About the song
There’s something about a Willie Nelson song that feels like an old friend pulling up a chair beside you. At 85 years young when “Heaven Is Closed” was released in 2018, Willie was still doing what he’s always done best: telling the truth through melody and wit. This track is a standout from his album Last Man Standing, a record that’s full of the wisdom, humor, and honesty that have become his trademarks. If you’ve ever found comfort in Willie’s voice or his philosophy on life, this song won’t disappoint.
“Heaven Is Closed” is a wry meditation on mortality, resilience, and living life to its fullest. Willie’s voice, rich with the wear of decades, carries a sardonic grace as he sings about doors being shut up above, but there’s no despair here—just a quiet acceptance and a drive to make the most of the here and now. The song mixes country, blues, and a touch of honky-tonk, effortlessly blending humor with a touch of melancholy. It’s like Willie’s saying, “If heaven’s closed, well, I’ll keep the party going down here.”
The instrumentation stays true to Willie’s timeless style: smooth guitar licks, a steady rhythm, and that unmistakable touch of his trusty guitar, Trigger. It’s music that’s unhurried, confident, and soaked in the wisdom of a man who’s lived through more than most of us can imagine.
In a world where everything seems to move too fast, “Heaven Is Closed” reminds us to savor each moment, to laugh when we can, and to accept the things we can’t change. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or someone who’s just discovering Willie’s genius, this song is a gentle nudge to appreciate the wild ride we’re all on. Because, after all, heaven might be closed, but Willie Nelson is still very much open for business.
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Lyrics
Heaven is closed and hell’s overcrowded
So I think I’ll just stay where I am
So many people, well it sure is lonely
Who even gives a damn?
I hear someone callin’, “Come in from the craziness”
But there ain’t nobody around
Heaven is closed and hell’s overcrowded
So I think 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 hell is heaven and that heaven is hell
And each one are both the same thing?
Well I hope heaven finds what she’s lookin’ for
And that hell treats us both just the same
Heaven is closed and hell’s overcrowded
So I think I think I’ll just stay where I am
So many people, well it sure is lonely
Who even gives a damn?
I hear someone callin’, “Come in from the craziness”
But there ain’t nobody around
Heaven is closed and hell’s overcrowded
So I think I think I’ll just stay where I am
Let’s burn one for those that’s livin’ in hell
Let’s burn one for those who think they’re in heaven
Burn one for everyone in the whole world
And anyone stuck in-between
Heaven is closed and hell’s overcrowded
So I think I think I’ll just stay where I am
So many people, well it sure is lonely
But who even gives a damn?
I hear someone callin’, “Come in from the craziness”
But there ain’t nobody around
Heaven is closed and hell’s overcrowded
So I think I think I’ll just stay where I am
Yeah heaven is closed and hell’s overcrowded
So I think I think I’ll just stay where I amHeaven is closed and hell’s overcrowded
So I think I’ll just stay where I am
So many people, well it sure is lonely
Who even gives a damn?
I hear someone callin’, “Come in from the craziness”
But there ain’t nobody around
Heaven is closed and hell’s overcrowded
So I think 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 hell is heaven and that heaven is hell
And each one are both the same thing?
Well I hope heaven finds what she’s lookin’ for
And that hell treats us both just the same
Heaven is closed and hell’s overcrowded
So I think I think I’ll just stay where I am
So many people, well it sure is lonely
Who even gives a damn?
I hear someone callin’, “Come in from the craziness”
But there ain’t nobody around
Heaven is closed and hell’s overcrowded
So I think I think I’ll just stay where I am
Let’s burn one for those that’s livin’ in hell
Let’s burn one for those who think they’re in heaven
Burn one for everyone in the whole world
And anyone stuck in-between
Heaven is closed and hell’s overcrowded
So I think I think I’ll just stay where I am
So many people, well it sure is lonely
But who even gives a damn?
I hear someone callin’, “Come in from the craziness”
But there ain’t nobody around
Heaven is closed and hell’s overcrowded
So I think I think I’ll just stay where I am
Yeah heaven is closed and hell’s overcrowded
So I think I think I’ll just stay where I am
