Willie Nelson, 91, opens up about pain of outliving loved ones: 'For some reason I am still here'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Country music legend Willie Nelson has dealt with the themes of losing loved ones and his mortality in countless memorable songs, but his upcoming album may be his most direct address of the matter, reported NBC News on Tuesday, October 29.

At 91, Nelson is set to release his 76th studio album, 'Last Leaf on the Tree' on Friday, November 1, shared the publication. It is produced by his son Micah Nelson, who described the project as his father’s “facing death with grace.”

The lead single in the album, 'Last Leaf,' is a ballad originally by Tom Waits, where the narrator observes, "​​I’m the last leaf on the tree. The autumn took the rest / But they won’t take me / I’m the last leaf on the tree.”

Willie Nelson on losing his loved ones

Willie Nelson is no stranger to the loss of his loved ones, as he shared with NBC during a recent interview over Zoom.

"I’ve lost a lot of good friends,” said the singer, adding with a pause, "And for some reason, I’m still here.”

Songs on the theme of death that appear on his album include Warren Zevon’s 'Keep Me in Yor Heart,' and 'Do You Realize??' by Flaming Lips. The latter contains the lyric, "Do you realize that everyone you know someday will die?”

Nelson has mourned many close to him in his lifetime. This very year, his friends and fellow music icons Kris Kristofferson and Toby Keith died. Before that, he was parted from Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Guy Clark, and even his longtime best friend and former drummer Paul English, shared Whiskey Riff.

In March 2022, Nelson lost his sister elder sister and touring pianist, Bobbie Nelson. He has also suffered the bereavement of his daughter Rene Butts and his son Billy.

"We all have to go through it in various ways. And each time it is just as bad as the last time," the singer shared of the grief.

Willie Nelson looks forward to his upcoming album

Willie Nelson was elated about working with his 34-year-old son Micah on his new album.

“He produced it, picked all the songs, and he played all the instruments and made the video, did the artwork, animation,” said the singer of the latter.

Micah had also joined Neil Young and Crazy Horse on a tour as a guitarist over the summer.

Nelson’s wife, Annie D’Angelo Nelson, was also in praise of their son, saying, "Micah is this little renaissance dude. It’s all art to him.”

The singer also shared his enthusiasm for contemporary music, saying, "There’s great music in every generation, and I love it all.”

He contributed two tracks to Beyonce's genre-bending album of the year, 'Cowboy Carter.' Nelson said of Queen Bee, "I love her. She’s great, and she asked me to be on her album, and I said, ‘Heck yeah, anything else you need.’”

Beyonce paid tribute to Wilson on Tuesday over Instagram, stating, "The Great Willie! You are the coolest! I admire you, and I sincerely thank you for being the pioneer you are. Thanks for your impactful music, your advocacy, and the gracious way you appreciate and celebrate other artists! You are 1 of 1."