Willie Nelson Songs Ranked

Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American musician, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger (1975) and Stardust (1978), made Nelson one of the most recognized artists in country music. He was one of the main figures of outlaw country, a subgenre of country music that developed in the late 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restrictions of the Nashville sound. Nelson has acted in over 30 films, co-authored several books, and has been involved in activism for the use of biofuels and the legalization of marijuana. Nelson made his first movie appearance in the 1979 film The Electric Horseman, followed by other appearances in movies and on television. Nelson is a major liberal activist and the co-chair of the advisory board of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), which is in favor of marijuana legalization. On the environmental front, Nelson owns the bio-diesel brand Willie Nelson Biodiesel, which is made from vegetable oil. Nelson is also the honorary chairman of the advisory board of the Texas Music Project, the official music charity of the state of Texas. Here are all of Willie Nelson songs ranked.

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20. If You Could Touch Her at All (Honeysuckle Rose, 1978)

“Being a big big Willie Nelson fan, I just had to have this song for my collection. Would highly recommend this song to anyone who loves Willie Nelson.”

19. Seven Spanish Angels (Always On My Mind, 1982)

“This is old time Texas, each person died for what they at that time felt was right. This song is very living too the truth. This is how we should feel about what we know is the right we all have.”

18. Heartaches of a Fool (Greatest Hits (& Some That Will Be), 1981)

“His often sing-speak style combined with his often minimal arrangements can make his songs feel like underdone ideas in process rather than songs, but when he rarely gets it right he really gets it right”

17. Crazy (And Then I Wrote, 1962)

“This is just a beautiful collection of Willie Nelson. Doing just what he does best, sings his heart and soul out into his songs.”

See more: Willie Nelson Albums Ranked

16. A Song for You (Leon Russell, 1970)

“Love all Willie’s music and am a big fan of his and have lots of his cd’s. Can’t beat this one for good listening. It’s a good one”

15. Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground (Honeysuckle Rose, 1980)

“A sentimentally sad melancholic song with touching lyrics to it Willie is at his best while singing it. Willie has had a slew of hit songs during his career. And many are probably more well known then this song but for me this is his all time best performance. Give this a listen and see for yourself.”

14. September Song (Stardust, 1978)

“I think Willie does these old romantic songs so well. Of all I found I like his rendition best. Great song and Willie is awesome”

13. Shotgun Willie (Shotgun Willie, 1973)

“Shotgun Willie” was released in 1973…it is a fine example of the classic song-writing skills of Willie Nelson…akin to his finer works such as ” Red-Headed Stranger” “Yesterday’s Wine” this album is a pleasure to listen to from start to finish…”

12. Blue Skies (Stardust, 1978)

“I really love this song. It helped me get through some really tough times in my life. And Willie is the greatest. Keep on smokin’ Willie”

11. Georgia on My Mind (Stardust, 1978)

“Georgia On My Mind is undeniably one of Willie’s best. It is mellow and memorable. He does a terrific job on this song. I’m a hit-and-miss Willie Nelson fan, but he nails it on this one. Very nice.”

10. I’d Have to Be Crazy (The Sound in Your Mind, 1976)

“His often sing-speak style combined with his often minimal arrangements can make his songs feel like underdone ideas in process rather than songs, but when he rarely gets it right he really gets it right.”

9. Hello Walls (And Then I Wrote, 1962)

“This is one of Willie’s best songs ever. It is a classic that will always be relevant. I think everyone should have this in their library.”

8. Pancho & Lefty (Pancho & Lefty, 1983)

“This song, with a Spanish/Mexican flair, does not fit into any neatly established category or genre. It is just one of those unique story songs that come along once in a while that anybody can enjoy.”

See more: John Mellencamp Albums Ranked

7. City of New Orleans (Always On My Mind, 1982)

“Willie Nelson did a great job with this song. His version of this song is upbeat and easy to understand his words. The backup band music was done really well, they did a great job. I really love his version of this song.”

6. My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys (The Electric Horseman, 1979)

“Willie Nelson does a great job on this song. It’s a good old style country song about the old country days and how tough it is to be a cowboy, both then and now.”

5. Whiskey River (Shotgun Willie, 1973)

“A live version that is well done and upbeat. I enjoy listening to it while mowing the lawn or house cleaning. Makes the time go by much quicker.”

4. Good Hearted Woman (Good Hearted Woman, 1972)

“Great song with great lyrics—the fact I sang the song to my wife at our wedding 25 years ago is proof enough that she truly is a “good hearted woman in love with this good timing man”

3. Always On My Mind (Always On My Mind, 1982)

” It sounds so heartfelt and honest and I like it far more than Elvis’s version. The latter seems so artificial and overly produced compared to Willie’s simple, but emotionally charged rendition. This seems to convey all the emotion and meaning that the song writer intended.”

2. On the Road Again (Honeysuckle Rose, 1980)

“I like all music and ON THE ROAD AGAIN is one of Willie Nelson’s best. Great beat and lyrics and typical of one of our great country characters. The words describe him. The song makes you want to go on the road with him and his friends.”

1. Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain (Red Headed Stranger, 1975)

“A very simple song with wonderful guitar plucking, picking and strumming. I don’t think this is Willie’s best song. But it may be my favorite.”