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Willie Nelson — The Harder They Come
Album: Countryman
Avg rating:
6.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 861









Released: 2005
Length: 3:31
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Well, they tell me of a pie in the sky
Waiting for me when I die
But between the day you're born and when you die
They never even seem to hear you cry

So as sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share now of what's mine
And the harder they come, the harder they fall
One and all
The harder they come, the harder they fall
One and all

Well, the officers are trying to keep me down
Tryin' to drive me underground
And they think that they have got the battle won
I say, forgive them, Lord, they know not what they've done

'Cause as sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share now of what's mine
And the harder they come, the harder they fall
One and all
And the harder they come, the harder they fall
One and all

I keep on fighting for the things I want
Though I know that when you're dead you can't
But I'd rather be a free man in my grave
Than living as a puppet or a slave

So as sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share now of what's mine
And then the harder they come, the harder they fall
One and all
And the harder they come, the harder they fall
One and all
And the harder they come, the harder they fall
One and all
Comments (139)add comment
Ahhh...

Willie is 90 and touring. 

Out of respect to the legend, I plan to go see him in May 2024 at outdoor venue.

P.S. Willie plans to hook up with that youngster Bob Dylan, later this year for shows. 

  
Posted 1 week ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Willie covers so much, so well
Posted 1 month ago by KPC1    [ Reply ]
Jimmy Cliff still my fav.
Posted 1 month ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
The postvocalic consonanatal r--or hard r--pronunciation after each repeat of "harder" in the song just wrecks if for me. It totally changes the mood of the song, from like a moody ballad to a marching band cadence.  

But I do enjoy Willie keeping this movie and soundtrack alive with his rendition. 
Posted 5 months ago by Emperors_Spork    [ Reply ]
Discover this famous country singer today.
Posted 10 months ago by sek700i    [ Reply ]
Remember The Annoying Music Show on NPR from years ago? This is worthy of that show. I cringe.
Posted 10 months ago by FlatCat    [ Reply ]
Is Willie livin the jah life now?
Posted 11 months ago by Tylersmyler    [ Reply ]
Willie's voice just instantly puts a smile on my face. What a great cover. 
Posted 1 year ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
Willie made a great video to accompany this song....
Posted 1 year ago by mattenuttall    [ Reply ]
Willie got soul!
Posted 1 year ago by zenhead    [ Reply ]
I typically really dislike reggae. This actually makes it worse, Hard to do.
Posted 1 year ago by rhkimbrough    [ Reply ]
Countrified reggae?!? Bleucch! Come back, Jimmy Cliff. 
Posted 2 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 mrzipmann wrote:

Songs must be sung, why not by a great country singer? Why not in a different style? I'll give a 10 for keeping songs like this alive!



Made me jump from 7 to 10 for this exact reason.

And in memory of Trudy Anne Monk, of course.
Posted 2 years ago by Fabian_R    [ Reply ]
I LOVE Willie. But ... no. 
Posted 2 years ago by virwill7    [ Reply ]
This is hilarious!!
Posted 2 years ago by glassman    [ Reply ]
Willie has earned the privilege of indulging in this fun little piece of cultural appropriation.
Posted 2 years ago by gpgiff    [ Reply ]
 o2bnsv wrote:

Only Willie Nelson can get away with a cover like this.



Pet shop Boys?
Posted 2 years ago by johnfiva    [ Reply ]
Willie's own material is better than this
Posted 2 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Fantastic song writer, so-so musician.  He didn't write this one...
Posted 2 years ago by Clark_Novato    [ Reply ]
 penn07 wrote:

Zero is not liw enough.  I dont know what people see in this man.  He cant sing.

Who peed in your cheerios
Posted 2 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
 natius wrote:
{#Frustrated}

Too much ganja willie... Get away from reggae, plis


Just get away.
Posted 2 years ago by penn07    [ Reply ]
 tinypriest wrote:

Outstanding! 9 for me. What a great take on this song from someone who's old enough to have lived it. Willie's a comfort to the ears.


Zero is not liw enough.  I dont know what people see in this man.  He cant sing.
Posted 2 years ago by penn07    [ Reply ]
Overated.  Cant sing.  Third rate musician.
Posted 2 years ago by penn07    [ Reply ]
Not a great version of this song; and not a great song to select, from the hundreds sung by Willie Nelson. A rare 2 from me.  pxd
Posted 2 years ago by pxd    [ Reply ]
 sfoster66 wrote:

Pass.




No puff first?  OK, more for me then.
Posted 2 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
I think it's time to spark one! 
Posted 2 years ago by Tamaracktour2020    [ Reply ]
Pass.
Posted 2 years ago by sfoster66    [ Reply ]
If this was the Gong Show...I'd have my giant mallet in hand right about now...

(and yeah, I know anyone less than 45 has no idea what the hell that comment means)
Posted 2 years ago by sfoster66    [ Reply ]
Considering that Willie Nelson has probably smoked more ganja in his life than Bob Marley, it seems only appropriate to have him sing reggae.
Posted 2 years ago by dmcanany    [ Reply ]
You’re killing me Bill. Willie and reggae!!! 😆
Posted 2 years ago by Oxen1morale    [ Reply ]
 mrzipmann wrote:
Songs must be sung, why not by a great country singer? Why not in a different style? I'll give a 10 for keeping songs like this alive!
 

When I first heard this rendition by Willie, my initial reaction was 'ohhhh no', but reading your comment has completely changed my perspective.

Yes songs are to be sung.

This version is 'not my cup of tea', but nothing wrong in it 'being out there'.
Posted 3 years ago by pcarew    [ Reply ]
Outstanding! 9 for me. What a great take on this song from someone who's old enough to have lived it. Willie's a comfort to the ears.
Posted 3 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
my ears hurt.
Posted 3 years ago by Clark_Novato    [ Reply ]
The vibe of this cover does not go with the lyrics. And that wood block thing....
Posted 3 years ago by stevesaw    [ Reply ]
Thanks, Bill. Needed this right now. Wish I had a doobie to go with it. 
Posted 3 years ago by Ipse_Dixit    [ Reply ]
Thanks Bill - We needed that
Posted 3 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]


Bob Dylan & Willie Nelson - "You Win Again" Live - July 4th, 2005:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRPBY98UFv0


Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
{#Frustrated}

Too much ganja willie... Get away from reggae, plis
Posted 15 years ago by natius    [ Reply ]
{#Stop}
Posted 15 years ago by arserocket    [ Reply ]
Smoke 'em if you got 'em, cosmic cowboy!{#Cowboy}
Posted 15 years ago by squidish    [ Reply ]
I love..er Willie
Posted 15 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
Willie, Willie, Willie! Where's the anger? What happened to the Outlaws - success?
Posted 15 years ago by macadavy    [ Reply ]
I wonder if Willie borrow Leonard Cohen's back-ups for this? Hmmm.
Posted 15 years ago by jayvee2    [ Reply ]
Great cover! Hats off for Willie Nelson. It helps me on my prospectus on the novel/film The Harder They Come.
Posted 15 years ago by aragon    [ Reply ]
This is funny
Posted 15 years ago by oldman    [ Reply ]
Is this payback for Toots doing Denver's 'Country Roads'? - just scrolled down and saw I'm not the first one this thought came to.
Posted 15 years ago by stevesaw    [ Reply ]
Only Willie Nelson can get away with a cover like this.
Posted 15 years ago by o2bnsv    [ Reply ]
Willie thinks he has a great sense of humor.
Posted 15 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
Willie's got a great sense of humor!
Posted 16 years ago by LongGoneDaddy    [ Reply ]
the accordion feels kinda cajun. very strange blend goin on here. s'ok, but not one for the heavy rotation. :)
Posted 16 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
Willie has fallen off that Cliff.
Posted 16 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
The only connection between Willie and reggae is ganga.
Posted 16 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
I like the b/g vox better than Willie's pipes.
Posted 16 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by n4ku    [ Reply ]
anno wrote:
i didn't find it interesting to hear a different take on this song. i love jimmy cliff's version and don't need to hear no others...
I like Willie, reggae and even herb, but this song stinx!@
Posted 18 years ago by Bocephus    [ Reply ]
jfowler wrote:
great song! This version of it, at first listen, was not high up on my 'like list' - however, as it continued, it grew on me. at least interesting to hear a different take on the song...
i didn't find it interesting to hear a different take on this song. i love jimmy cliff's version and don't need to hear no others...
Posted 18 years ago by anno    [ Reply ]
great song! This version of it, at first listen, was not high up on my 'like list' - however, as it continued, it grew on me. at least interesting to hear a different take on the song...
Posted 18 years ago by jfowler    [ Reply ]
I've got "rp.m3u" on my desktop. It loads the streams for the main RP stream and the Listener Review Channel. With winamp's "Global Hotkeys", I can hit cntl-alt-PgDn to switch between them. I was in such a hurry to protect my bleeding eardrums from this song that I accidentally hit cntl-alt-delete by mistake. Oops...
Posted 18 years ago by Notelrac    [ Reply ]
No, no, no ... it's a loser. Dump it!
Posted 18 years ago by hanssachs    [ Reply ]
You know Country Roads by Toots &The Maytals?
Posted 18 years ago by mrzipmann    [ Reply ]
Maybe we can find a cover of Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain by Jimmy Cliff. mrzipmann wrote:
Songs must be sung, why not by a great country singer? Why not in a different style? I'll give a 10 for keeping songs like this alive!

Posted 18 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
geah!!! go willie. you do it for me
Posted 18 years ago by Mary_Jane    [ Reply ]
Nice cover.
Posted 18 years ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]
Songs must be sung, why not by a great country singer? Why not in a different style? I'll give a 10 for keeping songs like this alive!
Posted 18 years ago by mrzipmann    [ Reply ]
radiojunkie wrote:
I honestly can't decide if this is crap or genius. So I'm rating it a straight-down-the-middle 5 until I can figure it out.
Really? Okay, let me try to help. It's crap. (Don't mention it.)
Posted 18 years ago by meloman    [ Reply ]
I'm think definitely in the minority here. I like this version. Sure it's a new twist on a VERY familiar song, but it's still enjoyable. My only problem with the song is the backing vocals...
Posted 18 years ago by byrd    [ Reply ]
jah_blessed wrote:
It has grown on me, so I've upped my rating to a 6. The original by Jimmy Cliff is still a 10 of course.
Cliff's is of course a 10... Two words for this: Mute Button!!!!
Posted 18 years ago by strick    [ Reply ]
It has grown on me, so I've upped my rating to a 6. The original by Jimmy Cliff is still a 10 of course.
Posted 18 years ago by jah_blessed    [ Reply ]
ceebeedubya wrote:
I imagine suburban housewives starting to grow dreads, and sparking up a big spliff on the way to the PTA meeting.
I'm still liking this -- a little -- while wondering about correlations implied by this post. Is there some correlation between Willie Nelson's persona and the suburban lifestyle, like housewives, PTA meetings, and whatnot, or is this to suggest there is no correlation between Willie and a big, sparked-up spliff? Surely not the latter.
Posted 18 years ago by lester    [ Reply ]
ceebeedubya wrote:
This just creeps me out for some reason. I imagine suburban housewives starting to grow dreads, and sparking up a big spliff on the way to the PTA meeting.
That sounds like a distinct improvment to me.
Posted 18 years ago by rgrace    [ Reply ]
A long time fan of Willie!
Posted 18 years ago by noetic    [ Reply ]
Hey, I like this. Amazing that I haven't heard this before. Seems like a good match for the Russian River lifestyle.
Posted 18 years ago by rgrace    [ Reply ]
Wiilie's probably older than any of us out here listening. He certainly - in his lengthy musical career - has earned the right to strum, dabble and wobble in any musical genre he cares to... Maybe light one up and you'll start likin' it! He does add a nice little lilt and percusive sway to it, don't ya think?
Posted 18 years ago by DJac    [ Reply ]
ceebeedubya wrote:
This just creeps me out for some reason. I imagine suburban housewives starting to grow dreads, and sparking up a big spliff on the way to the PTA meeting.
Hey, that's not such a bad idea... Maybe the neighborhoods would be a bit less uptight!!!!
Posted 18 years ago by strick    [ Reply ]
just downgraded it... novelty song. novelty wears off.
Posted 18 years ago by Paco3000    [ Reply ]
As a huge fan of both Willie and Jimmy, I have to smile each time I hear this. It's not perfect, but nothing is. I just take it as it is and enjoy it. Good tune.
Posted 18 years ago by Hannover    [ Reply ]
mojoman wrote:
Acch! Willy will na evah record such crrrrrap!
Posted 18 years ago by pope183    [ Reply ]
ceebeedubya wrote:
This just creeps me out for some reason. I imagine suburban housewives starting to grow dreads, and sparking up a big spliff on the way to the PTA meeting.
And that's a problem...why? Might just make for a lot less uptight reactionary behavior that gives 'em such a bad rap...
Posted 18 years ago by ChardRemains    [ Reply ]
ooh wee this sucks. willie is such a great songwriter, why on earth would he cover this. i fear that all the gyri and corti of his mind have been entirely encrusted with his beloved cannabis.
Posted 18 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
The only thing saving this from rating a 1 is the greatness of the original song.
Posted 18 years ago by strick    [ Reply ]
blinkblink wrote:
The song isn't so bad if you turn the volume right down.
Double ditto on that! Make it stop!
Posted 18 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
This just creeps me out for some reason. I imagine suburban housewives starting to grow dreads, and sparking up a big spliff on the way to the PTA meeting.
Posted 18 years ago by ceebeedubya    [ Reply ]
boy, tough crowd... I like it. .
Posted 18 years ago by traveyes    [ Reply ]
ouch
Posted 18 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
If he hadn't written "Crazy" I'd have no use for him whatsoever. The best thing I can think of to say about this is that at least it isn't reggae.
Posted 18 years ago by RobRyan    [ Reply ]
Support the trans-genre community!
Posted 18 years ago by Paco3000    [ Reply ]
Interesting, but I prefer Jimmy Cliff.
Posted 18 years ago by jah_blessed    [ Reply ]
tovarisch wrote:
I think I would have rather heard Groundskeeper Willy's version.... Not Mr. Nelson's best
And the harder they come, The harder they fall, the bastards had it comin' they did.
Posted 18 years ago by islander    [ Reply ]
tovarisch wrote:
I think I would have rather heard Groundskeeper Willy's version.... Not Mr. Nelson's best
Acch! Willy will na evah record such crrrrrap!
Posted 18 years ago by mojoman    [ Reply ]
Oh dear. This is realy bad, isn't it...
Posted 18 years ago by Beanie    [ Reply ]
vanfan wrote:
Waiting for The Willie Nelson and Willaim Shatner duet cover album next... I thought this was painful at first but now I'm seeing the humor in it.
Wouldn't that be great? I'm not being sarcastic.
Posted 18 years ago by sorrelkatydid    [ Reply ]
Not as good as some of the other cuts off this CD, but still gets a 7. Go Willie! Keep ignoring the genre cops.
Posted 18 years ago by islander    [ Reply ]
How many songs can Willie sing which (IMO) are way outside his genre? Stellar voice yes, American tradition yes, all-around good-guy yes, but reggae singer he ain't! I think Radio Paradise must have every song from this album on their playlist... :-(
Posted 18 years ago by Rtschnell    [ Reply ]
I honestly can't decide if this is crap or genius. So I'm rating it a straight-down-the-middle 5 until I can figure it out.
Posted 18 years ago by radiojunkie    [ Reply ]
The song isn't so bad if you turn the volume right down.
Posted 18 years ago by blinkblink    [ Reply ]
I think I would have rather heard Groundskeeper Willy's version.... Not Mr. Nelson's best
Posted 18 years ago by tovarisch    [ Reply ]
Somebody put him out of my misery!
Posted 18 years ago by pamohearn    [ Reply ]
Waiting for The Willie Nelson and Willaim Shatner duet cover album next... I thought this was painful at first but now I'm seeing the humor in it.
Posted 18 years ago by vanfan    [ Reply ]
tonypf wrote:
I'm not a huge Willie fan, but for God sakes...the boy knows how to throw a major league curveball! This aint half bad, and it sure pisses off lots of folk around here.
haha, word. i like willie in principle more than most of his music but he's got some great stuff and I really like this.
Posted 18 years ago by th3boon    [ Reply ]
Please make it stop!! I love Willie, but he is not a reggae singer. These songs from Willie's "Countryman" LP are some of the few times I have to take my headphones off and wait the 3-4 minutes until the song is over.
Posted 18 years ago by hansk    [ Reply ]
jbtidwell wrote:
Come on Bill, if this wasn't Willie Nelson it would have gotten a "Sorry" for sure!
And you know this ... how, exactly?
Posted 18 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
Much as I like Willie, he's no Jimmy Cliff..
Posted 18 years ago by WaltK    [ Reply ]
I'm not a huge Willie fan, but for God sakes...the boy knows how to throw a major league curveball! This aint half bad, and it sure pisses off lots of folk around here.
Posted 18 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]
Art_Carnage wrote:
There is not enough pot on the planet to make me think this is a good song.
Man, oh man, I'm right there with you on that one.
Posted 18 years ago by hobbitt    [ Reply ]
There is not enough pot on the planet to make me think this is a good song.
Posted 18 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
Come on Bill, if this wasn't Willie Nelson it would have gotten a "Sorry" for sure!
Posted 18 years ago by jbtidwell    [ Reply ]
melissa wrote:
How can you not like Willie doing Reggae tunes? I must acquire this CD! Willie IS da mahn.
It could happen if, for example, one were a person who cared for neither reggae nor Willie Nelson. I am such a person. I guess it reduces my coolness factor significantly but I can live with that.
Posted 18 years ago by RobRyan    [ Reply ]
To me, this lacks emotion and musicality. 3.
Posted 18 years ago by thatch    [ Reply ]
OMG, it's anti-reggae!
Posted 18 years ago by haydens    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
I am still not sold on Willie and Reggea flavor combination. Kinda has the same dirty aftertaste of bad schwag mixed with cheap tobacco rolled in newspaper. I like the delicate mixing of flavors in a Jerry Garcia/Howard Wales/Reconstruction cover of this song.
Posted 18 years ago by Hempeltons    [ Reply ]
Potrod wrote:
It is a nice album cover, however if you go to Walmart to buy this CD, you won't get this nice cover art, you will get this: Here's a quick article about it: https://www.boingboing.net/2005/07/11/willie_nelson_reggae.html
sad... a rebel with a clause.
Posted 18 years ago by Nuance    [ Reply ]
I agree with what Redeyespy said. This is pretty awful.
Posted 18 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
I think I like Jimmy Cliff's version better.
Posted 18 years ago by CCinSB    [ Reply ]
Another keeper.
Posted 18 years ago by lester    [ Reply ]
Willie's laid-back delivery clashes with the desperation of the lyrics, rendering it merely a silly curiosity.
Posted 18 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
Potrod wrote:
It is a nice album cover, however if you go to Walmart to buy this CD, you won't get this nice cover art, you will get this:
Oh my God....times like this I'm glad to be far away from my old homeland in the New World. steeler wrote:
I'll have to be the naysayer. I like Willie, but this song loses its emotional appeal in this version.
Isn't that funny...I'm not a big Nelson fan, but Marley doesn't do a lot for me. For me, this is kinda interesting.
Posted 18 years ago by rulebritannia    [ Reply ]
Potrod wrote:
It is a nice album cover, however if you go to Walmart to buy this CD, you won't get this nice cover art, you will get this:
OMG!!! 8O 8O 8O Some people seem to have their head so far up their asses they don't know what year it is. This is so sad. Thanks so much, Potrod, for sharing this with us! But maybe there is a good side to it. The less the leaf shape is known, the less it's gonna be tipped off to law enforcement officers :D:D We have a nice "tomato" plant in our place too :D I never used the stuff myself, but COME ON Walmart....
Posted 18 years ago by pyxxel    [ Reply ]
First song I hear off this album I actually like. It's not great, btu at least bearable.... :D
Posted 18 years ago by pyxxel    [ Reply ]
emleamy wrote:
I completely disagree :)
Sorry. I love bluegrass and I LOVE reggae and they just don't mix.
Posted 18 years ago by laprincessa    [ Reply ]