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Red Headed Stranger
Studio album by Willie Nelson
Released	1975
Recorded	Garland, TX
Genre	Country
Length	33:30
Label	Columbia
Producer	Willie Nelson
Professional reviews
Allmusic link Robert Christgau (B-) link Rolling Stone link
Willie Nelson chronology
What Can You Do to Me Now (1975) Red Headed Stranger (1975) The Sound in Your Mind (1976)

Red Headed Stranger is a 1975 album by American outlaw country singer Willie Nelson. A concept album, Red Headed Stranger is about a fugitive on the run from the law after killing his wife. Sparse and jumbled, with brief, poetic lyrics, no one involved in the creation of the album thought it would sell well. In spite of its inaccessibility, Red Headed Stranger was a blockbuster among both country music and mainstream audiences, going multiplatinum and making Nelson one of the biggest stars in country. The album's title would become a lasting nickname for Nelson. The album was ranked #184 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.[1] It was ranked #1 on CMT's 40 Greatest Albums in Country Music in 2006.

The first track, "Time of the Preacher", was memorably used in the 1985 television drama Edge of Darkness.

In 1986 William D. Wittliff wrote and directed a film of the same title, starring Willie Nelson and Morgan Fairchild.[2] The film was based on the album.

The lyrics to "Time of the Preacher" were used to help open the graphic novel Preacher.

Track listing

1. "Time of the Preacher" (Willie Nelson) – 2:26
2. "I Couldn't Believe It Was True" (Eddy Arnold, Wally Fowler) – 1:32
3. "Time of the Preacher Theme" (Nelson) – 1:13
4. "Medley: Blue Rock Montana/Red Headed Stranger" (Nelson, Carl Stutz, Edith Lindeman) – 1:36
5. "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" (Fred Rose) – 2:21
6. "Red Headed Stranger" (Stutz, Lindeman) – 4:00
7. "Time of the Preacher Theme" (Nelson) – 0:26
8. "Just as I Am" (Nelson) – 1:46
9. "Denver" (Nelson) – 0:53
10. "O'er the Waves" (Nelson) – 0:47
11. "Down Yonder" (L. Wolfe Gilbert) – 1:56
12. "Can I Sleep in Your Arms" (Hank Cochran) – 5:24
13. "Remember Me" (Scotty Wiseman) – 2:52
14. "Hands on the Wheel" (Bill Callery) – 4:22
15. "Bandera" (Nelson) – 2:19

The 2000 reissue contains four previously unreleased bonus tracks:

1. "Bach Minuet in G" (Arr. by Nelson, written by JS Bach) - :37
2. "I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You" (H. Williams) - 3:31
3. "A Maiden's Prayer" (B. Wills) - 2:14
4. "Bonaparte's Retreat" (P. King/R. Stuart) - 2:26

Personnel

• Willie Nelson – Vocals, guitar
• Paul English – drums
• Jody Payne – guitars, mandolin
• Bee Spears – bass
• Bobbie Nelson – piano
• Mickey Raphael – harmonica
• Bucky Meadows – guitar
• Billy English – drums

Chart positions

Album

Singles