Know Your Willie Nelson Songs Trivia Quiz

Answer: Hello Walls

Faron Young had successfully recorded and released songs he had written, so he must have recognized the potential of "Hello Walls" when he heard it. "Hello Walls" became a very popular, number one single for Faron Young on Billboard's C&W Sides (American) in May of 1961.

Its popularity was not limited to Country and Western audiences - it charted just outside the top ten of Billboard's Hot 100 (American - Pop music), as well. It would appear - at least as a songwriter - Willie Nelson was on his way.

Answer: Crazy

Patsy Cline was already an established and successful country music artist when fledgling songwriter, Willie Nelson offered his song, "Crazy", to her. Described as a "complex song" yet it seemed to suit her amazing talent perfectly. Willie Nelson has been quoted to say that Patsy Cline's version of "Crazy" was his favorite of all his songs to be recorded by another artist.

Answer: Billy Walker

As Willie Nelson was, Billy Walker was born in Texas. Although he may not had have the continuous following of some of his contemporaries - for example, Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard - Billy Walker did have a string of very successful (charted) songs. Probably he would be best remembered as the singer of "(I'd Like to Be In) Charlie's Shoes". That song reached number one (on Billboard Hot C&W Sides - American) in 1962.

Answer: Pretty Paper

According to Willie Nelson's own affirmation he wrote "Pretty Paper" about a man from his home state of Texas. Willie had often noticed a disabled vendor selling paraphernalia on a street corner in Fort Worth to earn a meager living. During the holidays, this peddler added Christmas ribbons and wrapping paper to his usual goods. Years later, the image in Willie's mind became a tribute to this vendor (Nelson said he never knew the man's name) and a holiday favorite song.

Answer: Night Life

The early 1960s were a financially challenging time for Willie Nelson. He had written the song "Night Life" and sold it for a minimal charge - just to pay his rent, the story goes. When Nelson wanted to record the song for himself his customer felt it a breach of contract. Nelson did release an early version of the song as "Nite Life" with the artists' names of Hugh Nelson and Paul Buskirk and the Little Men. Just a few years later the issues were settled. Ray Price was able to record "Night Life" and it became one of his most popular songs.

Answer: Merle Haggard and George Jones

The first line of the song "Yesterday's Wine" may have been a bit fortuitous. It is: "Miracles appear in the strangest of places". Merle Haggard and George Jones collaborated on the album titled "A Taste of Yesterday's Wine" which did almost as well as its initial single ("Yesterday's Wine") by peaking at number four on the American - Billboard Top Country Albums. Apparently, not overly eager to repeat their success, this pair would release another album but it would be more than twenty years later.

They released "Kickin' Out the Footlights ... Again" in 2006.

Answer: Tina Turner

The amazing, multi-talented Tina Turner seems to have done it all since her career began in the early sixties - singer, dancer, actress, international spokesperson. Clearly, she did not let her abuses and tribulations be a deterrent to her success. The (possible) link to Tina Turner and the song, "Good Hearted Woman" began before she released it, though. Stories about the inspiration for the song include that Waylon Jennings had noticed a bit in a Fort Worth, Texas newspaper that described Tina and Ike Turner's relationship as "a good hearted woman loving two-timing men (sic)".

Then later with a little help from Willie's then wife, Connie, the two singers/songwriters would compose the song during a poker game. "Good Hearted Woman" was very successful for Willie Nelson (and, Waylon Jennings, who released it as a single BEFORE the two released it as a duet) in the 1970s.

Their song was included on the first C&W album to sell more than one million copies, "Wanted: The Outlaws", and it became the Country Music Association Awards Song of the Year for 1976.

Answer: "Honeysuckle Rose" (1980)

As with many artists from the music industry it seemed to be a natural transition for Willie Nelson to star in the movies - particularly those about country music singers. His role as Buck Bonham in "Honeysuckle Rose" (1980) was his first leading role.

The 1980 movie also featured Slim Pickens, Dyan Cannon and a very young Amy Irving. Nelson received a nod from the Academy Awards when his song, "On the Road Again", was nominated for Best Original Song.

Answer: Forgiving You Was Easy

"Forgiving You Was Easy" spent only one week at the top of the charts. The album, "Me and Paul" peaked at number three (American - Billboard Top Country Albums). Farm Aid 1985 was held in Champaign, Illinois in September 1985. It was perfect timing for this song which, although not at the top was still receiving adequate exposure.

Answer: Snoop Dogg

It is a catchy little tune that Snoop Dogg recorded with the three country music artists. This was not the first time Snoop and Willie sang together, though. How many of us remember that Willie Nelson was featured on a Snoop Dogg song, "My Medicine" from his album "Ego Trippin'" that was released in 2008? Ah, that Willie. What a career!