When they recorded the song, Merle was tired and asleep on the bus, because it was like 4 or so in the morning. Willie had laid the whole song out, and was only able to get Merle to come in and sing a couple of lines, with Merle thinking, that they will do a retake in the morning, when he could do more for the song. He woke up the next morning ready to do the song, but Willie told him, it was already on the way to the record label.
They were trying to come up with one more song and, like you said, Willie was up in the middle of the night. But he was listening to music when he hears Emmy Lou Harris cover of this Towns Van Zant gem. Then he woke Merle up and the rest is history.
The songwriter, Townes Van Zant, makes a cameo appearance in the video. Having Willie and Merle perform the song is perfection. A story of friendship, betrayal and regret. So much room for filling in the story.
Love that opening!!! LMAO! 🤣 And guys, I agree wholeheartedly. What a great Townes Van Zant masterpiece, but I can never get enough Merle Haggard. He’s my ultimate OG followed by Kristofferson. R.I.P. Townes & Hag. 💔♥️
If I remember correctly, Merle had been passed out in his bus when they were working on this song. Guess he was pretty strung out sleeping off a cocaine binge or something like that. This was around his peak of drug use. They got him awake just long enough to come into Willie's personal studio, record that verse in one take, and then Merle walked back out to his bus and went back to sleep. Who'd of thought it'd hit #1. But what a great song!
I could listen to them sing anything, any day. I have always loved this song. I have a friend who spent six months trying to convince his wife to name their first born son Merle Nelson. She finally agreed to Merle as a middle name for their first son and Nelson as a middle for their next child if they have a boy.
I've listened to this song my whole life and never realized one betrayed the other. Musically I think it is beautiful. Kinda sucks that one betrayed the other. I thought one had died but from old age. I still like the song but man....
I highly recommend checking out the song's writer, Townes Van Zandt, performing it on his Rearview Mirror Album. He's a Joni Mitchell/Bob Dylan/Willie Nelson, next level kind of songwriter. Other notable TVZ cuts include: Rex's Blues; Mr. Gold & Mr. Mudd; Lung; Rake; To Live Is To Fly. So, so many others, it's a deep rabbit hole...
Hello all, I found your channel this week and have worked my way through and enjoyed most of your videos. I am a USN vet in my late 60's so many of the old songs are much loved. I grew up on country and love seeing your reactions. I would love to see you react to Gretchen Wilson "When I Think About Leaving", I think you won't care about what you are drinking while listening. I appreciate the two of you and please thank your ladies for sharing you with us. Brenda
I clicked this video so fast when I saw it!!! I LOVE this song. I’ve loved this song since the first time I listened to it on our classic country station. The lyrics, story, and musical content are so rich all at the same time. Beautifully done.
Great reaction guys the music to this is very complex with a lot of sneaky little things in there but the lyrics hold your attention. I'd love to hear Keith's reaction to this once he gets to the point where he can get past the lyrics and just listen to the
This song was written by the great Townes Van Zandt, who if I had to pick might be my all time favourite songwriter. His struggles with mental illness and addiction meant he never achieved much success as a recording artist - this performance by Willie and Merle probably made him more money than all his record sales - but many great artists recorded his songs. If you choose to react to one of his songs, the performance of Waitin' Around To Die from the Heartworn Highways documentary would be a great choice. I never saw him live, being too young and a continent away from Texas, but from the live recordings I've heard he would tell bad jokes then sing the saddest songs you've ever heard.
Great reaction. Glad you liked the song and the Bourbon. You’re right about the price. Only $27 for the one you actually received. The Barrel Reserve is just $37 and is 100 proof. Will maybe try to get that one for future request.
There's a video of the writer Townes Van Zandt playing this, and I love the fingerstyle picking he does so much. I actually loved it so much that I purchased a video guitar lesson from a guitar teacher on UA-cam. Something I never done before or since. Though that guitar lesson version was of one of Townes official recordings of the song, and not from that video clip where he played it in a documentary. So it sounded a little different.
@leslietayloriii8405 0 seconds ago The man playing the guitar in the dinner is Towns VanZandt . He wrote this song and also played the part of 1 of the federallys
The song writer appears at 3:41 and again at 6:51.. Again at 8:12 with the guitar. I LOVE the raw version of him playing it in the uploaded clip taken from the Heartworn Highways documentary. I love the picking pattern he does. Especially when he kinda does a hammer-on with the A-minor chord. There's another clip from it of him singing "Waiting Around to Die" that's pretty heavy sounding.. He claimed it was the first song he ever wrote.
So Merel showed up at willies place on his tour bus and on a 3 day coke binge.They recorded this song in one take then Merel went back to the bus and crashed The next morning Merel walks up to willie and asks him if they were going to record that poncho and lefty song.willie had to tell him they had already recorded it and in the producers hands.
I have heard that they were rexording this at willies home studio and both pretty drunk and that one verse was all he could get out of Merle. Willie knew this was gold and sent it out before Merle woke up the next morning and Merle didnt even remember recording this. He asked willie if they were gonna record the song and willie told him they did. This may or may not be true. You might want to research it to make sure. Townes Van Zandt recorded the original and he plays a part of one of the law men in the video.
Always liked this song. I’m actually related to Poncho on my mothers side. Then related to Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett on my fathers side. I’m a cowboy and a Mexican bandit I reckon.
Great reaction to a great song by fantastic OGs. My dad used to play this song for us and I remember that I wanted to understand the story and tried to translate the lyrics into German. 😂 Helped my English to improve a bit. 😂
I was exposed to some really weird German/Viking/Metal/Weirdstuff music today that has me wanting to learn German just so I can understand the lyrics. Some band called Feuerschwanz. I have no idea what to make of it. - Keith
@@BourbonCountryReacts oh I know of them. If you want I can translate lyrics for you. 😉 Most of Rammsteins lyrics are translated into English and my other favourite kinda metal band Sabaton is singing most songs in English too. Even though they are from Sweden. So if you need help with the lyrics or want to understand a German song, I’m happy to help.
Hey there. I am binge watching..I hope you do not mind. Has your friend ever tried WV Shine? lol Just curious..I personally like my cold brewskies. and also I love classic country and bluegrass.. love this
This is definitely a great story song from a couple of great story tellers. When you listen to it again, keep in mind the revelation that "nobody knows where Lefty got the money to go to Ohio after the Federales caught and killed Pancho".
The federales didn't actually catch or kill Poncho. Lefty was Poncho's partner in crime, and turned on him. He's the one who shot Poncho, presumably as a means of sparing him a life in mexican jail/prison. Lefty claimed the bounty on Poncho, and the Federales let him ride off and die, before burying him. Lefty's looking back at the funeral scene really shows him already feeling guilty about what he'd done.
A fun song and reaction. I'd always thought this song was about Pancho Villa but the story doesn't quite match with the history and wikipedia says that is not quite right. I'm trying to remember if you've reacted to "Seven Spanish Angels" by Willie and Ray Charles. Add it to the list if it is not already there.
Glens daughter Ashley is a great singer of her fathers songs and her own called Remembering about her father's battle with Alshimers? I used to be good at spelling lol
My favorite willie song would either be angles flying to close to the ground or roll me up and smoke me featuing snoop Jamey Johnson and Kriss Kristofferson
I've always wondered about that first 20-30 seconds versus the rest of the song. What were they trying to do with that fast to slower music and the intro story versus the main story?
if you want to revisit this song ,for the story,listen to Townes do this acoustically.No where near the vocal ability of Willie and Merle but kinda like Kristofferson to Cash on vibe I enjoy Townes version
You guys missed the plot of the story. "All the Federales say they could have had him any day, they only let him slip away out of kindness, I suppose" is irony, they were only able to catch Pancho when his friend Lefty sold him out for the reward.
KEITH I KNOW I HAVENT SENT A BRIBE I WILL BUT HIW DO I DO IT? FYI. YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO DON RICH!! SINCE YIU A GUITAR MAN. YOU WINT BE DISAPPOINTED YOU WILL ADD IT TO YOUR PLAYLIST FACTS!!
When they recorded the song, Merle was tired and asleep on the bus, because it was like 4 or so in the morning. Willie had laid the whole song out, and was only able to get Merle to come in and sing a couple of lines, with Merle thinking, that they will do a retake in the morning, when he could do more for the song. He woke up the next morning ready to do the song, but Willie told him, it was already on the way to the record label.
They were trying to come up with one more song and, like you said, Willie was up in the middle of the night. But he was listening to music when he hears Emmy Lou Harris cover of this Towns Van Zant gem. Then he woke Merle up and the rest is history.
The songwriter, Townes Van Zant, makes a cameo appearance in the video. Having Willie and Merle perform the song is perfection. A story of friendship, betrayal and regret. So much room for filling in the story.
One of the best lines in country music: “The dust that Pancho bit down South ended up in Lefty’s mouth.”
Love that opening!!! LMAO! 🤣 And guys, I agree wholeheartedly. What a great Townes Van Zant masterpiece, but I can never get enough Merle Haggard. He’s my ultimate OG followed by Kristofferson.
R.I.P. Townes & Hag. 💔♥️
If I remember correctly, Merle had been passed out in his bus when they were working on this song. Guess he was pretty strung out sleeping off a cocaine binge or something like that. This was around his peak of drug use. They got him awake just long enough to come into Willie's personal studio, record that verse in one take, and then Merle walked back out to his bus and went back to sleep. Who'd of thought it'd hit #1. But what a great song!
I could listen to them sing anything, any day. I have always loved this song. I have a friend who spent six months trying to convince his wife to name their first born son Merle Nelson. She finally agreed to Merle as a middle name for their first son and Nelson as a middle for their next child if they have a boy.
I'm kind of like that with Karen Carpenter. She could sing the dictionary and I would listen. - Keith
That's a real fan. 😀
I've listened to this song my whole life and never realized one betrayed the other.
Musically I think it is beautiful. Kinda sucks that one betrayed the other. I thought one had died but from old age.
I still like the song but man....
Great song. I saw them perform this live. It was a triple bill, Willie, Merle and Ray Price.
Wow. That's getting bang for your buck.
I bet that was amazing! -Dustin
Another one of my late Dads favorites! This song starts off his memorial video ☺️🥲
Willie and Merle - It’s all going to pot. Great song and the video is them recording it in the studio.
Yes!!! Great song!
At the end when they were sitting having beers, the guy at the table with the guitar was Townes Van Zant who wrote the song.
I highly recommend checking out the song's writer, Townes Van Zandt, performing it on his Rearview Mirror Album. He's a Joni Mitchell/Bob Dylan/Willie Nelson, next level kind of songwriter. Other notable TVZ cuts include: Rex's Blues; Mr. Gold & Mr. Mudd; Lung; Rake; To Live Is To Fly. So, so many others, it's a deep rabbit hole...
Hello all, I found your channel this week and have worked my way through and enjoyed most of your videos. I am a USN vet in my late 60's so many of the old songs are much loved. I grew up on country and love seeing your reactions. I would love to see you react to Gretchen Wilson "When I Think About Leaving", I think you won't care about what you are drinking while listening. I appreciate the two of you and please thank your ladies for sharing you with us. Brenda
Love these legends. Two of the best. I’m talking about Willie and Merle. But you two are getting there. 🤎🎤🎵🤠 Really enjoy the reactions.
In doing this channel, both Dustin and I have learned we really seem to prefer the OGs. And these are clearly two of them. - Keith
I clicked this video so fast when I saw it!!! I LOVE this song. I’ve loved this song since the first time I listened to it on our classic country station. The lyrics, story, and musical content are so rich all at the same time. Beautifully done.
such an iconic song.
Townes Van Zandt's finest work
one of his best,but not sure I would say his finest.For me that’s probably Waiting Around To Die
Mama Tried is Merles biggest hit but I love Mommas hungry eyes, I also like Rainbow Stew. I really like anything Merle
Goats! Thank you, gentlemen!
In the beginning the song mentions "you weren't your mother only son" so they may have been brothers on different sides of the law...
Great reaction guys the music to this is very complex with a lot of sneaky little things in there but the lyrics hold your attention. I'd love to hear Keith's reaction to this once he gets to the point where he can get past the lyrics and just listen to the
This song was written by the great Townes Van Zandt, who if I had to pick might be my all time favourite songwriter. His struggles with mental illness and addiction meant he never achieved much success as a recording artist - this performance by Willie and Merle probably made him more money than all his record sales - but many great artists recorded his songs. If you choose to react to one of his songs, the performance of Waitin' Around To Die from the Heartworn Highways documentary would be a great choice.
I never saw him live, being too young and a continent away from Texas, but from the live recordings I've heard he would tell bad jokes then sing the saddest songs you've ever heard.
8:18 is him.
Thank yall for doing this one fellas 👍
Fun reaction yall.
Love it (song and reaction).
One of my favorites!
So. Very. Happy!
Great reaction. Glad you liked the song and the Bourbon. You’re right about the price. Only $27 for the one you actually received. The Barrel Reserve is just $37 and is 100 proof. Will maybe try to get that one for future request.
There's a video of the writer Townes Van Zandt playing this, and I love the fingerstyle picking he does so much.
I actually loved it so much that I purchased a video guitar lesson from a guitar teacher on UA-cam. Something I never done before or since.
Though that guitar lesson version was of one of Townes official recordings of the song, and not from that video clip where he played it in a documentary. So it sounded a little different.
@leslietayloriii8405
0 seconds ago
The man playing the guitar in the dinner is Towns VanZandt . He wrote this song and also played the part of 1 of the federallys
You should check out "Rainbow Stew" by Merle, great song
One of the great old songs
Recommend "If I can find a clean shirt" by Willie and Waylon.
The song writer appears at 3:41 and again at 6:51.. Again at 8:12 with the guitar.
I LOVE the raw version of him playing it in the uploaded clip taken from the Heartworn Highways documentary. I love the picking pattern he does. Especially when he kinda does a hammer-on with the A-minor chord.
There's another clip from it of him singing "Waiting Around to Die" that's pretty heavy sounding.. He claimed it was the first song he ever wrote.
So Merel showed up at willies place on his tour bus and on a 3 day coke binge.They recorded this song in one take then Merel went back to the bus and crashed The next morning Merel walks up to willie and asks him if they were going to record that poncho and lefty song.willie had to tell him they had already recorded it and in the producers hands.
I have heard that they were rexording this at willies home studio and both pretty drunk and that one verse was all he could get out of Merle. Willie knew this was gold and sent it out before Merle woke up the next morning and Merle didnt even remember recording this. He asked willie if they were gonna record the song and willie told him they did. This may or may not be true. You might want to research it to make sure. Townes Van Zandt recorded the original and he plays a part of one of the law men in the video.
Drunk, high, or both?
Dustin, I know you have heard of Waylon Jennings, he's an OG for sure
Oh, he has. We've reacted to a few Waylon songs, plus Highwaymen. - Keith
I agree guys...i love willie....but i waited and waited for Merle to jump in and then it was over.
Always liked this song. I’m actually related to Poncho on my mothers side. Then related to Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett on my fathers side. I’m a cowboy and a Mexican bandit I reckon.
React to cross Canadian Ragweed wanna rock and roll live version. Great guitar work
A friend is working on a citcom Keith is one name he is going to use. I'll have to ask him to reconsider! Ha! Ha! He's the rabble-rouser‼️🎄❤️
Great reaction to a great song by fantastic OGs. My dad used to play this song for us and I remember that I wanted to understand the story and tried to translate the lyrics into German. 😂
Helped my English to improve a bit. 😂
I was exposed to some really weird German/Viking/Metal/Weirdstuff music today that has me wanting to learn German just so I can understand the lyrics. Some band called Feuerschwanz. I have no idea what to make of it. - Keith
@@BourbonCountryReacts oh I know of them. If you want I can translate lyrics for you. 😉 Most of Rammsteins lyrics are translated into English and my other favourite kinda metal band Sabaton is singing most songs in English too. Even though they are from Sweden.
So if you need help with the lyrics or want to understand a German song, I’m happy to help.
React to gary allan songs about rain and man to man you'll absolutely love them both love your reactions
Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett
Hey there. I am binge watching..I hope you do not mind. Has your friend ever tried WV Shine? lol Just curious..I personally like my cold brewskies. and also I love classic country and bluegrass.. love this
We get lots of binge watchers. And no, I don't think he's had any WV shine. - Keith
This is definitely a great story song from a couple of great story tellers. When you listen to it again, keep in mind the revelation that "nobody knows where Lefty got the money to go to Ohio after the Federales caught and killed Pancho".
I'm pretty sure this is one of those songs that requires a couple-three listens to fully get the story. - Keith
The federales didn't actually catch or kill Poncho. Lefty was Poncho's partner in crime, and turned on him. He's the one who shot Poncho, presumably as a means of sparing him a life in mexican jail/prison. Lefty claimed the bounty on Poncho, and the Federales let him ride off and die, before burying him. Lefty's looking back at the funeral scene really shows him already feeling guilty about what he'd done.
Most people miss that. It definitely alludes to the fact the Lefty took Poncho's money.
Willie and Merle know how to leave you wantin' more.
I'm learning this is true. - Keith
A fun song and reaction. I'd always thought this song was about Pancho Villa but the story doesn't quite match with the history and wikipedia says that is not quite right. I'm trying to remember if you've reacted to "Seven Spanish Angels" by Willie and Ray Charles. Add it to the list if it is not already there.
07:17 "That's hittin' kinda hard. Was that 80 or 90 proof?'
I'm thinking, you're thinking more 80s sitcom, something like the theme from The Greatest American Hero (Believe it or not)
Glens daughter Ashley is a great singer of her fathers songs and her own called Remembering about her father's battle with Alshimers? I used to be good at spelling lol
Keith, you have the 2 confused. Pancho was played by Willie & Merle played Lefty. Pancho is the one that is dying in the opening.
One of Merle Haggard's biggest influences was Lefty Frizzel.
My favorite willie song would either be angles flying to close to the ground or roll me up and smoke me featuing snoop Jamey Johnson and Kriss Kristofferson
One of the best! Love Merle ❤. And haven't you ever seen Courtney Cox do the Carlton in the Bruce Springsteen video for Dancing in the Dark?
LOL, I have not. Imma have to go look for that. - Keith
REASONS TO QUIT, YESTERDAY, IF I COULD ONLY FLY.
I've always wondered about that first 20-30 seconds versus the rest of the song. What were they trying to do with that fast to slower music and the intro story versus the main story?
7:08 There's no mistaken that that's Trigger.
Kinda crazy how you instantly know what specific guitar that is just from the sound.
if you want to revisit this song ,for the story,listen to Townes do this acoustically.No where near the vocal ability of Willie and Merle but kinda like Kristofferson to Cash on vibe I enjoy Townes version
Please do " Go back to your trailer" by Kasey Musgrave you won't regret it!
THAT ISNT A KNIVE I HAVE A KNIVE LOL
Kind of ya puts ya in the mind of Young Guns. Did Billy realy get killed by Jessie?
show title yo are looking for is Greatest American Hero
You guys missed the plot of the story. "All the Federales say they could have had him any day, they only let him slip away out of kindness, I suppose" is irony, they were only able to catch Pancho when his friend Lefty sold him out for the reward.
Pancho and lefty are the same person
Forgot to ask you if you're ready for war, the forth seal has been opened, the trump has been sounded the bowl is being poured out 😇
Haha theres more cities than Cleveland in Ohio...
Out of kindness I suppose
KEITH I KNOW I HAVENT SENT A BRIBE I WILL BUT HIW DO I DO IT? FYI. YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO DON RICH!! SINCE YIU A GUITAR MAN. YOU WINT BE DISAPPOINTED YOU WILL ADD IT TO YOUR PLAYLIST FACTS!!
Merle wasn't comfortable around horses