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.
Rainy Day Woman
Waylon Jennings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I 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
'Til she finds something wrong and 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 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 never seem to see you for the good times or the sunshine
You have been a friend of mine, rainy day woman
(One more, baby)
Waylon Jennings's song Rainy Day Woman is a witty and humorous take on the ups and downs of life, love, and relationships. The lyrics speak of a woman who is always around on the "rainy days" when things aren't going well, but seems to disappear when times are good. The singer acknowledges that despite her moody and pessimistic nature, she has been a consistent friend to him, hence the line "You have been a friend of mine, rainy day woman."
The song also touches on the idea of a partner who is always looking for something to complain about, even when things are going well. The line "That woman of mine, she ain't happy/Til she finds something wrong and someone to blame" suggests that the singer's significant other has a tendency to blame others for her own dissatisfaction, rather than taking responsibility for her own happiness.
Overall, Rainy Day Woman is a clever and relatable song that touches on the ironic nature of life and relationships, where the things we often dislike or take for granted may end up being our greatest sources of comfort and support.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh rainy day woman
Addressing a personified entity or maybe referring to someone who is recognized for bringing trouble and sorrow
I never seem to see you for the good times or the sunshine
The singer never experiences happy days or feels joy in the company of this woman
You have been a friend of mine, rainy day woman
Despite bringing unpleasant circumstances, the person referred to has been a constant presence in the singer's life
That woman of mine, she ain't happy
The artist's partner is not content or satisfied with the current situation
Til she finds something wrong and someone to blame
The partner looks for faults and assigns blame to others, causing further discontentment
If it ain't one thing it's another one on the way
New issues continually arise, suggesting a cycle of negativity and problems
Woke up this mornin' to the sunshine
The singer began the day with optimism
It sure as hell looks just like rain
The situation appears unfavorable or bleak
I know where to go on a cloudy day
Despite the negative outlook, the artist has a place of solace or comfort to turn to
One more, baby
A final statement or remark to conclude the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: WAYLON JENNINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Oilfield Muscle
Oh rainy day woman
I 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
'Til she finds something wrong and someone to blame
If it ain't one thing it's another one on the way
Woke up this mornin' to the sunshine
It sure as hell looks just like rain
I know where to go on a cloudy day
Oh rainy day woman
I 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 never seem to see you for the good times or the sunshine
You have been a friend of mine, rainy day woman
Ron Appelhans
I worked with Waylon on a television special in the mid 1980s. I was a young kid & I was in awe of him. True gentleman & a great musician. We'll never see the likes of him again. A true showman!
Glen Beck
Keep your memories alive as best as you can
James Moser
Dammit man. That would have been Awesome.
James Moser
Dammit man. That would have been Awesome.
Crystal McGillis
Love this. I wouldn't have imagined Waylon to be anything but fun or a true gentleman
Vincent Romanella
That’s awesome! An legend ❤in Country Music !
Jason DeSouza
I just heard this song for this first time. Played during the credits of 'Extract,' a movie starring Jason Bateman and Ben Affleck. LOVE IT.
I've already listened to it three times now, probably got another 10 more listens. Don't you just love finding a song like this every now and again!
Darth Vader
That movie is hilarious. That's also how I learned of this song. I'm sure, you know...Dinkus probably likes it. I don't know who that is. You need to learn their names.😆😆😆
What's right is right.😆
Rose
Waylon has been one of favorites since the 60's ✌️
Tammie Martinez
Just caught the end of Extract right now. Seen it so many times and it never gets old. Finally came to look up a few songs from the soundtrack. Was blown away when I read it was from Waylon Jennings...