Last Friday (Oct. 9) would've been John Lennon's 80th birthday. Numerous recording artists honored Lennon's memory with cover songs, including Willie Nelson and his sons Lukas and Micah's version of "Watching the Wheels."
The verse-swapping cover was posted to Lukas' YouTube channel and features his Promise of the Real band mates Anthony LoGerfo, Corey McCormick, Logan Metz and Tato Melgar. The song appeared on Lennon and Yoko Ono's Double Fantasy album and became a single after Lennon's Dec. 8, 1980 murder.
Nelson and sons' version earned a social media shoutout by Lennon's son, Sean Ono Lennon. Rightfully so, because there's nothing quite like hearing Willie sing a familiar song, and both Lukas and Micah are accomplished rock vocalists.
This is the coolest thing ever thank you guys so much!!!!! ???????? https://t.co/2TWu2kUuSQ
— Seán Ono Lennon (@seanonolennon) October 9, 2020
Other country music stars shared their own tributes to Lennon. Reba McEntire pointed fans back to her 2000 performance of The Beatles' "If I Fell," while Rodney Crowell posted his version of "Gimme Some Truth" on Facebook.
Five years ago, the elder Nelson joined The Roots, Peter Frampton, Pat Monahan, Brandon Flowers, Tom Morello, Kevin Bacon, Steven Tyler, Sheryl Crow, Aloe Blacc, Eric Church, Chris Stapleton, Kris Kristofferson, John Fogerty and more in New York City for Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert.
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Oct. 9 also marked the release date of Gimme Some Truth: The Ultimate Mixes, an exhaustive box set chronicling Lennon's solo career.
"Watching the Wheels" Lyrics
People say I'm crazy doing what I'm doing
Well they give me all kinds of warnings to save me from ruin
When I say that I'm o.k. they look at me kind of strange
Surely you're not happy now you no longer play the game
People say I'm lazy dreaming my life away
Well they give me all kinds of advice designed to enlighten me
When I tell that I'm doing Fine watching shadows on the wall
Don't you miss the big time boy you're no longer on the ball
I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round
I really love to watch them roll
No longer riding on the merry-go-round
I just had to let it go
People asking questions lost in confusion
Well I tell them there's no problem
Only solutions
Well they shake their heads and they look at me as if I've lost my mind
I tell them there's no hurry...
I'm just sitting here doing time
I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round
I really love to watch them roll
No longer riding on the merry-go-round
I just had to let it go
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