Waylon Jennings – “The Taker”: A Sharp Turn Toward Outlaw Country

Introduction

Waylon Jennings’ recording of “The Taker” stands as one of the earliest signs that he was headed toward a new creative identity—one that later became known as outlaw country. With its darker tone, unconventional storytelling, and restless energy, the song marked a clear break from Nashville’s polished norms at the dawn of the 1970s.

Origins and Songwriters

“The Taker” was written by two remarkable outsiders: Kris Kristofferson and Shel Silverstein.

At the time, Kristofferson was a former Rhodes scholar and Army helicopter pilot who had walked away from a stable future to pursue songwriting in Nashville, even taking janitorial jobs in music studios to make ends meet. Silverstein, known worldwide for his cartoons and children’s books, had a rare talent for gritty, adult storytelling and was already contributing songs to artists like Johnny Cash.

Together, they crafted a lyric that reads like a small, sharp piece of fiction—bold, ambiguous, and far more cynical than much of mainstream country music of the era.

Recording and Release

Jennings recorded “The Taker” at RCA Studio B in Nashville in April 1970, during a period when he was increasingly frustrated with the restrictions placed on him by producers and the label. Despite working within that system, the track pushed boundaries.

RCA released the single later that year, and it became a major success:

• Top 5 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles

• Top 10 on Canada’s country charts

• Even entered the Billboard Hot 100

The song also opened Jennings’ 1971 album “The Taker/Tulsa”, which climbed into the Top 20 of the country albums chart. The record is now seen as one of the pivotal early steps in Waylon’s journey toward greater artistic control.

A Story Unlike Traditional Country

What makes “The Taker” so memorable is its character-driven narrative. The song follows a charming drifter with an almost predatory gift for reading—and manipulating—lonely women. He showers his target with attention, speaks the right words, and makes her believe she’s finally found someone who understands her.

But underneath the charm lies a cold truth:

he only cares about the pursuit, not the person.

Once he wins her affection, he withdraws. He’ll take her love, her time, her pride, and eventually walk away, leaving her emotionally hollow. The lyrics neither justify nor villainize him—they simply present him as he is, in all his complexity.

This moral ambiguity was rare for Nashville at the time, which made the song stand out all the more.

Waylon’s Performance

Waylon’s delivery turns the song into something deeper and more unsettling. His baritone is low, steady, almost conversational—like a man warning someone about the danger heading her way. The arrangement is stripped back, giving the song more space and tension than many of Jennings’ earlier RCA productions.

A tight rhythm section and subtle steel guitar keep the song rooted in country, but the mood is decidedly darker. There’s less sweetness, less polish, and far more grit. It’s the sound of a singer beginning to claim his independence.

A Glimpse of the Outlaw Movement

“The Taker” landed during a transitional moment in Waylon Jennings’ career. He was pushing for artistic freedom, fighting for the right to choose his own songs, record with his own musicians, and shape his own sound.

The album “The Taker/Tulsa” is often cited as one of the first major signs of his shift toward what would later define the outlaw country movement. Within a few years, he would record groundbreaking albums like “Honky Tonk Heroes” and become one of the movement’s defining figures.

Listening to “The Taker,” you can already hear that rebellion simmering.

Themes and Legacy

At its core, “The Taker” is a story about charm used as a weapon. It exposes the type of man who knows how to say the right things but has no intention of honoring the emotions he awakens. Its power comes from how recognizable this archetype is—many listeners know someone like him, or have fallen for someone like him.

Combined with Jennings’ raw delivery and Kristofferson and Silverstein’s sharp writing, the song has remained one of Waylon’s most memorable early hits. It also stands as a bridge between Nashville’s traditional studio system and the freer, rougher, more personal music Waylon would soon create.

Conclusion

“The Taker” is more than just a successful early single—it is a turning point. With its dark storytelling, bold songwriting, and atmospheric performance, the song helped steer Waylon Jennings toward the outlaw path that would define the rest of his career.

It remains a standout track not only for its musical strength, but for how clearly it signaled the arrival of a new era in country music.