Tumbling Tumbleweeds

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Tumbling Tumbleweeds"
"Tumbling Tumbleweeds" cover
Single by Sons of the Pioneers
Released c. 1934
Genre Cowboy songs
Length 2:40
Writer(s) Bob Nolan

"Tumbling Tumbleweeds" is a song composed by Bob Nolan, one of the founding (albeit reluctant) members of the Sons of the Pioneers. Although one of the most famous songs associated with cowboys, the song was composed by Nolan back in the 1930's while he was working as a caddy and living in Los Angeles. Originally titled "Tumbling Tumble Leaves", the song was reworked into the title "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" and into fame with the Gene Autry film of the same name. The song is featured in an episode of The Odd Couple TV show and it is also used at the start of the film The Big Lebowski while the camera follows a tumbleweed rolling into Los Angeles.

The song also appears on Michael Nesmith and the First National Band's album Nevada Fighter and The Meat Puppets' 1990 album No Strings Attached.

Also, Jack Palance recites this song in his Oscar winning role as Curly in the movie City Slickers as Mitch Billy Crystal plays the Harmonica. Jack plays a sturdy cowboy in the movie, while Billy is a city slicker.