About the song
Willie Nelson and his son, Lukas Nelson, take on Texas Flood—a song forever linked to the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughan—with the kind of effortless authority that only true masters can summon. This is not simply a cover; it’s a heartfelt tribute, a passing of the torch between generations, and a reminder of the deep roots that blues and country share. The elder Nelson, a living legend with a voice as weathered and warm as the Texas plains, joins forces with Lukas, an artist who has carved out his own path while staying true to the traditions that shaped him. Together, they infuse Texas Flood with a unique blend of blues, country, and the unmistakable Nelson family touch.
Originally written by bluesman Larry Davis in 1958, Texas Flood gained immortality when Stevie Ray Vaughan recorded it for his 1983 debut album, Texas Flood. Vaughan’s version was a revelation—a searing, virtuosic performance that placed him firmly in the pantheon of guitar gods. It was raw, electrifying, and steeped in the Texas blues tradition. Willie and Lukas approach the song from a different angle. Instead of Vaughan’s scorching guitar pyrotechnics, they bring a more lived-in, soulful feel. Willie’s signature phrasing, that unmistakable behind-the-beat delivery, turns the song into something that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. Lukas, whose own career has blended rock, country, and blues, matches his father’s emotional depth, offering guitar work that is expressive yet never overpowering.
At its core, Texas Flood is a song about hardship, about being caught in forces beyond your control. The floodwaters—both literal and metaphorical—are rising, and the protagonist is left stranded, both physically and emotionally. It’s a classic blues theme: sorrow and survival, despair and defiance. Willie, with his decades of storytelling experience, brings an aged wisdom to the lyrics. He doesn’t just sing about the flood—he’s lived through storms, both on the road and in life. His voice, worn but never weary, carries the weight of every storm he’s weathered. Lukas, in turn, adds a layer of youthful energy, his guitar lines weaving through the song with a sensitivity that pays homage to Vaughan without simply imitating him.
One of the most striking aspects of this rendition is the way it bridges the gap between genres. Willie Nelson has spent a lifetime proving that country and blues are siblings, not distant cousins. His jazz-influenced phrasing, his instinct for improvisation, and his love for raw, unvarnished emotion all come into play here. Lukas, raised in this rich musical environment, understands that blues is about feel more than flash. His guitar playing is fluid, expressive, and unhurried—a perfect complement to his father’s vocals.
There’s something profoundly moving about hearing this father-son duo tackle Texas Flood. It’s a song about struggle, but it’s also a song about resilience. In the hands of Willie and Lukas Nelson, it becomes something more than a blues standard. It becomes a conversation between generations, a love letter to Texas music, and a testament to the enduring power of a great song.
Video
Lyrics
Well it’s flooding down in Texas
All the telephone lines are down
I said it’s flooding down in Texas
All the telephone lines are down
I been trying to call my baby
Can’t get a single sound
Well the dark clouds are rolling
And I’m standing out in the rain
I said the dark clouds are rolling
And I’m standing out in the rain
Muddy water keep on rolling
It’s about to drive me insane
Well I’m leaving you baby
And I’m going back home to stay
Well I’m leaving you baby
And I’m going back home to stay
Where there ain’t no floods and tornados
And the sun shines every day
