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.
Ladies Love Outlaws
Waylon Jennings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leroy was an outlaw hard and mean
One day she saw him starin' and it chilled her to the bone
And she knew she had to see that look on a child of her own
'Cause ladies love outlaws
Like babies love stray dogs
Ladies touch babies like a banker touches gold
Linda was a lady, blonde and built to last
And Billy was a no good guitar picker runnin' from his past
She heard all of his songs tellin' nothin' but bad news
But she made her mind up to try to get him win or lose
Ladies love outlaws
Like babies love stray dogs
Ladies touch babies like a banker touches gold
Outlaws touch ladies somewhere deep down in their soul
Jessi like the Cadillacs and diamonds on her hands
Waymore had a reputation as a ladies man
Late one night her light of love finally gave a sign
Jessi parked her Cadillac and took her place in line
'Cause ladies love outlaws
Like babies love stray dogs
Ladies touch babies like a banker touches gold
And outlaws touch ladies somewhere deep down in their soul
Ladies love outlaws
Like babies love stray dogs
Ladies touch babies like a banker touches gold
Outlaws touch the ladies somewhere deep down in their soul
In the song "Ladies Love Outlaws," Waylon Jennings presents us with a narrative of three relationships: one between Bessie and Leroy, the second between Linda and Billy, and the third between Jessi and Waymore. In the first stanza, we are introduced to Bessie, who falls in love with Leroy, an outlaw who scares her to the bone. Nevertheless, she becomes so drawn to his dangerous persona that she desires a child to have his looks. In the second verse, we meet Linda, who is attracted to Billy, a musician, despite his bad-boy image. She decides to give him a chance and help him turn his life around. Finally, in the third verse, we see Jessi, who loves Waymore, a notorious womanizer. Despite his reputation, however, Jessi feels drawn to him, and one night she gives a sign of her interest and takes her place in line.
Overall, "Ladies Love Outlaws" highlights the female attraction to bad boys, specifically outlaws or those who break the rules. The lyrics suggest that women are enamored by men who are dangerous, unpredictable, and, most importantly, independent. The chorus, "Ladies love outlaws like babies love stray dogs," emphasizes this idea, indicating that women love men who they cannot control or predict. The analogy of comparing ladies to bankers, who value gold highly, highlights the importance of the attraction that outlaws hold for women in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Bessie was a lovely child from West Tennessee
Bessie was a beautiful and charming young girl from the state of Tennessee in the Western part of United States.
Leroy was an outlaw hard and mean
Leroy was a cruel and tough criminal who lived outside the bounds of law and order.
One day she saw him starin' and it chilled her to the bone
One day Bessie saw Leroy staring at her intently, and it made her feel extremely frightened and uneasy.
And she knew she had to see that look on a child of her own
Even though Leroy scared her, Bessie felt that she needed to see that same type of fierce intensity in her own child someday.
'Cause ladies love outlaws
The reason that women are drawn to outlaws is that they embody a certain rebelliousness and danger that is exciting and enticing.
Like babies love stray dogs
This attraction is similar to the way that children are drawn to lost or unwanted animals like dogs.
Ladies touch babies like a banker touches gold
Just as bankers have a strong desire to acquire gold and other valuable assets, women have an innate desire to nurture and care for infants and young children.
Outlaws touch ladies somewhere deep down in their soul
Similarly, men who live outside the boundaries of society can have a deep and powerful effect on women that touches something primal and instinctual within them.
Linda was a lady, blonde and built to last
Linda was an attractive and strong woman, with bright blonde hair and a sturdy physique.
And Billy was a no good guitar picker runnin' from his past
Billy was a musician who had a troubled and difficult past, and was always on the run from something.
She heard all of his songs tellin' nothin' but bad news
Linda had listened to all of Billy's music, which was filled with tales of hardship and misfortune.
But she made her mind up to try to get him win or lose
Despite his troubles, Linda resolved to pursue a relationship with Billy, regardless of the risks involved.
Jessi like the Cadillacs and diamonds on her hands
Jessi was a woman who enjoyed the finer things in life, such as luxury cars and expensive jewelry.
Waymore had a reputation as a ladies man
Waymore was a man who was known for his ability to attract and seduce women.
Late one night her light of love finally gave a sign
One night, Jessi finally gave in to her desire for Waymore and made her affections known.
Jessi parked her Cadillac and took her place in line
Jessi abandoned her love for luxurious possessions and joined the queue of women competing for Waymore's attention.
And outlaws touch the ladies somewhere deep down in their soul
Men who defy social norms and expectations can evoke powerful emotions in women that resonate on a fundamental level within them.
Ladies love outlaws
The allure of outlaws to women is an age-old phenomenon that continues to fascinate and intrigue us to this day.
Like babies love stray dogs
The pull towards danger and excitement that is embodied by outlaws can be compared to the way that children are inexplicably drawn towards stray or abandoned animals.
Ladies touch babies like a banker touches gold
The way that women care for and nurture children is similar to the way that bankers and other financial professionals are drawn to and prize valuable commodities like gold.
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lee Clayton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mikey Bourke
Bessie was a lovely child from west Tennessee
Leroy was an outlaw wild as a mink
One day she saw him starin' and it chilled her to the bone
And she knew she had to see that look on a child of her own.
'Cause ladies love outlaws like babies love stray dogs
Ladies touch babies like a banker touches gold
And outlaws touch the ladies
Somewhere deep down in their soul.
Linda was a lady blonde and built to last
Benny was a no good guitar picker runnin' from his past
She heard all of his songs tellin' nothin' but bad news
But she made her mind up to try to get him win or lose.
Ladies love outlaws like babies love stray dogs
Ladies touch babies like a banker touches gold
And outlaws touch the ladies
Somewhere deep down in their soul.
Jessi like the Cadillacs and diamonds on her hands
Waymore had a reputation as a ladies man
Late one night a light of love finally gave a sign
Jessi parked her Cadillac and took her place in line.
'Cause ladies love outlaws like babies love stray dogs
Ladies touch babies like a banker touches gold
And outlaws touch the ladies
Somewhere deep down in their soul.
Ladies love outlaws like babies love stray dogs
Ladies touch babies like a banker touches gold
And outlaws touch the ladies
Somewhere deep down in their soul
Catherine S. Todd
"Ladies Love Outlaws"
Bessie was a lovely child from west Tennessee
Leroy was an outlaw wild as a mink
One day she saw him starin' and it chilled her to the bone
And she knew she had to see that look on a child of her own.
'Cause ladies love outlaws like babies love stray dogs
Ladies touch babies like a banker touches gold
And outlaws touch the ladies
Somewhere deep down in their soul.
Linda was a lady blonde and built to last
Benny was a no good guitar picker runnin' from his past
She heard all of his songs tellin' nothin' but bad news
But she made her mind up to try to get him win or lose.
Ladies love outlaws like babies love stray dogs
Ladies touch babies like a banker touches gold
And outlaws touch the ladies
Somewhere deep down in their soul.
Jessi like the Cadillacs and diamonds on her hands
Waymore had a reputation as a ladie's man
Late one night a light of love finally gave a sign
Jessi parked her Cadillac and took her place in line.
'Cause ladies love outlaws like babies love stray dogs
Ladies touch babies like a banker touches gold
And outlaws touch the ladies
Somewhere deep down in their soul.
Ladies love outlaws like babies love stray dogs
Ladies touch babies like a banker touches gold
And outlaws touch the ladies
Somewhere deep down in their soul...
songwriter: LEE CLAYTON
verkaforever
Waylon Jennings was, is and always will be one of the all-time country greats.
CUPCAKESUGARPIE
You got that right!!!πΌβ€οΈπΌ
verkaforever
@CUPCAKESUGARPIE I particularly love the way he growls "stray dogs" on this song.
Teresa Wallace
I agree 100%
Loki
Hes #1
jenni claire
Waylon was just too fabulous for words. I must've been in love with him now for nearly 40 years and he still sounds as good as ever
KeeStone47
Waylon is one of a kind. RIP.
Clinton Watrin
KeeStone47 I loved playing this song at the May concert in 2016. "Dad, if your spirit is rolling around tonight, I hope you hear this. This is for you."
Scott Cardwell
by far the greatest country music singer of all time.
Ramhag Ramhag
Scott Cardwell - no mighty Merle Haggard