Waylon Jennings — Ladies Love Outlaws
About the Song
“Ladies Love Outlaws” is a signature track performed by Waylon Jennings and released in 1972 under RCA Victor. The song later appeared on his 1972 album of the same name. Written by Lee Clayton, the track was originally recorded by Clayton in 1971, but it was Jennings’ version that carried the song into mainstream country recognition. With a runtime of 3 minutes and 33 seconds, the song peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart on August 12, 1972, and remained on the chart for 12 weeks.
One of the most quoted lines from the song captures its theme perfectly: “Ladies love outlaws, like babies love stray dogs / Ladies touch babies like a banker touches gold.” The lyrics celebrate the irresistible charm of the outlaw lifestyle — wild, rebellious, misunderstood, and impossible to tame.
Recording & Production
Jennings recorded the song in 1972 at the legendary RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee. It was produced by Ron Chancey and featured performances from his band The Waylors, including Ralph Mooney on steel guitar, Jerry Gropp on guitar, and Richie Albright on drums. Additional support came from Nashville session musicians and a background vocal group.
The arrangement blended Mooney’s iconic steel riffs with a steady rolling rhythm and Jennings’ unmistakable baritone, helping shape the early sonic identity of outlaw country — raw, rhythmic, and emotionally rugged.
Album Impact & Outlaw Movement
The album Ladies Love Outlaws reached No. 7 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and sold over 300,000 copies by 1973 according to RIAA documentation. The release came during a period when Jennings was pushing back against RCA’s creative restrictions, fighting for full artistic control of his music.
The song and album became a cornerstone of the outlaw country era, aligning Jennings with artists like Willie Nelson as they redefined the genre with independence, grit, and authenticity. In 1972, Jennings told Country Music magazine: “It’s about the spirit of living outside the lines.”
Live Performances & Cultural Reach
Jennings regularly performed “Ladies Love Outlaws” in his live sets, including the 1972 Dripping Springs Reunion in Texas, where the song strongly resonated with fans drawn to its anti-establishment energy.
The track also received national exposure through the 1972 television special Country Music USA, broadcast on ABC, which featured a live performance by Jennings. The song’s influence extended beyond music into pop culture, appearing in the 1976 film The Outlaw Josey Wales during a saloon scene, and later in the 2019 hit series Yellowstone, used to underscore a rugged character moment.
Covers & Later Releases
Lee Clayton’s original 1971 recording remains the song’s earliest version, followed by Hank Williams Jr.’s 1973 cover on Why Don’t You Love Me. Jennings’ rendition later inspired additional covers, including a 1980 version by The Outlaws, documented by SecondHandSongs.
A live recording from Jennings’ 1973 Grand Ole Opry appearance was released decades later on the 2008 album Waylon Live: The Lost Nashville Sessions. A duet version with Willie Nelson also appeared on their 1978 collaborative album Waylon & Willie, reinforcing the song’s place in outlaw country history.
Legacy
“Ladies Love Outlaws” stands as more than a song — it is a cultural emblem of freedom, rebellion, and emotional honesty. It captured Waylon Jennings at a pivotal moment, evolving from Nashville artist to country outlaw, not by image alone but by conviction, sound, and lifestyle.
His voice told stories of heartbreak and defiance. His music rejected control. And this song, in particular, reminded the world why the outlaw movement needed him — and why the world listened when he sang about those who refuse to bow.
