Waylon Jennings‘ “Good Ol’ Boys” was penned by the outlaw country icon and was released in 1980 as the second single from his album, Music Man. The tune was also used as the theme song for the popular CBS television series The Dukes of Hazzard. The memorable song became a #1 hit on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart and has the distinction of being Jennings’ biggest hit on the Billboard Hot 100— peaking at #21.
Besides providing the theme song, Jennings also provided narration for the popular television show. During each episode, he would provide a viewpoint of the on-screen situations, add in comical asides, and down-home quips. After numerous requests from fans to see ‘The Balladeer’ in front of the camera, Jennings eventually appeared in one episode, appropriately titled “Welcome, Waylon Jennings”, in which he was introduced as an old friend of the Dukes.
Enjoy the show’s classic intro below!
Waylon Jennings Good Ol’ Boys Video
“Good Ol’ Boys” Lyrics
Just’a good ol’ boys
Never meanin’ no harm.
Beats all you never saw
Been in trouble with the law
Since the day they was born
Staightnin’ the curves
Flatnin the hills
Someday the mountain might get ’em
But the law never will
Makin’ their way
The only way they know how
That’s just a little bit more
Than the law will allow.
Makin’ their way
The only way they know how
That’s just a little bit more
Than the law will allow.
I’m a good ol’ boy
You know my momma loves me
But she don’t understand
They keep a showin my hands and not my face on TV
OH YEA
The Dukes of Hazzard aired a total of 147 episodes spanning seven seasons from January 26, 1979 to February 8, 1985 on CBS. Fun fact, country stars Dottie West, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Paycheck, Buck Owens, and The Oak Ridge Boys also made guest appearances on the show.
