The 15 Best Townes Van Zandt Songs, from If I Needed You to Flyin' Shoes

What is Townes Van Zandt's most famous song?

"Pancho and Lefty" is Townes Van Zandt's most famous song: Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard took it to number one on the country chart in 1983. "If I Needed You" was a top three country hit for Emmylou Harris and Don Williams in 1981, and "To Live Is to Fly", "Tecumseh Valley" and "For the Sake of the Song" are beloved by songwriters everywhere.

Townes Van Zandt's best songs

1. "Pancho and Lefty", 1972: a ballad of two outlaws that became a number one for Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard.
2. "If I Needed You", 1972: a tender love song and a hit duet for Emmylou Harris and Don Williams.
3. "To Live Is to Fly", 1972: a gentle, much-covered song from High, Low and In Between.
4. "Tecumseh Valley", 1969: a heartbreaking story song from his self-titled album.
5. "For the Sake of the Song", 1968: the title track of his debut album.
6. "Waiting 'Round to Die", 1968: a stark, haunting early song.
7. "Flyin' Shoes", 1978: the wistful title track of his 1978 album.
8. "Snowin' on Raton", 1987: a quiet, wintry song from At My Window.
9. "Rex's Blues", 1972: a spare, lonesome song inspired by his friend Rex Bell.
10. "Kathleen", 1969: a moody song from Our Mother the Mountain.
11. "Lungs", 1969: one of his darkest and most intense songs.
12. "No Place to Fall", 1978: a gentle love song from Flyin' Shoes.
13. "Loretta", 1978: a warm, easygoing honky-tonk song.
14. "Marie", 1994: a moving late song from No Deeper Blue.
15. "Our Mother the Mountain", 1969: the title track of his second album.

Who was Townes Van Zandt?

Townes Van Zandt was born on March 7, 1944, in Fort Worth, Texas, into a prominent Texas family. He became a fixture of the Houston folk club scene in the 60s, playing alongside Guy Clark and blues great Lightnin' Hopkins, and recorded a string of albums from 1968 to the early 70s, followed by Flyin' Shoes in 1978 and At My Window in 1987. Though his records sold modestly, his songwriting made him a legend among musicians. He struggled for most of his life with depression, alcohol and drugs, and he died on January 1, 1997, at the age of 52.

The story behind Pancho and Lefty

"Pancho and Lefty" first appeared on The Late Great Townes Van Zandt in 1972. Emmylou Harris recorded it, and in 1983 Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard made it the title song of their duet album, taking it to number one on the country chart and introducing Van Zandt's name to millions of listeners. It is still one of the most covered story songs in country and folk music.

His influence on other songwriters

Steve Earle met Van Zandt as a teenager, considered him his mentor, named his son Justin Townes Earle after him and recorded a whole album of his songs, Townes, which won a Grammy. Guy Clark was his lifelong friend, and Lyle Lovett, Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones and many others have recorded his songs. The 2004 documentary Be Here to Love Me tells his story. For more, see our Steve Earle songs.

A note on his struggles

Many of Townes Van Zandt's songs are about pain and loss, and his own life was marked by addiction and depression. If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. For more songs that speak to hard times, see our songs about addiction.

Townes Van Zandt albums to start with

• Townes Van Zandt (1969): with "Tecumseh Valley" and "Lungs".
• The Late Great Townes Van Zandt (1972): with "Pancho and Lefty" and "If I Needed You".
• Live at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas (recorded 1973): one of the great solo live albums.
• Flyin' Shoes (1978): a warmer, fuller sound.

Townes Van Zandt songs for a wedding or a memorial

"If I Needed You" is a tender, understated first dance for folk and country fans, and "No Place to Fall" is a lovely slow song. For a memorial, "To Live Is to Fly" and "Flyin' Shoes" are gentle, hopeful farewells. For more, see our country funeral songs and traditional folk songs.

More songwriters' songwriters

If you love Townes Van Zandt, explore our Kris Kristofferson songs, Colter Wall songs and Jason Isbell songs.

A song with a story, for them

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