Willie Nelson – “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die” (feat. Snoop Dogg, Kris Kristofferson & Jamey Johnson)

Leave it to Willie Nelson to turn the topic of death into a toe-tapping, smoke-filled celebration of life. Released — fittingly — on April 20, 2012 (yes, that 4/20), “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die” is a rebel anthem wrapped in humor, heart, and haze. It’s a country song that doesn’t mourn the end — it grins at it, lighter in hand.

Willie, by then already a living legend and cultural icon, leaned into his reputation as the patron saint of pot and country’s most laid-back philosopher. But this wasn’t just a novelty tune or a weed-laced joke — it was his way of staring down mortality with a wink and a song. In true outlaw fashion, Willie reframes death not as something to fear, but as another excuse to gather friends, pass the joint, and sing a few more verses.

 And what a gathering it was. Along for the ride are Kris Kristofferson, Jamey Johnson, and none other than Snoop Dogg — a cross-genre collaboration as audacious as it is inspired. From honky-tonk swagger to laid-back West Coast cool, each voice adds a layer to the song’s charm, creating a musical campfire of misfits and legends.

 Musically, the track blends classic country twang with a rolling groove that feels both relaxed and defiant. The lyrics are as tongue-in-cheek as they are strangely profound:

“Take me out and build a roaring fire / And roll me in the flames for about an hour…”

It’s not just about getting high — it’s about letting go. About turning death into dust, and dust into smoke. It’s gallows humor set to guitar — and it lands beautifully.

 The song’s brilliance lies in its ability to be both irreverent and sincere. It’s Willie at his Willie-est: a man who’s seen it all, smoked it all, and still believes in friendship, freedom, and a good laugh at the end of the road.

The verdict?
It’s irreverent. It’s iconic.
It’s country with a twist — and pure Willie Nelson through and through.