About the Song
Recorded during the sessions for Lonesome, On’ry and Mean in the early 1970s and later released as a bonus track, “The Last One to Leave Seattle” is a rare and introspective piece in Waylon Jennings’ expansive catalog. While it never made it onto the original 1973 release of the album, its eventual inclusion in reissues gives fans a deeper look at Jennings during a pivotal time—when he was reclaiming his artistic freedom and carving out the identity that would define outlaw country.
Unlike many of his hard-driving outlaw anthems, “The Last One to Leave Seattle” leans into a more reflective, melancholic tone. The song paints a portrait of a man on the edge—emotionally distanced, physically departing, and spiritually unresolved. There’s a quiet sadness in both the lyrics and the delivery, as if the narrator knows he’s leaving something behind that can’t be recovered. And Jennings sings it not with bitterness, but with a weary acceptance that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable.
The arrangement is subtle, allowing the lyrics and Waylon’s voice to carry the emotional weight. Steel guitar weaves gently through the melody, echoing the mood of regret and solitude. There’s no bravado here—just a man reflecting on choices, consequences, and the loneliness that can follow even the most justified departures.
What makes this track special, especially for longtime listeners, is how it contrasts with the rest of the Lonesome, On’ry and Mean material. That album marked Jennings’ break from the constraints of the Nashville system. Yet within that newfound independence, songs like “The Last One to Leave Seattle” remind us that freedom doesn’t always come without cost.
For older audiences and fans of Jennings’ more subdued storytelling, this song is a gem. It’s not a radio hit, nor was it meant to be. It’s a quiet reflection—a postcard from a man who often ran, but never stopped feeling. In that way, “The Last One to Leave Seattle” becomes more than a bonus track. It becomes a final word left unsaid, waiting to be heard.