Country Music's Greatest Story Song

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[@noahweberrr]

I feel that Townes doesn’t get enough love, as he’s had such a massive impact on country music and songwriting in general. Happy to see this!

[@Mo-MuttMusic]

He's got some great tunes. My music collective is covering the one discussed here. I love "Pancho and Lefty." Shawn R., Mo-Mutt Music/Sacred & Secular

[@iiPotatoes]

100% You could ask any of the old country artists from the 60s, 70s, and 80s and they'd all say they were influenced by him.

[@CorbCorbin]

He had a huge resurgence in the 90s and early 2000s, as many musicians, from many genres, found his music.

[@elihdorrelihdorr5058]

Always like that. Quality > Quantity, Popularity

[@DeepFriedHallelujah]

Agreed. Guy Clark is another who was an incredible storyteller.

[@TouchDirt]

Gimmie all the Van Zandt , Guy Clark and John Prine love.

[@alumina665]

Don't forget Blaze Foley

[@benraftery4256]

billy joe shaver

[@TouchDirt]

Throw The Band In there too.

[@alumina665]

F.J. McMahon too

[@alumina665]

And Jerry Jeff Walker

[@davidhanson4909]

I always interpreted the Federales' boasts as wishful thinking. Sure, they SAY they could have caught Pancho anytime they wanted to, but it finally took Lefty's betrayal to bring him down. It was face saving. The "out of kindness I suppose" struck me as sarcasm on the narrator's part. "We could've had him whenever we wanted!" "Suuure"

[@BoojumFed]

Truth!

[@Whitewater11]

I share this interpretation. Thats the qay I've always heard it as well.

[@jackwalker1822]

I always thought that Lefty felt he had to kill Pancho so Lefty just shot him dead. What is in the song lyrics to disprove this?

[@willhowardlokoartyui]

@@jackwalker1822 4 months old but Lefty got away with money as evidenced in the last line

[@TheGhostOfFredZeppelin]

That's what I always assumed also

[@tom-ht3ju]

Criminally underrated.

[@pottingsoil]

😴

[@tom-ht3ju]

@@pottingsoil I bet u 8 quid that i can guess ur favourite Bowie album

[@pottingsoil]

@@tom-ht3ju 🤔

[@tom-ht3ju]

@@pottingsoil well, do we have a deal?

[@pottingsoil]

@@tom-ht3ju Ja

[@nolandoherty681]

waiting around to die is another amazing song

[@ehrenmcnally7641]

That was the first song he ever wrote.

[@axelpetersson5983]

That song is pure music. Simple, a good story and hits you straight in the feelings and making you ask questions.

[@abaker2921]

He has dozens of greats

[@kmaher1424]

I heard him introduce it at Sand Mountain Coffee House in Houston. He called it his first serious song. Townies also had a taste for codeine, as mentioned in the song. Drugs came and went. Alcohol was always available

[@dewilew2137]

All his songs are amazing

[@spared0nkey23]

Its like he knew the *exact* topic I was desperately wanting covered. *chef kiss*

[@dawnqwerty]

Same boat here

[@tom-ht3ju]

I always have to drop a like on a chef kiss comment :)

[@krisfrederick5001]

"How does Townes Van Zandt tell a story?" By bleeding out of his heart, liver and mind all at the same time. It's a one way road, there's no going back and I have seen the map.

[@anotherpeasant]

Townes has been one of my heroes since I found my mom's copy of Live at the Old Quarter as a young fella. It's a shame his demons won the battle in the end. But he never stopped singing, playing, and writing beautiful music.

[@SamiShah2004]

Townes is such an amazing poet man. I'm so glad Polyphonic finally made a video about Townes. He gets overshadowed by so many other songwriters of his time but deserves to be given just as much (if not more) attention. My respect for this channel has grown even greater now that you've made this video. It's hard finding anyone even mentioning Townes's name anymore. But the man was a genius. And Dylan admired him as well.

[@MartiniQ-qf9ed]

Ooh I'm so glad you did a video about Townes Van Zandt! He really often doesn't get the recognition he deserves, while he is just as good as Leonard Cohen, Neil Young and the like. Master songwriter

[@development_arrested]

Him and Blaze Foley, what I wouldn't give to have seen them live.

[@proroby]

I'm sure there are a lot of people who say the same thing: I don't listen to much country music, but I loves Townes Van Zandt. My favorite story song from him is Marie. Such a gut wrenching song.

[@rickdlt]

Yea I don’t enjoy country music but van zandt, Johnny cash is enough for me

[@markthomas6794]

Snowin on Raton is mine. Gets me every time.

[@axelpetersson5983]

Marie is an incredible song. Its so real and honest. as you say, hits you straight in the guts!

[@elihdorrelihdorr5058]

Yeah Maries great song and dark tho

[@geraldbabin6828]

Quicksilver Daydreams of Maria is IMO one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Townes is one of the greats.

[@michaelwalsh5984]

My favourite song of all time

[@hannahmoran3660]

I actually gasped in excitement when I saw this notification, I just recently got into Townes Van Zandt (and the whole "Heartworn Highways" crew as I refer to them) and I love "Pancho and Lefty". "Tecumseh Valley" is another great story song of his- devastating, but beautiful.

[@TheTourtopoulais]

Tecumseh valley is one of my favorites too ! I was also really surprised when I saw this video pop up in my subscription feed, I feel like a ton more people should hear his music, he really had something to say I feel

[@ahmedalmerza1707]

If you're new to Van Zandt, I recommend Dead Flowers, Lungs, and Waitin' Around to Die

[@goldenboy140]

one of the greatest singer/songwriters ever

[@christophersleep6821]

I sing this song as a lullaby to my son. He loves it.

[@screenpuller]

Y'know a songwriter is great when famous musicians not only cover your songs but also write songs about you.

[@gayletalerico7795]

I’m reading all the comments here and I’m so pleased that there are so many that appreciate Townes music. I was apart of his life thru the years of the Old Quarter. Those were the greatest memories of my life,,,,.,Music flowed from that little dive club in downtown Houston and you never new who would be stopping in. Lightning Hopkins, Guy Clark. Even in our personal life it was common to sit around and hear music from ZZ Top…. Still to this day, my my takes me back to those memories so beautifully kept in my mind. BTW…. His humor was magnificent., when I broke up with Townes he hired 6 winos to come sing outside my door for hours. They were horrible. It’s amazing how Mad Dog 29-20 will motivate a wino! I’m sure Townes was laughing! 🤣

[@larrybirdainge5951]

I found out about Townes two months ago and now I'm obsessed. It's like listening to Dylan for first time all over again. Fare thee well miss corousel... I've known a few miss carousels, and I've been that guy at the window. Really amazing songwriter, gets me right in the feels.

[@gayletalerico7795]

@@larrybirdainge5951 Never will be another like him 🎸🎤❤️ A true Texas Troubadour

[@Sforeczka]

One of the few CDs I didn't throw away when I lost my job and my house and a good part of my sanity way back in 2008. I still have it. I like the rawness and honesty of the Van Zandt version on that compilation CD more than the over produced version of Willie Nelson. I don't have anyway to play cds anymore, but I still hang to this one.

[@burmajones803]

Could not get here fast enough. For my money, one of the greatest songs ever written.

[@scotia7326]

First became aware of Townes after hearing the Be Good Tanyas' haunting rendition of "Waiting around to Die". His music never fails to make me question my own morality, and my place in the world. He holds a special place in my heart, he will never be forgotten.

[@patrickroth3321]

Probably my favorite song by him is 'Silver Ships of Andilar'. It tells a haunting story using elements from fantasy story telling

[@TheTourtopoulais]

I know this video probably won't get you as many views as your usual ones, but I'm so grateful you did an episode on Townes. As a young French guy I have no ties to country music whatsoever, but his music hit me like a truck the first time I heard it, and with a friend we became fans of his. His story is tragic really, but his music is something I always come back to when I feel nostalgic, sad or just in quiet moments. Thank you very much for this Polyphonic !

[@cyclonasaurusrex1525]

Steve Earle’s tribute,to Townes, Ft. Worth Blues, is equally beautiful.

[@PanosSG55]

Never clicked so fast, such an underrated, talented artist. And so many hopeless, lonesome but beautiful and badass songs of his.

[@ThelateDomC.]

One of the greatest songwriters to have ever lived. Incredibly underrated.

[@ethanlove4695]

Live at the Old Quarter is such a great live album. If you’ve never heard Townes I highly recommend it

[@gayletalerico7795]

Spent many many notes there at that old beat up club in downtown Houston ❤️

[@gayletalerico7795]

*nights

[@mytmyt]

I know the Willie Nelson / Merle Haggard version was probably the best known (title track from their album and a #1 country hit) but I always thought it was over-produced. Much preferred the Emmylou Harris version.

[@SJ-ni6iy]

I saw a clip where someone talked about Pancho and Lefty being #1 after Willie and Merle recorded it but Townes was in a rundown state ran rehab. I love watching the music video with Willie and Merle because there are cameos of Townes. He had such a sad ending but because of his talent he will never be forgotten.

[@HiddenGhul]

Townes is my favourites artist. He’s so underrated. Seeing this in my feed was honestly shocking!

[@quarter_moon_and_a_guitar]

I'm even more impressed with the music, particularly the melody. A near-perfectly written song

[@crackedrod6778]

Townes van Zandt's music is amazing. One of the all-time greats.

[@sonofabbot6502]

This video is such perfect timing. I just discovered Townes Van Zandt and fell in love with his music, especially this song.

[@turnerray768]

Love polyphonic. Love Townes, my all time favorite artist. Glad he did this

[@theonewhoknocks4145]

Greatest songwriter of all time, Dylan is the only one who can compare

[@mytmyt]

Cue Steve Earle: "Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world, and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that."

[@hunterwyeth]

@@mytmyt beat me to it!

[@ehrenmcnally7641]

@@mytmyt Cue Townes’ response: “I’ve met Bob Dylan’s bodyguards, and if Steve Earle thinks he can stand on Bob Dylan’s coffee table, he’s sadly mistaken.”

[@GNARical]

This was greatly needed. Townes was a master

[@throughthemill9192]

Greatest songwriter that ever lived.

[@isaacpeachey8609]

A great song to do a deep dive on would be “Lungs” by Van Zandt. It’s an amazing example of poetry in music.

[@Reilly-Maresca]

See, my first time listening to this after I watched the video, I think I picked something up, and it centers around one question: Who is the “he” in the chorus? “All the federated say, they could’ve had HIM any day.” I don’t think that it’s just Pancho for every chorus. The first one, is pretty definitively him, per the interview where he talks about the meaning of the “hang around” line. The second one though “they only let him slip away, out of kindness I suppose.” But they didn’t let Pancho slip away, he was caught and hanged. They did, however, let Lefty slip away, as the reward for his betrayal. Then, at the end of the song, the chorus repeats twice. I believe that in doing this, the “him” changes. In the end of the song, I think Van Zant is addressing that line, “only let him go so wrong…” to both men, each in turn. I’m not saying this is right with any authority. I could TOTALLY be wrong, it’s just something that I came up with listening to the song.

[@michaelglanowski7635]

I wonder if Pancho betrayed Lefty! Pancho may have had LEFTY hanged and assumed Lefty's identity for the rest of his life!

[@trouveursmusic6432]

As a fan of this channel I’m excited that TvZ gets some attention. He’s a songwriters’ songwriter whose influence cannot be overestimated. Though the analysis of this song might be stretched here and there, I can see a lot of it in there... Worth mentioning that Townes died on the same day of the year as his hero Hank Williams, January 1st.

[@mercurydylan899]

Very VERY glad you made a video about this legend. He’s been one of my heroes for years and if you get even 1 person introduced to TVZ via this video then it was a special and good thing.

[@CowboyMusicArt-pb8qu]

I love how this music and animation video tells a story without using any words. The visuals speak volumes, and the music evokes so many emotions. It's a true work of art!

[@casey9935]

OMG A TOWNES VAN ZANDT VIDEO?! Legendary

[@jessehawkes1298]

Townes is the most amazing country artist nobody knows. His music always takes me back to Colorado

[@dewilew2137]

“Nobody knows”? Really? Who are y’all asking?

[@Sake11880]

There’s something beautiful in the voice of Townes van Zandt. I haven’t watched the video yet but I’m welling with emotion already. I’m glad you did this video :)

[@scott9102]

Thank you so much for covering Townes Van Zandt. He really does deserve more recognition.

[@isaacpeachey8609]

Townes may be my favorite country artist

[@bsan8650]

"Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that."

[@ethanhall2133]

I love Townes, but I'll still take Billy Joe Shaver or Kris Kristofferson

[@curtisarnold9245]

On Dylans table with your boots on 😆, good one.

[@connorcoyle6592]

Alternative interpretation for the last chorus: “they only let him go so wrong, out of kindness I suppose” is actually about lefty

[@deannilvalli6579]

Finally, a great video on Townes Van Zandt! Thank you!

[@comrademorgan2631]

Another great video! Thanks again!

[@josephmitchell740]

I swear, as a kid I can absolutely remember at night praying for Pancho and Lefty before I went to sleep. Of course this was the Willie and Merle Haggard version… At that time I didn’t know about Townes Van Zandt. I was about seven years old.

[@AlexPentlicki]

Thank you so much for this

[@iskandertime747]

That was a really great video essay. Thanks.

[@fleshpoole]

With the mention of Boy Named Sue, I highly recommend Shel Silverstein as an amazing story writer, with three songs he'd done in particular that I've always loved. 'Carry Me, Carrie', 'Last Morning', and 'Kiss It Away' (especially), officially recorded and released by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show are really great examples of his storytelling, along with an unreleased track (kicking around here on youtube somewhere) titled 'Nobody Hears What I Say' about early environmental/humanitarian efforts. As for Dr. Hook, I can't remember off the top of my head who wrote it, but 'The Wonderful Soup Stone' is another great story and (with most of their early recordings) a great showcase of their vocal harmonies.

[@johnorgan3]

Justice. Friendship. Art. Lived what He loved.

[@bradleyhyatt6766]

Awesome, always waiting for coverage of townes

[@mattrodela2030]

Thank you for sharing this great video.

[@cainfuni5331]

What a beautiful song and analysis! Thank you a lot!

[@revivlerech9020]

What a beautiful thoughtful presentation. thanks

[@sandboxsub333]

Greatest song ever. Known that for nearly 40 years.

[@magicstuff505]

love the respect for TVZ!! One of the most underrated songwriters for sure

[@samjeesus4336]

Love that you made a video about one of my favourite songs/ artists - keep this theme up with one on Blaze Foley!

[@TNTales]

A great overview and interpretation!

[@seanymcquany9365]

A very underrated singer/songwriter

[@noahr4951]

This is excellent. Thanks for doing this.

[@TheAyeAye1]

Loved Townes with a firey passion. Still do.

[@jamesadams6228]

I would kill to see some more videos from you on more of townes songs, great video!

[@TheOnlyGuitarFather]

This video opened to my mind to a whole new outlook on this song

[@John-ux8zj]

Thanks a lot for showing this under appreciated genius som love.

[@alecwhite3056]

I love seeing Townes on this channel. Your content is great.

[@CSelH]

I've heard the song so many times, and I still struggle to get though it without shedding a tear.

[@Mo-MuttMusic]

Thanks for discussing this. His "Live at the Older Quarter" version is my favorite. Shawn R., Mo-Mutt Music/Sacred & Secular

[@dewilew2137]

Old*

[@Daniel-iv5ql]

Thank you for covering him. He’s one of my favorite artist and I hardly hear anybody talking about him.

[@JunkyardFox]

Beautiful video and analysis

[@baileywatts1304]

The album was called The Late Great Townes van Zandt because he had suffered from a heroin overdose and when the paramedics found him his heart had stopped. When Townes awoke in the hospital he lamented that he never recorded any hits in his life, but that posthumous success was far from inevitable. He had to get to work to publicize the untimely demise that would color his writing with a tint of tragedy. Nothing in the song says that the two had ever even met. Lefty just leaves, instead of singing out his truth he borrowed trouble from a man who couldn't expect to be repaid ever. Pancho's story ain't Lefty's to tell, but it ain't no story for the Federales neither. Who do stories belong to and what is one picker's word worth?

[@knifelyfe6565]

"Marie" is Townes most cheerful little ditty. AINT IT FUN BEING FROM TEXAS!

[@moragmckay7673]

Great song and thank you for this tribute to it. Showing the parallels with Van Zandt himself adds a richness and depth to the song.

[@mitchdolphinsfan2]

would love to see something done on John Prines lyrical brilliance

[@jimparker7778]

There is a beautiful retrospective album of Towne's songs calle "Poet." The album is some of his most enduring tunes performed by the likes of Delbert McClinton, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris and Van Zant's own son. Worth a listen.

[@KCJ1999]

A lyrical analysis on If I Could Only Fly would be amazing.

[@kyleshiflet9952]

There'll never be another Townes Van Vandt

[@joeobrien196]

I agree.

[@nicolaipolukoshko4514]

Please never stop doing this!

[@thevfxmancolorizationvfxex4051]

I think that country is the best music genre, lyric wise. It just feels so down to earth

[@Re-Todd_Howard]

*60s and 70s country is the best lyric wise. Although, I would put 90s hip hop up there with it too.

[@Whitewater11]

Used to

[@mateoneedham6807]

When I started collecting vinyl 7 years ago, a vinyl shop owner in Minneapolis recommended Live at the Old Quarter. This album is one of my ATFs. I had never heard of Pancho and Lefty until then, and, man, this song goes in deep.

[@goo954]

I would love to see a video about Pete Doherty. One of the most underrated lyrcist/poets (especilly in the states).

[@camkasmiersky5896]

Wow been waiting for a townes video forever. Unmatched

[@Jennifercox]

This is what I mean when I say I love country ❤️ thanks for talking about townes, for me he’s such an appreciated genius.

[@NotTheBeees]

Great subject choice!

[@L.C.Sweeney]

Townes is the realest, and for me greatest musician there ever was.

[@connorbiddle4703]

Thank you Polyphonic

[@joewiley5101]

My FAVORITE song of all time thank you for this

[@Neutronax]

I was just listening to him and Now you posted the Video, a Good end to a Bad day

[@lesm2373]

Why they haven't made a major movie of his life is beyong me. Under appreciated genius.

[@thetruthexperiment]

Wow. I just learned that song today. I thought it would be harder but his chord choices were very much like the ones I chose when I wrote music and performed in Nashville. I always thought while songwriters came in from the cold, famous and new, that If when my turn came I had played this song before all of them it would have changed my life. So I intend to learn it to perfection and sing it when I can.

[@nicksullivan30]

All of Townes' songs have such a genuine feel to them. He is truly underrated and I am so glad that someone is finally talking about him.

[@adrianramirez221]

one of my absolute favorite songs. a real heartbreaker.

[@camwelch9948]

Beat combination. Never thought I’d see it.

[@Uncle_Jake]

You should do more country music videos. So many good stories.

[@imperatorcaesardivifiliusa2158]

Just got into Townes and boom, new Polyphonic video