Always on My Mind (Willie Nelson album)

During the recording sessions for Nelson's collaboration album with Merle Haggard, Pancho & Lefty, the producer Chips Moman and Bobby Emmons suggested that they record Johnny Christopher's "Always on My Mind". Haggard had no interest in recording a version of the song for the album, so instead Nelson recorded his own version—the first for the album entitled Always on My Mind. In his autobiography, Nelson stated: "We'll never know what would have happened if Merle had really heard the song right. 'Always on My Mind' bowled me over the moment I first heard it, which is one way I pick songs to record". The rest of the album was constituted by adult-contemporary and pop standards, such as "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" and Paul Simon's "Bridge Over Troubled Water", as well as re-recordings of his own songs including "Permanently Lonely" (originally recorded for 1969's Good Times LP) and "The Party's Over" (originally recorded for ''The Party's Over'' released in 1967). ==Track listing==

A 2003 re-release of the album included two bonus tracks: "The Man Who Owes Everyone" and "I'm a Memory" (another re-recording of an earlier release). 2003 re-release bonus tracks == Personnel ==

• Willie Nelson – guitar, vocals • Gene Chrisman – drums • Johnny Christopher – guitar, backing vocals • Bobby Emmons – keyboards • Mike Leech – bass guitar • John Marett – saxophone • Grady Martin – guitar • Chips Moman – guitar, backing vocals, producer, engineer • Mickey Raphael – harmonica • Gary Talley – vocals • Toni Wine – keyboards, vocals • Bobby Wood – keyboards, vocals • Reggie Young – guitar • Waylon Jennings – vocal (3) ;Technical • Virginia Team – art direction • Beverly Parker – photography ==Charts==

Chart performance End of year charts Charting Singles ==Certification==