About the song
(Ghost) Riders In the Sky (American Outlaws: Live at Nassau Coliseum, 1990) by The Highwaymen: A Western Ballad Comes Alive
“(Ghost) Riders In the Sky” is a haunting and iconic Western ballad that has been captivating audiences for decades. Written by Stan Jones in 1948, the song tells the tale of a cowboy who encounters a ghostly herd of cattle driven by wranglers from hell. The song’s vivid imagery and chilling lyrics have made it a favorite among fans of country, folk, and even rock music.
In 1990, the country supergroup The Highwaymen, consisting of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson, released a live version of “(Ghost) Riders In the Sky” on their album American Outlaws: Live at Nassau Coliseum, 1990. This rendition of the song is a true barn-burner, featuring the legendary voices of all four Highwaymen harmonizing perfectly. The band’s energy and enthusiasm are infectious, and they bring a new level of excitement to this classic Western tale.
The Highwaymen’s live performance of “(Ghost) Riders In the Sky” is a must-listen for any fan of the song or of country music in general. It’s a powerful and evocative performance that captures the spirit of the American West.
Here are some of the key elements that make The Highwaymen’s live performance of “(Ghost) Riders In the Sky” so special:
- The harmonies: The four voices of The Highwaymen blend together perfectly, creating a rich and sonorous sound.
- The energy: The band’s energy is palpable, and they clearly have a lot of fun performing this song.
- The instrumentation: The instrumentation is simple but effective, with a strong focus on the acoustic guitar and fiddle.
- The vocals: All four Highwaymen deliver strong vocal performances, but Willie Nelson’s lead vocals are particularly memorable.
Overall, The Highwaymen’s live performance of “(Ghost) Riders In the Sky” is a definitive version of this classic Western ballad. It’s a must-listen for any fan of the song or of country music in general.
In addition to the above, here are some other interesting facts about the song and the performance:
- The original version of “(Ghost) Riders In the Sky” was recorded by Bing Crosby in 1949.
- The song has been covered by many other artists, including Johnny Cash, The Eagles, and Guns N’ Roses.
- The Highwaymen’s live performance of “(Ghost) Riders In the Sky” was included in the soundtrack to the 1990 film Thelma and Louise.
I hope this introduction is helpful! Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Video
Lyrics
“(Ghost) Riders In The Sky”
An old cowboy went ridin’ out one dark and windy day
Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way
When all at once a mighty herd of red-eyed cows he saw
Plowin’ through the ragged skies, and up a cloudy draw
Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steel
Their horns were black and shiny, and their hot breath he could feel
A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky
For he saw the riders coming hard, and he heard their mournful cryYippie-yi-oh, yippie-yi-aie!
Ghost riders in the skyTheir faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred, their shirts all soaked with sweat
He’s ridin’ hard to catch that herd, but he ain’t caught ’em yet
‘Cause they’ve got to ride forever on that range up in the sky
On horses snortin’ fire, as they ride on, hear their cryAs the riders loped on by him, he heard one call his name
“If you wanna save your soul from Hell, a-ridin’ on our range
Then cowboy, change your ways today, or with us you will ride
Tryin’ to catch the Devil’s herd, across these endless skies”Yippie-yi-oh, yippie-yi-aie!
Ghost riders in the sky
Ghost riders in the sky
Ghost riders in the sky