That same year, Doris Day also recorded the song for her Columbia Records album, Love Him. Willie's early rockabilly efforts are particularly successful -- "Rainy Day Blues" sounds a bit like early Mose Alison, and "Everything But You" could have fit easily onto a Johnny Cash or Elvis Sun Session recording. Willie Nelson at 85: A Visit With the King of Night Life As he reaches his 85th year, Nelson is writing, touring and smoking more than ever. "[10] The single reached number 28 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. Willie Nelson originally did Outskirts of Town, Going Away Party, Pretty Paper, The Sunset Trail and other songs. Later, it was included on the 2000 Bear Family Records compilation The Complete D Singles Collection. As a songwriter and a performer, Willie Nelson played a vital role in post-rock & roll country music. Song information for Night Life - Willie Nelson on AllMusic According to Mojo magazine, Willie Nelson originally tried to sell this along with several other of his songs to country music singer Larry Butler for $10 a piece. Biography As a songwriter and performer, Willie Nelson played a vital role in post-rock & roll country music. The song was recorded as "Nite Life", and the artist labeled under "Paul Buskirk and the … New music video features painter Paul Mann creating That’s Life album cover. Price said in the introduction to the song that it was "especially" written for him by "a boy down Texas way." The song was covered by several other artists including Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, B.B. Willie Nelson covered Outskirts of Town, Going Away Party, Pretty Paper, The Sunset Trail and other songs. Willie Nelson: 20 Essential Songs From the signature ballad he wrote for Patsy Cline to his love letter to life on the road 4. [3] Nelson and Buskirk took the tapes from Gold Star Studios, and went to Bill Holford's ACA Studios to master the recording. In 1960 Ray Price purchased the song and recorded a cover of it as the title track of his 1963 album Night Life. On the way, Nelson stopped by the Esquire Ballroom to sell songs to house band singer Larry Butler. Two years later, Ray Price’s recording of his “Night Life” was also a Top 40 country hit. Willie Nelson wrote Funny How Time Slips Away, Little Things and Crazy. Although he didn't become a star until the mid-'70s, Nelson spent the '60s writing songs … “Georgia on my Mind” from “Stardust” 2 [Eclipse Music Group], The Essential Series Sampler [RCA Country], American Jukebox Country Classics, Vol. The emphasis here is clearly on Nelson’s writing talents. The song "Night Life," on the 1974 Thin Lizzy album Nightlife, borrows the title and chorus of the Willie Nelson song, but Thin Lizzy lead singer Phil Lynott is credited as the song's sole writer. [4], The song was rejected by Pappy Daily, who did not consider it country. The American music icon, who turns 80 years old on April 30, was once just another starving musician looking for his next gig. “Night Life” from “Country Willie: His Own Songs” Many country songs celebrate the fun of partying. 5. Encouraged by the amount of money he received for the song, Nelson decided to master it at another studio. Originally sold to a Houston guitar picker named Paul Buskirk for just $150, the first recording of “Night Life” was rejected by Nelson’s label for not being “country” enough. This year, Willie Nelson is celebrating his 75th birthday with a bang. [14], A version recorded by Nelson and trumpeter Danny Davis in 1979 reached number 20 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1980,[15] and number 9 on the RPM Country Tracks chart. Daily threatened Nelson to sue him if he pressed the song. The liner notes of the album stated that "Willie writes the songs...You make them into hits," detailing the songs written by Nelson that were hits for other artists including Ray Price's recording of "Night Life."[13]. To avoid legal actions, it was recorded as "Nite Life" under the artist name of "Paul Buskirk and the Little Men featuring Hugh Nelson." Nelson sings about the emptiness of nightlife and how depressing it can be in this song. Dolly Parton performed the song on television twice: on her 1970's variety show Dolly!, and again on her 1980's variety show Dolly. In … [11] That same year, Doris Day also recorded the song for her Columbia Records album, Love Him. King David Lee Roth Jamey Johnson The Highwaymen Joshua Hedley Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real Aretha Franklin Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel Corey Dennison Band Lee Ann Womack Aquarium Rescue Unit Johnny Cash & Willie Nelson Ray Charles & B.B. [19], "Thin Lizzy: Nightlife and Fighting, Reissues", "Willie Nelson Chart History (Hot Country Songs)", "B.J. Nite Life: Greatest Hits and Rare Tracks, 1959-1971, The Early Years: The Complete Liberty Recordings Plus More, Willie Nelson, Vol. In 1965, Nelson recorded the song for his RCA Victor release, Country Willie – His Own Songs. Daily threatened to sue Nelson if he pressed the song. Thomas Chart History (Hot Country Songs)", If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time, I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter, Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning, Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other, You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me, You Gave Me Love (When Nobody Gave Me a Prayer), (Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Night_Life_(Willie_Nelson_song)&oldid=997146410, Short description is different from Wikidata, Singlechart usages for Billboardcountrysongs, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz work identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Willie Nelson, Paul Buskirk, Walt Breeland, This page was last edited on 30 December 2020, at 05:40. Ahead of the release, Willie Nelson has revealed his take on the song “A Cottage for Sale” (listen below). During this time, Nelson recorded for Pappy Daily of D Records. Music, Film, TV and Political News Coverage. [5] The song was recorded as "Nite Life," and credited to "Paul Buskirk and the Little Men featuring Hugh Nelson. 1: Champagne Country, Double Barrel Country: The Legends of Country Music, Back to Back: Willie Nelson and Patsy Cline, The Best of Country Gold [Direct Source Box Set #2], Oh Boy Records Classics Presents: Willie Nelson, A Tribute to Keith Urban [Tribute Sounds], The World's Greatest Alan Jackson Tribute, I Let My Mind Wander: The Best Of Willie Nelson. Stream ad-free or purchase CD's and MP3s now on Amazon.com. Due to financial issues, Nelson sold the song to guitar instructor Paul Buskirk for $150. Find Willie Nelson discography, albums and singles on AllMusic. In 1969, "Night Life" was covered by Stan Webb, the singer with Chicken Shack and issued as the B-side to a well-received cover of "I'd Rather Go Blind," sung by Christine Perfect (better known as Christine McVie, of Fleetwood Mac fame). In 1960 Ray Price purchased the song and recorded a cover of it as the title track of his 1963 album Night Life. "Night Life" is a song written by country music singer-songwriter Willie Nelson. [3] Produced by Bill Quinn, Nelson recorded the song at Gold Star Studios. Penned by Willard Robison and Larry Conley, Frank Sinatra recorded the song for his 1959 album No One Cares. "[3] Released through Rx Records, few copies of the single were pressed,[5] and it received limited airplay by DJ Uncle Hank Craig on XEG.[6]. [12], Al Hirt included the song in his 1964 LP Sugar Lips, singing the verses and playing behind the chorus. Willie Nelson wrote Funny How Time Slips Away, Little Things and Crazy. [17] David Lee Roth released the song as a single from his 1994 album Your Filthy Little Mouth. Check out Night Life by Willie Nelson on Amazon Music. While working at the club, Nelson used the time during the thirty-mile commute from his home to the club to write songs. His band and family members weigh in … The recording of the song was rejected by Pappy Daily, owner of Nelson's label, D Records. Recordings. [18] Aretha Franklin released a cover on her 1998 album The Delta Meets Detroit. The cover of Sinatra’s 1955 album In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning was the inspiration for the cover art of That’s Life. Legacy Recordings announces the premiere of “That’s Life” — the new single, lyric video and title track from Willie Nelson’s forthcoming studio album homage to Frank Sinatra. The next two examples are inspired by Nelson’s thrilling mid-song solo. Nelson, who owed Daily the recording of other songs, had sold "Night Life" for enough money to master the record at another studio. About Night Life "Night Life" is a song written by country music singer-songwriter Willie Nelson. The single reached number 28 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. Buskirk convinced singer Claude Gray to record a set of original songs by Nelson, including "The Party's Over", "Night Life", "Family Bible"and "Leave Alone". One night he was inspired after thinking of the line "When the evening sun goes down, you will find me hanging 'round." [9] Price said in the introduction to the song that it was "especially" written for him by "a boy down Texas way. Nelson and Buskirk took the tape from Gold Star Studios, and went to Bill Holford's ACA Studios to master the recording. Buskirk organized the session and hired the musicians, while Gray paid for the costs of the sessions US$100. "Night Life" is a song written by country music singer-songwriter Willie Nelson. On April 1, Legacy Recordings will release One Hell of a Ride, a four-disc box set containing no less than 100 classic songs including Night Life, Funny How Time Slips Away, and Crazy, plus his definitive covers of Stardust and Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain. Nelson was inspired to write the song during one of his trips from his home in Pasadena, Texas, to his work, singing at the Esquire Ballroom in Houston. Due to financial issues, Nelson sold the song to guitar instructor Paul Buskirk for $150. ", After his son Billy was born in 1958, struggling with financial issues, Nelson moved to Houston. The early recordings of some of Willie's best known songs -- "Nite Life," "Crazy," "Healing Hands of Time," "Hello Walls" -- all benefit from the spare, open, and nuanced arrangements found here. His guitar work on this later recording is completely different, though no less inventive. READ MORE: How Patsy Cline and Willie Nelson Teamed up for Her Hit Song "Crazy" Butler refused to purchase Nelson's songs, giving him instead a $50 loan to rent an apartment and a six-night job singing in the club. Nelson's inspiration was completed on his way back, with the line "The night life ain't no good life, but it's my life. Daily believed that the song was not country. WILLIE NELSON was dead broke. King, Dottie West, Don Ho, and Rusty Draper.[8]. "[2], Nelson sold the song for $150 to Paul Buskirk in 1960, while working at his school as a guitar instructor. [16] A cover by B.J. Nelson was inspired to write the song during one of his trips from his home in Pasadena, Texas, to his work, singing at the Esquire Ballroom in Houston. Nelson had previously recorded “Darkness on the Face of the Earth” on his 1962 debut album, And Then I Wrote, and he revisited it once again on his 1998 album Teatro. You make them into hits," detailing the songs written by Nelson that were hits for other artists including … Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American musician, actor, and activist. Nelson, who owed Daily the recording of other songs, had sold the "Night Life" for enough money to master the record on another studio. The song became a hit for Price who started to use it as the introduction in his shows, replacing the usual backing fiddles. Nelson was inspired to write the song during one of his trips from his home in Pasadena, Texas, to his work, singing at the Esquire Ballroom in Houston. Produced by Bill Quinn, the song was recorded on December 18, 1959, at Goldstar Studios. Willie Nelson originally did It Should Be Easier Now, The Sunset Trail, This Time I Almost Made It, Going Away Party and other songs. Due to financial issues, Nelson sold the song to guitar instructor Paul Buskirk for $150. The original 1960 recording by Nelson was re-released as "Night Life," for the first time under his own name, on Bellaire Records in 1963, along with its original B-side, "Rainy Day Blues." Willie Nelson covered It Should Be Easier Now, Baby, It's Cold Outside, The Sunset Trail, This Time I Almost Made It and other songs. Thomas peaked at number 59 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1986. The … The program reprises “Night Life,” “Funny How Time Slips Away,” and “Hello Walls,” returned to their author after becoming big hits for other performers. Editors’ Notes Country Willie - His Own Songs opened a chapter in his career that would document his rapid development as a songwriter and singer. About Night Life "Night Life" is a song written by country music singer-songwriter Willie Nelson. [1] Nelson rented an apartment near Houston in Pasadena, Texas, where he also worked at a local radio station as a DJ. In 1963 Bellaire Records reissued the single under the original title of "Night Life," recrediting it to "Willie Nelson. Butler refused to take advantage, fortunately for Patsy Cline who, despite initially disliking "Crazy," made it into a huge hit. The session band was composed of guitarist Buskirk, bassist Dean Reynolds, drummer Al Hagy, pianist Bob Whitford, steel guitarist Herb Remington, and Dick Shannon on saxophone and vibraphone. 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