About The Song
Willie Nelson was already a Nashville songwriting legend even before he became popularly known as the Red Headed Stranger. His most successful pen craft before he was shone as a country singer was Patsy Cline’s signature song, “Crazy.” Here’s another trivia a few might have known. Nelson wrote another song the same week that he completed “Crazy,” and that is the classic “Funny How Time Slips Away.”
The song has been listed on the chart on and again. It is being covered by various artists that include Jimmy Elledge (#22 on the Billboard Hot 100, 1961), Elvis Presley (1971), Joe Hinton (#13 on the Billboard Hot 100, 1964), Narvel Felts (#12 on the Hot Country Singles, 1975), B.B. King and Bobby Bland (#45 on the Billboard top 200 charts) and many other more.
I gotta go now
I guess I’ll see you around
You don’t never know, never know
When I’ll be back in town
But remember what I tell you
In time, you’re gonna pay
And it’s surprising how time slips away
Billy Walker first recorded the song in 1961. His version peaked to number 23 on Billboard’s country singles chart. Walker, also known as “The Tall Texan” was an active performer on the Grand Ole Opry, in the 60s. He is best remembered for his 1962 hit “Charlie’s Shoes.” He died on May 21, 2006, due to a car accident.
Nelson had established a stern friendship with Glen Campbell, who has been his recording partner for almost 4 decades. They first met each other in the early sixties, when they shared the stage during a tour with Buck Owens and his Buckaroos.
The two equally talented country legends had their final performance together with “Funny How Time Slips Away.” The record was included in Campbell’s farewell album Adios, released in June 2017. The recording session took place following Campbell’s Alzheimer diagnosis. Their version became even more heartbreaking as it served as a tribute to their long-time enduring love and respect for one another.
Video
Lyrics
Well, hello there
My, it’s been a long, long time
How am I doing?
Oh, I guess that I’m doing fine
It’s been so long now
And it seems now that it was only yesterday
Gee, ain’t it funny how time slips away?
How’s your new love?
I hope that he’s doing fine?
I heard you told him
That you’d love him ’til the end of time
Now that’s the same thing that you told me
It seems like just the other day
Gee, ain’t it funny how time slips away?
I gotta go now
I guess I’ll see you around
I don’t know when though
Never know when I’ll be back in town
But remember, what I tell you
That in time you’re gonna pay
And it’s surprising, how time slips away
OldiesSong