The Highwaymen – Nobody Knows I’m Elvis (Live and Rare)

The Highwaymen: A Country Music Supergroup

For those who grew up in the golden age of country music, the name The Highwaymen is synonymous with authenticity, camaraderie, and timeless tunes.

Composed of country music legends Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson, this supergroup brought together four distinct voices and styles into a harmonious blend that resonated with audiences worldwide.

Background

Among the countless treasures in The Highwaymen’s discography, the live rendition of “Nobody Knows I’m Elvis” holds a special place.

This song, a playful tribute to the King of Rock and Roll, showcases the group’s ability to seamlessly blend humor with heartfelt emotion. While the studio version is a delight in its own right, it’s the live performance that truly captures the magic of these four iconic figures sharing the stage.

The live version of “Nobody Knows I’m Elvis” is a testament to the raw energy and chemistry that existed between The Highwaymen.

The song is filled with playful banter, harmonized vocals, and a driving rhythm that gets your feet tapping. Cash’s deep, resonant voice, Jennings’ twangy delivery, Nelson’s soulful tone, and Kristofferson’s poetic lyrics come together to create a musical tapestry that is both nostalgic and invigorating.

The song’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man who, despite his fame and fortune, longs for a simple life. The line, “I’d rather be a nobody, living in obscurity,” resonates with listeners on a deep level, reminding us that even the most famous people have their moments of doubt and longing.

Video

Lyrics

🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤

I was a highwayman

Along the coach roads I did ride

With sword and pistol by my side

Many a young maid lost her baubles to my trade

Many a soldier shed his lifeblood on my blade

The bastards hung me in the spring of twenty-five

But I am still alive.

Kris Kristofferson

I was a sailor

I was born upon the tide

And with the sea I did abide.

I sailed a schooner round the Horn to Mexico

I went aloft and furled the mainsail in a blow

And when the yards broke off they said that I got killed

But I am living still.

Waylon Jennings:

I was a dam builder

Across the river deep and wide

Where steel and water did collide

A place called Boulder on the wild Colorado

I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below

They buried me in that great tomb that knows no sound

But I am still around

I′ll always be around, and around and around and around and around…

Johnny Cash:

I’ll fly a starship

Across the Universe divide

And when I reach the other side

I′ll find a place to rest my spirit if I can

Perhaps I may become a highwayman again

Or I may simply be a single drop of rain

But I will remain