Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)

"Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)"
Single by Waylon Jennings
from the album Ol' Waylon
Released April 11, 1977
Format 7"
Recorded January 1977
Genre Country, outlaw country
Length 3:22
Label RCA Records
Writer(s) Bobby Emmons, 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)
Music sample
"Waylon Jennings - Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)"

"Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)" is a popular song sung by Waylon Jennings released in April 1977, at the height of outlaw country on the hit album Ol' Waylon. It was written by Chips Moman and Bobby Emmons.

The song references a couple who's position in "high society" has placed strains on their marriage ("this successful live 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: 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.

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

Contents

Chart performance

Chart (1977) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles 1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 25
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Singles 16
Canadian RPM Country Tracks 1
Canadian RPM Top Singles 46
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks 40
Preceded by
"Some Broken Hearts Never Mend"
by Don Williams
Billboard Hot Country Singles
number-one single

May 21-June 25, 1977
Succeeded by
"That Was Yesterday"
by Donna Fargo
Preceded by
"The Rains Came"
by Freddy Fender
RPM Country Tracks
number-one single

June 18-July 2, 1977
Succeeded by
"I'll Be Leaving Alone"
by Charley Pride
Preceded by
"Convoy"
by C. W. McCall
Billboard Hot Country Singles
number-one single of the year

1977
Succeeded by
"Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys"
by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson
Preceded by
none
RPM Country Tracks
number-one single of the year

1977
Succeeded by
"Portrait in the Window"
by Carroll Baker

Sources and references

Sources

References