Song written by Bobby Emmons and Chips Moman, was recorded by Waylon Jennings for the RCA label, the song was recorded on January 7, 1977, at American Studios, 1111 17th Ave. South, Nashville, TN, Waylon was accompanied in the recording by: Waylon Jennings (vocals and guitar), Reggie Young (guitar), Johnny Christopher (guitar), Gordon Payne (guitar), Rance Wasson (guitar), Ralph Mooney (steel & dobro), Sherman Hayes (bass), Ritchie Albright (drums), Clifford Robertson (keyboards) and Willie. With the production of Chips Moman, the song was released on April 11, 1977, on May 21, 1977, reached the number # 1 on the lists of U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles, for six weeks, and remained 18 weeks on the charts. On June 18, 1977, he also reached number # 1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks charts, for three consecutive weeks. It was the fourth number one in the Waylon race.

The song was included in Waylon’s twenty- four studio album, Ol ‘Waylon (RCA 1977), the album was released in April 1977, and June 4, 1977, it reached number # 1 on the U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums. The album was certified platinum in the USA, and gold in Canada.

About the song:

The composers who knew Waylon Jennings well knew that the best way to interest him in one of his songs was to use a bit of psychology about him saying: “Here is a song that you can not do, but I would like you to listen to it, auque do not like it, we’re interested in your opinion. Most of the time, Waylon took the bait and decided at that moment to make the song his own.

Chips Moman, use this method, to present the song to Waylon, However, Moman really felt that Waylon might not want to record it because the lyrics mentioned him by name, but Jennings had no problems with the references of the song and wanted to record it for his album Ol Waylon.

While Waylon was in the studios recording the song, “Luckenbach, Texas,” Nelson went by without any particular reason. Jennings saw it and said: “Hey, come here and sing with me about this.” Then, Willie ended up adding his voice to the last verse, providing a couple of lyrical alterations in the process.

Suddenly, the small town of Luckenbach was besieged by network reporters and camera crews. Reportedly, more than a hundred city limits signs have been stolen from the city since Waylon’s famous album first came on the airwaves in 1977. Twenty years later, at the end of his career, Jennings finally made an appearance in Luckenbach for the first time, performing a Concert there on July 4, 1997.

Some Versions

John Rowles 1978 (EMI New Zeland)
Boyce & Kramer 1978 (Frog Records)
Tommy Cash 1982 (51 West)
Roy Drusky 1982 (Brylen Records
Billy Cole Reed 1982 (Phonorama)
Radney Foster & Roger Creager 2003 (Dualtone)
Adam Harvey 2013 (Sony Music)

and some more …

Waylon Jennings – Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love) Lyrics

The only two things in life that make it worth livin’
Is guitars that tune good and firm feelin’ women
I don’t need my name in the marquee lights
I got my song and I got you with me tonight
Maybe it’s time we got back to the basics of love

Let’s go to Luckenbach, Texas
With Waylon and Willie and the boys
This successful life we’re livin’
Got us feuding like the Hatfields and McCoys
Between Hank Williams’ pain songs and
Newbury’s train songs and Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain
Out in Luckenbach, Texas ain’t nobody feelin’ no pain

So baby, let’s sell your diamond ring
Buy some boots and faded jeans and go away
This coat and tie is choking me
In your high society you cry all day
We’ve been so busy keepin’ up with the Jones
Four car garage and we’re still building on
Maybe it’s time we got back to the basics of love

Let’s go to Luckenbach, Texas
With Waylon and Willie and the boys
This successful life we’re livin’ got us feudin’
Like the Hatfield and McCoys
Between Hank Williams’ pain songs and
Newberry’s train songs and Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain
Out in Luckenbach, Texas ain’t nobody feelin’ no pain
Let’s go to Luckenbach, Texas
With Willie and Waylon and the boys
This successful life we’re livin’s got us feudin’
Like the Hatfield and McCoys
Between Hank Williams’ pain songs
And Jerry Jeff’s train songs and Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain
Out in Luckenbach, Texas there ain’t nobody feelin’ no pain