About the Song
Released in 1972 on the album Ladies Love Outlaws, the track “I Think It’s Time She Learned” by Waylon Jennings is a reflective and emotionally rich moment in his catalogue—one where he turns his outlaw edge inward, offering a song of recognition, change, and quiet reckoning.
Written by Waylon Jennings in collaboration with Miriam Eddy (who later became known as Jessi Colter), the song presents the voice of a man who realises that something important must be understood by someone he loves. The phrasing of the title itself—“I think it’s time she learned”—carries a weight of truth: the speaker isn’t shouting from a mountaintop, but gently acknowledging a moment of truth has arrived. Jennings’ delivery is understated and sincere, his voice seasoned by experience yet still open to the possibility of transformation.
Musically, the song stays true to the roots of country but carries a subtle break from the polished Nashville sound that had constrained Jennings for years. The instrumentation supports the lyric—simple guitar lines, a solid rhythm, and Jennings’ voice clear in the foreground. There’s no over-production, no flamboyant flourishes—just a man admitting that time has passed and something must shift.
For older listeners especially, “I Think It’s Time She Learned” resonates deeply because it taps into a universal emotional territory: the moment when love or partnership demands honesty, when walls must fall and truths must be shared. It isn’t about blame; it’s about recognition—that perhaps life’s drift has taken its toll, and the moment to face what’s been buried has come.
In the broader arc of Waylon Jennings’ career, the song points to his evolution: from tried-and-true country singer into a voice of real personal conviction, bridging tradition and self-expression. While it may not have been a chart-topping single, its power lies in its intimacy and unassuming strength.
In short: “I Think It’s Time She Learned” invites us into a quiet corner of Jennings’ soul. It offers hope that truth, when delivered gently, has the power to heal—and that sometimes, knowing when the time has come is itself a lesson worth learning.