Willie Nelson - ...And Then I Wrote (1962)
Tracklist front / back album covers
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Side one
1. "Touch Me" 2:12
2. "Wake Me When It's Over" 2:48
3. "Hello Walls" 2:23
4. "Funny How Time Slips Away" 3:02
5. "Crazy" 2:50
6. "The Part Where I Cry" 2:18
Side two
1. "Mr. Record Man" 2:10
2. "Three Days" 2:33
3. "One Step Beyond" 2:20
4. "Undo the Right" 2:56
5. "Darkness on the Face of the Earth" 2:19
6. "Where My House Lives" 2:24
Willie Nelson Band Members / Musicians
Willie Nelson – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Billy Strange – guitar
Roy Nichols – guitar
Johnny Western – guitar
Earl Palmer - drums
B. J. Baker – backing vocals
Joe Allison – producer
Ralph Valentine – engineer
Selby Coffeen – engineer
Charlie Williams – liner notes
Murray Garrett – photography
Gene Howard – photography
...And Then I Wrote is the debut studio album by country singer Willie Nelson, recorded during August and September 1962 and released through Liberty Records.
Despite Nelson's fruitless efforts to succeed with his recording releases with D Records, and after trying with other labels as a singer, he sold several of his original written songs to other artists. After his composition "Family Bible" became a hit for Claude Gray in 1960, he moved to Nashville, where he was signed by Pamper Music as a songwriter. Several of his songs became hits for other artists, including Faron Young ("Hello Walls"); Ray Price ("Night Life") and Patsy Cline ("Crazy").
Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American musician, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger (1975) and Stardust (1978), made Nelson one of the most recognized artists in country music. He was one of the main figures of outlaw country, a subgenre of country music that developed in the late 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restrictions of the Nashville sound. Nelson has acted in over 30 films, co-authored several books, and has been involved in activism for the use of biofuels and the legalization of marijuana.
Willie Nelson Discography Full
...And Then I Wrote (1962)
Here's Willie Nelson (1963)
Country Willie: His Own Songs (1965)
Country Favorites: Willie Nelson Style (1966)
Make Way for Willie Nelson (1967)
The Party's Over (1967)
Texas in My Soul (1968)
Good Times (1968)
My Own Peculiar Way (1969)
Both Sides Now (1970)
Laying My Burdens Down (1970)
Willie Nelson & Family (1971)
Yesterday's Wine (1971)
The Words Don't Fit the Picture (1972)
The Willie Way (1972)
Shotgun Willie (1973)
Phases and Stages (1974)
Red Headed Stranger (1975)
The Sound in Your Mind (1976)
The Troublemaker (1976)
To Lefty from Willie (1977)
Stardust (1978)
Willie Nelson Sings Kristofferson (1979)
Pretty Paper (1979)
Family Bible (1980)
Somewhere Over the Rainbow (1981)
Always on My Mind (1982)
Tougher Than Leather (1983)
Without a Song (1983)
City of New Orleans (1984)
Angel Eyes (1984)
Me & Paul (1985)
Partners (1986)
The Promiseland (1986)
Island in the Sea (1987)
What a Wonderful World (1988)
A Horse Called Music (1989)
Born for Trouble (1990)
The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories? (1992)
Across the Borderline (1993)
Moonlight Becomes You (1994)
Healing Hands of Time (1994)
Just One Love (1994)
Spirit (1996)
Teatro (1998)
Night and Day (1999)
Me and the Drummer (2000)
Milk Cow Blues (2000)
Rainbow Connection (2001)
The Great Divide (2002)
Nacogdoches (2004)
It Always Will Be (2004)
Countryman (2005)
You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker (2006)
Songbird (2006)
Moment of Forever (2008)
American Classic (2009)
Country Music (2010)
Remember Me, Vol. 1 (2011)
Heroes (2012)
Let's Face the Music and Dance (2013)
To All the Girls... (2013)
Band of Brothers (2014)
Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin (2016)
For the Good Times: A Tribute to Ray Price (2016)
God's Problem Child (2017)
Last Man Standing (2018)
My Way (2018)
Ride Me Back Home (2019)
First Rose of Spring (2020)
That's Life (2021)
Willie Nelson – …And Then I Wrote (1962): The Legendary Debut Album
Introduction
Released in 1962, …And Then I Wrote is the debut studio album by country music legend Willie Nelson. Known for his distinctive voice, storytelling abilities, and heartfelt lyrics, this album introduced the world to a songwriter whose work would become foundational in country music history.
Featuring a combination of original compositions and Nashville recordings, …And Then I Wrote showcased Nelson’s songwriting genius and his knack for creating timeless country classics.
Focus Keywords: Willie Nelson …And Then I Wrote, Willie Nelson debut album, 1962 country classics, Willie Nelson fun facts, country music legends
Willie Nelson: Biography and Early Career
Early Life
Born in 1933 in Abbott, Texas, Willie Nelson grew up in a musical family, absorbing folk, gospel, and country influences. He began performing at a young age and honed his songwriting skills while working in radio and local venues.
By the late 1950s, Nelson had moved to Nashville, aspiring to make a name as a professional songwriter. His compositions quickly caught the attention of major country artists, paving the way for his own recording career.
Formation of a Musical Identity
Nelson’s signature style blends honest storytelling, emotional vocal delivery, and melodic simplicity. Though heavily influenced by traditional country, he would later push the boundaries of the genre, becoming a pioneer of Outlaw Country.
…And Then I Wrote captures the early essence of Willie Nelson, combining heartfelt lyrics with melodic country instrumentation.
About …And Then I Wrote (1962)
Album Overview
The album’s title, …And Then I Wrote, reflects Nelson’s emerging reputation as a prolific and talented songwriter. Many of the tracks had already been recorded by other artists, making this album a showcase of Nelson performing his own compositions for the first time.
Key tracks include:
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“Hello Walls” – One of Nelson’s first major hits, later popularized by Faron Young
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“Crazy” – Made famous by Patsy Cline, became a country standard
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“Night Life” – Smooth, jazzy ballad showcasing Nelson’s emotional range
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“Funny How Time Slips Away” – Classic storytelling lyricism
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“Pretty Paper” – Holiday-themed hit later covered by Roy Orbison
These songs demonstrate Nelson’s ability to craft timeless melodies and universally relatable lyrics.
Musical Style and Themes
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Genres: Traditional country, Nashville sound, early country ballads
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Themes: Love, heartbreak, introspection, and the human experience
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Instrumentation: Acoustic and electric guitars, pedal steel, upright bass, subtle percussion
Nelson’s unique vocal phrasing and conversational style set him apart from his contemporaries, establishing a sound that would influence generations of country artists.
Fun Facts & Trivia
Interesting Details About the Album
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Many of the tracks were already hits for other artists, but hearing Nelson perform them added authenticity and emotional depth.
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The album helped Nelson gain recognition as a songwriter first and performer second, a rare distinction at the time.
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“Crazy” remains one of the most recorded country songs in history, appearing on over 200 albums.
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…And Then I Wrote laid the foundation for Nelson’s future career as a pioneer of Outlaw Country in the 1970s.
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Willie Nelson wrote most of the tracks while still relatively unknown, showcasing his early songwriting genius.
Commercial Performance and Legacy
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Chart Performance: Several singles, like “Hello Walls,” became major hits
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Legacy: Established Willie Nelson as one of the most influential songwriters in country music history
…And Then I Wrote is now considered a classic country album, highlighting Nelson’s profound influence on songwriting, vocal delivery, and storytelling in American music.
Top Tracks
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Hello Walls – Early hit with universal appeal
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Crazy – Iconic country ballad immortalized by Patsy Cline
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Funny How Time Slips Away – Storytelling at its finest
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Night Life – Jazzy, introspective ballad
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Pretty Paper – Early example of holiday songwriting
These tracks illustrate Nelson’s range as a songwriter and performer, bridging traditional country and modern sensibilities.
Why …And Then I Wrote Still Matters
Songwriting Legacy
Willie Nelson’s debut album proves his ability to write songs that resonate across decades, influencing artists like Merle Haggard, George Strait, and Garth Brooks.
Cultural Impact
The album captures Nashville in the early 1960s, reflecting both the commercial Nashville sound and the emerging individualistic style that Nelson would later perfect.
Timeless Appeal
Decades later, the songs from …And Then I Wrote remain staples of the country repertoire, played on radio, covered by artists, and celebrated by fans worldwide.
Final Thoughts
…And Then I Wrote (1962) is not just Willie Nelson’s debut album, but a milestone in country music history. With iconic tracks, impeccable songwriting, and Nelson’s unique voice, it established him as a legendary songwriter and performer whose influence endures.
Meta Description
Discover Willie Nelson’s debut album …And Then I Wrote (1962). Explore iconic tracks like “Crazy” and “Hello Walls,” fun facts, and its lasting impact on country music.
Keywords
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Willie Nelson …And Then I Wrote
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Willie Nelson debut album
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1962 country classics
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Classic country albums
