Released in 1978, Stardust is a collection of pop standards that marked a departure from the laid-back 'outlaw' country sound Nelson had become internationally famous for thanks to albums like Phases and Stages, Red Headed Stranger, and Wanted! The Outlaws.

On Stardust, Willie offered superb, pared-down versions of jazz-pop standards like Hoagy Carmichael's "Georgia On My Mind," Irving Berlin's "Blue Skies," and Kurt Weill's "September Song." The album opened up his musical world considerably�it also went platinum within a year and has since sold more than five times that amount.