Waylon Arnold Jennings (June 15, 1937 – February 13, 2002) was an American … Read Full Bio ↴Waylon Arnold Jennings (June 15, 1937 – February 13, 2002) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing guitar at eight and began performing at 14 on KVOW radio. His first band was The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a DJ on KVOW, KDAV, KYTI, and KLLL. In 1958, Buddy Holly arranged Jennings's first recording session, of "Jole Blon" and "When Sin Stops (Love Begins)". Holly hired him to play bass. In Clear Lake, Iowa, the story is told that Jennings gave up his seat on the ill-fated flight in 1959 that crashed and killed Holly, J. P. Richardson, Ritchie Valens, and pilot Roger Peterson.

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.

Peggy Sue
Waylon Jennings Lyrics

We have lyrics for these tracks by Waylon Jennings:

(Don't Let the Sun Set on You) Tulsa When I left Tulsa Jamie was an innocent young lady God…
A Couple More Years I've got a couple more years on you, baby,that's all. I've…
A Good Hearted Woman A long time forgotten are dreams that just fell by the…
A Legend In My Time If heartaches brought fame in love's crazy game I'd be a…
A Long Time Ago You tell me today that you're leaving But just think a…
A Love Song Down the dusty Dixie road my old Levi's draggin' tracks Nobo…
A World of Our Own We'll build the world of our own that no one…
Abilene Abilene, Abilene, Prettiest town I've ever seen Women there …
Ain Go away from my window Leave at your own chosen speed I'm…

AIN'T GO GOD IN MEXICO Down the road a ways I have heard say a…
Ain't Livin' Long Like This I look for trouble and I found it son Straight down…
Ain't No God in Mexico Down the road a ways I have heard say a…
Aint Livin Long Like This I look for trouble and I found it son Straight down…
All Around Cowboy Just a broken down cowboy all down on his luck…
All of Me Belongs to Me All of me why not take all of me Can't…
All of Me Belongs to You All of me belongs to you all the time You're the…
Alone Isn't there anyone Who'll take me like I am? Someone who's w…
Always on My Mind I grew up a-dreamin' of bein' a cowboy Lovin' the cowboy…
Amanda I've held it all inward, God knows, I've tried But it's…
America Some have said, down through history If you last it's a…
American Remains I am a shotgun rider for the San Jacinto line The…
Angels Love Bad Men When his stolen gold has turned to rust He rides off…
Anita Anita, come closer Stop crying and listen to me I guess it's…
Another Blue Day Disappointments weigh so heavy Leave it's wreckage all aroun…
Another Bridge to Burn I've had to burn most every bridge I've crossed It seems…
Are You Ready For The Country Slippin' and a slidin' playin' Dominos leftin' and a rightin…
Are You Sure Hank Did It This Way Lord, it's the same old tune, fiddle and guitar Where do…
Are You Sure Hank Done It This Lord it's the same old tune, fiddle and guitar Where do…
Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way Lord, it's the same old tune, fiddle and guitar Where do…
Away In a Manger Away in a manger No crib for His bed The little Lord…
Baby Don't Be Looking in My Mind Baby don′t be looking in my mind You might not like…
Baker Street Winding your way down on Baker Street Lite in your head…
Be Careful Of Stones You Throw [Chorus] A tongue can accuse and carry bad news The seeds of…
Be Mine When the green, green spring Is waiting for the sun to…
Beautiful Annabel Lee I was a child and she was a child Yet our…
Belle Of The Ball A vagabond dreamer, a rhymer and singer of songs Singing to…
Between Fathers And Sons My father had so much to tell me, things he…
Big Big Love Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry, And I…
Big D Stranded here in Dallas cold and hungry I ain't got…
Big Mamou Oh rainy day woman I've never seem to see you for…
Billy Billy we've come along way together and through it all You'v…
Black Rose Way down in Virginia Amongst the tall grown sugar canes…
Blame It on the Kellys As you sit there in your loneliness, Confused as you must…
Blues Come Around Waylon Jennings & Bobby Bare Come on home and sing the…
Bob Wills Is Still the King Here's a song I wrote on a plane Between Dallas and…
Born and Raised In Black and White The wind blows hard across the Texas planes Makes some peopl…
Born to Love You Born to love only you destined to die alone without…
Brand New Goodbye Song Baby, go down to the drugstore, buy me a guitar…
Breakin Down I've been a fool, fool, such a fool I've been a…
Breakin' Down I've been a fool, fool, such a fool I've been a…
Bridge Over Troubled Water [ with Jessi Colter ] When you're weary feeling small when…
Brown Eyed Handsome Man Flying cross the desert in a TWA Saw a women walking Cross…
Brown-Eyed Handsome Man Flying across the desert in a TWA I saw a woman…
Burning Memories Burning memories Teardrops fall while I am Burning memories …
Busted My bills are all due and the baby needs shoes.…
But That's Alright I gave my heart, I gave my all You built me…
But You Know I Love You When the morning sun streaks across my room And I'm wakened…
Cactus Texas Do you remember Cactus Texas Nothing but a wide place in…
California Sunshine Go west young man the signs all seem to say…
Can Take back the weed, take back the cocaine baby Take back…
Can't You See Gonna catch a freight train as far as I can…
Carnival Song I've been quite the traveler ever since I hit the…
Casey's Last Ride Casey joins the hollow sound of silent people walking down T…
Cedartown I got a gal in Cedartown Georgia I used to…
Change My Mind If I should get a look of leavin' in my…
Chapter Eight... Jessi: You Deserve The Stars In My Crown You're the one who took the time Looked for a reason…
Chapter Five... Nasville: If Old Hank Could Only See Us Now If ole Hank could only see us now If he could…
Chapter Ten... The Beginning: Where Do We Go From Here Time keeps changing lanes and shifting gears Racin' down the…
Charlie Lay Down the Gun We fell in love with the same girl, Charlie, The fight…
Chevy Van I gave a girl a ride in my wagon She crawled…
Christina Their eyes were upon me as they sat they're drinking Their…
Cindy Of New Orleans Down by the river where the big boats go by Each…
Cindy Oh Cindy There'll come a time girl, you'll look for me In each…
Cloudy Days Dark cloud hangin' over me when will it go away Rain…
Clyde Clyde plays electric bass plays it with finesse and grace Se…
Cold Cold Heart I tried so hard my dear to show that you're…
Come Back And See Me Today was supposed to be Just another day Before the meeting…
Come Stay With Me If you're in a bind,with a troubled mind I'm a mountain,come…
Conversation Hank, let's talk about your daddy Tell me how your mama…
Crazy Arms Now blue ain't the word for the way that I…
Crowd I go out with the crowd, I play the game Pretending…
Crying I was all right for a while I could smile for…
Days Of Sand And Shovels When I noticed her the first time I was outside running…
Deep In The West Deep in the west where the tall mountains grow I've…
Defying Gravity I live on a big blue ball I never do dream…
Delia's Gone Delia, oh Delia, where have you been so long? If buddy's…
Delta Dawn Delta Dawn what's that flower you have on? Could it be…
Destiny's Child Surely you know by now my heart is wild I…
Do It Again In the morning you go gunning for the man who…
Do No Good Woman You're so good woman,Lord you're just too good for me The…
Doesn I've been away for so long fought a war that's…
Don Ain't no use in calling out my name, gal Like you…
Don't Cuss the Fiddle I scandalized my brother While admitting that he sang some…
Don't Play The Game The hardest thing you ever do is love yourself that…
Don't Think Twice Ain't no use in calling out my name, gal Like you…
Don't Think Twice Is Alright Ain't no use in calling my name, gal Like you never…
Don't Think Twice It's All Right It ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe It…
Don't Think Twice It's Alright Ain't no use in calling my name, gal Like you never…
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right Well it ain't no use to sit and wonder why,…
Don't Waste Your Time (Don't look for me I must go don't waste your…
Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Gone Out of Hand I'm for the law and order the way that it…
Donna On My Mind Donna on my mind when I get up in the…
Dont You Think This Outlaw Bits Done Got out of Hand I'm for the law and order the way that it…
Dont't Think Twice It's Alright Ain't no use in calling my name, gal Like you never…
Down Came the World Down, down, down came the world I went round, round, round…
Dream Baby Sweet dream baby sweet dream baby sweet dream baby how…
Dreaming My Dreams With You I hope that I won't be that wrong anymore, And…
Drift Away Day after day I′m more confused Yet I look for the…
Drinkin Everybody's looking for someway in I'm looking for someway o…
Drivin' Nails in the Wall Here I sit drivin' nails in the wall thinking I…
Dukes Of Hazzard Good Ol' Boys Theme Song Just the good ol' boys Never meanin' no harm Beats all you…
Endangered Species I made it through my rock and roll years With a…
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues She's a rounder i can tell you that She can sing…
Fallin Out We fell into a fallin' out You are the one that…
Falling for You You bring me happiness then leave me loneliness My world is…
Farewell Party When the last breath of life is gone from my…
Folsom Prison Blues I hear the train a comin' It's rollin' 'round the bend And…
Foolin' 'Round I know that you've been foolin' round on me right…
Foolin' Around [Chorus] I know that you've been foolin' 'round on me right…
Foolin' Round I know that you've been foolin' 'round on me right…
for Lovin' Me That's what you get for lovin' me That's what you get…
For Loving Me That's what you get for lovin' me that's what you…
For the Kids You work like a slave for the kids and I'd…
Four Strong Winds Four strong winds that blow lonely Seven seas that run…
Freedom To Stay I tied my bandana,took my pack from the floor You were…
Friends In California I've got friends in California Who really care about me And …
Frisco Depot Frisco's a mile long away You can afford to fly But it…
G.I. Joe Well, he smoked those Camel cigarettes about three packs a…
Games People Play Oh the games people now every night and every day…
Gentle on My Mind It's knowing that your door is always open And your path…
Get Naked With Me I bring it up You're quick to cover it all up…
Girl I Can Tell Girl I can tell you're trying to work it out Tryin'…
Goin' Down Rockin' GOIN' DOWN ROCKIN' WRITERS TONY JOE WHITE, LEANN WHITE One …
Gold Dust Woman Rock on, gold dust woman Take your silver spoon and dig…
Gone To Denver I've thought I'd take a trip to Denver and spend…
Good Hearted Woman A long time forgotten are dreams that just fell by…
Good ol Boys Just the good ol' boys Never meanin' no harm Beats all you…
Good Ol' Boys (Theme From 'The Dukes of Hazzard') Dukes Of Hazard Theme Song - Dukes Of Hazard Just the…
Good Ol' Boys {Theme from The Dukes of Hazzard} Just the good ol' boys Never meanin' no harm Beats all you…
Good Old Boys Sally used to carry my books to school Sally was a…
Good Ole Boys Just the good ol' boys Never meanin' no harm Beats all you…
Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues Everybody's gone away said they're moving to LA There's not …
Grapes On The Vine There are songs that birds don't sing to people There are…
Green River Green River I've come back to you do you remember…
Grey Eyes You Know That cold north wind is blowing grey eyes you know The…
Half As Much If you love me half as much as I love…
Hangin' On It's true you have me twisted round your finger and…
Hardline (From the Harley Davidson and Marlboro Man soundtrack) Midn…
He Went to Paris He went to Paris looking for answers to questions That bothe…
Heartaches by the Number Heartache number one was when you left me I never…
Heartaches For A Dime I called you on the phone to say I love…
Heaven and Hell Well sometimes it's heaven And sometimes it's hell Somet…
Her Man I'm gonna change my ways of doing things around here I'm…

and many more tracks by Waylon Jennings.

The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos

TRACKS