie’s Guitar” – Johnny Bush
Introduced with some Roger Miller-esque diddly-bops, Bush sings about stringing up fireworks inside his guitar to blow a hole of freedom to exorcise the demons left by a woman. “They say that’s what ole Willie done / it’s been some time ago / never heard him say it wasn’t so.”

“Don’t Touch My Willie” – Kevin Fowler
If there’s one thing Kevin Fowler excels at it’s entertaining his fans and “Don’t Touch My Willie,” in all its campy double entendre glory, is straight-up balls to the wall entertainment.

“Weed With Willie” – Toby Keith
Willie’s name is almost synonymous with weed to those unfamiliar with the many facets that encompass his being–which means just about anyone can find a chuckle or two hidden away in Toby Keith and Scotty Emerick’s humorous commentary on the quality of Willie’s herbs.

“Backstage Pass” – Johnny Cash
The ecletic mix of Willie Nelson’s audience has been well documented over the years. This lighthearted song from Cash expounds on that eclectic mix, from the “wackoes and weirdoes and dingbats and dodoes / and athletes and movie stars and David Allan Coe.” The latter of whom name checks Willie in “Willie, Waylon and Me.”

“Willie’s Guitar” – Cooder Graw
The singer confesses that he doesn’t want to be famous, or a star, just wants his name on Willie’s guitar, which I assume would be a pretty prestigious thing in itself.

“Hey Willie” – Waylon Jennings
Jennings ponders the success that he and Willie achieved and the things they’ve given up, the wandering and the living expressed in the songs that they wrote. If there’s a lesson to be found in the lyrics, it’s to not worry about the destination, cherish the journey, for that’s where the memories are made and life is lived.

“Final Attraction” – Kris Kristofferson
Kristofferson name checks a number of esteemed songwriters and musicians in “Final Attraction,” but says the words occurred to him while watching Willie Nelson close a show. He attempts to explain what drives a person like Willie and in turn defines what I think places country music in the highest echelon of music; the best performers have the ability to break people’s hearts.