Willie Nelson and his son Micah Nelson recorded “Die When I’m High” together, but the studio song was released in 2022—not as a new 2026 track. Micah, who records as Particle Kid, wrote it for his father after Willie supplied the title phrase during a family game night.
Who wrote “Die When I’m High”?
Micah Nelson wrote the song and performs as Particle Kid. He says the idea began in December 2020 while he and Willie were playing chess and dominoes. Willie reportedly said, “If I die when I’m high I’ll be halfway to heaven.” Micah recognized the line as a song title, and his father encouraged him to write the rest. The phrase is Willie’s reported speech as recounted by Micah, rather than a separately recorded statement from Willie. Particle Kid’s account
Micah says he wrote the song for his father that night: “That night I wrote it for him, about him. It’s really just a love letter to him. A tribute.” That context matters: the lyrics’ references to age, music and mortality are part of a tribute, not evidence of Willie’s health or plans. The artist page also publishes the lyrics.
What album is the song on?
The studio recording appears on Particle Kid’s album Time Capsule, released April 22, 2022. The track runs 3:33. It is listed under Particle Kid, Micah Nelson and Willie Nelson on Apple Music; the artist’s Bandcamp album page gives the release and track credits.
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- Easy Guitar with Notes & Tab
- Pages: 258
- Instrumentation: Guitar
Studio recording credits
- Micah Nelson: songwriter, vocals, bass, drums and guitar
- Willie Nelson: vocals and guitar
- Mickey Raphael: harmonica
- Gordon Zacharias: piano
- Micah Nelson, Gordon Zacharias and Steve Chadie: co-producers
How the song’s releases differ
There is also a separate live performance on the 2023 collection Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90 Live at the Hollywood Bowl. The official Willie Nelson store lists the collection and credits the live track to Particle Kid and Daniel Lanois. The store listing dates the release September 15, 2023. Apple Music’s live listing describes Micah taking the stage to sing the song. Apple Music’s live entry
| Version | Release | Credits and setting |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | Time Capsule, April 22, 2022 | Micah Nelson/Particle Kid and Willie Nelson, with Mickey Raphael and Gordon Zacharias; studio recording. |
| Live | Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90 Live at the Hollywood Bowl, September 15, 2023 | Official store track listing credits Particle Kid and Daniel Lanois; Apple Music describes Micah singing on stage. |
These are distinct catalog entries. Their credits and recording settings differ, so the live version should not be assumed to use the same arrangement or personnel as the studio recording.
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- Easy Guitar with Notes & Tab
- Pages: 122
- Instrumentation: Guitar
Release timeline
- December 2020: Micah places the title-origin conversation during games with his father.
- April 22, 2022: The studio track was released on Time Capsule.
- June 16, 2022: A press release announced the duet single and official video, noting that the video appeared ahead of the track’s DSP release. It also announced a limited wood-carved single for Outlaw Music Festival dates; that announcement does not establish present availability. Shock Ink announcement
- September 15, 2023: The live performance appeared on the Hollywood Bowl collection.
Where to listen
The studio song is listed on Apple Music and Amazon Music. Particle Kid’s Bandcamp album page offers the Time Capsule CD. Availability of the festival wood-carved single announced in 2022 is not established by that historical announcement.
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