OldiesButGoodies

Country

The Highwaymen – City of New Orleans

The Highwaymen - City of New Orleans (Live at Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY - March 1990): listen with lyrics | Deezer

Introduction:

“City of New Orleans,” a timeless ballad celebrated for its evocative lyrics and melancholic melody, was originally penned by Steve Goodman in 1972. Goodman, a Chicago folk singer-songwriter, drew inspiration from his own experiences traveling by train between Chicago and New Orleans. The song’s enduring appeal lies in its nostalgic portrayal of a bygone era of American railroad travel, capturing the romance and rhythm of the journey.

Goodman’s poignant lyrics paint a vivid picture of the train’s passage through the American heartland, evoking a sense of both wanderlust and longing. The song’s popularity soared when it was covered by Arlo Guthrie in 1972 and subsequently by Willie Nelson in 1984. Nelson’s version, with its distinctive vocal delivery and heartfelt interpretation, became a signature song for the legendary country music artist.

The Highwaymen, a supergroup comprising Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson, further immortalized “City of New Orleans” with their rendition on their 1990 album “American Outlaws.” Their collective star power and harmonious vocals added another layer of depth and resonance to the song, solidifying its place as a country music classic.

“City of New Orleans” continues to resonate with audiences today, serving as a timeless reminder of the enduring power of music to evoke nostalgia, capture the essence of travel, and celebrate the beauty of the American landscape.

Video:

https://youtu.be/RnGJ3KJri1g?si=C9YURSrG4ZZb9t-H

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Merle Haggard’s childhood was becoming increasingly chaotic when something entered his life that would eventually change everything: a guitar. His older brother Lowell gave him one when Merle was around 12. Merle began teaching himself, absorbing the records and styles of country heroes such as Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell and Hank Williams. There were no expensive lessons preparing him for Nashville. There was simply a troubled California kid listening closely and learning how another man’s sadness could live inside a melody. Merle would still make plenty of mistakes. Music didn’t instantly rescue him from running away, juvenile detention or eventually prison. But the guitar remained. Years later, millions would recognize Merle’s voice within seconds. Perhaps that’s because he wasn’t merely learning how to sing songs as a boy. He was slowly learning how to tell the truth about his own life.

Merle Haggard rarely needed to invent heartbreak. He had known it since childhood. In 1946, when Merle was only nine years old, his father, James Haggard, died following a stroke. For a boy who deeply needed his father’s presence, the loss became a turning point. His mother, Flossie, worked to support the family. Merle, meanwhile, became increasingly restless. He skipped school, ran away, got into trouble, and began a long journey through juvenile institutions that eventually led somewhere far darker. Looking back at his life, it is difficult not to see that nine-year-old boy behind many of the adult Merle Haggard’s songs. People later called him a rebel, an outlaw and a survivor. But before any of those labels existed, there was simply a grieving boy who had lost his dad—and never seemed to completely outrun that loss.

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