Willie Nelson – Me and Paul

“Me and Paul”, a song written and recorded by Willie Nelson, Willie recorded it for the RCA label, on May 4, 1971, at RCA Victor Studio, 800 17th Ave. South, Nashville, TN. Willie was accompanied at the session by: David Kirby (guitar), Pete Wade (guitar), Chip Young (Rhythm guitar), David Zettner (guitar), Weldon Myrick (steel), Junior Huskey (bass), Jerry Carrigan (drum), Hargus Robbins & Jerry Smith (piano). The song was released in September 1971 and produced by Felton Jarvis. On November 20, 1971, it reached number # 62 on the USA Hot Country Songs charts and remained a total of 4 weeks on the charts.

The song was included on Willie’s thirteenth studio album, Yesterday Wine (RCA). The album was released on November 15, 1971, and reached number # 43 on the US Top Country Albums charts.

Willie re-recorded the song for the Columbia label on November 16, 1984, at Pedernales Recording Studio, Spicewood, TX. The song was released in August 1985, with the production of Willie, the song reached at number # 14, November 23, 1985, on the US Hot Country Songs charts, and remaining a total of 19 weeks on the charts.

The song was included on Willie’s thirty-second studio album, Me and Paul (Columbia 1985). The album was released on February 25, 1985. On August 10, 1985, it reached number # 3 on the US Top Country Albums charts, and remained for a total of 40 weeks.

About Song:

Willie wrote the song about the friendship between himself and his longtime drummer, Paul English. The song illustrates what his life of him was like on the road but also shows his frustrations with Nashville as well as mainstream American culture, which led him to eventually settle in Austin and embrace the Outlaw and Hippie movements.

Versions:

Doug Sahm 1973 (Atlantic)
Waylon Jennings 1976 (RCA Victor) Live
Hugo McGill & the Willhire Band 1976 (GW)
Stu Stevens & Sons 1979 (Eagle Records)
Johnny Cash & Willie Nelson 1998 (American Recordings)
Eugene Chadbourne & Paul Lovens 2000 (Leo Records)
Eric Church 2018 (EMI Records Nashville) Live

Willie Nelson – Me and Paul Lyrics
It’s been rough and rocky travelin’,
But I’m finally standing upright on the ground.
And after takin’ several readings,
I’m surprised to find my mind’s still fairly sound.
I thought Nashville was the roughest,
But I know I said the same about them all.
We received our education
In the cities of the nation, me and Paul.

Almost busted in Laredo,
But for reasons that I’d rather not disclose,
But if you’re stayin’ in a motel there and leave,
Just don’t leave nothin’ in your clothes.
And at the airport in Milwaukee,
They refused to let us board the plane at all,
They said we looked suspicious,
But I believe they like to pick on me and Paul.

And on a package show in Buffalo
With us and Kitty Wells and Charlie Pride.
The show was long and we was just sittin’ there
And we’d come to play and not just for the ride.
And we drank a lot of whiskey,
So I don’t know if we went on that night at all.
But I don’t think they even missed us
I guess Buffalo ain’t geared for me and Paul.

It’s been rough and rocky traveling
But I’m finally standin’ upright on the ground.
And after takin’ several readings,
I’m surprised to find my mind’s still fairly sound.
I thought Nashville was the roughest,
But I know I said the same about them all.
We received our education
In the cities of the nation, me and Paul.