Willie Nelson has released the second track from his upcoming studio album Last Leaf on the Tree — Nelson’s rendition of The Flaming Lips “Do You Realize??”
Nelson’s album Last Leaf on the Tree will be available digitally, on CD and amber swirl double LP vinyl on November 1st. In addition, Nelson’s website will have an exclusive version which includes a limited-edition lithograph created by album producer, Willie’s son Micah Nelson.
Last Leaf on the Tree is Nelson’s 76th solo studio album and his 153rd album overall. In addition to producing, Micah Nelson played many of the instruments, designed the album cover, and helped create animation for the video of the album’s first single, a cover of Tom Waits’ “Last Leaf” alongside his wife, Alexandra Dascalu Nelson.
Lips lead singer Wayne Coyne said of Nelson’s cover of Do You Realize?? – “one of The Flaming Lips’ most enduring songs is an existentialist masterpiece well-suited to the tao of Willie. From their perspective, the Lips loved I .. He’s just such a unique singer. You hear one second of his voice, and you go, that’s him.” Fellow bandmember and song co-writer Steven Drozd adds: “I wish he [Drozd’s late father] was still alive to see this happening, that Willie Nelson is doing a Flaming Lips song I had a part in co-writing. He’d be very proud.”
In an accompanying video, Coyne and Drozd react to Nelson’s version, deeming it “one of those dreams come true that you didn’t have a dream for.” Coyne adds: “It’s absolutely beautiful. Maybe we’re not allowed to say that so much because it’s our song, but it’s absolutely beautiful … Willie’s version of our song is just an utter joy.. “[Willie] probably brings more meaning to it than we do.”
Stream Nelson’s “Do You Realize??” cover now via digital outlets.
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