"Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)" is a song recorded by American

country music Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...

artist

Waylon Jennings Waylon Arnold Jennings (June 15, 1937 – February 13, 2002) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He is considered one of the pioneers of the Outlaw country, outlaw movement in country music. Jennings started playing ...

. It was released in April 1977 as the first single from the album '' Ol' Waylon''. It was written by Chips Moman and Bobby Emmons.

Lyrics

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 move to the small town of Luckenbach, Texas. References in the song include the Hatfields and McCoys,

Hank Williams Hiram "Hank" Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. An early pioneer of country music, he is regarded as one of the most significant and influential musicians of the 20th century. W ...

, Mickey Newbury,

Jerry Jeff Walker Jerry Jeff Walker (born Ronald Clyde Crosby; March 16, 1942 – October 23, 2020) was an American country and folk singer-songwriter. He was a leading figure in the progressive country and outlaw country music movement. He also wrote t ...

, and " Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain". The final refrain of the song features a guest vocal by

Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor and activist. He was one of the main figures of the outlaw country subgenre that developed in the late 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restr ...

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."

Chart performance

The song debuted on April 16, 1977, reaching #1 on the country charts on May 21, 1977 and stayed there until June 25, 1977.

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Cover versions

*In 1981,

Alvin and the Chipmunks Alvin and the Chipmunks, originally David Seville and the Chipmunks and billed for their first two decades as the Chipmunks, are an American animated virtual band and media franchise first created by Ross Bagdasarian for Novelty records in ...

covered the song for their country album '' Urban Chipmunk''.

References

*''Ultimate Waylon Jennings'' CD liner notes, Lenny Kaye, c.2004 {{authority control 1977 singles Billboard Hot Country Songs number-one singles of the year RPM Country Tracks number-one singles of the year Male vocal duets Waylon Jennings songs Willie Nelson songs Songs written by Chips Moman Song recordings produced by Chips Moman Songs about Texas RCA Records singles 1977 songs Songs written by Bobby Emmons