One By Willie
If I was ever famous enough to be on the Texas Monthly podcast “One By Willie,” my choice would be “Stardust,” and I don’t care if it’s a basic choice or spoken about already
Believe it or not, I never grew up listening to Willie Nelson. I’ve always known who he was, and I remember my Brown Owl from Brownies declaring that his version of “You Were Always On My Mind” was the definitive version, which made me curious about him but not quite a fan. Not even during my year at Texas State - I liked his iconography and him as a person, but I still didn’t listen to his music. I kick myself now, but considering country radio in 2014/15 was full of the likes of Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line and other shit of that sort, I didn’t think country music was for me.
I still must’ve displayed some curiosity or appreciation though to have inspired my Mum to buy me Willie Nelson’s autobiography when I was 22 and living in Spain. That was when I fell in love with Willie. As I read, I would listen to the mentioned songs and albums, which was a fun reading experience, and was just completely charmed by the man and his story, but most particularly by Stardust, 1978. I’m not entirely sure what it was about that album, and especially the titular song, that enchanted me (and still does) so much. Maybe it was where I already knew the songs, or the story behind it where he was advised against it, did it anyway and it ended up being his most successful album, or that this album best showcases his jazz-like phrasings. Maybe it was all of the above, but what I do know is that it soothed my soul, and has continued to do so.
I did somewhat abandon Willie for a couple of years, but came running back to his musical arms at the height of lockdown due to the combination of having all the time in the world to deep dive and expand my music taste as well as needing a comforting voice to calm my anxieties and lull me to sleep. I didn’t know it then, but I was going through the beginning of a harsh break-up, and was finding moments of mental and physical solace with the sounds of Willie Nelson, and “Stardust” in particular. Trigger’s gentle opening chords, the soft roll of the drums, and Willie’s familiar voice melted away any stress or anxiety that riddled me and allowed me to cook or fall asleep or just simply daydream for a few precious thoughtless moments.
Willie and Stardust stayed and supported me through the breakup and its crushing aftermath. Where my ex and I had almost identical music tastes, for an embarrassingly long time I couldn’t listen to a lot of my favourite singers and songs without crying, which proved even harder when you worked in a vintage shop where The Doors, Janis Joplin and The Beatles were played often (queue me run off to the toilet for a cry). But Willie had no ties to anyone or their attached memories, he was mine and became important to keeping me grounded. Any morning I arrived at work before the others, I would play “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” and “Stardust,” and would sit and just breathe, it was almost like a meditation. I have a lot to thank Willie Nelson (and Rage Against the Machine) for during that period.
I listen to Willie for lots of reasons now and have dived further into that rich discography of his, but whenever I feel anxious, or can’t sleep, or in need of an audio hug, I always come back to “Stardust.”
Thank you Willie, and happy birthday x