The List

4 Essential Willie Nelson Deep Cuts Every True Fan of the Red-Headed Stranger Should Know

Willie Nelson isnโ€™t one of the most well-known artists in country for no reason. Heโ€™s delivered hit after hit during his decades-long career, from โ€œBlue Eyes Crying In The Rainโ€ to โ€œOn The Road Againโ€. That being said, Nelsonโ€™s discography is massive. He has a ton of severely underrated songs that have fallen through the cracks over the years. Letโ€™s take a look at a few Willie Nelson deep cuts that every fan should know!

1. โ€œDecember Dayโ€

This track from the 1971 album Yesterday’s Wine has so much good material in it. Itโ€™s a nostalgic, sweet-and-sad sort of album that is quintessentially Willie Nelson. โ€œDecember Dayโ€ is one of the best tracks on the album and one of the best Willie Nelson deep cuts you can find. Some have described the song as Nelsonโ€™s Sinatra moment, and we couldnโ€™t agree more.

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2. โ€œThe Words Donโ€™t Fit The Pictureโ€

This is the title track from Nelsonโ€™s 1972 album of the same name, but it somehow hasnโ€™t gotten much attention. Itโ€™s your classic breakup song, and also one of Nelsonโ€™s most honest and direct tracks to date. There isnโ€™t a lot of flowery poetry on this one. Itโ€™s a simple introspective song about dumping someone who you donโ€™t love anymore.

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3. โ€œHands On The Wheelโ€

This is a great example of how killer Nelsonโ€™s vocals could be when he was in his heyday. This 1975 track features some of his best vocal runs to date. It was also featured as the closing credit song for the 1979 film The Electric Horseman.

4. โ€œStill Is Still Moving To Meโ€

If youโ€™ve ever dreamed of smoking a joint with Willie Nelson, this deep cut is probably the one song that can simulate it the closest. The chorus is like a chant and Nelsonโ€™s gentle strumming is like a meditation. In fact, the whole song feels like a meditation. Luckily for fans, Nelson plays this deep cut often at his live shows.

Photo by Pamela Springsteen

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