Willie Nile – Places I Have Never Been

I’ve really been into New York music recently. I’ve been listening to Garland Jeffries, Mink DeVille, Willy DeVille,  and now Willie Nile. He is an incredible songwriter. He has been compared to Dylan and Springsteen as you will see below. This guy is very accomplished for not being as well known as some.

By the late 1970s, Nile was part of the wave of young New York musicians who were breaking through. He was a regular performer at CBGB and the now-closed Kenny’s Castaways on Bleeker Street, a venue that gave performers like Patti Smith and the Smithereens a stage. In 1978, the New York Times wrote a rave review about Nile, comparing him with Buddy Holly, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen. That led to his first record contract with a major label.

Willie Nile: “So I made a record, I toured with a band across the United States for the first time. We finished the tour at The Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles. There was all kinds of talk about this new hot shot from New York City. Freddie Mercury came to the show. That’s when The Who’s manager offered me the tour. I went from playing 300 or 400-seat clubs to playing 25,000-seat arenas. It was amazing.”

Willie Nile made his self-titled debut album in 1980. He promptly got the “kiss of death” thrust upon him…”The New Bob Dylan” was hung on him. After releasing another album in 1981 he suddenly stopped. “I had two highly acclaimed records, but I was dissatisfied with problems from the business end, there were managers and lawyers. I thought, I didn’t get into this for hassles and I don’t want anyone to kill my buzz with music. So I just walked away.”

He didn’t release another until 1991 and that is what today’s song came off of. Roger McGuinn, Richard Thompson, and Louden Wainwright are on that album…including two musicians from Paul McCartney’s band. That’s a hell of a lineup and shows you how highly regarded Nile is. 

The song today was the title track to the album Places I Have Never Been. The guy has his admirers everywhere. He has garnered respect and admiration from the likes of Bruce Springsteen, The Who, Ringo Starr, and Lucinda Williams. His wide audience appreciates his songwriting and ability to bring rock and roll to life.

One thing I really admire about the guy is every article I read…it says what a humble and nice guy he is in real life. He is still out there making albums and touring.

Willie Nile: “The last show that (saxophonist) Clarence Clemons played was in Buffalo, although we didn’t know it at the time, I went with my daughters, and was given great seats by the side of the stage. Bruce was up there rocking, and wandered near us. I leaned over and said to my daughter, ‘I think he just saw me.’ Five minutes later, I get a text from an assistant saying ‘Bruce wants you up here. Come backstage now.’ Next thing you know, I’m sharing a microphone with Little Steven singing Jackie Wilson’s ‘Higher and Higher.’ It was an amazing performance by the band. I looked at my daughters and we were just laughing. You can’t make this stuff up.”

Willie Nile: “I don’t put out songs unless I think they can be special, I want my music to be meaningful to people who listen. I have no interest in being full of myself or being famous. Fame didn’t do a lot for Michael Jackson or Whitney Houston. For me, it’s all about the songs and the music: the recording and the shared experience of playing live. Life is hard for everybody. I’m able to go onstage for two hours, have a blast with my mates, and hopefully raise spirits.”

Places I Have Never Been

The streets of Rome are filled with wonder
The Chinese wall is lined with gold
I hear the lightning and the thunder
Of a thousand tales untold

All my doors are open
All my thoughts are free
There’s a great big world out there
For you and me

Come and take me on a trip so far away
Come and show me things that I have never seen
Come and walk me through your world – unpredictable
Come and take me places I have never been

You gave me food when I was hungry
You gave me drink when I was young
You took me in when I was lonely
You put your lips right on my tongue

Now my wars are over
All my battle past
All I want is for this moment here
To last and last

Come and take me on a trip so far away
Come and show me things that I have never seen
Come and walk me through your world – so wonderful
Come and take me places I have never been
All my doors are open (wide)
All my thoughts are free (hey)
Hey Babe, are those telepathic messages for me

Come and take me on a trip so far away
Come and show me things that I have never seen
Come and walk me through your world – so magical
Come and take me places I have never been

Come and take me on a trip so far away
Come and show me things that I have never seen
Come and walk me through your world – unpredic

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

36 thoughts on “Willie Nile – Places I Have Never Been”

  2. I actually knew basically nothing about Willie Nile before reading your post, Max. He seems like a very special guy, and it was nice to read about him. I can hear why he was compared to Dylan from listening to this song.

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  3. Another new one to me…you’re on a roll! This is quite good, and obviously ‘boss-approved’. Honestly this one grabs me more than the Mink DeVille one yesterday, yet at least I knew their name. This guy’s not even been on my radar.

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    1. Look at the accolades this guy gets! His music is really good Dave. I picked this one out because it is commercial and radio friendly. I like the story of him watching Bruce and being called on the stage. Glad you liked it and thanks for giving it a try.

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      2. I never knew he opened for The Who…and to have two critically acclaimed albums…and then just walk away. Yea he has principles and sticks by them.

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    1. I listened to that album a few days ago…I love it man. He is an excellent songwriter…top teir. There will be more from him coming up. People are responding positive which is a good thing. I also just got an awesome comment on our original Garland Post.

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      1. So much music out there. Something about this kind of music and artist always resonated with me. Maybe that no bullshit personality comes through but in the end it’s the music that grabs me. Garland is in that group. I have a couple more for you down the line. Not New Yorkers but kindred spirits.

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      2. That is cool man I’m looking forward to them. These guys expand my music which is always a good thing. The songwriting with these latest guys…just incredible.

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    2. I just heard Wille Nile’s House Of A Thousand Guitars – now that is a track that has The Panther written all over it!

      Springsteen, of course, purloined the title for a track on his Letter To You album. He is a bit naughty like that, our Bruce. He has recycled other people’s titles endlessly throughout his career – Human Touch, Better Days, High Hopes, The Promised Land, Tunnel Of Love, Reason To Believe are just some that immediately spring to mind. There are many more.

      Places I Have Never Been is a great track too. Thanks for recommending it.

      While in a New York or Asbury Park state of mind, check out We Belong To The Night by Ellen Foley or Night Out, also by her, written by Philip Rambow (another “new Dylan”). Out On Bleeker Street by Soozie Tyrell is a good one too, and Passion Street by Southside Johnny, not forgetting Until The Night and Say Goodbye To Hollywood by Billy Joel.

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      1. Ok I’ll check those out Paul…cool thanks! I listened to Nile’s first two albums…they were great. I thought this track was a little more accessible to people to introduce…but yea I liked the album that CB reccomended also….and yea the title track to House of a Thousand Guitars…I think I said something on your Tom Petty post….I love name dropping in songs…so it IS right up my alley.

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      2. Doesnt surprise me that you’d dig it. I was telling Max he does a Dylan cover album if you’re into that sort of thing.
        Havent hard Ellen Foley’s name since she was singing with our buddy Ian Hunter. I’ll check those tunes out.

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    1. Thanks for giving it a try man…you see all the people who like him…his music is really good. I wasn’t sure if you would know him becasue of the New York connection.

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  6. I appreciate learning about Willie Nile and have to admire his philosophy about his music and his aversion to “the star-making machine.” Very cool story about his going to a concert and getting pulled up on stage by Bruce. It makes me love Bruce all the more. That’s a clear, clean, and wholesome pop song.

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    1. Yes it is… he does seem humble and I”m glad he still is out there doing what he loves…who walks away from a record deal? He stuck by his principles. Thanks for listening.

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  8. He and his music are new to me. I hear plenty of both Dylan and Springsteen in this song. It would have been nice to hear more of him on the radio, but I respect his commitment to his values where the music business is concerned.

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    1. Thank you for listening and reading. I was knocked out by who he knew and what they thought of him…I knew something had to be good…and it was. I just picked a commercial sounding song to introduce him…he has much better. Thank you again.

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    2. Hey…one of yours is coming first thing tomorrow morning….it’s one of the songs you had on your list and I’m pissed at myself for not thinking of it…it’s my favorite by the artist.

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      1. House Of A Thousand Guitars is just a killer of a song. I’ve played that several times in a row today. Thanks for turning me on to the Nile, man 🙂

        It’s also much better than the Springsteen song of the same name.

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  11. Pingback: Willie Nile – House of a Thousand Guitars – PowerPop… An Eclectic Collection of Pop Culture

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