When One Legend Honors Another: Willie Nelson’s Latest Track Isn’t Just a Tribute—It’s a Reckoning. ML
Even at 92, Willie Nelson remains a vital force in American music. With the release of his 78th studio album, Workin’ Man: Willie Sings Merle, Nelson turns his attention to honoring a cherished friend and fellow legend — Merle Haggard.
Set for release on November 7, the album is a full-length tribute to Haggard, featuring 11 reimagined classics from the Okie from Muskogee himself. Among them is the newly released first single, a moving cover of “Somewhere Between,” one of Haggard’s earliest hits from his 1967 album Branded Man.
The original, written with then-wife Bonnie Owens, is a slow-burning ballad of emotional distance in love:
“There’s a wall so high it reaches the sky / Somewhere between me and you.”
Nelson’s version captures the same heartache with his signature warmth, adding a layer of reflection only age and experience can bring.
The album also includes beloved Haggard tracks like “Mama Tried” and “Okie from Muskogee”, songs that defined an era of country music and cemented Haggard’s legacy as one of its greats.
Nelson and Haggard’s friendship began back in the 1960s, introduced over a casual poker game in Nashville. The two quickly bonded, both musically and personally, eventually collaborating on the classic duet “Pancho and Lefty” and touring together for years.
In an interview with Rolling Stone shortly after Haggard’s death in 2016, Nelson shared:
“He wrote more Number One songs than me, Kris [Kristofferson], anybody… He was able to talk about his life in his songs intelligently and ingeniously.”
Haggard echoed this admiration before his passing, telling GQ: “He caters to no one, except the people he wants to. He’s just his own man. Always has been.”
Workin’ Man is more than just an album — it’s a celebration of enduring friendship, shared history, and the kind of storytelling that made both men icons. Willie Nelson may be in his tenth decade, but his voice — and his mission — remain timeless.
