He never stopped singing—but this time, he’s not singing for himself.
At 92, Willie Nelson isn’t chasing legacy anymore—he’s honoring it. And in November 2025, he’s doing so in the most heartfelt way possible: by singing songs written by the man he once called “the most honest voice in country music.”
A Tribute Album, But Not Just That
Set for release on November 7, 2025, Workin’ Man: Willie Sings Merle will be Willie Nelson’s 78th solo album and his 155th album overall. But unlike the numbers, this album isn’t about milestones. It’s about memory. About friendship. And about the echoes of a voice that once stood beside his.
Merle Haggard passed away in 2016, but Willie never really let him go. This album is proof of that.
The Tracklist That Speaks for Itself
The album contains 10 timeless songs, all written or co-written by Merle Haggard, including:
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“Workin’ Man Blues”
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“That’s the Way Love Goes”
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“Today I Started Loving You Again”
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“Mama Tried”
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“Silver Wings”
But Willie doesn’t just cover them—he lives inside them. His aging voice brings a tenderness and gravity that only comes from someone who has survived both fame and funerals.
Each song is recorded with minimalistic arrangements in the spirit of their original intent—just Willie, his guitar Trigger, and a band that lets the lyrics breathe.
Formats, Preorders, and Special Editions
Fans can preorder the album through Willie’s official website and select major retailers. Formats include:
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Limited edition colored vinyl ($39.98)
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Standard black vinyl ($29.98)
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Deluxe CD with behind-the-scenes booklet ($15.98)
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Digital versions on Apple Music, Amazon, and Spotify (pricing varies)
A special box set is also planned for collectors, featuring liner notes by Lukas Nelson, rare photos of Willie and Merle on tour in the ‘80s, and a remastered DVD of one of their final shared performances.
A Promise Kept in Song
In recent interviews, Willie confessed that this album had been “sitting in his heart” for a long time. “I didn’t want to rush it,” he said. “You don’t write the final letter to a friend in a hurry.”
He also revealed that each track was recorded in one or two takes, in a relaxed setting at his Pedernales Studio in Texas. There were no deadlines, no pressure—just the intent to do justice to Merle’s writing.
And in true Willie fashion, it’s not a mournful goodbye. There’s humor. There’s wisdom. There’s the feeling that two old friends are still sitting on a porch somewhere, trading verses and laughs.
A Farewell That Feels Like Home
Workin’ Man: Willie Sings Merle isn’t just another country tribute. It’s the rarest thing in music today: a conversation between souls, delivered across time.
It’s not about what’s lost—it’s about what remains.