About the Song
A heartfelt tribute to the hard-living, rough-around-the-edges characters of the honky-tonk lifestyle, “Old Five and Dimers (Like Me)” by Waylon Jennings is one of the standout tracks on his groundbreaking album Honky Tonk Heroes from 1973. Written by Billy Joe Shaver, a key figure in the Outlaw Country movement, the song offers a glimpse into the world of people who live on the fringes of society, yet find their own form of beauty and truth in their experiences.
The lyrics of “Old Five and Dimers (Like Me)” reflect the life of someone who identifies with the downtrodden, those who drink too much, play too hard, and live life by their own rules. These “five and dimers” are often seen as outcasts or failures in the eyes of mainstream society, but in the context of the song, they are individuals who possess a kind of unspoken wisdom and an unrepentant spirit. The line “But I’ve got a life that’s far from free” encapsulates the inner conflict of a person who knows they’re stuck in a cycle but still accepts and embraces it.
Waylon Jennings delivers the song with his signature gritty, weathered voice, capturing the weariness and resilience of the song’s protagonist. His performance is raw and sincere, giving the song a sense of authenticity that connects deeply with listeners who understand the struggle and the bittersweet beauty of the working-class life. Jennings’s voice is full of character and emotion, as he sings about the hardships of life without judgment, acknowledging the flaws and imperfections in both the people around him and himself.
Musically, “Old Five and Dimers (Like Me)” features the blend of traditional country instrumentation and the outlaw sound that defined Waylon Jennings’ style. The steady rhythm of the bass, the simple but effective guitar work, and the steel guitar all come together to create a song that feels at home in a honky-tonk bar, capturing the essence of country music’s storytelling tradition. The track also stands out for its laid-back yet reflective mood, which serves as a perfect complement to the themes of struggle and acceptance.
As a track on Honky Tonk Heroes, this song helped to solidify Waylon Jennings’ reputation as one of the pioneers of the Outlaw Country movement, which rejected the polished Nashville sound in favor of a more authentic, raw approach to country music. Jennings was able to infuse his music with a sense of rebellion and truth that resonated with audiences, and “Old Five and Dimers (Like Me)” is a perfect example of this.
The song’s themes of self-reflection, humility, and embracing one’s identity in spite of flaws make it a timeless classic in country music. Waylon Jennings’s delivery and Billy Joe Shaver‘s powerful songwriting combine to create a track that is both personal and universal, giving voice to those who live on the outskirts but still find meaning and purpose in their own way of life. It’s a song that celebrates the rough-and-tumble spirit of the working class, offering a sense of camaraderie to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.