045--Willie Nelson, Red Headed Stranger, and Murder

What this episode covers

This episode looks at Willie Nelson's concept album of 1975, Red Headed Stranger. The first segment explores the interest in murder as a topic within country music--particularly examining the tradition of the murder ballad. The second segment examines the 1870 court case of McFarland vs. Richardson, concerning McFarland's murder of his ex-wife's new fiancee. This segment addresses the "unwritten law" that exonerated husbands killing their wives' seducers, the temporary insanity plea, and the changing position of the woman with respect to independence at the end of the 19th century. The third segment turns to Willie Nelson's Red Headed Stranger as the quintessential country concept album, his role as creator on an album that mostly consists of covers, and the way in which murder is depicted and justified within it.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

No similar episodes found.

Similar Podcasts

Rich Dad's Guide to Investing II Robert T. Kiyosaki II Full Audiobook II Robert T. Kiyosaki Investing means different things to different people… and there is a huge difference between passive investing and becoming an active, engaged investor. Rich Dad’s Guide to Investing, one of the three core titles in the Rich Dad Series, covers the basic rules of investing, how to reduce your investment risk, how to convert your earned income into passive income… plus Rich Dad’s 10 Investor Controls.The Rich Dad philosophy makes a key distinction between managing your money and growing it… and understanding key principles of investing is the first step toward creating and growing wealth. This book delivers guidance, not guarantees, to help anyone begin the process of becoming an active investor on the road to financial freedom. Westenberg Joan Westenberg The Westenberg Podcast offers ideas, explainers, book notes, and reflections on technology, philosophy, and the human experience. Hosted by Joan Westenberg, each episode unpacks complex topics with clarity and depth, blending personal insights with thought-provoking analysis. It’s a space for exploring big questions and fresh perspectives in an accessible format. Elevatin' The GetRight Spot & The Love Algorithm Elevatin' The GetRight Spot & The Love Algorithm A podcast that expresses the journey of taking ideas and turning them into a successful website and business. Using an ideology, philosophy and mental science as motivation, we shall Elevate Bodybyloud! and The GetRight Spot. We also inspire everyone to elevate their lives and go after their dreams, desires., and abundance. Song Against Songs, The by G. K. Chesterton (1874 - 1936) LibriVox LibriVox volunteers bring you 9 recordings of The Song Against Songs by G. K. Chesterton. This was the Fortnightly Poetry project for October 16, 2011.Chesterton was a large man, standing 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and weighing around 21 stone (130 kg; 290 lb). His girth gave rise to a famous anecdote. During World War I a lady in London asked why he was not 'out at the Front'; he replied, 'If you go round to the side, you will see that I am.' On another occasion he remarked to his friend George Bernard Shaw: "To look at you, anyone would think a famine had struck England". Shaw retorted, "To look at you, anyone would think you have caused it". P. G. Wodehouse once described a very loud crash as "a sound like Chesterton falling onto a sheet of tin."( Summary from Wikipedia )

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Sound Philosophy?

This episode is 57 minutes long.

When was this Sound Philosophy episode published?

This episode was published on November 17, 2021.

What is this episode about?

This episode looks at Willie Nelson's concept album of 1975, Red Headed Stranger. The first segment explores the interest in murder as a topic within country music--particularly examining the tradition of the murder ballad. The second segment...

Can I download this Sound Philosophy episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.