«I Ain’t Living Long Like This» is a song written by Rodney Crowell that was first recorded by Gary Stewart on his 1977 album Your Place or Mine (with Rodney Crowell and Nicolette Larson on backing vocals). Emmylou Harris then recorded the song for her 1978 album, Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town. Crowell released his version as well in 1978 on his debut album Ain’t Living Long Like This.

In 1979, Waylon Jennings recorded the song for his album What Goes Around Comes Around. His version was his eleventh number one on the country chart. It is included on the Grand Theft Auto V soundtrack and played on the in-game radio station Rebel Radio hosted by Jesco White.

From the album What Goes Around Comes Around
B-side «It’s the World Gone Crazy (Cotillion)»
Released December 1979
Genre Country rock
Length 4:44
Label RCA Records
Songwriter(s) Rodney Crowell
Producer(s) Richie Albright</h4

Waylon Jennings – Ain’t Living Long Like This Lyrics

I look for trouble and I found it son
Straight down the barrel of a lawman’s gun
I tried to run but I don’t think I can
You make one move and you’re a dead man friend
Ain’t living long like this
Can’t live at all like this,can I baby?

He slipped the handcuffs on behind my back
And left me reeling on a steel reel rack
They got’em all in the jailhouse baby
Ain’t living long like this
Can’t live at all like this,can I baby?

Grew up in Houston off the wayside drives
Son of a carhop and some all night dives
Dad drove a stock car to an early death
All I remember was a drunk man’s breath
Ain’t living long like this
Can’t live at all like this,can I baby?

You know the story how the wheel goes ‘round
Don’t let them take you to the man down town
Can’t sleep at all in a jailhouse baby
Ain’t living long like this
Can’t live at all like this,can I baby?

I live with Angel she’s a roadhouse queen
Makes Texas Ruby look like Sandra Dee
I want to love her but I don’t know how
I’m at the bottom in the jailhouse now
Ain’t living long like this
Can’t live at all like this,can I baby?

You know the story about the jailhouse rock
Don’t want to do it but just don’t get caught
They got’em all in the jailhouse baby
Ain’t living long like this
Can’t live at all like this,can I baby?