Meet the Woman Who Inspired Willie Nelson To Write “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground,” Amy Irving (Exclusive)

You may not know Amy Irving’s name, but Willie Nelson does.

Irving played a corner in Nelson‘s love triangle in his debut movie Honeysuckle Rose in 1980. The pair have remained friends for more than four decades, and Irving will release an album of Nelson’s songs on April 25. Always Will Be is a 10-song collection of reimagined versions of the tunes with collaborations including Nelson, Steve Earle, Amy Helm, Lizzie No, and Louis Cato.

Irving’s favorite is “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground,” which Nelson wrote about her character in “Honeysuckle Rose.” He performs it with her on the album.

“I just think it’s just one of the most beautiful songs ever written,” Irving said, explaining that Nelson plays his famous guitar, Trigger, on the song. “You can tell it’s Willie, too. He plays so beautifully on it. I get choked up when I listen to it.”

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Amy Irving’s Album was Willie Nelson’s Idea

Irving said Always Will Be was Nelson’s idea. He joined her for a reimagined version of his “I’m Waiting Forever” on a separate project, which prompted the icon to suggest Irving tackle an entire album of his music. She included other songs her character inspired, too.

The singer and actress remembers the conversation that prompted Nelson to write “I Guess I’ve Come To Live Here in Your Eyes” soon after they met.

“When I first got there, he said he noticed that we both have eyes set far apart on our heads,” Irving recalled. “He said, ‘Well, I do believe you, and I think you and I are going to be able to see eye to eye.’ And then he wrote the song. I know that one had to go on the album, of course. But the way he sings it, that’s the thing about Willie’s songs.”

Chris Pierce joined Irving for the song on the album.

Irving said Nelson is “thrilled” with Always Will Be and keeps asking when it will come out.

“He said, ‘I want to play it on my radio station,’” she said. “He’s very proud of it.”

Always Will Be Tracklist:

1. It’s a Dream Come True (feat. Lizzie No)
2. Yesterday’s Wine (feat. Goolis)
3. I Guess I’ve Come to Live Here In Your Eyes (feat. Chris Pierce)
4. I’d Have To Be Crazy
5. If You Want Me to Love You I Will
6. I Wish I Didn’t Love You So (feat. Steve Earle)
7. Getting Over You (feat. Goolis)
8. Everywhere I Go (feat. Louis Cato)
9. Always Will Be (feat. Amy Helm)
10. Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground (feat. Willie Nelson)

(PHOTO CREDIT GABRIEL BARRETO)