About the Song
Released in 1972 on his album Good Hearted Woman, “Unsatisfied” finds Waylon Jennings in a rare moment of introspection and subtle vulnerability.
In this song, Jennings sings of a love-worn story: a partner who has “gone about her way, hangin’ on from day to day / God knows she’s tried”. The voice you hear is not one of defiance or swagger, but one acknowledging the drift of devotion, the quiet ache when effort alone may not suffice. He doesn’t rail; he reflects—and that shift in tone is powerful.
Musically, the track features straightforward country instrumentation—steady guitar, a clean rhythm section, and little adornment—so the spotlight remains on the lyric and Jennings’ voice. The arrangement suits the song: it’s not built for fanfare, but for listening. As iTunes/Apple Music notes, the song length is approximately 2 minutes 55 seconds.
For a listener who has seen longer roads than shorter ones, “Unsatisfied” speaks to the late-night moments when questions outlast answers, when love remains but the spark has dimmed, when you wonder whether continuity is enough. Jennings delivers this without bitterness—just truth.
Within the Good Hearted Woman album, this track is one of the more understated gems, exploring the shade-tones of relationships and human energy rather than the high drama. For older fans of Waylon, this is a reminder that his artistry wasn’t only in outlaw boldness—it was also in quiet storytelling.
In short: “Unsatisfied” may not be the most famous song in Waylon Jennings’ catalogue—but in its calm, reflective moment it offers something many of us know: love is not always enough to fill the gaps time creates. The voice you hear here is steady, seasoned, and human.