Matthew McConaughey has long been associated with country music. In addition to performing some tunes in his new movie The Rivals of Amziah King, he's been friends with Willie Nelson for quite some time. The two also starred together in the 2008 indie movie Surfer, Dude.
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So it's no surprise that when Rolling Stone asked what songs changed his life, a Nelson song made his list. Which one? We have the answer below.
What Willie Nelson Song Did Matthew McConaughey Pick?
The Nelson song McConaughey picked was from his 1976 album The Sound in Your Mind. The Steven Fromholz-penned track reached No. 11 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles Chart.
The Dazed and Confused star believes that "I'd Have to Be Crazy" is a "beautiful love song." But it's also a little unusual.
"It's not your typical romantic love song, being in that place where you're kinda going mad," the actor explains.
"I think we've all had those days," he adds. "I know I have. But in the middle of all the madness and the implosions, when the subplots are becoming a little unmanageable, the love of somebody that you have is something you can rely on."
Some other songs McConaughey chose are "Shout" by Tears for Fears, Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," "That's the Way Love Goes" by Janet Jackson, and "Ai Du" by Ali Farka Touré.
The Actor Recently Met Pope Leo XIV
Music and religion are intertwined, so it's no surprise that earlier this week, McConaughey met with Pope Leo XIV during the Holy Father's weekly public meet-and-greet at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. He even came with questions.
"I wanted to talk to him about religion in today's world and where it sits with him as our moral compass," he explained. "Where is religion today? Why has it declined? Why do we see a surge in youth running toward it? They've tried other things that they're seeing are vapid and don't really work because they're looking for more."
The actor added, "Nowadays, young people are looking for some structure. They're trying to get more than what the world around them has given them. It's a good reason to pick some things out of religion, for sure."
