Introduction
“Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground” is a heartfelt ballad written and performed by Willie Nelson. Initially composed around 1976 , it first appeared on the soundtrack to the 1980 musical drama film Honeysuckle Rose, in which Nelson starred as a struggling country singer . Released as a single in January 1981, it became his seventh No. 1 country hit, remaining at the top for one week and spending fourteen weeks on the country charts.
The lyrics describe a man who rescues an emotionally wounded “angel,” only to realize he must let her go when she becomes strong enough to fly on her own—a bittersweet metaphor for love, healing, and surrender . Although fans speculate the “angel” may refer to personal relationships in Nelson’s life—notably his wife Connie Koepke or friend Charlie Tinsley—Nelson has never confirmed any specific inspiration .
Over the years, the song has been widely covered—by Bob Dylan (who recorded it during the Infidels sessions, later released on the Bootleg Series) and Alison Krauss, among others
In February 1984, Willie and his Family band embarked on their first tour of Japan, opening with a landmark concert at Nippon Budokan Arena in Tokyo. On February 23, they performed “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground”, a rendition captured on video and audio, though initially released only in Japan—on LaserDisc, with no official U.S. release for decades .
That historic Budokan performance was eventually issued worldwide by Legacy Recordings in November 2022, as part of Live at Budokan, remixed by harmonica legend Mickey Raphael and restored to high-definition audio and video quality