About the song
Waylon Jennings – “Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)”
Few songs capture the heart and philosophy of the outlaw country movement quite like Waylon Jennings’ 1977 classic “Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love).” With its easygoing melody, conversational lyrics, and message of simplicity, the song became an anthem not just for Jennings’ fans but for anyone yearning to step away from the complications of modern life and return to what truly matters.
Written by Bobby Emmons and Chips Moman, “Luckenbach, Texas” was offered to Jennings at a pivotal time in his career. Waylon, along with Willie Nelson and other “outlaw” contemporaries, had already begun challenging Nashville’s slick production style with music that was rawer, grittier, and more authentic. This song, however, offered something different—a laid-back reflection rather than rebellion, urging listeners to cast aside materialism and rediscover love and connection.
The lyrics tell the story of a couple weighed down by wealth, status, and the trappings of success: “This successful life we’re livin’ got us feudin’ like the Hatfields and McCoys.” Jennings sings as if gently coaxing them back to a simpler time and place, one where love—not money—defines happiness. By pointing toward Luckenbach, a tiny town in Texas Hill Country, the song suggests that fulfillment lies not in extravagance but in life’s small, meaningful joys.
Musically, the song is relaxed and unpretentious, perfectly mirroring its theme. Jennings’ deep, unmistakable voice glides effortlessly over the melody, bringing both authority and warmth. The arrangement—guitars, steady drums, and a touch of steel—creates a mood that feels more like sitting on a porch on a summer night than being in a concert hall. That intimacy is precisely why the song resonated with millions.
Upon its release, “Luckenbach, Texas” shot to number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and crossed over into mainstream pop success. It became Jennings’ biggest hit as a solo artist and is still one of the most recognizable songs of his career. For many fans, it encapsulated the spirit of the 1970s outlaw country era: a rejection of excess in favor of authenticity, independence, and love.
The song also carried a playful nod to Jennings’ fellow artists. References to “Hank Williams’ pain songs, Jerry Jeff’s train songs, and Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain” (a hit for Willie Nelson) celebrated country music’s lineage while reinforcing its message of stripping life back to its basics. In this way, “Luckenbach, Texas” wasn’t just about a town—it was about returning to the roots of both love and music.
Even decades later, the song remains a fan favorite. Performed live, it often prompted audiences to sing along, their voices blending with Jennings’ in a shared longing for simplicity. Today, the tiny town of Luckenbach has embraced its place in country music history, welcoming visitors who want to experience the spirit Jennings immortalized in song.
Waylon Jennings’ “Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)” endures because it speaks a truth that never fades: in the end, it isn’t riches or fame that matter, but love, authenticity, and the quiet joys of life. With his unmistakable voice and outlaw soul, Jennings turned that message into a timeless classic.
Video
Lyrics
The only two things in life that make it worth livin’
Is guitars that tune good and firm feelin’ women
I don’t need my name in the marquee lights
I got my song and I got you with me tonight
Maybe it’s time we got back to the basics of love
Let’s go to Luckenbach, Texas
With Waylon and Willie and the boys
This successful life we’re livin’
Got us feuding like the Hatfields and McCoys
Between Hank Williams’ pain songs and
Newbury’s train songs and “Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain”
Out in Luckenbach, Texas, ain’t nobody feelin’ no pain
So baby, let’s sell your diamond ring
Buy some boots and faded jeans and go away
This coat and tie is choking me
In your high society, you cry all day
We’ve been so busy keepin’ up with the Jones
Four car garage and we’re still building on
Maybe it’s time we got back to the basics of love
Let’s go to Luckenbach, Texas
With Waylon and Willie and the boys
This successful life we’re livin’ got us feudin’
Like the Hatfield and McCoys
Between Hank Williams’ pain songs and
Newbury’s train songs and “Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain”
Out in Luckenbach, Texas, ain’t nobody feelin’ no pain
Let’s go to Luckenbach, Texas
Willie and Waylon and the boys
This successful life we’re livin’s got us feudin’
Like the Hatfield and McCoys
Between Hank Williams’ pain songs
And Jerry Jeff’s train songs and “Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain”
Out in Luckenbach, Texas, there ain’t nobody feelin’ no pain
