About the song
There’s something undeniably comforting about hearing Willie Nelson’s voice—warm, weathered, and unhurried, like a well-loved quilt pulled around your shoulders on a quiet evening. For decades, Willie has been the voice of a generation, bridging traditional country, jazz, blues, and even pop standards with effortless grace. And with his rendition of “I Can’t Begin to Tell You,” Nelson invites listeners into a softer, more sentimental space—a timeless ballad wrapped in velvet tones and gentle reflection.
Originally penned in 1945 by James V. Monaco with lyrics by Mack Gordon, “I Can’t Begin to Tell You” became a major hit in the post-war era, most famously recorded by Bing Crosby with Carmen Cavallaro. Back then, it spoke to a world still aching from loss and learning how to love again. In Willie Nelson’s hands, however, the song takes on a different hue—not just nostalgic, but deeply personal, with all the emotion of a man who’s lived every word he sings.
Nelson’s approach to the song is, as always, deceptively simple. He doesn’t crowd the melody with flourishes or force sentimentality; instead, he lets the lyrics do the talking, carried on his unmistakable phrasing and the easy swing of his Trigger guitar. The result is a performance that feels intimate, as though he’s playing not to a crowd, but to one person sitting across the table in a quiet room.
What makes this version stand out is how Nelson’s seasoned voice gives new weight to lines like, “I can’t begin to tell you how much you mean to me.” When he sings it, it doesn’t feel like a line from a love song—it feels like a confession. A whispered truth from someone who’s maybe missed their chance once or twice before, and knows the value of saying the right thing before it’s too late.
Willie Nelson’s take on “I Can’t Begin to Tell You” isn’t about recreating a bygone era. It’s about revisiting it with wisdom and warmth, showing us that love songs never go out of style, especially when sung by someone who knows just how much those words can mean.
Video
Lyrics
I can’t begin to tell you
How much you mean to me
My world would end if ever we were through
I can’t begin to tell you
How happy I would be
If I could speak my mind like others do
I make such pretty speeches
Whenever we’re apart
But when you’re near
The words I choose
Refuse to leave my heart
So, take the sweetest phrases
The world has ever known
And make believe
I’ve said them all to you
I make such pretty speeches
Whenever we’re apart
But when you’re near
The words I choose
Refuse to leave my heart
So, take the sweetest phrases
The world has ever known
And make believe
I’ve said them all to you.
