Since that record, Willie lost several friends and he's also been the subject of several death hoaxes, a subject he tackles with a grin on 'Still Not Dead,' one of seven originals Nelson co-wrote with his longtime producer, Buddy Cannon. Using his own mortality as the focal point of the album, it is the unapologetically honest, darkly humorous views of a man looking back on an action-packed life, while wishing that he had more time to play with.Mortality hangs over God's Problem Child, Willie Nelson's first solo album of original songs since 2014's Band of Brothers. GodвЂ™s Problem Child is evidence of how country music should be done. NelsonвЂ™s voice too breaks in parts, raw emotion shining through a truly stunning homage to another great talent. With the haunting lyric, вЂњMusic made us brothers вЂtil the end, and not a day goes by that I donвЂ™t miss him,' IвЂ™m not embarrassed to admit that I cried like a baby. It touches on the pairвЂ™s friendship while mixing in references to HaggardвЂ™s best-known songs. Saving the best 'til last, He WonвЂ™t Ever Be Gone is a beautiful tribute to NelsonвЂ™s late best friend and fellow country legend, Merle Haggard. Always one to live by his own rules, the self-confessed country outlaw can be seen putting his hands up and confessing his sins, all the while likening himself to Elvis, Ripley, and Jesus, as only he could. It Gets Easier shows the stubborn, strong-minded side to Nelson that I have grown to love and Lady Luck tells a story of winners and losers, before I Made a Mistake sees Nelson reflecting on his life and the mistakes that he himself has made.

With poignant guitar licks and deep soulful vocals, he has chosen his collaborators well here - this song is absolutely standout. The title track, GodвЂ™s Problem Child, features guest vocals from Tony Joe White, Jamey Johnson, and the late Leon Russell, and gives Nelson the chance to showcase his soulful, bluesy talents. Though NelsonвЂ™s voice is sad, his words almost take on a playful tone: вЂњIf your memory had ears, theyвЂ™d be burning / If your memory had a heart, itвЂ™d leave me alone.вЂќД«utterfly is a beautiful and tender ballad which touches again on past experiences of lost love and the following track, Still Not Dead, provides a needed break from the darker vibes of previous songs, poking fun at the Internet death hoaxes that have been following Nelson for a while now: вЂњI woke up still not dead again today, the Internet said I had passed away.' Great stuff.

Up next is Your Memory Has a Mind of its Own, its beautiful country melody portraying a man haunted by a loved oneвЂ™s absence. It also touches on the political world in general: вЂњDelete and fast forward the news, the truth is the truth, but believe what you choose.вЂќДЄ WomanвЂ™s Love sounds like a traditional Spanish love song, and the message is reminiscent of James BrownвЂ™s ItвЂ™s A ManвЂ™s, ManвЂ™s World, as Nelson portrays women as the superior sex, and reminds men that, вЂњItвЂ™s a womanвЂ™s love youвЂ™re living for.' The following track, True Love, offers a raspiness that suggests love has left Nelson bruised before, yet carries an optimism that shows that really, heвЂ™d do it all over again anyway.Д«reaking away from the perceived theme of the album, Delete and Fast Forward focuses on NelsonвЂ™s views on AmericaвЂ™s last presidential election: вЂњThe elections are over, and nobody won.вЂќ Nicely put. Then comes Old Timer, a sombre, piano-led ballad, where Nelson conveys the conflict between his young mind and deteriorating body. Starting proceedings is the upbeat, honky-tonk-esque Little House on the Hill, one of the more joyful songs on the album, which conveys a nostalgia and a longing for the place that Nelson calls home. GodвЂ™s Problem Child touches on the passage of time, and the journey it takes you through, filled with melancholy songs of missed places, people, and Nelson's advancing age, all done with his wicked sense of humour and a voice that portrays a growing frailty, almost reminiscent of Johnny CashвЂ™s American Recordings albums. Upon first listen, what struck me about this record was the emotional rollercoaster it took me on, leaving me wanting to cry, laugh, and cry all over again. His latest album, GodвЂ™s Problem Child, was released the day before his 84th birthday.

With a musical career spanning more than half a century, Willie Nelson has never shown signs of slowing down, and heвЂ™s not going to start now.

Problem child songs