About The Song
“Red Headed Stranger” is a song performed by Willie Nelson, released in 1975 as the title track and opening song on his album Red Headed Stranger on Columbia Records. Written by Edith Lindeman and Carl Stutz in 1953, the song was first recorded by Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith as an instrumental, with lyrics added later by Nelson for his version. The track was not released as a single but served as the narrative centerpiece of the album, which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The 4:00 song tells the story of a mysterious stranger seeking redemption, with lyrics like: “The red headed stranger from Blue Rock, Montana / Rode into town one day.”
Nelson recorded the song in 1975 at Autumn Sound Studios in Garland, Texas, produced by Willie Nelson with minimal label input. The session featured The Family band, with Bee Spears on bass, Paul English on drums, and Bobbie Nelson on piano, alongside Nelson on acoustic guitar. The arrangement is sparse, relying on minimal instrumentation to create a cinematic feel, with Nelson’s vocals and guitar driving the narrative. The album Red Headed Stranger sold over 2 million copies by 1986, earning double platinum certification from the RIAA, and marked a turning point in Nelson’s career with its concept album approach.
The song originated as a concept Nelson developed after hearing the original recording, expanding it into a full story of a preacher’s journey after a crime of passion. Nelson recorded it as the anchor for Red Headed Stranger, a narrative album tracing the stranger’s life through traditional songs and originals. In a 1975 interview with Country Music magazine, Nelson said: “I wanted to tell a story with music, and this song set the stage.” The track gained prominence through its inclusion in the 1975 television special Willie Nelson Live, aired on PBS, featuring a live performance.
Covers of the song include a 1976 version by Jerry Jeff Walker on It’s a Good Night for Singin’ and a 1988 rendition by Don Williams on Traces, per SecondHandSongs. A live performance from a 1976 Austin City Limits episode was released on the 2006 album Live at Austin City Limits. The song appeared in the 1986 film Stagecoach, a TV movie where Nelson starred and performed it, and in a 2018 episode of Yellowstone, featured in a scene depicting a rugged landscape. Nelson recorded a duet version with Merle Haggard in 1987 for Seashores of Old Mexico.
Nelson included “Red Headed Stranger” in his live sets, notably at the 1976 Fourth of July Picnic in Gonzales, Texas, where he opened with an extended version. A 1998 recording with Johnny Cash was released on the album VH1 Storytellers in 1999. The song was performed at Farm Aid 1985, Nelson’s benefit concert for farmers, and featured in a 2016 documentary, Willie Nelson: Outlaw Legacy, aired on PBS, exploring his outlaw country influence. The track remains a cornerstone of Nelson’s performances, often paired with other songs from the album.
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Lyric
The red headed stranger from Blue Rock, Montana
Rode into town one day
And under his knees was a raging black stallion
And walking behind was a bayThe red headed stranger had eyes like the thunder
And his lips were sad and tight
His little lost love lay asleep on the hillside
And his heart was heavy as nightA yellow haired lady leaned out of her window
And watched as the stranger passed
And the yellow haired lady smiled down at the stranger
And he tipped his hat as he passedThe red headed stranger had eyes like the thunder
And his lips were sad and tight
His little lost love lay asleep on the hillside
And his heart was heavy as nightNow the yellow haired lady went down to the tavern
And looked up the stranger there
He bought her a drink and he gave her some money
He just didn’t seem to careThe yellow haired lady left with the stranger
And laughter was heard in the night
A wild eyed stranger with his saddle was laughing
His lips were sad and tightThe red headed stranger had eyes like the thunder
And his lips were sad and tight
His little lost love lay asleep on the hillside
And his heart was heavy as nightOut in the distance a rider was approaching
The wind would not let him ride fast
The red headed stranger shot down the approaching
And left him a-lyin’ in the pastThe red headed stranger had eyes like the thunder
And his lips were sad and tight
His little lost love lay asleep on the hillside
And his heart was heavy as night