About the Song
Recorded and released in 1970 on the album Singer of Sad Songs, “Ragged But Right” is Waylon Jennings’ raw, reverent tribute to the enduring spirit of honky-tonk and traditional country music. The song itself is a time-honored standard, with roots stretching back before Jennings’ version; his interpretation, however, places the worn-in voice of an outlaw in the saddle of a piece that celebrates upright stubbornness and pride in being “ragged but right.”
In this track, Jennings doesn’t polish the edges—he embraces them. His delivery is rugged yet controlled, embodying the character of someone who has traveled long roads, seen hard times, but still stands firm in his truth. The lyric offers a mixture of defiance and dignity: if you call him ragged, fine—but you’d better know he’s still right. For audiences who’ve lived enough to understand that life can be torn and tattered without being wrong, this song speaks with authenticity.
Musically, the arrangement may lean traditional—electric and acoustic guitars, a steady rhythm, and an emphasis on voice—but under Jennings’ control, it also carries the outlaw attitude he would become famous for. It bridges the gap between the polished Nashville sound of the ’60s and the freer, more personal sound he helped champion in the ’70s. The result is something that feels both rooted and pioneering.
For older listeners especially, “Ragged But Right” will likely evoke recognition: of roads traveled, of nights spent on stage or rounding up miles, of a life that doesn’t hide the scars. Jennings’ version doesn’t soar in the way some hits do—but it lingers. It’s not built for radio chart-domination, but for telling the story of someone who refuses to compromise his identity.
In summary, “Ragged But Right” stands as a meaningful waypoint in Waylon Jennings’ journey. It nods to tradition, asserts character, and quietly announces that being imperfect doesn’t mean being wrong. And sometimes, that’s where real strength lies.