Waylon Jennings – Amanda

“Amanda” is a 1973 song written by Bob McDill and recorded by both Don Williams (1973) and Waylon Jennings (1974). “Amanda” was Waylon Jennings’s eighth solo number one on the country chart. The single stayed at number one for three weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

As recorded by Jennings, “Amanda” had been a track on his 1974 album The Ramblin’ Man, but was not released as a single at that time; two other tracks, “I’m a Ramblin’ Man” and “Rainy Day Woman,” were. More than 4½ years later, new overdubs were added to the original track and placed on his first greatest hits album. In April 1979 the song was issued as a single, and it soon became one of the biggest country hits of 1979.

From the album Greatest Hits
B-side “Lonesome, On’ry, and Mean”
Released April 1979
Recorded July 15, 1974 (original)
Genre Country
Length 2:56
Label RCA 11596
Songwriter(s) Bob McDill
Producer(s) Waylon Jennings

Waylon Jennings – Amanda lyrics

I’ve held it all inward, God knows, I’ve tried,
But it’s an awful awakening in a country boy’s life,
To look in the mirror in total surprise.
At the hair on my shoulders and the age in my eyes.

Amanda, light of my life.
Fate should have made you a gentleman’s wife.
Amanda, light of my life.
Fate should have made you a gentleman’s wife.

It’s a measure of people who don’t understand,
The pleasures of life in a hillbilly band.
I got my first guitar when I was fourteen,
Well I finally made forty, still wearing jeans.

Amanda, light of my life.
Fate should have made you a gentleman’s wife.
Amanda, light of my life.
Fate should have made you a gentleman’s wife.