About the song
The Highwaymen Breathe New Life Into “City of New Orleans”
NASHVILLE, TN – When four of country music’s greatest legends—Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson—came together as The Highwaymen, the result was nothing short of historic. Among their most memorable performances was their heartfelt rendition of “City of New Orleans,” a classic train ballad that carried new depth when delivered through the combined voices of these icons.
Originally written by Steve Goodman and made famous by Arlo Guthrie in the 1970s, “City of New Orleans” tells the story of a passenger train traveling through the heartland of America, capturing the rhythm of the rails and the spirit of the people it carried. When The Highwaymen took on the song, they infused it with a rare authenticity, each voice adding a layer of grit, soul, and reflection.
Performed both live and on recordings, their version became more than a cover—it was a conversation between four men who had lived the struggles, joys, and road-weary truths that the song embodies. Johnny Cash’s deep, resonant baritone set the foundation, Willie Nelson’s unmistakable phrasing gave it warmth, Waylon Jennings brought his outlaw edge, and Kris Kristofferson’s poetic delivery tied it all together.
Audiences were mesmerized. At concerts, fans described chills as the group harmonized on the chorus: “Good morning, America, how are you?” The moment felt both patriotic and profoundly human, reminding listeners of a shared identity tied to trains, travel, and tradition. “It was more than music—it was storytelling,” one fan recalled. “Each of them carried decades of life experience, and you could hear it in every word.”
Critics praised the rendition as a perfect match for The Highwaymen’s collective persona. The song’s themes of journey and loss mirrored their own careers—men who had spent lifetimes on the road, balancing fame with personal battles, yet always returning to the stage.
Decades later, their performance of “City of New Orleans” stands as one of the highlights of The Highwaymen’s catalog. It remains a testament not only to the enduring power of the song but also to the unique chemistry of four legends whose voices together became a piece of American history.
