Lukas Nelson Wrestles With Contentment On New Single “Born Runnin’ Outta Time”

Already shaping up to be a fantastic record.

Today, Lukas Nelson released the third single from his forthcoming solo debut album American Romance, a song called “Born Runnin’ Outta Time” which he wrote with Jon Decious and Nate Ferraro.

It has a cool, Tom Petty-esque feel to the production and finds him searching for balance between his own career as a musician while trying to maintain love, relationships and all of the other important things in life. He says he’s always struggled with striking that balance, and he ultimately strives to find peace in doing what you love, but knowing that ultimately, no matter what you achieve, it can never completely fulfill you:

“I’ve always wrestled with that impulse—the ambition versus the ability to appreciate what I have. Nothing you ever get will be good enough and nothing you ever achieve will fill that hole, so you must be able find peace now. Whatever comes is just icing on the cake.”

Lukas is of course the son of the great Willie Nelson, and this new record will be the first he’s done solo after his band Promise of the Real went on an indefinite hiatus last year. Each song thus far has showcased his incredible, very honest talent for songwriting that is unlike anyone else in country, but music in general. He definitely has a sound that’s a country/rock fusion, but it seems as though he’s ready to full lean into the country aspect of his roots on this project and I cannot wait, though I have to admit, albums like the band’s 2017 self-titled, which was heavily rock influenced, is one of my all-time favorites.

American Romance includes duets with Stephen Wilson Jr. and Sierra Ferrell, who he’s worked with many times… if you haven’t listened to their bluegrass cover of Adele’s “Someone Like You,” please change that now. You’re missing out. In terms of the project as a whole, Lukas says it’s the start of a “new era” and serves as a “love story to the country that raised me”:

“This album is the first chapter in a whole new era of my life as an artist. It’s a love story to the country that raised me. Diners and highways that carried me through the joy and pain that led to the music you hear now.”

His former band member Corey McCormick (bass) will appear on this album, and while Lukas is definitely a highly-respected favorite in the Americana/independent section of country, I’m excited for many in the the mainstream to be introduced to him as a solo artist because he really is incredible. Knowing that Shooter Jennings produced American Romance makes it all the more special as Shooter’s dad, a Mr. Waylon Jennings, was a close friend of Willie so it’s really cool to see them working together and I know they will make their dad’s very proud.

The album is due out everywhere on June 20th, and you can listen to “Born Runnin’ Outta Time” below.

“Born Runnin’ Outta Time”

American Romance tracklist:

1. Ain’t Done
2. Pretty Much
3. Make You Happy
4. Outsmarted
5. Disappearing Light (feat. Stephen Wilson Jr.)
6. Born Runnin’ Outta Time
7. All God Did
8. Montana
9. Friend in the End (feat. Sierra Ferrell)
10. The Lie
11. American Romance
12. You Were It

He has also released “Pretty Much” and ”

“Pretty Much”

“Ain’t Done”

Lukas Nelson 2025 Tour Dates:

June 4—Nashville, TN—Chief’s on Broadway
June 6—Nashville, TN—Ascend Amphitheater – CMA Fest
June 18—Nashville, TN—Gibson Garage
June 26—Milwaukee, WI—Summerfest 2025+
July 17—Charlottesville, VA—Jefferson Theater
July 18—Allentown, PA—Archer Music Hall
July 19—Trumansburg, NY—Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival 2025
July 23—Kingston, NY—Ulster Performing Arts Center
July 25—Rutland, VT—Paramount Theatre
July 26—Newport, RI—Newport Folk Festival
July 28—Deerfield, MA—Tree House Brewing Company
August 1—Big Sky, MT—Wildlands Festival#
August 2—Big Sky, MT—Wildlands Festival#
August 3—Rexford, MT—Abayance Bay Marina
August 6—Billings, MT—Pub Station
August 8—Park City, UT—Canyons Village at Park City
August 10—Alya, WY—Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival
September 13—Telluride, CO—Telluride Blues and Brews 2025
September 19-21—Bristol, TN—Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
September 26—Dana Point, CA—Ohana Festival
October 3-4—Memphis, TN—Mempho Music Festival
October 10—North Charleston, NC—Riverfront Revival Music Festival
+with Lainey Wilson
#with Dave MatthewsThe post Lukas Nelson Wrestles With Contentment On New Single “Born Runnin’ Outta Time” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.