Michael Bublé is more than happy to share studio time with his longtime hero Willie Nelson — but when it comes to getting high, he’s perfectly fine handling that on his own.
Appearing on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, the 46-year-old singer spoke fondly about collaborating with Nelson, 88, on his latest album. When a fan asked whether the two ever smoked marijuana together while recording their duet of “Crazy,” Bublé didn’t miss a beat.
“It was the greatest moment of my life because he’s been my hero forever,” Bublé said. “God bless Willie — and I don’t need anyone to help me get high.”
The duet appears on Higher, Bublé’s ninth studio album, released in March. The song choice carried deep personal meaning for the Canadian crooner, who has long admired Nelson not just as a songwriter, but as an artist on the level of music legends like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.
“I’ve always held Willie in the same esteem as Sinatra, Martin, and Bennett,” Bublé previously told Forbes. “When he put out Stardust, it was one of the greatest records ever made.”
While Patsy Cline’s version of “Crazy” is widely considered definitive, Bublé said Nelson’s original interpretation has always been the one closest to his heart. Working with him, he added, was a rare bucket-list moment. “There aren’t many heroes left,” he said. “Getting to work with mine was something special.”
During the same interview, Bublé also reflected on collaborating with Paul McCartney, who produced his cover of “My Valentine.” Comparing McCartney’s presence to a cinematic apparition, Bublé joked, “I think he might be part vampire. He just glides in — so cool.”
Ultimately, Higher represents more than just star-studded collaborations for Bublé. As he previously told PEOPLE, the album is a reflection of resilience. “It’s a celebration of what it took to survive,” he said. “A beautiful, scary, wonderful journey.”