Willie Nelson Confronts Mortality in ‘Old Timer’ Music Video
Willie Nelson has released a music video for "Old Timer," a new song from his forthcoming album, God's Problem Child.
"Old Timer" is the third song that Nelson has revealed from his upcoming project. Previously, he's shared "It Gets Easier" and "A Woman's Love." God's Problem Child is scheduled for release on April 28, one day before Nelson's 84th birthday, and though it seems to fans as though he'll live on forever, the singer looks mortality in the face with "Old Timer;" it's wistful, nostalgic ... and even a bit heartbreaking.
In the beginning of "Old Timer," Nelson sings, "You had your run / It's been a good one / Seems like the world is passing you by / Oh, Father Time / He just keeps on ticking / Still got a lot of life and a song to sing." The country icon co-wrote the song with his friend Donnie Fritts, and they didn't mince words: "You've been down every highway / Burned your share of bridges / You found forgiveness / You think that you're still a young bull rider / 'Till you look in the mirror and see an old timer," Nelson admits on the track.
Much of the "Old Timer" video depicts Nelson on his beloved Luck Ranch, in Texas, and in his Pedernales Recording Studio. Perhaps the hardest-hitting part of the song comes when Nelson sings, "One by one, your friends have crossed over / You pray for mercy and a few more days / You still got dreams inside your head, but some days / It’s a struggle just to get out of bed."
God’s Problem Child will be Nelson's ninth album on Legacy Recordings. Nelson recently hosted the annual Luck Reunion at his ranch in Luck, Texas. Artists who performed at this year's event included, among many others, Margo Price, Brent Cobb, Ray Benson and Lukas Nelson.
Nelson's upcoming tour dates can be found on his website.
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