About the Song
More than a title—this is a confession, a warning, and a truth from a man who lived every word.
There’s no mistaking it: when Waylon Jennings sings “Outlaw Shit,” he isn’t just delivering lyrics—he’s setting the record straight. This song isn’t a celebration of lawlessness or some romanticized wild ride. It’s a raw reflection from a man who’s been to the edge and come back with scars, stories, and a voice still full of fire.
First released posthumously and featured prominently in tribute collections and bootlegs passed around like sacred scripture among fans, “Outlaw Shit” feels like Waylon pulling up a chair, lighting a cigarette, and telling the unvarnished truth. It’s not pretty. It’s not polished. And that’s exactly the point.
Backed by a sparse, gritty arrangement—simple drums, steady guitar, and a voice like worn leather—Waylon speaks more than he sings, delivering lines that feel like lived-in philosophy:
“They said I was doin’ outlaw shit ’cause I lived by my own rules. Hell, I wasn’t tryin’ to be no outlaw. It’s just the way it was.”
He’s not glorifying the past—he’s owning it. The drugs, the rebellion, the strained friendships, the high cost of independence. And beneath the toughness, there’s an unmistakable ache. You hear it between the lines—the loneliness, the regret, and the pride that refuses to be swallowed.
“Outlaw Shit” is more than a song. It’s a thesis statement for the life Waylon lived, the movement he helped define, and the price he paid to stay true to himself. For fans of country music who know that the genre’s heart beats loudest in its most honest corners, this track is sacred ground.
Waylon wasn’t just playing outlaw—he was the blueprint. And this song is his final word on the matter.