Townes Van Zandt

1,297,391 plays (82,581 listeners)

folk, singer-songwriter, country, americana, alt-country… see all

Townes Van Zandt (1944-1997) was a singer-songwriter, born in Texas to a life on the road. Van Zandt was master of the small, intimate folk performance, such as the July 1973 show that became Live At The Old Quarter Houston, Texas, the double album on Tomato Records. As the Austin Chronicle writes of the re-released CD, “Alone with a guitar, he hushes the crowd with his visionary tunes that are by turns haunting and eccentric, yet filled with beauty and dark shadows.” Despite chronic battles with alcoholism and depression, his songwriting displayed a sense of humour and introspection, truth and beauty.

Many artists cite Townes’ influence on their music, with covers of his songs recorded by the likes of Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Jeffrey Foucault, Cowboy Junkies, The Be Good Tanyas, Robert Earl Keen, James McMurtry and others. His son John T. Van Zandt, a craftsman in the mountains of colorado, contributed a song to the album, Poet: A Tribute to Townes Van Zandt.

Rear View Mirror
Townes Van Zandt
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Our Mother the Mountain
Townes Van Zandt
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High, Low and in Between
Townes Van Zandt
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Roadsongs
Townes Van Zandt
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Top Tracks

1	Dead Flowers full track	504
2	If I Needed You full track	333
3	Tecumseh Valley full track	331
4	For The Sake Of The Song full track	324
5	To Live Is to Fly full track	315
6	Waiting Around to Die full track	265
7	Our Mother the Mountain full track	262
8	Kathleen full track	239
9	Lungs full track	236
10	Snake Mountain Blues full track	211
11	I'll Be Here in the Morning full track	204
12	Pancho And Lefty full track	201
12	Be Here to Love Me full track	201
14	Tower Song full track	195
15	Colorado Girl full track	184

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gildedpalace wrote:
11 hours ago

In tribute to The Master, our regular weekly broadcast is this week dedicated to celebrating John Prine's birthday. We have covers by everyone from Conor Oberst to Johnny Cash, and obtusely decided that Prine would be featured singing other people's songs. I invite you to listen to the show and help us blow out the candles: one hour broadcast available until October 17th, online at http://www.totallyradio.com/show_pages/shows.php?show=66 Thanks for listening! "Scorcher Shane" The Gilded Palace http://www.thegildedpalaceofsin.com

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hunnybunny21 wrote:
Wednesday evening

i dig it.

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colonelbifteck wrote:
Sunday afternoon

Has he got a family link with Steve Van Zandt ?

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evertoneverton wrote:
last month

Flyin' shoes, flyin' ears...

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tmikos wrote:
last month

Dylan was more absurd, surreal. Townes wasn't as adventurous. They're both amazing songwriters. It's not a competition, sheesh. Art will never be a competition.

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moe_blunts wrote:
August 2008

"Waiting around to die is a wonderful thing." the good be tanyas do an awesome cover of that song.

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shadpreston wrote:
August 2008

Why isn't he singing "to live is to fly" . This woman's version does not do it justice.

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ratkisses wrote:
August 2008

man, he was hot

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shadpreston wrote:
August 2008

comments ruin this website

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weejaa wrote:
August 2008

Although growing up in Austin I never felt Texan. Yet whenever I pass the cactus cafe and see posters of Townes I smile at my roots. I am Texan and Townes sings my songs. Even as a psychiatrist I appreciate Townes expressions of sadness. My favorite song is "Highway Kind" both penetrating and profound. I feel blessed to have listened to his music.

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Nicsi wrote:
August 2008

I was introduced to Townes Van Zandt today by a friend. Hello new addiction.

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pixienat wrote:
August 2008

My soulmate even though he's gone!

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VKFail wrote:
August 2008

To which Townes replied: "I've met Bob Dylan and his bodyguards, and I don't think Steve Earle could get anywhere near his coffee table." Greatest songwriter ever.

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Camero_35 wrote:
August 2008

Amen Moonblister! Steve Earle said "Townes is the greatest songwriter we have ever seen and I will yell that from the top of Dylan's coffe table in my boots!"

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karlosmorale wrote:
August 2008

Oh dear lord. I've just discovered this guy today. This is excellent music. Not sure if he's better than Dylan mind... :)

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moonblissser wrote:
July 2008

drewthedrifter.. i agree with both your comments. townes is better than dylan, in my opinion. and _way_better than the goddamn beatles. :)

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Devilthebeats wrote:
July 2008

Love his music to death. Greatest song writer ever. Get a'hold of his '73 show at the Whole Coffeehouse. The version of (Quicksilver Daydreams of) Maria on that is beautiful, my favorite live Townes recording.

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karlsson_666 wrote:
July 2008

Rear View Mirror have really nice versions of his songs

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saanre wrote:
July 2008

Waiting around to die is a wonderful thing.

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pixienat wrote:
July 2008

Last time I checked Townes wasnt at nearly 1 million plays.

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