Townes Van Zandt Songs Ranked

John Townes Van Zandt (March 7, 1944 – January 1, 1997), better known as Townes Van Zandt, was an American singer-songwriter. He wrote numerous songs, such as “Pancho and Lefty”, “For the Sake of the Song”, “Tecumseh Valley”, “Rex’s Blues”, and “To Live Is to Fly”, that are widely considered masterpieces of American songwriting. His musical style has often been described as melancholy and features rich, poetic lyrics. During his early years, Van Zandt was respected for his guitar playing and fingerpicking ability. Van Zandt died on New Years Day 1997 from cardiac arrhythmia caused by health problems stemming from years of substance abuse. A revival of interest in Van Zandt blossomed in the 2000s. During the decade, two books, a documentary film (Be Here to Love Me), and numerous magazine articles about the singer were written. Here are all of Townes Van Zandt songs ranked.

Relive the music of the Townes Van Zandt. Click below and listen to the true Blues songs.

15. Flyin’ Shoes (Flyin’ Shoes, 1978)

“Flyin’ Shoes is the first of a whole bunch of Van Zandt’s albums I picked up on the cheap and, if this is anything to go by, I should go out and fill the gaps in my collection as quickly as possible. What I like most about the album is it’s sheer diversity. I was expecting country music – and, being truthful, had steeled myself against it. I’m always a little wary about country and western.”

14. Snake Song (Flyin’ Shoes, 1978)

“I love in particular the title track, and you can really hear in the final track ‘Snake Song’ how this great man influenced the other great man – the amazing Steve Earle.”

13. Rex’s Blues (Flyin’ Shoes, 1978)

“Lyrically, Townes is as sharp as ever, especially on the self-eulogizing “Rex’s Blues,” where he laments that all men are “born to grow and grown to die.”

12. Two Girls (The Nashville Sessions, 1993)

” This is an album of county songs that are interwoven with blues, an album that is distinctly one that belongs to Townes Van Zandt alone, yet is unlike anything he ever did before.”

See more: Townes Van Zandt Albums Ranked

11. At My Window (At My Window, 1987)

“Back in the studio with jack clement “at my window” is a surprisingly strong record for someone who had been away from the studio for so long. The sound is warm and inviting and despite townes voice showing signs of wear and tear his new more mature,less poetic songwriting really comes over well.”

10. (Quicksilver Daydreams of) Maria (For The Sake Of The Song, 1968)

“If you like Townes Van Zandt this song is a must to your collection. Great song from a legendary songwriter and singer.”

9. Rake (Delta Momma Blues, 1971)

“This is just stunningly simple, stunningly sincere and quite beautiful music. I have paid this compliment to one other much more recent recording artist: I could so easily spend a day listening to this man’s work back to back.”

8. High, Low and In Between (High, Low and In Between, 1972)

“An odd album for Townes Van Zandt, in particular because it is so upbeat compared to what he was putting out around this era. Its less country and more gospel than usual, with a lot of religious themes and even some choirs.”

7. For the Sake of the Song (For The Sake Of The Song, 1968)

“The title track opens the album and, while suitably lachrymose from a lyrical perspective, it becomes overly cloying because of the arrangement and I really can take it or leave it….no scratch that, I’ll leave it.”

6. Where I Lead Me (Delta Momma Blues, 1971)

“Townes Van Zandt’s simple melodies along with truly honest lyrics is what makes Him a true treasure amongst Singer/Songwriters. Although His isn’t well know, fans like myself can’t imagine music without Him.”

See more: Robert Plant Albums Ranked

5. Kathleen (Our Mother the Mountain, 1969)

“Another quality piece of downer country folk from Mr. Van Zandt, securing himself a spot next to the boots of Hank Williams. Great poetic ramblings, and although not quite as memorial as his debut album, it’s to close to argue. Once again…not a bad song on board.”

4. Waitin’ Around to Die (For The Sake Of The Song, 1968)

“Though it was an almost-entirely fictional account, the troubles and sorrows that “Waiting Around to Die” expressed would be mirrored in the years of hard living that ultimately took an immense toll on Van Zandt’s mental and physical health. The combination of depression and substance abuse would lead to his death at the age of 52 on New Year’s Day 1997.”

3. Highway Kind (High, Low And In Between, 1972)

“Country mixed with some folk and gospel. If I’m gonna listen to country, most times it will be something like this. You know, the real stuff. It’s pretty good although nothing too great.”

2. Be Here to Love Me (Be Here to Love Me, 2005)

“Very interesting and excellent maded;see this film,and you have a picture of a extraordinary man and artist,songwriter,singer,believer,surcher,sinner,…..nice to see that there are more bad-living badlivers on the way to the center of the Multiverse!”

1. Pancho and Lefty (The Late Great Townes Van Zandt, 1972)

“This is a little more modern country, but there is something about him that just sticks out. This man had a bad brain like me in which he believed people hated him, he was really smart and had a great career despite this fact. This is a sad song, he has such an terrific voice and it really suits his style to a tee. The song then has a sing along type thing over violins and hopefully fiddles. This is beautiful stuff”