About The Song
In “Ladies Love Outlaws,” Waylon Jennings didn’t just sing a song—he planted the flag for an entire musical revolution. Released in 1972 on the album of the same name, this track became one of the defining moments of the outlaw country movement, a genre-shaking declaration that challenged the polished, manufactured sound of Nashville and celebrated the rougher, freer spirit of those who lived—and played—by their own rules.
Written by Lee Clayton, “Ladies Love Outlaws” is more than just a clever lyric. It’s a statement of identity, wrapped in a catchy, rebellious melody. The song tells the story of misunderstood men—drifters, dreamers, and renegades—and the women who see through the rough exterior to the passion underneath.
“Ladies love outlaws like babies love stray dogs.
Ladies touch babies like a banker touches gold…”
With lines like these, Jennings captures the romantic myth of the outlaw—untamed, unpredictable, and unafraid to walk alone. Yet there’s something deeply human beneath the cool. These outlaws aren’t just rebels; they’re vulnerable in their own way. They may be hard to hold onto, but that’s exactly what makes them so alluring.
Waylon’s vocal performance here is relaxed but commanding. He doesn’t oversell the swagger—he just inhabits it. His smooth baritone, grounded in truth and grit, carries the song with effortless confidence. You don’t doubt the story for a second because you know he’s lived it.
Musically, the arrangement is classic early outlaw country—a blend of honky-tonk twang, rock-influenced rhythm, and unpolished authenticity. There’s a looseness in the instrumentation that mirrors the freedom of the characters the song celebrates. It’s the sound of breaking away, not just from a relationship, but from a system that tried to tame the wild spirit of American country music.
What makes “Ladies Love Outlaws” so important isn’t just its message—it’s the moment it marked. Alongside artists like Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Johnny Cash, Jennings helped shift country music from starched collars to denim jackets and defiant hearts. This song became a rallying cry for anyone who felt like they didn’t fit the mold—and for the women who loved them anyway.
For longtime fans, this track is a cornerstone of Waylon’s legacy—a reminder of when he tossed aside convention and helped reshape an entire genre. For new listeners, it’s the perfect entry point into what makes Jennings so enduring: a voice full of conviction, songs full of soul, and a spirit that never settled down.
“Ladies Love Outlaws” is more than a song—it’s a banner for every wandering heart and every wild soul who refuses to play by the rules. And thanks to Waylon Jennings, the world learned to love them for exactly that.