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.
Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line
Waylon Jennings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'm gettin' pretty tired of it
You keep a steppin' out of line and messin' with my mind
If you had any sense you'd quit
'Cause ever since you were a little bitty teeny girl
You said I was the only man in this whole world
Now, you better do some thinkin', then you'll find
I keep a workin' every day, all you want to do is play
I'm tired of stayin' out all night
I'm comin' unglued from your funny little moods
Now honey baby, that ain't right
'Cause ever since you were a little bitty teeny girl
You said I was the only man in this whole world
Now, you better do some thinkin', then you'll find
You got the only daddy that'll walk the line
You keep a packin' up my clothes, nearly everybody knows
That you're still just a puttin' me on
When I start a walkin', gonna hear you start a squawkin'
And beggin' me to come back home
'Cause ever since you were a little bitty teeny girl
You said I was the only man in this whole world
Now, you better do some thinkin', then you'll find
You got the only daddy that'll walk the line
You got the only daddy that'll walk the line
Waylon Jennings's song Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line is a classic country song that speaks of a man's frustration toward his partner's infidelity. The opening line, "Everybody knows you've been stepping on my toes," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is irritated by his partner's behavior, and he is tired of it. He feels that he is being mistreated and that it is time for his partner to stop messing with him. The phrase "stepping out of line" is a metaphor that implies that his partner is not following the rules of their relationship.
In the first verse, the singer reminds his partner of their past and how they both agreed that he was the only man she would ever need. He implies that it is time for her to rethink her priorities and realize that he is the only "daddy" who will "walk the line" for her. The phrase "walk the line" is a metaphor that means staying faithful to one's partner and not straying from the agreed-upon boundaries.
In the second verse, the singer complains that he is tired of working while his partner seems to have all the fun. He accuses her of having mood swings that are affecting their relationship. He reminds her once again that he is the only one who will "walk the line" for her.
The final verse reveals that the singer is ready to leave and that his partner's pleas for him to come back will fall on deaf ears. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes that he is the only one who will "walk the line" for her, and she will have to deal with the consequences of her actions.
Overall, Waylon Jennings's song Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line is a classic country song that speaks to the theme of infidelity and staying true to one's partner. The singer recognizes that his partner is not following the rules of their relationship, and he is ready to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody knows you've been steppin' on my toes
It's widely known that you've been interfering with my affairs
And I'm gettin' pretty tired of it
I'm becoming extremely weary of this situation
You keep a steppin' out of line
Your behavior is inappropriate and unacceptable
You're messin' with my mind
You're causing me emotional distress and confusion
If you had any sense you'd quit
It would be wise for you to stop your actions
'Cause ever since you were a little bitty teeny girl
From the time you were a small child
You said I was the only man in this whole world
You professed your undying love and devotion to me
Now you better do some thinkin' then you'll find
It's time for you to reflect on your actions and reconsider
You got the only daddy that'll walk the line
You have the one and only father figure who will tolerate your behavior to a limited extent
I keep a workin' every day all you want to is play
I am fully dedicated to my job while you focus on leisure activities
I'm tired of stayin' out all night
I've become exhausted of staying out late
I'm comin' unglued
I'm feeling extremely stressed and overwhelmed
From your funny little moods
Your unpredictable behavior is causing me emotional instability
Now Honey baby that ain't right
Your conduct is inappropriate and unfair
You keep a packin' up my clothes nearly everybody knows
It's become common knowledge that you're constantly packing up my belongings
That you're still just a puttin' me on
You're still trying to deceive me
But when I start a walkin' gonna hear you start a squawkin'
Once I leave, you'll start complaining and begging me to return
And beggin' me to come back home
You'll plead with me to return to our shared abode
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ivy J. Bryant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lone wolf
Everybody knows you've been steppin' on my toes
And I'm gettin' pretty tired of it
You keep a steppin' out of line and messin' with my mind
If you had any sense you'd quit
'Cause ever since you were a little bitty teeny girl
You said I was the only man in this whole world
Now, you better do some thinkin', then you'll find
You got the only daddy that'll walk the line
I keep a workin' every day, all you want to do is play
I'm tired of stayin' out all night
I'm comin' unglued from your funny little moods
Now honey baby, that ain't right
'Cause ever since you were a little bitty teeny girl
You said I was the only man in this whole world
Now, you better do some thinkin', then you'll find
You got the only daddy that'll walk the line
You keep a packin' up my clothes, nearly everybody knows
That you're still just a puttin' me on
When I start a walkin', gonna hear you start a squawkin'
And beggin' me to come back home
'Cause ever since you were a little bitty teeny girl
You said I was the only man in this whole world
Now, you better do some thinkin', then you'll find
You got the only daddy that'll walk the line
You got the only daddy that'll walk the line
Miranda Lewis
When I was a little girl my parents would clean the house every Sunday. My dad would play Waylon Jennings and when this song came on he would stop whatever he was doing and dance with me. I got up on his feet and danced around the house. When I got married this was our father daughter dance. I took my shoes off and put my feet on his and we danced it was the best❤️
D Schoenewald
Ur a lucky lady !
Dave S
That's awesome - great memory for you
Chuck Luke
That’s awesome ❤
Thanks for sharing this great memory with us !
Donald Avery
Love these stories. Thanks Miranda.
Robert Knight
For sure Waylon Jennings sang and played from the heart ❤
Brick, separator,123
I love the bass line in this song. RIP Waylon, country music legend!
MisterHuskey
Ha cool...that was my grandfather playing the bass on this track
Allis Ronaldson
@MisterHuskeyare you serious, that's awesome you are very fortunate
Rex Smith
Awesom music