Though my record may say it / No one will play it / ‘Cause sad songs and waltzes / Aren’t selling this year
– From the chorus of “Sad Songs and Waltzes” by Willie Nelson
If you’re anything like me (or Willie), you love a sad song every now and then. Let’s explore what makes it great.
“Sad Songs and Waltzes” by Willie Nelson (1973)
The Lyrics
Simple Style
Conversational, economical, clever.
Song about a Song
One of the great songs that opens with, “I’m writing a song…”
More Than Your Average Rhyme Scheme
– End Rhymes: Verse lines 2 & 4 (tears/year), Chorus lines 1 & 2 (star/are).
– Internal Rhymes: Verse & Chorus line 3 (fear it/hear it, say it/play it).
Funny
Features some great lines of self-deprecating humor, such as, “It’s a good thing that I’m not a star.”
Strong Title/Refrain Relationship
The repetition of the refrain at the end of both verse and chorus makes the whole song more cohesive.
The Music
1-2-3, 1-2-3
I love a waltz. Many of my favorite songs are in 3/4 time.
Nice and Easy
The song is leisurely-paced, which makes it fun to sing along to and really milk the melody for all it’s worth.
Short and Sweet
Despite its slower tempo, it manages to feel complete in just over 3 minutes.
Arrangement
The simple country-style instrumentation (acoustic guitar, steel slide, piano/organ, bass) suits the song perfectly.
Chords and Keys
– The simple country chords (A-E7-D-A) do just what they need to do and no more.
– Note the song, despite being “sad,” is in a major key, rather than a minor one.
On a Personal Note
I first encountered this song in the 90s from the album Fashion Nugget by the band Cake. It was a few years later that I discovered it was a Willie Nelson cover from the 70s. It’s one I’ve always enjoyed singing along to. It’ll likely be the first tune I look for if I ever take another crack at karaoke.
Links:
Youtube
Genius Lyrics
Wikipedia
Adam Astra 