Funny How Time Slips Away

"Funny How Time Slips Away" is a song written by Willie Nelson and first recorded by country singer Billy Walker. Walker's version peaked at number 23 on the Hot C&W Sides chart.[2] The tune is slightly similar to "When Two Worlds Collide", which was written by Roger Miller and Bill Anderson.

"Funny How Time Slips Away"
Single by Billy Walker
B-side	"Joey's Back in Town"[1]
Released	June 23, 1961[1]
Recorded	April 21, 1961
Genre	Country
Length	2:51
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Willie Nelson
Billy Walker singles chronology
"I Wish You Love" (1960) "Funny How Time Slips Away" (1961) "(I'd Like to Be In) Charlie's Shoes" (1962)

Cover versions

• 1961 - Jimmy Elledge released a version as a single on RCA Victor, peaking at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100.[3] His version, which was recorded on September 7, 1961, sold more than one million copies.
• 1962 - Willie Nelson recorded his own version of his song for his debut album ...And Then I Wrote.
• 1963 - Johnny Tillotson released a version as a single on Cadence, peaking at number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100.
• 1964 - Joe Hinton had a major crossover hit with his version, which went to number 1 on the Cash Box R&B chart and number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.[4]
• 1965 - Ray Price released a version, with Cherokee Cowboy alumnus Buddy Emmons playing steel guitar, on the album The Other Woman.
• 1965 - Perry Como released a version for RCA, recorded in Nashville and produced by Chet Atkins for his album The Scene Changes.
• 1965 - Billy Joe Royal released a version on his album Down In the Boondocks.
• 1965 - The Supremes released a version on their album The Supremes Sing Country, Western & Pop, and included the song on 1974's Diana Ross & the Supremes Anthology.
• 1966 - Brook Benton released a verson on his album My Country.
• 1966 - Georgie Fame released a version on his album Get Away.
• 1967 - Harry James released a version on his album Our Leader!, with vocals by Ernie Andrews. (Dot DLP 3801 and DLP 25801)
• 1967 - Rick Nelson released a version on his album Country Fever
• 1968 - Joe Tex released a version on his album Soul Country.
• 1971 - Elvis Presley released a version on his album Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old).
• 1971 - Junior Parker released a version as a single, with "What Goes on When the Door Is Closed" on the B-side. (United Artists 50855)
• 1973 - Al Green released a version on his album Call Me.
• 1974 - Bryan Ferry released a version on his album Another Time Another Place.
• 1975 - Narvel Felts released a version that peaked at number 12 on the Hot Country Singles chart.[5]
• 1976 - Dorothy Moore released a version that reached number 7 on the soul charts and number 57 on the Hot 100[6]
• 1978 - Tina Turner released a version on her album Rough.
• 1982 - The Spinners recorded a version that peaked at number 43 on the soul chart and number 67 on the Hot 100.[7]
• 1985 - The Green on Red, LP No Free Lunch.
• 1994 - Al Green and Lyle Lovett released a version on the compilation album Rhythm, Country and Blues. Green won his ninth Grammy Award for this version in the category of "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals".
• 1998 - Dan Castellaneta (as Homer Simpson) and Linda Ronstadt recorded the song for the Simpsons album The Yellow Album
• 2002 - Dave Matthews, released a version on the album DMBLive vol 2: Benaroya Hall
• 2005 - B.B. King and Bobby Bland did a version of the song for the album B.B. King & Friends: 80. The album reached number 45 in the Billboard 200 top albums chart.
• 2005 - George Jones recorded a version on his album Hits I Missed...And One I Didn't, accompanied by Hargus "Pig" Robbins on piano and Paul Franklin on steel guitar.
• 2010 - A duet recorded by Willie Nelson and Juice Newton was released on Newton's album Duets, Friends & Memories. The recording was also released as a single.
• 2017 - a duet version between Nelson and Glen Campbell appeared on Campbell's final album, Adiós, and won both artists the 2017 CMA Award for Vocal Event of the Year.
• 2017 - Jim James recorded a version for his album A Tribute to 2.

References

1. "Funny How Time Slips Away" at 45cat.
2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 368.
3. Jimmy Elledge's "Funny How Time Slips Away". Retrieved June 20, 2012.
4. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 256.
5. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 120.
6. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 412.
7. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 545.

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics