Willie Nelson’s Christmas Love Song: Christmas Goes Country

Willie Nelson is like the Energizer Bunny and just keeps going…well…if the bunny was a country music icon and smoked a metric ton of weed. At 92 he still has the Christmas spirit and his new single Christmas Love Song ushers in the Christmas music season for 2025. Every time we think we have the last Willie Nelson track, he puts out more music. So, let’s see if Willie will get a candy cane bong in this stocking or a lump of coal…I warn you that will probably not be the last Christmas pun in this review.

The fact that Willie resembles a fun loving pot smoking Santa adds to the track’s appeal. Musically, this track has everything yor are looking for in a Christmas country track. Willie goes traditional with some electric slide guitar, a slowed down 4/4, spaghetti western style bass lines and some classic acoustic guitar. There is even some harmonica and sleigh bell-esque tambourine to give the track some festive country flair. Even though at 92 Willie is not as fire on his acoustic guitar as he was on Stardust, or his early records, the musicianship is tight and well executed.

Like all of Willie’s great songs, the key to their success is his transcendent writing and vivid storytelling. In this track, he is telling the story of giving his partner a love song expressing his love for her for Christmas. Even though it isn’t a diamond or an expensive car, his expression of true love is timeless and priceless. Willie’s vocal is beginning to fail him; however, his storytelling is still second to none and elevates the track.

It is great to see Willie still making important music that tells a story and speaks to the human condition. There is nothing more human than expressing your love to another, which makes this track grounded and relatable. I hope Willie lives until he is 259 and continues putting out music all of those years. He is a world treasure and his music still packs an emotional punch.

Listen to Christmas Love Song