About the song

“Lonesome, On’ry and Mean” by Waylon Jennings is an iconic outlaw country anthem, a song that embodies the rebellious spirit and independent streak that defined his career. Released in 1973, this track stands as a testament to Jennings’s refusal to conform to the Nashville establishment and his commitment to crafting music that resonated with his own artistic vision. It’s more than just a country song; it’s a declaration of independence, a defiant statement of individuality.

The song’s lyrics, written by Steve Young, paint a portrait of a man who embraces his outsider status. He is “lonesome, on’ry, and mean,” a character who lives by his own rules and refuses to compromise his integrity. Jennings’s vocal delivery, marked by its raw honesty and rebellious swagger, enhances the song’s defiant and unapologetic quality.

Waylon Jennings’s vocal style, characterized by its deep baritone and conversational phrasing, imbues the song with a sense of authenticity and conviction. He doesn’t just sing the lyrics; he embodies them, conveying the defiance and independence of the narrator with a raw honesty that is both compelling and relatable. This authenticity is a hallmark of his artistry, and it’s what makes his rendition of “Lonesome, On’ry and Mean” so impactful.

The song’s arrangement, typically sparse and uncluttered, allows Jennings’s vocals and the lyrics to take center stage. The driving rhythm section and twangy guitar create a sense of raw energy, mirroring the song’s rebellious theme.

“Lonesome, On’ry and Mean” is more than just a country song; it’s an anthem for the independent spirit, a celebration of individuality and the refusal to conform. It’s a testament to Waylon Jennings’s artistic vision and his enduring influence on the outlaw country movement.

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Lyrics

On a Greyhound bus
Lord, I’m traveling this morning
I’m goin’ to Shreveport and down to New Orleans
Been travelin’ these highways
Been doin’ things my way
It’s been making me lonesome, on’ry and mean
Now her hair was jet black
And her name was Codene
She thought she was the queen of the Basin Street Queens
She got tired of that smokey-wine dream
Began to feel lonesome, on’ry and mean
We got together, and we cashed in our sweeps
Gave ’em to a beggar who was mumbling through the streets
There’s no escaping from his snowy white dreams
Born lookin’ lonesome, on’ry and mean
Now I’m down in this valley
Where the wheels turn so low
At dawn I pray to the Lord of my soul
I say do Lord, do right by me
You know I’m tired of being lonesome, on’ry and mean