About the Song
Released in 1976 on the album Are You Ready for the Country, “A Couple More Years” stands out as one of the most emotionally honest tracks in Waylon Jennings’ discography. Written by Dennis Locorriere and Shel Silverstein, the song was first popularized by Dr. Hook, but it takes on a deeper, more lived-in quality when filtered through Jennings’ unmistakable voice.
From the opening lines, it’s clear that “A Couple More Years” isn’t about flash or flair. It’s about time—how it changes us, humbles us, and ultimately teaches us to see life in quieter, more thoughtful ways. Jennings doesn’t oversell the message. Instead, he delivers it with quiet grace, as if speaking to a friend in the small hours of the night. His voice—gravelly, knowing, vulnerable—carries the emotional weight of someone who has truly earned the wisdom he’s sharing.
Musically, the song is sparse and intimate. The gentle strum of acoustic guitars and soft backing instruments provide just enough to set the mood without distracting from the lyrics. It’s a simple song, but simplicity here is a strength. That openness allows the story to come through clearly: a man older than the woman he loves, who isn’t asking for forever—just a little more time, and a chance to love without illusions.
For many older listeners, this song resonates because it captures something we all eventually learn: that time gives perspective, and love, when weathered by years, becomes something deeper and more enduring. Waylon Jennings doesn’t plead in this song—he reflects. And that quiet reflection is what gives it such lasting power.
“A Couple More Years” isn’t about regret—it’s about recognition. Recognition that love isn’t always about passion or perfection. Sometimes, it’s about showing up, year after year, through the wear and tear of life. And in Jennings’ voice, that truth is both tender and timeless.