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Watch: Willie Nelson Shares Animated Version of Iconic ‘On the Road Again’ Performance

Willie Nelson recently shared an animated music video of his performance of “On The Road Again” at the 2016 Austin City Limits Music Festival. As with any live performance from Nelson, it’s a must-watch.

Released by “Texas Monthly,” the video opens on a cartoon Matthew McConaughey giving an “alright, alright, alright” introduction for the Red Headed Stranger’s live performance. For any Texas native, that’s a crucial touch.

“On the Road Again” may be the 87-year-old’s most recognizable song. A live performance of the song has over 78,000,000 listens on Spotify.

Written for the 1980 film “Honeysuckle Rose,” Nelson explains that he originally wrote the lyrics to the song on the back of an airsickness bag on an airplane. That’s one way to take notes.

“Yeah. I was on an airplane with [producer] Sydney Pollack and Jerry Schatzberg, who was the director of the movie ‘Honeysuckle Rose.’” he said during a fan Q&A for UnCut magazine. “They were looking for songs for the movie and they started asking me if I had any ideas. I said, ‘I don’t know, what do you want the song to say?’ I think Sydney said, ‘Can it be something about being on the road?’ It just started to click in my head. I said, “You mean like, ‘On the road again, I can’t wait to get on the road again’?” They said, ‘That’s great. What’s the melody?’ I said, ‘I don’t know yet.’”

“On The Road Again” netted Nelson an Oscar nomination.

It’s apropos to release a video for Nelson’s ode to the road now. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of Nelson’s tour dates in 2020 are cancelled.

Willie Nelson releases animation for ‘Vote ’em Out’

Willie Nelson released an animated video for his song “Vote ’em Out” last month in the hopes of getting people to the polls on Nov. 3. Considering Nelson’s track record, it’s no surprise.

The song was originally released for the “Turn Out For Texas” rally in 2018. Though Nelson endorses Democrat Joe Biden, the song isn’t in support of any particular candidate. It’s a ballad about the power of the ballot.

“If you don’t like who’s in there, vote ’em out / That’s what Election Day is all about / The biggest gun we’ve got / Is called the ballot box / So if you don’t like who’s in there, vote ’em out.