About the Song
In the world of outlaw country, few songs capture the feeling of pushing through pain with grit and rhythm quite like “Pick Up the Tempo.” Written by Willie Nelson and featured on Waylon Jennings’ 1977 album Waylon & Willie, this track is more than a foot-tapper — it’s a snapshot of a drifter’s life, of barroom nights and broken dreams, and the unshakable urge to keep moving forward.
Waylon’s voice — rich, rugged, and unmistakably real — delivers the lyrics with a blend of resignation and resolve. He’s not asking for sympathy. He’s not making excuses. He’s just telling the truth as it is: life gets heavy, the road gets long, but the music plays on. And sometimes, all a man can do is tell the band to “pick up the tempo” and play one more song before the night is gone.
The song is short — just over two minutes — but it doesn’t need to be longer. Like a quick sip of whiskey or a passing glance in the rearview mirror, it delivers its message straight. The band behind Waylon keeps things lively, but not flashy. It’s classic honky-tonk grit, driven by rhythm guitar and that unmistakable country swing that keeps the boots tapping, even when the heart’s heavy.
In many ways, “Pick Up the Tempo” is the essence of Waylon Jennings’ musical philosophy: say what needs saying, don’t sugarcoat it, and move on. It’s a song that speaks to those who’ve lived through long nights, who’ve had to smile when they wanted to cry, and who’ve found comfort in the rhythm of a good song when nothing else made sense.
For longtime fans and country purists, this track is a reminder of what made the outlaw movement so important — not just musically, but spiritually. It gave a voice to the broken, the bruised, and the beautiful messes of real life. And with “Pick Up the Tempo,” Waylon tips his hat to that legacy — and invites us all to keep on moving, no matter what we’re carrying.