Born during the Great Depression and raised by his grandparents, Nelson wrote his first song at age seven and joined his first band at ten. During high school, he toured locally with the Bohemian Polka as their lead singer and guitar player. After graduating from high school in 1950, he joined the U.S. Air Force but was later discharged due to back problems. After his return, Nelson attended Baylor University for two years but dropped out because he was succeeding in music. During this time, he worked as a disc jockey in Texas radio stations and a singer in honky-tonks. Nelson moved to Vancouver, Washington, where he wrote "Family Bible" and recorded the song "Lumberjack" in 1956. He also worked as a disc jockey at various radio stations in Vancouver and nearby Portland, Oregon. In 1958, he moved to Houston, Texas, after signing a contract with D Records. He sang at the Esquire Ballroom weekly and he worked as a disk jockey. During that time, he wrote songs that would become country standards, including "Funny How Time Slips Away", "Hello Walls", "Pretty Paper", and "Crazy". In 1960 he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and later signed a publishing contract with Pamper Music which allowed him to join Ray Price's band as a bassist. In 1962, he recorded his first album, ...And Then I Wrote. Due to this success, Nelson signed in 1964 with RCA Victor and joined the Grand Ole Opry the following year. After mid-chart hits in the late 1960s and the early 1970s, Nelson retired in 1972 and moved to Austin, Texas. The ongoing music scene of Austin motivated Nelson to return from retirement, performing frequently at the Armadillo World Headquarters.
In 1973, after signing with Atlantic Records, Nelson turned to outlaw country, including albums such as Shotgun Willie and Phases and Stages. In 1975, he switched to Columbia Records, where he recorded the critically acclaimed album Red Headed Stranger. The same year, he recorded another outlaw country album, Wanted! The Outlaws, along with Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, and Tompall Glaser. During the mid-1980s, while creating hit albums like Honeysuckle Rose and recording hit songs like "On the Road Again", "To All the Girls I've Loved Before", and "Pancho and Lefty", he joined the country supergroup The Highwaymen, along with fellow singers Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson.
In 1990, Nelson's assets were seized by the Internal Revenue Service, which claimed that he owed $32 million. The difficulty of paying his outstanding debt was aggravated by weak investments he had made during the 1980s. In 1992, Nelson released The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?; the profits of the double album—destined to the IRS—and the auction of Nelson's assets cleared his debt. During the 1990s and 2000s, Nelson continued touring extensively, and released albums every year. Reviews ranged from positive to mixed. He explored genres such as reggae, blues, jazz, and folk.
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.
Nelson uses a variety of music styles to create his own distinctive blend of country music, a hybrid of jazz, pop, blues, rock and folk. His "unique sound", which uses a "relaxed, behind-the-beat singing style and gut-string guitar" and his "nasal voice and jazzy, off-center phrasing", has been responsible for his wide appeal, and has made him a "vital icon in country music", influencing the "new country, new traditionalist, and alternative country movements of the 1980s and 1990s".
In 1969, the Baldwin company gave Nelson an amplifier and guitar with their "Prismatone" pickup. During a show in Helotes, Texas, Nelson left the guitar on the floor of the stage, and it was later stepped on by a drunk man. He sent it to be repaired in Nashville by Shot Jackson, who told Nelson that the damage was too great. Jackson offered him a Martin N-20 Classical guitar, and, at Nelson's request, moved the pickup to the Martin. Nelson purchased the guitar unseen for $750 and named it after Roy Rogers' horse "Trigger". The next year Nelson rescued the guitar from his burning ranch.
Constant strumming with a guitar pick over the decades has worn a large sweeping hole into the guitar's body near the sound hole—the N-20 has no pick-guard since classical guitars are meant to be played fingerstyle instead of with picks. Its soundboard has been signed by over a hundred of Nelson's friends and associates, ranging from fellow musicians to lawyers and football coaches. The first signature on the guitar was Leon Russell's, who asked Nelson initially to sign his guitar. When Nelson was about to sign it with a marker, Russell requested him to scratch it instead, explaining that the guitar would be more valuable in the future. Interested in the concept, Nelson requested Russell to also sign his guitar. In 1991, during his process with the IRS, Nelson was worried that Trigger could be auctioned off, stating: "When Trigger goes, I'll quit". He asked his daughter, Lana, to take the guitar from the studio before any IRS agent arrived there, and then deliver it to him in Maui. Nelson then concealed the guitar in his manager's house until his debt was paid off in 1993.
Nelson is widely recognized as an American icon. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1993, and he received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1998. In 2011, Nelson was inducted to the National Agricultural Hall of Fame, for his labor in Farm Aid and other fund raisers to benefit farmers. In 2015 Nelson won the Gershwin Prize, the lifetime award of the Library of Congress. In 2018 The Texas Institute of Letters inducted him among its members for his songwriting. He was included by Rolling Stone on its 100 Greatest Singers and 100 Greatest Guitarists lists.
Good Hearted Woman
Willie Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
that just fell by the way
And the good life he promised
ain't what she's living today
But she never complains of the bad times
or the bad things he's done
She just talks about the good times
they've had and all the good times to come
She's a good hearted woman in love with a good timin' man
And she loves him in spite of his ways that she don't understand
And through teardrops and laughter
they'll pass through this world hand in hand
This good hearted woman in love with her good timin' man
He likes the night life and bright lights and good timin' friends
And when the party's all over she'll welcome him back home again
Though she don't understand him but she does the best that she can
This good hearted woman in love with her good timin' man
She's a good hearted woman in love with a good timin' man
And she loves him in spite of his ways that she don't understand
And through teardrops and laughter
they'll pass through this world hand in hand
This good hearted woman in love with her good timin' man
The song Good Hearted Woman, written by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, tells the story of a woman who is in love with a man who enjoys the nightlife and good times with friends. The woman knows her man's ways and acknowledges that the life he promised her is not what she is living. Despite the ups and downs, she remains steadfast in her love for him.
The lyrics highlight the woman's loyalty and unwavering love for a man who may not always be loyal to her. She never complains about the bad times or any of the bad things he may have done but focuses on the good times that they have shared and those yet to come. The line "she loves him in spite of his ways that she don't understand" demonstrates her acceptance of his behaviour and perhaps her lack of control in overcoming her feelings for him.
The lyrics also suggest that the relationship between the couple is not perfect. The man enjoys his nightlife and good timin' friends, which the woman does not understand, but she still welcomes him back home after the party is over. The line "though she don't understand him but she does the best that she can" shows the sacrifices and compromises that the woman makes to keep the relationship alive.
Overall, the song portrays a woman who is in a relationship with a man who lives life on his terms, but she remains a good-hearted woman who loves him despite his flaws, and together they face the world, hand in hand.
Line by Line Meaning
A long time forgotten are dreams that just fell by the way
She has given up on her personal dreams and aspirations because she is committed to her relationship.
And the good life he promised ain't what she's living today
The life she imagines with her partner does not match the reality of her situation.
But she never complains of the bad times or the bad things he's done
Despite his flaws and mistakes, she remains loyal and positive in their relationship.
She just talks about the good times they've had and all the good times to come
Rather than focusing on negativity, she chooses to emphasize the positive aspects of their relationship and future potential.
She's a good hearted woman in love with a good timin' man
She is a kind and generous person who is devoted to her partner, even though he may not always deserve it.
And she loves him in spite of his ways that she don't understand
Her love is unconditional and she still loves him despite not always understanding or agreeing with his actions or decisions.
And through teardrops and laughter they'll pass through this world hand in hand
Through both good and bad times, they will always be together and supportive of each other.
He likes the night life and bright lights and good timin' friends
He enjoys partying and the attention and excitement that comes with it, and has friends who enjoy the same lifestyle.
And when the party's all over she'll welcome him back home again
Despite his late nights and partying, she remains steadfast in her love and commitment to him and is always there for him.
Though she don't understand him but she does the best that she can
She may not always comprehend or approve of his actions, but she still tries her best to be supportive and loving.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sophia chauhan
A long time forgotten are dreams that just felt by the way
And the good life he promised is not what she's living today
But she never complains of the bad times or the bad things he's done
She just talks about the good times they've had and all the good times to come
She's a good hearted woman in love with a good timin' man
And she loves him in spite of his ways that she don't understand
And through teardrops and laughter they'll pass through this world hand in hand
This good hearted woman in love with her good timin' man
Well now, he likes the night life the brightlights and good timin' friends
When the party's all over she welcome him back home again
Though knows she don't understand him but she does the best that she can
This good hearted woman in love with her good timin' man
She's a good hearted woman in love with a good timin' man
And she loves him in spite of his ways that she don't understand
And through teardrops and laughter they'll pass through this world hand in hand
This good hearted woman in love with her good timin' man
She's a good hearted woman in love with a good timin' man
And she loves him in spite of his ways that she don't understand
Katherine Floyd
His voice is still wonderful and comforting!♥️😎
Elna Bjelland-Hughes
Love Willie Nelson - greatest country singer ever !! 😊💕💕
Al DiPentino
We who love great country music, Love Willie Nelson! Thank you Willie for all this awesome music we are so lucky for you 🤙
DC Mitchell
What an ALL-TIME BAUCE that man is. Thank you, Willie....
Nicola Vivarelli
A country classic and THE LEGEND of country music ! Thanks Willie
Irene Soares
Puro charme...
la mexicana
Willy what a wonderful song thank you for delighting us with those beautiful songs and that incredible voice for me you are the king of country
Mike Charles
Thank you Willie, for a whole lot of great music and guitar playing! Bless You. My friend💞!
Dawn Bennett
Thank God for Willie Nelson!
Zuzanna Wisniewska
I still love him.