The event was simply billed as "Willie Nelson Sings the Blues," but the historic two-night stand on January 12 and 13, 2007 at Jazz at Lincoln Center was far more than that. Call it a summit meeting between two American icons, Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis, two of the most significant figures in modern-day country and jazz, who discovered common ground in their love for jazz standards and the blues. Their performance stirred the sounds of New Orleans, Nashville, Austin and New York City into a brilliantly programmed mix that was equal parts down-home and cosmopolitan, with plenty of swing and just a touch of melancholy. To say that these shows were a hot ticket would be an understatement. Luckily, the tapes were rolling and the results of this unique collaboration now constitute the Blue Note album Two Men With The Blues for everyone who couldn't cram into The Allen Room. Featuring great playing from one of the hottest bands around these classic tracks are given new life by the extraordinary dual talents of Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis. At a time when most people are thinking of retirement, Willie has never been busier. His profile has been high in recent weeks with his various career retrospective releases and sold out tour and this album can rightly stake it's place alongside anything else he has done. Wynton rarely sounds so relaxed and both of these musical giants are clearly having the time of their lives together on these new interpretations of some of the greatest songs of the 20th century.
Busted
Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cotton is down to a quarter a pound, but I'm busted
I got a cow that went dry and a hen that won't lay
A big stack of bills that gets bigger each day
The county's gonna haul my belongings away cause I'm busted.
I went to my brother to ask for a loan cause I was busted
I hate to beg like a dog without his bone, but I'm busted
My brother said there ain't a thing I can do,
And I was just thinking about calling on you 'cause I'm busted.
Well, I am no thief, but a man can go wrong when he's busted
The food that we canned last summer is gone and I'm busted
The fields are all bare and the cotton won't grow,
Me and my family got to pack up and go,
But I'll make a living, just where I don't know cause I'm busted.
I'm broke, no bread, I mean like nothing,
The lyrics of Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis feat. Norah Jones's song "Busted" present the plight of a man who has hit rock bottom. The singer is facing a multitude of problems, from overdue bills to sick family members to failing crops. He is at his wit's end, having nothing to rely on but his own resourcefulness. In his desperation, he turns to his brother for help, but even that proves to be fruitless. The singer is left alone with his troubles, feeling like a "dog without his bone."
The song's lyrics are a poignant commentary on the uncertainties and hardships of life, particularly for those who work in agriculture. The singer's situation is not unique; many farmers in the United States faced similar challenges during the 20th century. The song's themes of poverty, struggle, and resilience are universal, and resonate with people from all walks of life.
One of the most interesting things about "Busted" is its history. The song was originally written by Harlan Howard in 1962, and was recorded by several artists, including Johnny Cash and Ray Charles. However, it was Willie Nelson's version that became the most well-known, reaching the top of the country music charts in 1963. The song has since become a classic, and has been covered by countless artists in various genres.
Another interesting aspect of the song is the collaboration between Willie Nelson, Wynton Marsalis, and Norah Jones. The three artists come from very different backgrounds and musical styles, but they blend their talents seamlessly in this rendition of "Busted." The performance is a testament to the power of collaboration and the universality of good music.
Line by Line Meaning
My bills are all due and the baby needs shoes and I'm busted
I am financially broke and cannot pay my bills, and on top of that, my baby needs new shoes.
Cotton is down to a quarter a pound, but I'm busted
The price of cotton has fallen, and even though I have it to sell, it won't help my financial struggles.
I got a cow that went dry and a hen that won't lay
My cow has stopped producing milk, and my hen won't lay eggs, which limits my ability to produce goods to sell.
A big stack of bills that gets bigger each day
I am accumulating more bills than I can pay, and I am unable to keep up with the rising pile of debt.
The county's gonna haul my belongings away cause I'm busted.
My debt has gotten to the point where the county is going to take away my possessions to pay off what I owe.
I went to my brother to ask for a loan cause I was busted
I had to ask my brother for money because I was completely broke.
I hate to beg like a dog without his bone, but I'm busted
I feel ashamed to ask for money because it is like begging for something as a dog without a bone, but financially, I have no choice.
My brother said there ain't a thing I can do,
My brother cannot help me financially as he also has financial responsibilities with his family.
My wife and my kids are all down with the flu,
My wife and my children have come down with the flu and require medical attention and care, which is an additional expense.
And I was just thinking about calling on you 'cause I'm busted.
As I am financially broke and have no other options, I was thinking of asking you for money as a last resort.
Well, I am no thief, but a man can go wrong when he's busted
I am not a dishonest person, but when I am broke, I may make poor decisions to get by.
The food that we canned last summer is gone and I'm busted
The food that we had saved from the summer is no longer available, and we have no means to obtain more food due to our financial situation.
The fields are all bare and the cotton won't grow,
The fields where we grow our crops are barren, and even if we plant cotton, it will not produce a yield due to the poor soil conditions and weather.
Me and my family got to pack up and go,
Because there is no source of income, my family and I have no choice but to leave our current place of residence.
But I'll make a living, just where I don't know 'cause I'm busted.
Even though I have no idea how I am going to make it work, I know that I have to continue to find a way to make money and provide for my family despite my financial struggles.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROB THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@christophercorza6806
"but I'm busted"
"but then i got high"