Luckenbach Texas
The Highwaymen Lyrics


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The only two things in life that make it worth livin'
Is guitars that tune good and firm feelin' women
I don't need my name in the marquee lights
I got my song and I got you with me tonight
Maybe it's time we got back to the basics of love

Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas
With Waylon and Willie and the boys
This successful life we're livin'
Got us feuding like the Hatfields and McCoys
Between Hank Williams' pain songs and
Newbury's train songs and "Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain"
Out in Luckenbach, Texas ain't nobody feelin' no pain

So baby, let's sell your diamond ring
Buy some boots and faded jeans and go away
This coat and tie is choking me
In your high society, you cry all day
We've been so busy keepin' up with the Jones
Four car garage and we're still building on
Maybe it's time we got back to the basics of love

Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas
With Waylon and Willie and the boys
This successful life we're livin' got us feudin'
Like the Hatfield and McCoys
Between Hank Williams' pain songs and
Newbury's train songs and "Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain"
Out in Luckenbach, Texas ain't nobody feelin' no pain

Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas
Willie and Waylon and the boys
This successful life we're livin's got us feudin'
Like the Hatfield and McCoys
Between Hank Williams' pain songs




And Jerry Jeff's train songs and "Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain"
Out in Luckenbach, Texas there ain't nobody feelin' no pain

Overall Meaning

The Highwaymen's song "Luckenbach Texas" is a tribute to a simpler way of life and true happiness. The song opens with the notion that there are only two things that make life worth living: guitars that tune well and solid relationships with "firm feelin' women." The singer then laments the façade of success and materialism that he and his companion have been chasing rather than focusing on what truly matters in their lives. He proposes selling their diamond ring, buying boots and faded jeans, and getting back to the basics of love. To escape the pressures of their societal obligations, the singer urges his companion to join him in the small town of Luckenbach, Texas. There, they can be free from the stresses of the competitive world, and instead, immerse themselves in a community where the only pain being felt is the emotional pain present in the songs of Hank Williams and other country music legends.


The song's message is steeped in the idea of returning to the root of what makes life worth living. The desire to live a simplified life and enjoy the company of like-minded and genuine individuals is conveyed through the nostalgic image of four of country music's legends – Waylon, Willie, Hank, and Jerry Jeff – in the town of Luckenback, surrounded by the music they grounded themselves in. The singer urges his companion to step away from the world they've been living in and experience life through the lens of those who inspire them musically. The song romanticizes the notion of getting back to the basics of love and living, in a world where happiness is found through simplicity rather than materialism.


Line by Line Meaning

The only two things in life that make it worth livin'
Life is only valuable when you have two things


Is guitars that tune good and firm feelin' women
Those two things are guitars that are in tune and women who are emotionally grounded


I don't need my name in the marquee lights
Fame is not important to me


I got my song and I got you with me tonight
I have my music and I have you, and that's all I need tonight


Maybe it's time we got back to the basics of love
Perhaps it's time to return to the simple things in love


Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas
Let's travel to Luckenbach, Texas


With Waylon and Willie and the boys
And spend time with Waylon and Willie and their friends


This successful life we're livin'
Our lives are full of success


Got us feuding like the Hatfields and McCoys
Has caused us to argue like two infamous families


Between Hank Williams' pain songs and
With a choice between Hank Williams' sorrowful music and


Newbury's train songs and "Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain"
Newbury's ballads about trains and "Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain"


Out in Luckenbach, Texas ain't nobody feelin' no pain
No one is feeling any emotional pain in Luckenbach, Texas


So baby, let's sell your diamond ring
My dear, let's get rid of your expensive ring


Buy some boots and faded jeans and go away
Purchase some casual clothing and go on a trip


This coat and tie is choking me
Wearing formal attire is uncomfortable for me


In your high society, you cry all day
In your wealthy social circle, you are constantly upset


We've been so busy keepin' up with the Jones
We have been occupied with keeping up with our neighbors


Four car garage and we're still building on
We have a four-car garage and are still adding to it


Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas
Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas


With Waylon and Willie and the boys
And spend time with Waylon and Willie and their friends


This successful life we're livin' got us feudin'
Our successful lives have caused us to argue


Like the Hatfield and McCoys
Like two famous feuding families


Between Hank Williams' pain songs and
With a choice between Hank William's sorrowful music and


Newbury's train songs and "Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain"
Newbury's ballads about trains and "Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain"


Out in Luckenbach, Texas ain't nobody feelin' no pain
No one is feeling any emotional pain in Luckenbach, Texas


Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas
Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas


Willie and Waylon and the boys
And spend time with Willie, Waylon, and their friends


This successful life we're livin's got us feudin'
Our successful lives have caused us to argue


Like the Hatfield and McCoys
Like two famous feuding families


Between Hank Williams' pain songs
With a choice between Hank William's sorrowful music


And Jerry Jeff's train songs and "Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain"
And Jerry Jeff's ballads about trains and "Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain"


Out in Luckenbach, Texas there ain't nobody feelin' no pain
No one is feeling any emotional pain in Luckenbach, Texas




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bobby Emmons, Chips Moman

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@brian22067

Culturally significant. The future generations will thank you for putting this on YouTube.

@kiotihamada9477

Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson on stage together. Only on Youtube will the world see such talent again.

@RCAddictdez

At least Not in our lifetime

@lisamoreno7973

Yes indeed. That goodness for YouTube that we can still enjoy the best ones.

@lisamoreno7973

Thank goodness

@user-iv1wr2uy4j

Ты чертовски прав!

@chrisaustin8182

@RCAddict.dez 7

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@NoahClevinger

0:37 The way Waylon looks and smiles at Willie. Priceless.

@Mysterious13138

You’re priceless

@patrickellis1151

It always makes me smile when I see it

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