The Facts of Life and Other Dirty Jokes: Reflections from a Life on the Road

by Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson has always been, first and foremost, a writer and a storyteller. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, before he became a star in his own right, he made his living selling his lyrics to other musicians, for songs such as "Night Life, " "Hello Walls, " and "Crazy, " made famous by Patsy Cline.At sixty-eight, he is still playing over two hundred sold-out shows a year to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Traveling between shows on his bus, The Honeysuckle Rose, he usually writes his songs bu recently, he devoted himself instead to writing his book. Whether chronicling his own life -- from his childhood in rural Texas to breaking into the Nashville scene and breaking out -- or reflecting on the things that matter most to him, this is the real Willie Nelson: warm, funny, and honest. And whenever things threaten to get too serious, there's always another dirty joke.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Humor, Biography, Autobiography, Memoir, Biography Memoir

Audio CD

First published January 8, 2002

About the author

Willie Hugh Nelson is an American singer-songwriter and actor. He is widely regarded as one of the most beloved and notorious country music singers. He reached his greatest fame during the so-called "outlaw country" movement of the 1970s, but remains iconic, especially in American popular culture. In recent years he has continued to tour, record, and perform, and this, combined with activities in advocacy of cannabis, as well as a well-publicized 2006 arrest for cannabis possession, have made him the subject of renewed media attention.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

I recently finished another book on or by Willie of which I have posted a review. This was given to me by my middle child syndrome son Justin. I guess I'm on a Willie roll.

So, here's how I see it. Willie is on the bus on the road between shows. He just pushed the vaporizer away and turned on the recorder. Now he's kicked back with some liquid refreshment. He's relaxed and just lets his mind and tongue wander where they will go.

Some of the jokes were funny enough to make me laugh out loud and say....wow, I need to remember that.....maybe. Some of the stories I read in the other book. The most profound reason he got only two stars was because much of the book was song lyrics. Maybe every song he wrote....I don't know.

But he is Willie. I love him, you love him, and....he is a living legend.....and, he is damn near 80 years aged......mgc

[Nikki]

I just began reading this today. I bought it at Magers & Quinn yesterday for $8.99, hardcover. IT IS GOING TO BE AMAZING. It is full of awesome old photographs of baby Willie as well as this passage:

My first public appearance was in Brooken, Texas. We were at the annual Brooken Homecoming, with all-day singing and dinner on the ground. i was five years old. My poem was given to me by Mama Nelson to recite at the singing and performing part of "singing and dinner on the ground." I guess I was nervous, because I started picking my nose until it started bleeding all over my little white sailor suit, trimmed in red. I did my poem...

What are you looking at me for?
I ain't got nothing to say.
If you don't like the looks of me
You can look the other way!

I have never had stage fright since.

[Khanh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. I don't think a lot of these jokes would make any sense to people who aren't fans of Willie Nelson's music and his sense of humor. I actually found some of them kind of corny, but I appreciated his writing style and… Well, honest and crass way of expressing himself. This was the first book I've read by him, and I'm looking forward to reading his other works. As a lifelong fan of Willie's Music, I didn't give much thought or curiosity to his creative process until recently. His voice and lyrics have made me laugh, Cry, and assisted me threw some of the darkest moments of my life.
Now I want to know more of the backstory behind his work.

[Ashley Pavey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting if you're into Willie Nelson; funny jokes and well put together.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh, OK. My friend recommended this book so I gave it a try. pretty funny with noooo organization whatsoever. wish there was a little more about Willie and a little less song lyric page filler. Quick read though.

[Cat Rayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a lark…given to me by a friend who was throwing it in a donate box. It had some humor, some of it raunchy.

What I liked best, in retrospect, was his photos. A great history there…

It’s really 2 1/2 stars but I don’t have that option. And, it’s Willie…so three it is.

[Chad T · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are wanting to learn more about Willie Nelson, this is not the book. This book is mostly song lyrics with little description about their meaning and like the title of the books says, dirty jokes. Just not a very good book in general.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than some of the other biographies. More "honest" voice for Willie. If you're in the market for a Willie biography, check this one out.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilarious stories from the coolest uncle you never had. Doesn't really go anywhere, but a damn good read.

[Laverne Metcalfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well anything about Willie is bound to be entertaining as he'll and this rethis read is no exceptionad is no exception. The diary portion gives a nice feel for being on the road and reading the song lyrics is reading real purity poetry. Thanks for all the music and laughs, Willie. I sure appreciate it! Keep writing, singing, pokering, running, joking, loving, living and dying. Hell what else are you going to do! South Austin Rose..

Well anything written by Willie is bound to be entertaining as hell and this read is no exception. The diary portion gives a nice feel for being on the road and reading songs is reading teal pretty poetry. Thanks for all the music and laughs, Willie. I sure appreciate it! Keep on writing, singing, pokering, running, joking, loving, living and dying. Hell, what else are you going to do! South Austin Rose.

[Mike Sumner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gift from my brother who found this mint copy in a charity shop. He knows my love for Wille Nelson's music and thought I would like this. Too right!

"Who knew that the world's best-loved country singer had such a good sense of humour?" Texas Monthly

A delightful read crammed with anecdotes from Nelson's touring career visiting many different states and venues. So many of his contemporaries are here: Roger Miller, Bob Wills, Ben Dorcy, Hank Williams, Lee Ann Womack, Waylon Jennings, to name a few. Every so often, every ten pages or so, Nelson says: "Did I tell you my publishers like this book?" ! There are funny jokes, risqué jokes and downright rude jokes - nothing offensive though.

Thanks Dave - I loved it!

[Cyndy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You know what you get when you cross a donkey with an onion? You get a piece of ass that'll bring a tear to your eye. You see, that's another Abbott joke." Reading this book is like having a conversation with Willie, at least it's the way I imagine a conversation with Willie. There are sections where Willie tells us what his day was like, how the concert crowd was, he tells some really funny jokes, and there are song lyrics. There were song lyrics I could sing along with and there were others that I would swear I have never heard before. And almost every night, Willie tells you "Good night."

Nelson, Willie. The Facts of Life . Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t remember the last time I was so completely entertained by a book! It felt just like sitting and having a conversation with Willie, which is something I would dearly love to do. My mother, no matter what anyone else may say, was truly Willie’s biggest fan. Growing up there was never a time when music was playing in our home that Willie wasn’t the star. As I read the lyrics throughout the book I could hear my moms voice singing every one. When I finished this book promptly to my son for him to enjoy also.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to put this on my self help list. If you cannot take some stories from Willie about being on the road, some good dirty jokes, and some amazing poetry, just to help you going along, you done lost something along the way. Seriously this is a mix of reflections from the road. Some raunchy jokes. And some amazing poetry in the form of songs Willie has written. A very easy read for this old man. Love to share the jokes. Enjoyed the poetry in his songs. Liked his humor. I just really felt comfortable with this book.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

You gotta love Willie!

If you're a Willie Nelson fan, you'll love this book! If you're not a fan...well, there's obviously something wrong with you!
This is a quick easy read that could have benefitted from a little more editing. If you don't like dirty jokes, just skip over those parts, because there are some surprisingly profound philosophical moments that are worth reading, (and pondering). But then, the man is a poet and a troubador, so maybe not so surprising after all...

[Deborah LaRoche · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Willie Nelson's music with all of my heart, but must say this was kind of a "meh" book. I was looking for something more like Elton John's "Me," but wound up with a bunch of song lyrics and what seemed like diary entries. Not terrible, but not terribly compelling, either. Still love Willie Nelson, though :)

[David M. Carroll]

Life on the road with an American icon.

A look at the life and mindset of a professional musician touring the country and the world. Satisfying read for those of us who dreamt of being famous playing music for the masses.

[Danna Fears · Rating 3 out of 5]

So disappointed !

[Darlene Payne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book, kind of interesting. Lots of Willie's song lyrics, and tons of dad jokes.

[Vali Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quintessential Willie. Beautiful wisdom and simplistic brilliance.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an easy read. Willie is such a likeable guy

[Ilena Holder · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very easy read and Willie was so funny to read about!

[Don Paske · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick, quirky read. If this book is any indication, Willie doesn't take anything seriously.

[Jonann loves book talk❤♥️❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just can't get enough Willie Nelson!
😘👍✌

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love him; love what he has to say.

[Drubeus Swagrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be sure to stick around for the credits

[Charlotte Hardin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is typical Willie! I like him!!!!

[Celest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of dated gross jokes, and not enough real life narrative. I loved reading the song lyrics and the stories about the road and family.

[John Alford · Rating 5 out of 5]

light, fast read

[Faith Karabelski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elect Willie Nelson for president!