Introduction
While the legendary Willie Nelson’s smooth vocals grace the song “Just Breathe,” it wasn’t originally a country tune. The song originated with the grunge rock band Pearl Jam, appearing on their 2009 album “Backspacer.”
Pearl Jam’s frontman, Eddie Vedder, wrote the song with a message of calming reassurance. The lyrics encourage the listener to find solace in simply taking a breath during difficult times.
It seems the message resonated with Willie Nelson’s son, Lukas. Lukas suggested the song to his father for inclusion on his 2012 album “Heroes,” a collection of covers. Willie and Lukas transformed the song into a country duet, keeping the core message of finding peace but delivering it with their signature laid-back country style.
Their rendition has been praised for its calming effect, with Eddie Vedder himself comparing it to “smoking a great joint without all the coughing or the smoke.” Whether you’re a country fan or a Pearl Jam devotee, Willie Nelson and Lukas’s take on “Just Breathe” offers a timeless message of finding comfort in the simple act of breathing.