About the Song
Released in 1977 on the landmark album Ol’ Waylon, “Outlaw Shit” is one of the boldest and most unapologetic recordings ever associated with Waylon Jennings. Written by Billy Joe Shaver, the song became a defining statement of the outlaw country movement and perfectly captured the frustration many artists felt toward an industry that often tried to tell them how to think, dress, sing, and live.
By the mid-1970s, Waylon Jennings had become the face of a revolution in country music. Alongside artists like Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson, he was challenging the traditional Nashville system and demanding creative freedom. The term “outlaw” had become both a label and a movement, though not always one that Waylon himself was entirely comfortable with.
That tension lies at the heart of “Outlaw Shit.”
The song is both humorous and rebellious, poking fun at the music industry’s obsession with categorizing artists. Rather than glorifying the outlaw image, it questions the way the label had been commercialized and exaggerated. Waylon understood that many people viewed him as a rebel, but he also recognized that true artistic freedom was more complicated than a catchy marketing slogan.
Musically, the track is pure outlaw country. Driving guitars, a strong rhythm section, and Waylon’s unmistakable baritone create a sound that feels confident, rugged, and authentic. His vocal delivery is filled with attitude, but also a sense of amusement, as though he’s laughing at the very myths being built around him.
What makes “Outlaw Shit” particularly interesting is its self-awareness. While many songs celebrate rebellion, this one examines it. Waylon wasn’t simply playing a role; he was commenting on the role itself. The song reveals a man who understood both the benefits and the burdens of becoming a symbol.
The album Ol’ Waylon was already historic thanks to the inclusion of “Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)”, one of the biggest hits of Jennings’ career. Yet “Outlaw Shit” remains one of the album’s most revealing tracks because it offers insight into how Waylon viewed his own place in country music history.
Today, the song stands as more than just a clever outlaw anthem. It serves as a reminder of what made Waylon Jennings so influential: his refusal to let anyone else define him. Whether dealing with record executives, radio programmers, or public expectations, he consistently chose authenticity over conformity.
And perhaps that is the real message behind “Outlaw Shit.”
Being an outlaw was never about breaking rules for the sake of rebellion.
For Waylon Jennings, it was about having the courage to be yourself—even when the entire industry wanted you to be something else.