About the song
“Outlaw Shit” by the one and only Waylon Jennings. Released in 1996 on his album Right for the Time, this song arrived well into Waylon’s seasoned career, long after the “Outlaw” movement had redefined country music. It’s a direct, unvarnished, and utterly unapologetic statement, delivered with the kind of lived-in authority that only Waylon Jennings could command. It’s not just a song; it’s a distillation of a philosophy, a proud declaration of independence that defines his very being.
The lyrics of “Outlaw Shit” are a raw, in-your-face encapsulation of the Outlaw Country ethos. It’s Waylon laying out exactly what that term meant to him and his compatriots, stripping away any commercial gloss and getting down to brass tacks. It’s about authenticity, a rejection of Nashville’s polished formulas, and a stubborn refusal to conform to anyone else’s rules. Phrases like “Some call it honky tonkin’, some call it boozin’ and fightin'” and “It’s called Outlaw Shit, and it’s here to stay” boldly reclaim and define the label. The song isn’t just about rebellion for rebellion’s sake; it’s about artistic integrity, about playing the music you believe in, and living life on your own terms, even if it means being an outsider. It speaks to the camaraderie among those who dared to be different and the enduring spirit of independence that fueled the movement. It’s a powerful, almost personal explanation from the man who helped set the standard for what it meant to be a true individual in country music.
Waylon Jennings’ vocal performance on “Outlaw Shit” is precisely what you’d expect: confident, gruff, and undeniably authentic. His voice, weathered by years of living the life he sang about, delivers the lyrics with an authority that leaves no room for doubt. There’s a knowing twinkle in his delivery, a subtle smirk that lets you know he’s well aware of the path he chose and has no regrets. He doesn’t just sing the words; he embodies the very essence of the outlaw spirit, making the song feel like a direct, personal conversation with an old friend who knows a thing or two about living outside the lines. It’s a performance that solidifies his reputation as the genuine article, a man who walked the walk as much as he talked the talk.
The musical arrangement of “Outlaw Shit” is raw, gritty, and unequivocally country-rock, perfectly suiting its rebellious message. It features prominent, driving electric guitars with a slight edge, a heavy, no-nonsense rhythm section, and a stripped-down production that emphasizes the raw energy. There’s a deliberate unpolished feel to it, a rejection of the slickness that defined much of mainstream country at the time. The arrangement is designed to feel as genuine and straightforward as the lyrics, creating a soundscape that mirrors the independent, hard-hitting nature of the outlaw movement.
“Outlaw Shit” resonated deeply with core fans who had championed Waylon Jennings throughout his career, serving as a powerful reaffirmation of his identity and beliefs. While not a massive radio hit like some of his earlier work, it stands as a significant piece of his legacy, a definitive statement from the “Chief Outlaw” himself. It remains a beloved track for those who appreciate his uncompromising spirit and his unwavering commitment to real country music, a bold declaration that some things, like Outlaw Shit, are simply here to stay.
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Lyrics
She said storms’ll never last
So I’m looking out the window like, when’s it gonna pass?
I need some cash, I did the math, it keeps ending in subtraction
Is it fate or just the laws of attraction? I’ll never know
Pa’s tracks, fast lane, cocaine dealer
Tryin’ to ease this pain with these painkillers
I don’t want my soul to be stained to obtain my wealth
I couldn’t learn from his mistakes, I had to make em myself
And I ain’t never been scared, but reality is frightening
My three year old daughter’s name came from my indictments
Like a VH1 story with a hard ending
Shit, I’m serving a life sentence and I still got a charge pending
Seems like everywhere I go now, they watching
Hiding this pain in my eyes behind Versace’s
Can’t sleep I’m too busy chasing dreams
And the Fed’s sent a posse down like I ain’t never seen yet
Don’t you think this outlaw shit
Has gotten out of hand?
What started out to be a joke (uh huh, uh huh, they don’t understand)
The law don’t understand
I’ve always been crazy but it helped me from going insane
I grew up thinking it’s part of the game
Them outlaw’s always taught me bad guys were the Fed’s
Don’t get high on your supply, your brain will look like eggs
In a skillet, yeah, can you feel it? Forget it
80’s baby, crack era, that’s how I’ma get it
Fresh up outta jail, new plan, new man
But I can’t seem to change who I am, I’m a hustler
I’ve been running for so long from them boys
I can’t go to sleep without the noise
Television’s on, forty by my head
Laying on the couch while my shorty’s in the bed
If I stay awake ’til five, I’ll probably sell another ounce
Shoes tied tight just in case I gotta bounce
Hear their tires hit the gravel, how they know I’m back at it?
Little girl looking, “Daddy why you in the attic”? I’m hiding
Don’t you think this outlaw shit
Has gotten out of hand?
What started out to be a joke
The law don’t understand (nah)
But it’s a beautiful view when we’re looking down
From this high, over snow capped mountains (dope boys)
Crimson dyed, don’t give my momma black roses
I got a gun, but I’m not strong enough to hold it
Crimson dyed, a broken record for a token
Pay a silver dollar for another crime story
But when you’re looking down from this high
And I just made it to the clouds
And it’ll be a while before I hit the ground (let’s go)
And taking freedom from me now
Would be like taking water from the Nile
‘Cause the river still flows
From a story that a dam couldn’t hold
Aight, grandpa, it’s your turn
Don’t you think this outlaw shit
Has gotten out of hand?
What started out to be a joke
The law don’t understand
