Welcome back to Country Music 4 Ever! Today is part eight of my "Story Behind the Song" series with a hit originally written for a movie. That song is "On the Road Again" by Willie Nelson.

"On the Road Again" was written by Willie Nelson for the 1980 movie, "Honeysuckle Rose," which Willie starred in as Buck Bonham, an aspiring musician who struggles to balance his family life with life out on the road.

After signing his contract for the movie, Willie was on a plane with one of the movie's executive directors, Sydney Pollack. Sydney told Willie the producers needed him to write the theme song for the movie. Willie then pulled out and airsick bag from the seat in front of him and began writing lyrics on it. He asked Sydney what they wanted the song to say and he said they wanted something about being on the road. Willie then wrote down the line, "On the road again, I can't wait to get on the road again" and a country classic was born.

The song went on to win a Grammy award, earn an Academy award nomination, and earn a spot in the Grammy Hall of Fame. It was even named one of Rolling Stone's 500 greatest songs of all time.

"On the Road Again" also became one of Willie's most successful crossover songs of all time. It's still being covered by other musicians and Willie even released a duet version with Alanis Morissette. In 2016, it was included in the "Forever Country" medley alongside "I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton and "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver.

Thanks for reading. We are down to just two parts left in this series, both by country queens. Stay tuned!