On his recently released album Last Man Standing, Willie Nelson explores aging and loss while delivering the kind of sage wisdom we've come to expect from him. On "Heaven is Closed," his latest release from the album, the Red Headed Stranger finds zen and delivers a heaping dose of good old fashioned Texas-born humor and stubbornness.
Written with Buddy Cannon, "Heaven is Closed" examines the eternal question of heaven and hell. Rather than ruminating on the state of our souls, Nelson poses the idea that the two are one in the same.
"Could it be that hell is heaven and heaven is hell and each one are both the same thing," he sings. "Well I hope heaven finds what she's looking for and that hell treats us both the same."
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On May 25, Nelson will kick off his Outlaw Music Festival Tour featuring Sturgill Simpson, Brandi Carlile, Elvis Costello and more.
"Heaven is Closed" Lyrics:
Heaven is closed
and hell's overcrowded
so I think I'll stay where I am
So many people and it sure is lonely
But who even gives a damn
I here someone callin' 'Come in from the craziness'
but there ain't nobody around
Heaven is closed and hell's overcrowded
So I think I'll just stay where I am
Heaven left for California
on a midnight plane
Hell stayed behind so I wouldn't be lonely
for reasons that's hard to explain
Could it be that hell is heaven and heaven is hell
and each one are both the same thing
Well I hope heaven finds what she's looking for
and that hell treats us both the same
Heaven is closed
and hell's overcrowded
so I think I'll stay where I am
So many people and it sure is lonely
But who even gives a damn
I here someone callin' 'Come in from the craziness'
but there ain't nobody around
Heaven is closed and hell's overcrowded
So I think I'll just stay where I am
Let's burn one for those still living in hell
Let's burn for those who think they're in heaven
Burn one for everyone in the whole world
and anyone stuck in between
(Repeat chorus)
