40 years ago today (8/12/85), Neil Young released his fifteenth studio album, Old Ways, an album that served as his first full-on recording into country, despite having written many other country-influenced tunes earlier. Young had initially begun recording a country album in 1983 with the International Harvesters, but label pushback (Geffen Records wanted something more “rock”) shelved that version. After delivering and releasing other projects, Young circled back, re-cutting and reworking the material until Old Ways emerged.

Musically, it’s steeped in traditional country sounds: pedal steel, fiddle, banjo, and a lineup of Nashville pros including Ben Keith, Spooner Oldham, and Rufus Thibodeaux. The album also features a couple of notable guest spots—Willie Nelson duets with Young on “Are There Any More Real Cowboys?” and Waylon Jennings joins in on “Bound for Glory,” giving the project genuine outlaw country credibility. Check out the previously mentioned tune below…