About the Song
Released in 1970 as a single and included on his album The Taker / Tulsa (1971), “Don’t Let the Sun Set on You, Tulsa” is a striking narrative song by Waylon Jennings that channels emotional urgency and moral warning into a powerful piece of country storytelling.
The song, written by Wayne Carson Thompson, tells the story of Jamie, a young woman who finds herself in a difficult predicament—expectant and abandoned by a man who refuses responsibility. With lines such as “Jamie’s the only thing I ever really cared for / She’s carrying the child that you’re to blame for”, Jennings gives voice to a protector’s anger and sorrow, as well as the plea for justice and respect. The refrain, “Don’t let the sun set on you in Tulsa”, becomes a kind of moral ultimatum: do the right thing before it’s too late.
Vocally, Jennings delivers the lyrics with a grit and emotional directness. He doesn’t sugarcoat the situation; his tone carries both hurt and resolve, matching the dramatic intensity of the narrative. Musically, the arrangement supports the story without overwhelming it—guitars, background harmonies, and steady rhythm provide a frame that lets the drama unfold in the vocals and the words.
For more mature listeners, the song’s power lies in its honesty and its confrontation of real issues: abandonment, responsibility, and the consequences of our actions on others. There’s no glossing over—Jennings lays it bare. In an era when country music often leaned toward idealized romance or safe sentimentality, “Don’t Let the Sun Set on You, Tulsa” stands out for its willingness to wrestle with human pain.
In the arc of Waylon’s career, this track illustrates his early capacity for deeper storytelling, beyond heartbreak or barroom lament. Here, he becomes a voice for someone marginalized, someone pleading for accountability. Many fans regard this song as a gem—not the biggest hit he ever had, but one that reveals his ability to carry weight, both in lyrics and in delivery.