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.
Nobody Knows
Waylon Jennings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And a couple of times on a plane
I thought I was safe from detection
With all of the weight I had gained
But walking around in a jumpsuit
That didn't work worth a damn
So I bought me some Levis and grew me a beard
And you'll never guess who I am
[Chorus]
Nobody knows I'm Elvis
Nobody knows this is me
After all of my tries, I've got
The perfect disguise
And I'm who I want to be
Nobody knows I'm Elvis
Nobody knows this is me
Bet you thought I was ol'Waylon
With all of my rugged good looks
Swagger and walk,body and soul
I bet he had what it took
I've always envied his singing
The way he played a guitar
Black vest and hat,that's where it's at
That's what I call a star
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
I want to show you Graceland,baby
That's where you ought to be
I'll give you a call, but let's keep it all
Somewhere between you and me
[Chorus]
The song Nobody Knows by Waylon Jennings is a fun song that tells a story about a man who is trying to keep his true identity as Elvis Presley a secret. The man in the song talks about his attempts to disguise himself, including wearing a jumpsuit and gaining weight, but ultimately finding success by wearing Levi's jeans and growing a beard. He talks about how he envies Waylon Jennings' musical talent and rugged good looks, but ultimately finds joy in being able to be himself without anyone knowing who he truly is.
The lyrics of this song are cleverly written and provide insight into the struggles that famous individuals may face when trying to maintain a level of privacy. The man in the song talks about how he almost got caught at a Burger King and on a plane, showing that even the smallest of moments can lead to public scrutiny. However, he finds happiness in being able to disguise himself and finally feel free to be himself without the pressures of fame.
Overall, this song is a light-hearted take on a serious issue and provides insight into the struggles that famous individuals may face. It is well-written and brings a smile to the face of those who listen to it.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I nearly got caught at a Burger King
I was almost discovered while grabbing a bite to eat
And a couple of times on a plane
I was also almost caught while traveling by air
I thought I was safe from detection
I believed I could avoid being recognized
With all of the weight I had gained
I hoped my physical appearance would be different enough to go unnoticed
But walking around in a jumpsuit
I quickly learned that this outfit did not help me blend in
That didn't work worth a damn
The jumpsuit was a failure in terms of camouflage
So I bought me some Levis and grew me a beard
I changed my clothes and grew facial hair to create a new identity
And you'll never guess who I am
My disguise was so good that no one could recognize me
[Chorus]
I'm still a mystery to everyone - this is exactly what I wanted
Bet you thought I was ol'Waylon
I know you think I look like Waylon Jennings
With all of my rugged good looks
I've always been told that I'm handsome and tough-looking
Swagger and walk,body and soul
I can walk with confidence and have a strong presence
I bet he had what it took
Waylon Jennings was a talented artist and performer
I've always envied his singing
I've admired his musical abilities for a long time
The way he played a guitar
He was especially skilled at playing guitar
Black vest and hat,that's where it's at
His signature look of a black vest and hat was the epitome of cool
That's what I call a star
To me, Waylon Jennings was the definition of a true star
[Chorus]
I'm still hiding behind my mask of anonymity
[Bridge]
I want to take you to Graceland, but we must keep it a secret
That's where you ought to be
Graceland is the perfect place for us
I'll give you a call, but let's keep it all
I'll contact you soon, but we must maintain our secret
Somewhere between you and me
Our plans must stay between us only
[Chorus]
Even though I've been living a lie, I still feel like I'm truly myself
Lyrics © Budde Music Publishing GmbH, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: LUTHER JENNINGS, FRANKLIN WILLIAMS, HUEY WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind