About the song
**Willie Nelson** singing “**Summertime**.” Now, there’s a pairing that feels as natural as iced tea on a porch swing. You know, when you’ve lived a good, long while, you start to appreciate how a song can change its colors over time, like an old quilt passed down through the family. And “Summertime,” originally from Gershwin’s *Porgy and Bess*, has seen more variations than a field of bluebonnets in spring.
Willie’s version, well, it’s like he’s taken that classic tune and slow-cooked it in his own Texas smokehouse. It’s got that easygoing, lived-in feel, like an old leather armchair that’s just right for a late-afternoon nap. His voice, weathered and warm, carries the song with a gentle sway, reminding you that summertime ain’t just about the heat, but about taking your time and savoring the moments.
What strikes me most about Willie’s rendition is how he strips away the operatic drama and replaces it with a simple, heartfelt tenderness. It’s less a grand performance and more like a friendly chat on a lazy afternoon, where the worries of the world fade into the background. You can almost hear the crickets chirping and feel the cool breeze rustling through the leaves.
Now, some might say that Willie’s version is too laid-back, too relaxed. But I reckon that’s the whole point. He’s not trying to impress anyone with fancy vocal acrobatics; he’s just sharing a song he loves, in his own way. And in doing so, he reminds us that sometimes, the simplest things in life are the most beautiful.
This recording appears on the 2016 release titled “**Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin**”. The album itself is a testament to Willie’s ability to take timeless classics and make them his own. It’s a collection that feels both familiar and fresh, like a well-loved recipe with a secret ingredient that makes it even more special.
So, if you’re looking for a song to slow things down and remind you of the simple pleasures of summertime, Willie Nelson’s version is just the ticket. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of life’s hustle and bustle, there’s always time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the sweet sounds of a summer afternoon.
Video
Lyrics
Summertime and the livin’ is easy fish are bitin’ and the cotton is high
Your daddy’s rich and your mom is good looking so hush baby don’t want you cry
Some of these days you gona rise up singin’
You’ll spread your wings and you’ll take the sky
Till that time there’s a nothing can harm you so hush little baby don’t you cry
Hush little baby don’t you cry
