Jennings, Waylon - Four Strong Winds Lyrics

Ian Tyson white this song 20min. 1962

Just a timeless pretty song.

One of my favorites... Covering one of my favorites.

Ian Tyson and Ol' Waylon.

This song always hits me 😥 👍

Does the Herb Alpert trumpet solo go on longer? Did this upload cut off the end?

Recorded in about 1964 or 1965 when Waylon was at A & M. I would not mind betting that the trumpet solo at the end was done by Herb Alpert, himself.

Waylon wasn't a crooner but clearly he could croon if so desired. The best version of this amazing song is this version.

I do like Waylon's cover the best, but I think there's a better version. This version is slightly different, have a listen and see if you can pick out the slight differences. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNhMoRoOdCY

Reminds me of Gordon Lightfoot, and that's a good thing.

Just movin' on and on.

Ian Tyson wrote this song and I think his version is by far the best. But I love Waylon's version.

Saw Waylon sing this live many times at JDs i Scottsdale.

Sorry but the best version is by the writer of the song. Ian Tyson

Remember this best by Bobby Bare....but gotta love Waylon :)

Ian was sitting at at a bar with Bob in Yorkville. (Toronto) Bob just wrote Blowin' In The Wind. Ian said, "Shit, I can do that!" As Ian said himself, "I only did it once."

Are the cracking sounds in the background part of the music or are they due to video imperfection?

Keep in mind, the version one hears first will almost always be the you like best. That's just natural. Still, I like this a lot. Didn't know Neil Young did it.

Thought some of you might enjoy some of the story of this recording. The song was recorded in 1963 if I recall. I was still in high school and played drums on the session - my first 'real' recording session. Herb Alpert was the producer before the Tijuana Brass became big. We recorded the first version of "Just to Satisfy You", "House of the Rising Sun" (before The Animals had their hit) and of course "Four Strong Winds" and I think another song but I can't recall the name. I loaned Waylon my Ian and Sylvia album from which he found the song and Waylon turned me on to Bob Dylan who I wasn't that fond of but quickly became a fan. Great memories.

Wow! What a great story! Thank you for sharing. What was it like collaborating with Herb Alpert and Waylon Jennings?

Oh man, Waylon's rendition of House of the Rising is the absolute best. I had no idea he did it before the Animals. then again, he did a lot of stuff before it had been done.

KICKIN' IT!

This is not my favorite rendition, but it is indeed very good.

At the time this can out I lived in Phoenix Arizona and Waylon was playing at JD and I got to know him and his brother and they were so nice and down to earth. I will all way remember this.

I worked with Bill - had lunch with Waylon in Reno and he said Bill was a super star in Europe.

lock pilatt

To hear Waylon sing in several small clubs in Phoenix as I did before he made it big is one of the unforgettable experiences of my life.

Love Waylon, but my favourite is Bobby Bare`s version

I agree this is great but bobby bares version is the best imo

Neil Young, by far.

Sylvia Moe *

As a big Waylon Jennings fan, I have to say I prefer Bobby Bare's version over Waylon's. For a Waylon Jennings song, it's not "gritty enough"--too "sweet" for his style of playing.

+George Haber I see your point but I think his voice is really strong and it fits the song well. I'm not a big Waylon fan really but I do like this version.

d Morgan, Ian and Sylvia wrote this, not Young

This Ian & Sylvia song from Waylon is from early 1960's. Herb Alpert signed him at A&M when Waylon was a DJ in Phoenix, Az. Bobby Bare, an RCA star already "Detroit City", recorded "Four Strong Winds" and had a top 10 hit. Bare actually brought Waylon to Chet Atkins.

We all have our opinions,,but I think Neil Young is the best version..

+Barry grier This is my opinion too

+ΘΑΝΑΣΗΣ ΑΝΔΡΙΑΝΟΣ Well you know what they say...good minds think alike....

I agree, Neil's version is really good.

Neil's cover is superb, but it's tough to beat Ian Tyson.

Tyson recorded the song a number of times and with good reason. Check out his unplugged version on Alberta: Wild Roses Northern Lights. Basically, Canada's alternate national anthem.

This song is from 1964, not the 1970s. In fact, Bobby Bare heard it on the radio while driving through Arizona and liked it so much he pretty much launched Waylon's career as a result. Bobby later covered it.

+Jim Goad Waylon, an Arizona DJ star recorded FOUR STRONG WINDS before Bobby Bare. Waylon had strong local sales. The best version is definitely IAN & SYLVIA. Ian Tyson: MASTER SONGWRITER

Ian & Sylvia, Vanguard VRS-9133, July 1963.
Waylon Jennings, A&M 739, August 1964.
Bobby Bare, RCA Victor 47-8443, October 1964.

The Brothers Four, Columbia 42888, October 1963.

Not sure what you're going on about. All I said is that Waylon's version was from 1964, not 1970.

Pardon me for verifying what you said. I assure you it will not happen again.

Idc who wrote it it's and amazing song regardless. I grew up listening to this version though, so this is what on sticking with. The other versions are good though. -HB

I love his voice in this.  

A great version, even though I much prefer the original by Ian Tyson.

I had the privilege of hearing him & Sylvia sing it in one of the Greenwich Village clubs, and then at the old Cellar Door in D.C., where I never missed a performance of Ian & Sylvia because the audience was only a few feet away and you got all of Ian's raw power and voice quality, which doesn't come through on recorded performances nearly as fully.

Nobody ever played it like the Master, Ian -- but I like Waylon's version a lot, too.

Not bad? It’s great. Does anybody know who is playing the trumpet on this?

Could possibly be Herb Alpert, since Waylon recorded for Herb's label, A & M, back in the late 60's. Waylon and Herb were pretty good friends, too, from what I've read.

Thanks. makes sense.

Wayne Cruseturner I would imagine Herb Alpert

I had no idea Waylon covered this song. Not bad :) 

Ian & Sylvia released this in 1963.  Ian says it was the first song he ever wrote.
Waylon does a great job too.  I've never heard a version that I didn't like.

HO NO; the author is Ian Tyson.

not Neil Young but ian Tyson !!!!!!!!!!

Waylon sings it well....but Neil Young wrote it.

This is a fine version, but this tune is from about 1963.

Great video and of course, great classic Waymore. I wish I had some of these photos from this video. Priceless.

Hadn't heard this version before and he does a nice cover of it.

The best version by the best country singer

Ian Tyson's composition (from his Ian & Sylvia days) has been voted Canada's best ever song by the Canadian public. It is the first song he ever wrote, after hearing his friend Bob Dylan sing "The times they are a-changing".

There is always the one who doesn't like something.

Early 60s ..is more like it!!

The best men in the vorld atstanding

Lovely song covered by Waylon, one of best singers ever. RIP, Eddie & Waylon ~ Arthur

Great version of this song. I like ole Waylon---been looking for "loving her was the easest thing I've ever done" by him.

Thanks for this post.

True, this is nice.. Listen to Ian and Sylvia do this.. WOW.. the best :)

What album is this on? Awesome version, even better then bobby bares

@teddie488 ...yep too right.

One of my favorites by Ian Tyson who I believe wrote the song. Must say that I really like Waylon's version better. Thanks Teddie.

Agree, this is the best:-)

That Jimmy Bowen guy looks a bit like Waylon...huh? But definitely...not as handsome! A good song by Waylon. tho'...

It is the best absolutely, what a talent.....so diverse!.....another great share mate......thanks x