Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)

"Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)" is a song recorded by American country music artist Waylon Jennings. It was released in April 1977 as the first single from the album Ol' Waylon. It was written by Chips Moman and Bobby Emmons.

"Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)"
Single by Waylon Jennings
from the album Ol' Waylon
B-side"Belle of the Ball"
ReleasedApril 11, 1977
RecordedJanuary 1977
GenreCountry, outlaw country
Length3:22
LabelRCA Records
Songwriter(s)Bobby Emmons, Chips Moman
Producer(s)Chips Moman
Waylon Jennings singles chronology
"Are You Ready for the Country"
(1977)		 "Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)"
(1977)		 "The Wurlitzer Prize (I Don't Want to Get Over You)"
(1977)

Content

The song refers to a couple whose position in "high society" has placed strains on their marriage ("this successful life we're livin' got us feudin' like the Hatfields and McCoys") and finances ("four-car garage, and we're still buildin' on"). Jennings suggests that the couple return to "the basics of love" and relocate to the small town of Luckenbach, Texas.

References in the song include the Hatfields and McCoys, Hank Williams, Mickey Newbury, Jerry Jeff Walker, and "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain."[1]

The final refrain of the song features a guest vocal by Willie Nelson.

It is included in "A Texas Medley," composed by Jim Clancy and sung by The Vocal Majority.

In 1981, Alvin and the Chipmunks covered the song for their country album Urban Chipmunk.

History

The song was co-written by Chips Moman and Bobby Emmons who proposed the song to Jennings because his "name's in it." At the time of recording the song, neither the writers nor Jennings had ever been to Luckenbach. In his autobiography, Jennings wrote: "I knew it was a hit song, even though I didn't like it, and still don't."[2] Jennings thought the song succeeded because "every state has a Luckenbach; a place to get away from things."

Chart performance

The song debuted on April 16, 1977, reaching #1 on the country charts on May 21, 1977, and staying there until June 25, 1977. It also reached #25 on the pop charts while causing Ol' Waylon to reach the top of the country album charts and #15 on Billboard Top LPs and Tapes chart.

Chart (1977) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles[3] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[4] 25
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Singles[5] 16
Canadian RPM Country Tracks 1
Canadian RPM Top Singles 46
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks 40

References
  1. CMT : Song Lyrics : Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love) Lyrics : Johnny Russell
  2. Waylon, Jennings (1996), Waylon: An Autobiography, Kaye, Lenny., Media Books, ISBN 1578152062, OCLC 48983943
  3. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944–2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 175.
  4. "Waylon Jennings Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  5. Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–2001. Record Research. p. 126.
  • Ultimate Waylon Jennings CD liner notes, Lenny Kaye, c.2004
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