Willie Nelson and his sons showed that talent ran deep in the family when they sang “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” for Willie and the Boys.
The older Nelson has been referred to as many different names. Willie, Shotgun Willie, The Red Headed Stranger, but to Lukas and Micah Nelson, he was just “Dad.” Though he was already a successful country singer before the two were born, Nelson never pushed his career on his children. In fact, it wasn’t until Lukas was about ten years old that Nelson taught him to play guitar. Lukas fell in love with it and has been playing and singing ever since.
“The first song you taught me, Dad, was ‘Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain.’ The first chord I ever learned was E,” Lukas revealed in the song’s official music video. “I remember asking you what you wanted for your birthday. I was like ten or eleven.”
Nelson’s response back then was that he wanted Lukas to learn how to play guitar, so he taught him an E chord, which is part of the introduction of “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain.” Of course, the young Lukas “took that to heart.”
Lukas played what he learned that night as Nelson nodded and smiled, remembering the great memory. “Sing it,” Nelson told his son, who did not hesitate and happily obliged.
Lukas started the song, his vocals sounding eerily like his country legend father. Nelson and Micah joined him, singing the harmonies on the chorus. It was a breathtaking and touching performance from the Nelsons’.
Willie Nelson’s Breakthrough Song In The ’70s
Written by songwriter Fred Rose, “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” is one somber tune. It tells the tale of a man who parted with his lover, knowing he’ll never get to see her again. He’s hoping they will meet someday “in a land that knows no parting.”
“Now my hair has turned to silver. All my life, I’ve loved in vain. I can see her star in heaven, blue eyes crying in the rain,” the song goes.
“Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” was originally performed by country singer Roy Acuff but has been covered by many artists, including Hank Williams, Charley Pride, and Sr., Johnny Russell. Most notably, the song was recorded by Willie Nelson as part of his album Red Headed Stranger in 1975. Both the song and the album became iconic in the history of country music. At the same time, it revived Nelson’s success as a singer and recording artist.
It became Nelson’s first No. 1 hit as a singer, and at year’s end, was the third-biggest song on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1975.
Decades later, we can once again enjoy the song – this time with the country legend’s sons, Lukas and Micah. You can watch their breathtaking performance of “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” in the video below.