About the Song
Originally penned and recorded by Jimmie Rodgers in 1928 under the title “Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas)”, the song has become one of the most iconic foundations of country and “yodel” style music. Wikipedia+1 When Waylon Jennings included it as the opening track on his live album Waylon Live (released December 1976), he signalled both reverence for country’s origins and his own place within that tradition. Wikipedia+1
Jennings’ performance of “T for Texas” is more than just a cover—it’s a statement. With his deep, resonant voice and outlaw-country edge, he brings Rodgers’ classic into a new era, yet retains the original’s ache: the yearning, the swing, the understated bravado. Within the context of the album, recorded live in Texas locations in 1974, this rendition opens the show with an emphatic nod to the past, grounding the listener in authenticity before moving into the more modern tracks that followed. Wikipedia+1
Musically, Jennings keeps the arrangement relatively raw and live-in-the-room: the guitar, the rhythm section, the live acoustics—all combine to deliver that sense of immediacy. There’s no heavy production gloss; instead we hear a performer comfortable on stage, connecting with the song’s roots and letting his voice carry the weight. For the older listener, especially someone who knows country music’s lineage, this is a potent reminder that genuine emotion transcends era.
Why does this version matter? Because it links country’s pioneer (Rodgers) and one of its influential figures (Jennings) in a direct musical line. The song’s template of blues-influenced country, the throwback lyric of “They’re takin’ me back to Tulsa, I’m somewhere in Kansas I think”—all these echo in Jennings’ voice, making the experience both nostalgic and current.
In short, Jennings’ “T for Texas” is a tribute, a revival, and an affirmation of musical identity. It honors where we come from, and in doing so, lays the groundwork for where country could go.