About the Song
In the rugged world of outlaw country, few voices carried as much quiet authority as Waylon Jennings. By the time he released Lonesome, On’ry and Mean in 1973, Jennings was stepping outside the polished edges of Nashville’s control and forging his own sound — raw, weathered, and true. Amid the album’s darker moments and rebellious anthems, one track stands out for its good-natured swagger and musical camaraderie: “Laid Back Country Picker.”
The song isn’t about heartbreak, rebellion, or regret — it’s about a certain kind of attitude, a laid-back coolness that comes not from trying too hard, but from letting the music speak for itself. Written by Billy Ray Reynolds, a longtime member of Jennings’ touring band, the track plays like a backstage story — easygoing, unhurried, and full of respect for the kind of musician who lets his fingers do the talking.
Musically, it leans into a classic country shuffle, with twangy guitar runs and a groove that’s more front porch than honky-tonk. There’s no drama, no storm. Just a steady, head-nodding rhythm and Waylon’s smooth-as-smoke baritone narrating the tale. He doesn’t sing about himself here — he shines a spotlight on “a picker with a laid back style,” someone who doesn’t need flash to be great. In many ways, the character in the song feels like a reflection of Waylon himself — a man who let his music do the talking and never chased trends.
In the context of Lonesome, On’ry and Mean, “Laid Back Country Picker” adds a welcome breather — a wink, a grin, and a quiet celebration of musical integrity. It’s not sentimental or showy. It’s just honest. And like the best country storytelling, it honors the people behind the scenes — the road dogs, the sidemen, the pickers who stay in the shadows but hold the music together.
For all his defiant spirit and outlaw image, Waylon Jennings always knew when to step aside and give credit where it was due. With this track, he not only sings about the laid-back country picker — he becomes one, setting the stage for a career that would always value truth, talent, and that unmistakable Waylon cool.