Jennings then worked as a DJ in Coolidge, Arizona, and Phoenix. He formed a rockabilly club band, The Waylors. He recorded for independent label Trend Records and A&M Records before succeeding with RCA Victor after achieving creative control.
During the 1970s, Jennings was instrumental in the inception of Outlaw country movement. He released critically acclaimed albums Lonesome, On'ry and Mean and Honky Tonk Heroes followed by hit albums Dreaming My Dreams as well as Are You Ready for the Country. In 1976, he released the album Wanted! The Outlaws with Willie Nelson, Tompall Glaser, and Jessi Colter, the first platinum country music album. That success was followed by Ol' Waylon and the hit song "Luckenbach, Texas". Jennings was featured in the 1978 album White Mansions performed by various artists documenting the lives of people in the Confederacy during the Civil War. The songs on the album were written by Paul Kennerley. By the early 1980s, Jennings was struggling with a cocaine addiction, which he quit in 1984. Later, he joined the country supergroup The Highwaymen with Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Johnny Cash, which released three albums between 1985 and 1995. During that period, Jennings released the successful album Will the Wolf Survive. He toured less after 1997 to spend more time with his family. Between 1999 and 2001, his appearances were limited by health problems. On February 13, 2002, Jennings died from complications of diabetes.
Jennings also appeared in films and television series. He was the balladeer for The Dukes of Hazzard, composing and singing the show's theme song and providing narration for the show. In 2001, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, which he chose not to attend. In 2007, he was posthumously awarded the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award by the Academy of Country Music.
Jennings's music was characterized by his "powerful" singing voice, noted by his "rough-edged quality", as well as his phrasing and texture. He was also recognized for his "spanky-twang" guitar style. To create his sound, he used a pronounced 'phaser' effect' plus a mixture of thumb and fingers during the rhythmic parts, while using picks for the lead runs. He combined hammer-on and pull-off riffs, with eventual upper-fret double stops and modulation effects. Jennings played a 1953 Fender Telecaster, a used guitar that was a gift from The Waylors. Jennings's bandmates adorned his guitar with a distinctive leather cover that featured a black background with a white floral work. Jennings further customized it by filing down the frets to lower the strings on the neck to obtain the slapping sound. Among his other guitars, Jennings used a 1950 Fender Broadcaster from the mid-1970s, until he gave it to guitarist Reggie Young in 1993. The leather covers of his guitars were carved by leather artist Terry Lankford.
His signature image was characterized by his long hair and beard, as well as his black hat and the black leather vest he wore during his appearances.
Jennings's music had a major influence on several neotraditionalist and alternative country artists, including Hank Williams Jr., The Marshall Tucker Band,[124] Travis Tritt, Steve Earle, Jamey Johnson, John Anderson, his son, Shooter Jennings, Sturgill Simpson, and Hank Williams III.
In 2008, his first posthumous album, Waylon Forever, was released. The album consisted of songs recorded with his son Shooter when he was 16. In 2012, Waylon: The Music Inside a three-volume project, consisting of covers of Jennings's songs by different artists, was released. The same year, it was announced for September the release of Goin' Down Rockin': The Last Recordings, a set of 12 songs recorded by Jennings and bassist Robby Turner before his death in 2002. Jennings's family was reluctant to release any new material because they did not feel comfortable at the time. The songs only featured Jennings and Turner on the bass, while further accompaniment would be added later. Ten years after, Turner completed the recordings with the help of former Waylors. The Jennings family approved the release despite the launch of a new business focused on his estate. Shooter Jennings arranged deals for a clothing line, while also launching a renewed website, and started talks with different producers about the making of a biographical film.
Big Mamou
Waylon Jennings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've never seem to see you for the good times or the sunshine
You have been a friend of mine, rainy day woman
That woman of mine she ain't happy
Unless she finds something wrong and has someone to blame
If it ain't one thing it's another one on the way
It sure as hell looks just like rain
I know where to go on a cloudy day
Oh rainy day woman
I've never seem to see you for the good times or the sunshine
You have been a friend of mine, rainy day woman
Oh rainy day woman
I've never seem to see you for the good times or the sunshine
You have been a friend of mine, rainy day woman
The song "Big Mamou" by Waylon Jennings carries a deeper meaning than just a simple tribute to rainy days. The opening lyrics refer to a "rainy day woman" who is always present during bad days or difficult times. This woman is a constant companion through hardships, and the singer of the song wonders if he will ever see her during good times or sunny days.
The second verse of the song speaks about the singer's troubled relationship with his partner, who always seems to be unhappy and looking for something to blame. Even when things are going well, she manages to find something to be dissatisfied with. The chorus ties this back to the rainy day woman, suggesting that she represents the negativity and pessimism that pervades the singer's life.
The final verse deals directly with the weather, with the singer waking up to the "sunshine" that "sure as hell looks just like rain." Despite this, he knows where to turn on a cloudy day - to the "rainy day woman" who has been a friend to him through thick and thin.
Overall, "Big Mamou" can be read as a cautionary tale about negativity and the dangers of always looking for the negative side of things. The singer recognizes the negative influence that the "rainy day woman" has on his life and seems to be searching for a way to break free from her hold.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh rainy day woman
Addressing a certain woman as a 'rainy day woman' - one who is always associated with gloomy and unhappy times.
I've never seem to see you for the good times or the sunshine
Expressing that the woman in question only seems to appear during times of rain and misery, never during happy or sunny times.
You have been a friend of mine, rainy day woman
Acknowledging that despite the woman being only present during tough times, she has still been a reliable friend for support.
That woman of mine she ain't happy
Referring to a specific woman who is never content and always looking for reasons to be unhappy.
Unless she finds something wrong and has someone to blame
Highlighting how the woman in question always needs to point fingers and find fault in order to feel fulfilled.
If it ain't one thing it's another one on the way
Emphasizing how there always seems to be something that upsets her, with more issues on their way.
I woke up this morning to the sunshine
Noticing a rare moment of good weather in the morning.
It sure as hell looks just like rain
Despite the sunshine, feeling a sense of impending doom and misery.
I know where to go on a cloudy day
Having a reliable retreat to turn to during times of gloom and uncertainty.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CLIFTON CHENIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jensen Salas
This is one of my favorite Waylon songs. Never get tired of listening to him!
Nathanaël Mini
Big mamou is an American song of the American Waylon Jennings.
She Crafts Everywhere
Same!!!
I displease the crown
Chet Atkins produced this, if I'm not mistaken, around 1964. Pretty heavy rhythm section for '64. Waylon took it to another level. Great song!
Isaac Sainnawap
I love this song, anytime, anywhere.
Nathanaël Mini
This is my favorite song of Waylon Jennings.
69ChevroletNova
I love this song great song by Waylon
SHIRLEY HOLT
HE IS THE MAN!!!!!!
fredrick gates
Waylon!! The best ever!!
Alex Gilchrist
Some great steel guitar in this the best I have heard in a long time