Country music has long had a fascination with the darker sides of life. At times, that fascination earns our favorite artists a stint in jail. Sonically speaking, of course. Yes, many country artists have dreamed about what it might be like to be behind bars. Find four of our favorite examples of songs about jail time, below.
Videos by American Songwriter
“I Ain’t Living Long Like This” (Merle Haggard)
Leave it to outlaw country mainstay Waylon Jennings to pen a song about the trials of living life on the run. I look for trouble and I found it son / Straight down the barrel of a law man’s gun / I tried to run but I don’t think I can / You make one move and you’re a dead man friend, he sings in the opening verse. He later takes us into the jailhouse towards the end of this song, singing about the isolation of jail time. Can’t live at all like this, can I baby, he sings.
“Wait in the Truck” (HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson)
HARDY plays the savior of a battered woman in “Wait in the Truck”. He ends her suffering with the gun he has stashed under his seat. Despite HARDY‘s altruistic intentions in this song, it lands his character some jail time. The silver lining? The woman he saved never misses visiting day. It’s been 60 months and she still comes / To see me from time to time / It was worth the price, to see a brighter side / Of the girl I picked up that night, he sings in this modern murder ballad.
[RELATED: Lainey Wilson Pens Message to Country Music Community After Big Night at ACM Awards]
“Women’s Prison” (Loretta Lynn)
A women suffering from infidelity will do all manner of things to feel better. At least, that’s the idea behind this Loretta Lynn song about jail time. “Women’s Prison” sees Lynn get revenge on her cheating partner. Unfortunately, her plan gets her sent to death row, awaiting her final judgement. I’m in a women’s prison / With bars all around / I caught my darlin’ cheating / That’s when I shot him down, she sings in this chilling track.
“Somethin’ Bad” (Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood)
Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood play a Thelma & Louise-type duo in “Somethin’ Bad”. They head out on the open road with nothing in mind but a good time. Their hell-raising earns the attention of the cops. If the cops catch up, they’re gonna call it kidnappin’ / Got a real good feelin’ somethin’ bad about to happen, they sing. They don’t stop living life to the fullest, despite their impending jail time in this song. Consequences be damned.
(Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.