Across the Borderline is the 40th studio album by Willie Nelson. It was produced by Don Was, Paul Simon, and Roy Halee. It includes songs written by Paul Simon, Ry Cooder, John Hiatt, Peter Gabriel, Bob Dylan, Lyle Lovett, and Nelson himself. Featured performers include David Crosby, Kris Kristofferson, Sinéad O'Connor, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, and Paul Simon.

Across the Borderline
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 23, 1993
RecordedAugust–December 1992
GenreCountry, country rock
LabelColumbia
ProducerDon Was, Paul Simon, Roy Halee
Willie Nelson chronology
The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?
(1992)
Across the Borderline
(1993)
Moonlight Becomes You
(1994)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Calgary HeraldA[2]
Robert Christgau[3]
Entertainment WeeklyA[4]
Music Week[5]
The Observer(favorable)[6]

The title track, "Across the Borderline", was written by Ry Cooder, John Hiatt, and Jim Dickinson. It is a remake of a song by Freddy Fender, which was featured on the motion picture soundtrack for The Border starring Jack Nicholson.

"Don't Give Up" was performed by Nelson with Sinéad O'Connor singing the part sung by Kate Bush on the original Peter Gabriel recording.

Bonnie Raitt duets with Nelson on "Getting Over You".

Nelson and Bob Dylan wrote and performed a new composition, "Heartland", for this album.

Paul Simon duets with Nelson on his composition "American Tune".

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Willie Nelson, except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."American Tune" (duet with Paul Simon)Paul Simon4:20
2."Getting Over You" (duet with Bonnie Raitt)Stephen Bruton4:03
3."(The) Most Unoriginal Sin"John Hiatt4:48
4."Don't Give Up" (duet with Sinéad O'Connor)Peter Gabriel6:58
5."Heartland" (duet with Bob Dylan)Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson4:32
6."Across the Borderline"Jim Dickinson, John Hiatt, Ry Cooder4:40
7."Graceland"Paul Simon4:44
8."Farther Down the Line"Lyle Lovett3:14
9."Valentine" 3:36
10."What Was It You Wanted"Bob Dylan5:24
11."I Love the Life I Live"Willie Dixon3:09
12."If I Were the Man You Wanted"Lyle Lovett3:37
13."She's Not for You" 3:15
14."Still Is Still Moving to Me" 3:30
Total length:59:59

Personnel

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Norway (IFPI Norway)[7] Gold 25,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Notes

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  1. ^ https://www.allmusic.com/album/r169205
  2. ^ Obee, Dave (11 April 1993). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald.
  3. ^ Christgau, Robert. "Robert Christgau: CG: Willie Nelson". robertchristgau.com. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  4. ^ Tucker, Ken (2 April 1993). "Across the Borderline". Entertainment Weekly.
  5. ^ Faux, Karen (22 May 1993). "Market Preview: Country — Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. p. 8. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  6. ^ Spencer, Neil (16 May 1993). "Pop Releases". The Observer.
  7. ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.