Willie Nelson joins PFLAG…sorta.
Today from the BBC:
Country music star Willie Nelson has released a tune about gay cowboy romance for Valentine's Day.
Nelson said the release, Cowboys Are Secretly, Frequently (Fond of Each Other), was timed to coincide with Oscar hopeful Brokeback Mountain.
The song, originally written in 1981, was played for the first time on Howard Stern's radio show on Tuesday.
"The song's been in the closet for 20 years. The timing's right for it to come out," said Nelson.
'Special meaning'
"I'm just opening the door," added the performer, who recorded the track at his home in Texas last year.
The song is being exclusively released for download via the Apple iTunes music store.
Speaking to the Dallas Morning News, Nelson's manager David Anderson, who revealed that he was gay two years ago, said he wanted the song to reflect well on the singer.
"This song obviously has special meaning to me in more ways than one," said Mr Anderson.
"I want people to know more than anything - gay, straight, whatever - just how cool Willie is and ... his way of thinking, his tolerance, everything about him," he added.
The Broken Lizard Comedy Troupe are to film a video to accompany the song, which will also be available via the iTunes online store.
Nelson also features on the soundtrack of Brokeback Mountain, singing He Was A Friend of Mine, which hit number 54 in the US charts earlier this year.1
Yes, I've already downloaded it. I didn't really have any idea what to expect, but it's actually a very sweet song that manages to acknowledge both realities at the same time. Here are the lyrics for you.
Well there's many a strange impulse out on the plains of west Texas
There's many a young boy who feels things he can't comprehend.
And a small town don't like it when somebody falls between sexes.
No a small town don't like it when a cowboy has feelings for men.
And I believe to my soul that inside every man is the feminine,
And inside every lady there's a deep manly voice loud and clear.
Well, a cowboy may brag about things that he's done with his women,
But the ones that brag loudest are the ones that are most likely queer.
Cowboys are frequently secretly fond of each other.
Say what did you think all them saddles and boots was about?
And there's many a cowboy who don't understand the way that he feels for his brother.
And inside every cowboy there's a lady who'd love to slip out.
And there's always somebody who says what the others just whisper.
And mostly that someone's the first one to get shot down dead.
So when you talk to a cowbody don't treat him like he was a sister.
You can't fuck with the lady that's sleeping in each cowboy's head.
Cowboys are frequently secretly fond of each other.
Say what did you think all them saddles and boots was about?
And there's many a cowboy who don't understand the way that he feels for his brother.
And inside every lady there's a cowboy who wants to come out.
And inside every cowboy there's a lady that'd love to slip out.