Willie Nelson is one of the most iconic country music singers and songwriters of all time. His career spans several decades, and his unique style of writing and performing has made him a legend in the music industry. One of his most significant achievements was hitting number one on the country charts, which he did with several songs over the years. But which song was his first number one hit? In this post, we’ll take a closer look at Willie Nelson’s number one hit and what it meant for his career.
The Song
The song that gave Willie Nelson his first number one hit was “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.” This song was actually a cover of a 1945 song by Fred Rose, and it had been recorded by many artists before Willie’s version. However, it was his version that became the most famous and successful.
“Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” was released as a single in 1975 and appeared on his album “Red Headed Stranger.” The song tells the story of lost love and the pain that comes with it. The chorus features the line “Blue eyes crying in the rain,” which has become one of the most recognizable lines in country music history.
The Success
When “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” was released, it was an instant hit. It climbed to the top of the country charts, making it Willie Nelson’s first number one hit. The success of the song was a breakthrough for Willie and helped to solidify his status as a country music superstar.
The song also won a Grammy award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, in 1976. Willie Nelson’s popularity soared, and he went on to have several more number one hits throughout his career.
The Legacy
“Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” is now considered a classic country song, and it has been covered by many artists over the years. The song’s success helped to open doors for Willie Nelson and cemented his place in country music history.
Willie Nelson’s unique style of writing and performing has inspired countless artists over the years. His influence can be felt in the music of many contemporary country artists, and his legacy continues to grow as new generations discover his music.
Conclusion
“Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” was the song that gave Willie Nelson his first number one hit, and it was a turning point in his career. The success of the song helped to establish Willie as a country music superstar and paved the way for many more hits to come. Today, the song is considered a classic and a testament to Willie Nelson’s talent as a songwriter and performer.
FAQ
What song did Willie Nelson sell for $50?
The song that Willie Nelson sold for $50 was called “Family Bible”. The story behind the sale of the song is quite interesting. Back in the 1950s, Willie Nelson was struggling to make a living as a musician. He had moved to Houston, Texas to try and break into the country music scene, but he was having a hard time.
One day, Nelson was having dinner with Paul Buskirk, a songwriter and musician. After the meal, Nelson realized that he did not have enough money to pay the check. To make matters worse, Nelson’s car had been repossessed earlier that day.
In an effort to pay for his dinner and make some extra cash, Nelson offered to sell “Family Bible” to Buskirk for $50 and the cost of his dinner. “Family Bible” was a song that Nelson had written a few years earlier, but had never recorded. Buskirk agreed to the deal and gave Nelson $50 on the spot.
Little did Buskirk know, “Family Bible” would go on to become a hit song and a beloved classic. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including George Jones, who had a hit with the song in 1960.
Despite the success of “Family Bible”, Nelson did not regret selling the song for $50. In fact, he has said that he was glad to have the money at the time, as he was struggling to make ends meet. The sale of “Family Bible” may have been a small transaction, but it ended up having a big impact on both Willie Nelson’s career and the history of country music.
