About the song
Willie Nelson has never been one to mince words. A songwriter of remarkable economy and depth, his music often carries an easygoing charm, but beneath the surface, his lyrics frequently reflect a quiet defiance, a deep-seated independence that has guided his long and storied career. Write Your Own Songs is one such moment—a wry, pointed rebuke to the corporate forces that have long sought to shape the music industry to their liking.
Originally released in the early 1980s, the song stands as a declaration of artistic autonomy, a gently scathing response to executives, critics, and industry insiders who think they know best when it comes to what the public should hear. By this point in his career, Nelson had already established himself as one of country music’s most distinctive voices, an artist who defied Nashville’s rigid expectations and, in doing so, helped pioneer the outlaw country movement. His decision to record this song alongside fellow renegade Waylon Jennings for the WWII album only reinforced its message—this was not just a personal grievance, but a broader statement about creative freedom in a business that so often prioritizes formula over individuality.
What makes Write Your Own Songs so effective is the way Nelson delivers his criticism. Rather than resorting to outright bitterness, he leans into his signature laid-back style, singing with a knowing smile rather than a clenched fist. The melody is pure Nelson—unhurried, warm, and conversational, as if he’s sitting across from you on his tour bus, offering up a few words of hard-earned wisdom. The lyrics, meanwhile, are pointed but playful: “You see, if you can make ’em, so can I.” It’s a simple challenge, but a potent one, exposing the hypocrisy of those who dictate artistic direction without having walked the songwriter’s path themselves.
Like much of Nelson’s best work, Write Your Own Songs remains just as relevant decades after its release. The struggle between art and commerce is eternal, and while the music industry may have evolved, the tension between creativity and control remains very much alive. In that sense, Nelson’s message is timeless—a reminder that true artists follow their own muse, regardless of what the gatekeepers may say.
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Lyrics
You call us heathens with zero respect for the law
We are only songwriters just writing our songs and that’s all
We write what we live and we live what we write is that wrong
If you think it is Mr. Music Executive
Why don’t you write your own songs
And don’t listen to mine, they might run you crazy
They might make you dwell on your feelings a moment too long
We’re making you rich and you’re already lazy
So just lay on your ass and get richer or write your own songs
Mr. Purified Country don’t you know what the whole things about
Is your head up your ass so far that you can’t pull it out
The world’s getting smaller and everyone in it belongs
And if you can’t see that Mr. Purified Country
Why don’t you just write your own songs
And don’t listen to mine, they might run you crazy
They might make you dwell on your feelings a moment too long
We’re making you rich and you’re already lazy
So just lay on your ass and get richer or write your own songs
So just lay on your ass and get richer or write your own songs
