About the song
Few artists embody the spirit of American music quite like **Willie Nelson**, and few songs have captured the languid ease of warm-weather reverie as thoroughly as **“Summertime.”** When these two cultural touchstones come together—Nelson’s unmistakable voice and this classic Gershwin tune—the result is a rendition that feels both timeless and deeply personal. Originally composed by George Gershwin for the 1935 opera *Porgy and Bess*, **“Summertime”** has been interpreted by countless vocalists across genres, but Nelson brings something unique to the table: a sense of wearied wisdom, relaxed phrasing, and emotional restraint that only an artist of his stature can deliver.
**Willie Nelson** has long been known for blurring the lines between country, jazz, blues, and American standards. His take on **“Summertime”** is no mere cover—it’s a quiet meditation on the passage of time and the fragile hope embedded in the song’s lullaby-like lyrics. The tender strains of his nylon-string guitar and the leisurely tempo create an atmosphere of dusk and memory, as though he’s singing not just *about* summertime, but *from within* it—a long, reflective evening with fireflies in the distance and the scent of cut grass still lingering in the air.
What makes Nelson’s version stand out is how unhurried it feels. He resists the urge to embellish or dramatize. Instead, his weathered voice wraps itself around each line with reverence, as though he’s gently cradling a piece of American musical history. For longtime fans of Nelson, it’s a reminder of his versatility; for newer listeners, it’s an invitation to see just how seamlessly country and jazz can coexist.
In **“Willie Nelson – Summertime,”** we’re reminded that great music doesn’t have to shout to be heard. Sometimes, the most powerful performances are the quietest ones—the kind that sneak into your soul and linger there, like the last light of a summer’s day.
Video
Lyrics
Summertime (Summertime)
And the living’s easy
Fish are jumpin’
And the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy’s rich
Yeah, your mama’s good-lookin’
So hush, little baby
Don’t you cry
One of these mornings
You’re gonna rise up singin’
Then you’ll spread your wings
And you’ll take to the sky
But until that mornin’
Nothing’s gonna harm you
Not with your daddy and your mama
Standin’ by
Summertime (Summertime)
And the livin’ is easy
One of these mornings
You’re gonna rise up singin’
Then you’ll spread your wings
Then you’ll take to the sky
But until that mornin’
There’s nothin’ gonna harm you
Not with your daddy and your mama
Standin’ by
Summertime
And the living’s easy
Summertimе
The livin’ is easy
Summertimе (Summertime)
The livin’ is easy
So hush, little baby
Don’t you cry
