3. October 2025
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Media Review

Waylon Jennings – Songbird

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Waylon Jennings - Songbird

Waylon Jennings - Songbird
4.5

Rating

 4.5/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Nice and respectful posthumous release
  • Lovely, typical Waylon Jennings style

Waylon Jennings died already 23 years ago. However, in 2024, his son Shooter Jennings started to scan old high quality recordings of Country Music Hall of Fame member, which leads to a series of three so far unreleased albums. Songbird is the first of them. It has been released on 3rd October 2025.

 

Waylon Jennings – About the Artist

Waylon Jennings was born on 15th June 1937 in Littlefield, Texas. So far, he has released a total of 46 studio albums. Jennings’ most successful era were likely the late 1970’s, in which the US American country legend had four chart-topping albums in a row. His last chart-topping single was the 1987 Rose in Paradise. He dies on 13th February 2002 in Chandler, Arizona, after complications with diabetes. His son Shooter is a three time Grammy Award winner. Waylon’s brother Tommy was a successful country music artist as well.

The Songbird series gathers previously unreleased songs, which have been recorded in multiple locations between 1973 and 1984. Shooter states that Songbird is the beginning of Waylon’s return to the modern world and calls it a present from me to you.

 

Waylon Jennings – Songbird – Track by Track

The ten track album lasts 41 minutes.

1. Songbird

The album kicks off with its title track, which also one of two song which have been released before the album. On the lyrics side, the Jennings initially states For you, there’ll be no more crying. And even though the calm song feels a bit of soupy here and there, you feel the message of the song.

2. The Cowboy

With a present steel guitar and a slowly swaying rhythm, The Cowboy does not really meet the return to the modern world thing I quoted above. This one simply has a very traditional vibe, being majorly driven by piano and some rhythmic elements. It is a really nice listen, indeed.

3. I’d Like To Love You Baby

From now on, Songbird solely featured new material to the listener. The song reminds of a train ride through the Wild West, with the harmonica sounding like the engine’s horn. So far, the album feels nostalgic and traditional, but it is not outdated at all. Nice one!

4. I’m Gonna Lay Back

I’m Gonna Lay Back adds some decent rock’n’roll vibes to the album. The song feels like a typical early 1970’s country bar song. The guitar has some really nice solo parts, which are branding this listen.

5. Wrong Road Again

The rhythm is ticking like a large clock in the background, the characteristic voice of Waylon Jennings is causing goosebumps. If you listen to songs like Wrong Road Again, you know why they loved them in the 1970’s. The chorus has a lovely melody in my point of view.

Here I go down that wrong road again
Going back where I’ve already been
Even knowing where it will end up
Here I go down that wrong road again

6. I Hate To Go Searching

If you are a long-time Waylon Jennings fan, especially of his “golden era” in the 1970’s, songs like this will warm your heart. The chorus stays in your mind – and somehow the message I’d hate to go searchin’ them bars again, pickin’ up bruises and scars again feels timeless. The rhythmic vibe makes the song feel surprisingly pop-ish.

7. Brand New Tennessee

With over four minutes, Brand New Tennessee is not only surprisingly long, it is also rather slow and spreads very emotional, but also very warm and harmonic vibes. The lyrics have a nice twist as well, so that I overall really like this one.

At the brand new Tennessee Waltz
You’re literally waltzing on air
At the brand new Tennessee Waltz
Ain’t no telling who will be there

8. I Don’t Have Any More

There’ve been some things,
That I’ve wanted to say a long time
Never have I spent a day without you on my mind
And I’ve tried some love songs,
Now I need to try one that’s new
‘Cause I don’t have anymore love songs to try on you

Yeah, Waylon Jennings songs have a strong, sometimes a bit too intense emotional side. This musical love letter is a great example. You should definitely consider tis one for your romantic, traditional country music playlist.

9. After The Ball

With After The Ball, Songbird gets more zesty and invites you to a traditional country music dance. And, indeed, the song does tell a love story, I really like this one.

After the ball is over, after the ball
If you cannot stand,
I’ve got a place for you to fall
The blinds are drawn,
And I have turned my clock-face to the wall
I’ll be waiting for you after the ball

10. Gone Again

There are two additional upcoming Waylon Jennings albums left. Nonethtless I feel that the title fits really nicely to the mood of the album. Thus, this one a really nice – I like it!

 

Waylon Jennings – Songbird – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

Waylon Jennings – Songbird – My View

Posthumous album releases always come with a special, additional emotional touch. I struggle very often with them as they feel like trying to go for the last chance to cash in some money from a deceased major artist. Shooter Jennings, though honors his father in a lovey way. The album feels like a very fluent listen, the songs are good and really take you back a few decades. I really enjoyed listen to Waylon Jennings’ songbird.

Favorite Song: I Don’t Have Any More

 

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