God's Problem Child

Last updated
God's Problem Child
Willie Nelson - God's Problem Child.jpg
Studio album by
Willie Nelson
ReleasedApril 28, 2017 [1]
Genre Country
Length44:25
Label Legacy Recordings
Producer Buddy Cannon
Willie Nelson chronology
For the Good Times: A Tribute to Ray Price
(2016)		God's Problem Child
(2017)		 Willie and the Boys: Willie's Stash, Vol. 2
(2017)
Singles from God’s Problem Child
  1. "A Woman’s Love"
    Released: February 14, 2017
  2. "It Gets Easier"
    Released: March 9, 2017
  3. "Old Timer"
    Released: March 28, 2017
  4. "He Won’t Ever Be Gone"
    Released: April 6, 2017
  5. "Still Not Dead"
    Released: April 27, 2017

God's Problem Child is the 66th solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Willie Nelson. It was released on April 28, 2017, by Legacy Recordings. The album features new songs co-written by Nelson and producer Buddy Cannon. [2] Using their frequent method, Cannon and Nelson wrote the songs exchanging the lyrics in text messages, while Nelson later recorded his vocals in the studio. [3]

Contents

Content

The title track was written by Jamey Johnson and Tony Joe White, and features vocals by Leon Russell in one of his last recordings. Alison Krauss provides background vocals on the tracks "True Love" and "Little House on the Hill". The original album title, I'm Not Dead, refers to the recurrent hoaxes announcing Nelson's death. "Delete and Fast-Forward" describes Nelson's view on the 2016 United States elections. The release includes a song written by Cannon's mother, Lyndel Rhodes. [2] It also includes "He Won't Ever Be Gone", a tribute to Merle Haggard written by Gary Nicholson. Seven tracks on the album are written by Nelson and Cannon. Alongside traditional music retailers, the release was made available for pre-order on the website PledgeMusic along with promotional merchandise. [1]

Release and reception

The album's lead single, "A Woman's Love", and its respective video premiered on Rolling Stone 's website on February 14, 2017. [4] The video for the single "It Gets Easier" was later premiered by the Los Angeles Times on March 9. [5] Later, on March 28, the video for "Old Timer" first appeared on The Daily Beast . [6]

Upon its release, God's Problem Child reached number one on Billboard's Top Country Albums with 36,000 album-equivalent units and 34,000 pure sales. It became Nelson's sixteenth country album chart-topper, while it also entered the Billboard 200 at number ten. [7]

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 79/100 [8]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg
Uncut 8/10
PopMatters Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg
Record Collector Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg
Paste 8.5/10
Pitchfork 7.6/10
Austin American-Statesman Favorable

AllMusic awarded the album four stars out of five. The review noted an improvement in Nelson's voice, compared to his releases of 2016. Critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine concluded, "It's simply an uncommonly strong latter-day record from Willie Nelson: there isn't a hint of fussiness and the songs and the performances are so understated, they only seem richer with repeated spins". [9] Rolling Stone praised the album observing that age is a focus of Nelson's new songwriting giving him "(a) renewed purpose as a lyricist and heightened vulnerability as a vocalist". [10]

Uncut rated the album eight out of ten, and favored Nelson's songwriting, while it called the single "Still Not Dead" one of Nelson's "modern masterpieces". [11] Popmatters delivered a favorable review, calling it an "indisputable high point" of Nelson's latest records. [12] Record Collector rated the album four out of five stars, hailing Nelson as a "bona fide legend who’s never sounded more alive". [13] Paste felt that the release was "as vital" as the rest of Nelson's repertoire. [14]

Pitchfork summed up the album by calling Nelson "(a) cosmic joker contemplating mortality with endearing humor and touching honesty". [15] The Austin American-Statesman opined that it was "Nelson’s best album since the 1990s" and attributed its success to "(a) near-perfect balance between Willie as songwriter and as interpreter". [16] Sounds Like Nashville added that "Nelson isn’t going to go quietly in the night. The 'Red Headed Stranger' has never done anything in that fashion, and at age 84, the singer continues to come out swinging on all cylinders." [17]

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number one on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart, selling 34,000 in copies (36,000 equivalent albums in total) in its first week. This is his record-extending 50th top 10 album on the Top Country Albums chart. It also debuted at number ten on the Billboard 200, becoming Nelson's sixth top 10 album on the chart. [18] It has sold 108,300 copies in the United States as of June 2018. [19]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Little House on the Hill"Lyndel Rhodes3:02
2."Old Timer"Donnie Fritts, Lenny LeBlanc 3:34
3."True Love"Willie Nelson, Buddy Cannon 3:01
4."Delete and Fast Forward"Nelson, Cannon3:25
5."A Woman's Love" Mike Reid, Sam Hunter3:23
6."Your Memory Has a Mind of Its Own"Nelson, Cannon3:29
7."Butterfly" Sonny Throckmorton, Mark Sherrill3:51
8."Still Not Dead"Nelson, Cannon2:33
9."God's Problem Child" Jamey Johnson, Tony Joe White 4:57
10."It Gets Easier"Nelson, Cannon3:07
11."Lady Luck"Nelson, Cannon3:31
12."I Made a Mistake"Nelson, Cannon3:17
13."He Won't Ever Be Gone" Gary Nicholson 3:15

Personnel

Charts

Related Research Articles

<i>Stripped</i> (Rolling Stones album) The Rolling Stones 1995 live/studio album

Stripped is a live album by the English rock band The Rolling Stones released in November 1995 after the Voodoo Lounge Tour. It contains six live tracks and eight studio recordings. The live tracks were taken from four 1995 performances, at three small venues, and include a cover of Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone", which was the first single from the album. The remaining eight tracks were acoustic studio re-recordings of songs from the Stones' previous catalogue, the exception being a cover of Willie Dixon's "Little Baby". The studio performances were recorded "live," i.e., without overdubs.

<i>It Wont Be the Last</i> 1993 studio album by Billy Ray Cyrus

It Won't Be the Last is the second studio album by American country music artist Billy Ray Cyrus. Certified Platinum in just under a year after release by the RIAA, the album has sold over 1 million copies in the US and over 3 million copies worldwide. This album produced four singles for Cyrus on the Hot Country Songs charts: "In the Heart of a Woman", "Somebody New", "Words by Heart" and "Talk Some", which reached number #3, number #9, number #12, and number #63, respectively, on the charts. The first, third and fourth singles, plus two album cuts had accompanying music videos. "Somebody New" was covered in 2008 by Jill King, whose version was released as a single, however, it did not chart.

<i>American Classic</i> 2009 studio album by Willie Nelson

American Classic is the 57th studio album by American country music artist Willie Nelson, released on August 25, 2009. It focuses on the American popular songbook and standard jazz classics, and includes guest appearances by Norah Jones and Diana Krall.

<i>Women + Country</i> 2010 studio album by Jakob Dylan

Women + Country is singer-songwriter Jakob Dylan's second solo studio album. The album was released by Columbia Records on April 6, 2010, and produced by T Bone Burnett.

<i>Tuskegee</i> (album) 2012 studio album by Lionel Richie

Tuskegee is the tenth and most recent studio album by American singer Lionel Richie. It was released by Mercury Records on March 5, 2012, in the United States. The album consists entirely of reinterpretations of previously released songs by Richie, each performed with a different guest artist, all of which are stars in the country music genre. Tuskegee is named after the Alabama city where Richie was born and later completed his undergraduate degree at Tuskegee Institute.

<i>Hyde Park Live</i> 2013 live album and concert film by The Rolling Stones

Hyde Park Live is a live album by the Rolling Stones, released in 2013. It was recorded at Hyde Park, London on 6 and 13 July 2013 during the band's 50 and Counting Tour. The album was released exclusively as a digital download through iTunes on 22 July 2013 for a limited time of four weeks. The album debuted at No. 16 in the UK and No. 19 in the US. The same concert was later issued on DVD as Sweet Summer Sun: Live in Hyde Park.

<i>Band of Brothers</i> (Willie Nelson album) 2014 studio album by Willie Nelson

Band of Brothers is the 63rd studio album by country music singer-songwriter Willie Nelson. The album marks Nelson's return to writing after sixteen years, with nine out of the fourteen tracks being new original songs.

<i>Django and Jimmie</i> 2015 studio album by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard

Django and Jimmie is the sixth and final collaborative studio album by American country music artists Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. It was released on June 2, 2015, by Legacy Recordings. The album was Haggard's final studio album prior to his death of pneumonia in April 2016, 10 months after its release.

<i>The Monsanto Years</i> 2015 studio album by Neil Young and Promise of the Real

The Monsanto Years is the 37th studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young and the American rock group Promise of the Real, released on June 29, 2015 on Reprise Records. A concept album which criticizes the agribusiness company Monsanto, it is Young's thirty-fifth studio album and the third by Promise of the Real. The album is the first collaboration between Young and Promise of the Real. The group is fronted by Lukas Nelson and features his brother Micah, both sons of Willie Nelson.

<i>Detour</i> (Cyndi Lauper album) 2016 studio album by Cyndi Lauper

Detour is the twelfth studio album by American recording artist Cyndi Lauper, containing cover versions of country and western songs. It was released on May 6, 2016, and is the artist's first for Sire Records. The album was recorded in Nashville and produced by Tony Brown. In the United States, the album debuted at number 29 on the Billboard 200 and number four on the Billboard Top Country Albums and sold 36,800 copies as of September 2016.

<i>Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin</i> 2016 studio album by Willie Nelson

Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin is the 64th solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Willie Nelson. After being awarded the Gershwin Prize by the Library of Congress, Nelson recorded a set of pop standards written by George and Ira Gershwin. The recording of the album was produced by Buddy Cannon and Matt Rollings. It includes the duets "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off" with Cyndi Lauper and "Embraceable You" with Sheryl Crow.

<i>Full Circle</i> (Loretta Lynn album) 2016 studio album by Loretta Lynn

Full Circle is the forty-third solo studio album by American country music singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn. It was released on March 4, 2016, by Sony Legacy. It was produced by Lynn's daughter, Patsy Lynn Russell, and John Carter Cash, the son of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. The album became Lynn's 40th album to reach the top ten of the US Billboard Top Country Albums chart and her career peak on the US Billboard 200, debuting at number 19. The album received a nomination for Best Country Album at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.

<i>For the Good Times: A Tribute to Ray Price</i> 2016 studio album by Willie Nelson

For the Good Times: A Tribute to Ray Price is the 65th solo studio album by country music singer-songwriter Willie Nelson, released on September 19, 2016. The album features cover versions of songs recorded by Ray Price, who had died in 2013. Nelson, a former member of Price's Cherokee Cowboys and friend, recorded the twelve-track album at Ocean Way Studios, where Price had recorded his final album, Beauty Is. Engineered by Fred Foster and Bergen White, the album features Vince Gill on six tracks. The content spans Honky Tonk and Countrypolitan.

<i>Power of Peace</i> 2017 studio album by The Isley Brothers and Santana

Power of Peace is a 2017 studio album made by American rhythm and blues group The Isley Brothers and American Latino rock band Santana.

<i>Last Man Standing</i> (Willie Nelson album) 2018 studio album by Willie Nelson

Last Man Standing is the 67th solo studio album by Willie Nelson. It was released on April 27, 2018, by Legacy Recordings.

<i>Cry Pretty</i> 2018 studio album by Carrie Underwood

Cry Pretty is the sixth studio album by American singer and songwriter Carrie Underwood. The album was released on September 14, 2018, as Underwood's first album with Capitol Records Nashville after signing a global deal with Universal Music Group at the start of 2017. The album marked the first co-producing effort by Underwood, who partnered with David Garcia for the record.

<i>Ride Me Back Home</i> 2019 studio album by Willie Nelson

Ride Me Back Home is the 69th solo studio album by American country music singer-songwriter Willie Nelson. It was released on June 21, 2019, by Legacy Recordings. Its title track earned Nelson his ninth Grammy Award, winning in the category Best Country Solo Performance.

<i>Perdida</i> (album) 2020 studio album by Stone Temple Pilots

Perdida is the eighth studio album by the American rock band Stone Temple Pilots, released through Rhino on February 7, 2020. It is the band's second album with Jeff Gutt as lead singer and is "an acoustic record largely recorded on vintage instruments." The first single "Fare Thee Well" was released on December 2, 2019.

<i>Steel Wheels Live</i> 2020 live album by the Rolling Stones

Steel Wheels Live is a live album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones. It was broadcast live and recorded on 19 December 1989 on the Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tour, promoting Steel Wheels album, and was released in 2020. Flashpoint was another live album from the same tour.

<i>A Beautiful Time</i> 2022 studio album by Willie Nelson

A Beautiful Time is the 72nd solo studio album by Willie Nelson, released on April 29, 2022, on his 89th birthday. Produced by Buddy Cannon, the album includes original songs by Nelson, as well as covers of the Beatles and Leonard Cohen.

References

  1. 1 2 Bretts, Stephen (February 1, 2017). "Willie Nelson Announces New Album 'God's Problem Child'". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  2. 1 2 Grow, Kory (January 13, 2017). "Willie Nelson Reveals New Trump-Inspired Song 'Delete and Fast-Forward'". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  3. ↑ Hall, Kristin (January 12, 2017). "Willie Nelson wants Loretta Lynn to try pot again". Austin Chronicle. Hearst Newspapers. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  4. ↑ Crawford, Robert (February 14, 2017). "See Willie Nelson's Evocative 'A Woman's Love' Video". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  5. ↑ Lewis, Randy (March 9, 2017). "Watch Willie Nelson's latest video, 'It Gets Easier,' from 'God's Problem Child' album". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Beast Exclusive: Willie Nelson Confronts Mortality in New 'Old Timer' Video". Daily Beast Video. The Daily Beast Company. March 28, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
  7. ↑ "No 'Problem': Willie Nelson's New Album Bows at No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. May 9, 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  8. ↑ "God's Problem Child by Willie Nelson". Metacritic. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  9. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "God's Problem Child - Willie Nelson". Allmusic. RhythmOne, LLC. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  10. ↑ Bernstein, Jonathan (April 27, 2017). "Willie Nelson Stares Down Mortality on Most Moving LP in Years". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media LLC. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  11. ↑ Sodomsky, Sam (April 20, 2017). "Willie Nelson – God's Problem Child". Uncut. Time, Inc. (UK) Ltd. Archived from the original on April 24, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  12. ↑ Paul, John (April 24, 2017). "God's Problem Child". PopMatters. PopMatters Media, Inc. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  13. ↑ Stauton, Terry. "Willie Nelson - God's Problem Child". Record Collector. Diamond Publishing Ltd. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  14. ↑ Gleason, Holly (April 27, 2017). "Paste Review of the Day: Willie Nelson - God's Problem Child". Paste. Paste Media Group. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  15. ↑ Beta, Andy (April 29, 2017). "Willie Nelson: God's Problem Child". Pitchfork. Condé Nast. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  16. ↑ Blackstock, Peter (April 27, 2017). "Willie Nelson's new album proves how musically sharp he remains at 84". Austin American-Statesman. Cox Media Group. Archived from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Album Review: Willie Nelson's 'God's Problem Child'". Sounds Like Nashville. April 28, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  18. ↑ Asker, Jim (May 9, 2017). "No 'Problem': Willie Nelson's New Album Bows at No. 1". Billboard.
  19. ↑ Bjorke, Matt (June 4, 2018). "Top 10 Country Albums Sales Chart: June 5, 2018". Roughstock. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Willie Nelson – God's Problem Child". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Willie Nelson – God's Problem Child" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Willie Nelson – God's Problem Child" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Willie Nelson Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Willie Nelson – God's Problem Child" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Willie Nelson – God's Problem Child" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Willie Nelson". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  27. ↑ "NZ Heatseekers Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 8, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  28. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Willie Nelson – God's Problem Child". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  30. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Willie Nelson – God's Problem Child". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  31. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Willie Nelson Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  33. ↑ "Willie Nelson Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  34. ↑ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.