Waylon Jennings, one of the most iconic figures in country music, left behind a legacy of storytelling, soul-stirring lyrics, and a genre-defining style. Among his many timeless tracks is the heartfelt “A Long Time Ago,” a song that epitomizes Jennings’ ability to weave vivid memories, reflective emotions, and resonant melodies into one cohesive masterpiece. The track appears on his 1979 album What Goes Around Comes Around, a work that showcases Jennings’ maturity as an artist while staying true to his outlaw country roots. This blog takes a closer look at the song, its instrumental composition, and its place within Jennings’ larger body of work, while also providing some listening recommendations for fans who wish to dive deeper into similar country music gems.
The Album: What Goes Around Comes Around
Released in 1979, What Goes Around Comes Around captures Waylon Jennings during a pivotal era in his career. By this time, Jennings was already a leader of the outlaw country movement—a rebellious branch of country music that pushed back against the polished, Nashville-dominated sound of the 1960s and early 1970s. This album showcases Jennings’ signature style, blending raw emotion, stripped-down instrumentation, and lyrical authenticity.
While What Goes Around Comes Around includes several standout tracks, “A Long Time Ago” arguably takes center stage. The song is a nostalgic ode to past experiences and relationships, reflecting on how time and distance can transform even the most vivid memories into fleeting shadows. This theme of introspection is a hallmark of both the album and Jennings’ work, as he often wrote or chose songs that mirrored his own journey through life’s challenges and triumphs.
The album’s overall sound is a blend of traditional country instrumentation and modern production values. True to the outlaw country aesthetic, the arrangements lean on guitars, bass, and drums, with occasional touches of piano or pedal steel guitar. The production avoids over-complication, allowing the emotional weight of each song to shine through. It’s within this framework that “A Long Time Ago” truly thrives.
The Sound of “A Long Time Ago”: Instruments and Arrangement
At its core, “A Long Time Ago” is a quintessential piece of music that embodies the soul of country storytelling. The instrumental arrangement is deceptively simple but brimming with emotional resonance. Jennings’ deep, gravelly voice serves as the anchor, immediately drawing listeners into the story. His vocals are accompanied by a well-balanced blend of acoustic and electric guitars, which create a warm, nostalgic tone perfect for the song’s reflective lyrics.
The guitar work is particularly notable. Jennings was known for his unique guitar style, which combined rhythm and melody in a way that gave his music a natural flow. On “A Long Time Ago,” the acoustic guitar provides a steady foundation, while the electric guitar adds subtle flourishes, such as soft licks and understated solos that enhance the mood without overpowering the vocals. This balance exemplifies the craftsmanship that went into Jennings’ arrangements.
Another standout element is the use of piano, which adds a gentle, almost melancholic touch to the song. The piano lines are sparse but effective, filling the gaps between vocal phrases and adding an extra layer of depth to the composition. Combined with the steady bassline and unobtrusive percussion, the instrumentation creates a soundscape that feels intimate yet expansive—a perfect match for the song’s themes of memory and loss.
The Lyrics: A Journey Through Time
One of the hallmarks of Waylon Jennings’ songwriting (and his choice of material) is his ability to make listeners feel as if they are part of the story. In “A Long Time Ago,” Jennings reflects on the passage of time, recounting moments of joy, heartbreak, and growth. The lyrics are steeped in nostalgia, painting vivid pictures of past experiences while acknowledging the inevitability of change.
Lines such as “I keep on remembering how you once said that you’d always love me” evoke a bittersweet sense of longing, while the refrain underscores the fleeting nature of life’s most meaningful moments. The simplicity of the lyrics belies their emotional power; Jennings doesn’t need elaborate metaphors or verbose descriptions to convey the weight of his feelings. Instead, he relies on straightforward language and his evocative delivery to drive the point home.
This lyrical approach makes “A Long Time Ago” not just a song but a shared experience. Listeners are invited to reflect on their own lives, their own memories, and their own “long time ago.” This universality is a key reason why Jennings’ music continues to resonate with audiences decades after its release.
Similar Songs for Your Playlist
If you find yourself captivated by the reflective tone and masterful instrumentation of “A Long Time Ago,” there are several other tracks and artists you might enjoy. Here are a few recommendations:
- “Good Hearted Woman” – Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson
This classic duet is one of Jennings’ most famous tracks. While it has a more upbeat tempo than “A Long Time Ago,” it shares a similar focus on heartfelt storytelling and authentic emotion. - “He Stopped Loving Her Today” – George Jones
Widely regarded as one of the greatest country songs of all time, this track is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and memory, much like “A Long Time Ago.” - “Poncho and Lefty” – Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard
Another iconic outlaw country collaboration, this song tells a vivid and somewhat mysterious story that will appeal to fans of Jennings’ narrative style. - “If We Make It Through December” – Merle Haggard
Like Jennings, Haggard had a gift for writing songs that resonate with listeners on a deeply personal level. This track, with its themes of resilience and hope, is a great companion to “A Long Time Ago.” - “The Gambler” – Kenny Rogers
While stylistically a bit more polished than Jennings’ work, “The Gambler” is a masterclass in storytelling, making it a natural fit for fans of Jennings’ music.
The Enduring Legacy of “A Long Time Ago”
Waylon Jennings’ “A Long Time Ago” is more than just a song—it’s a testament to the power of music to capture and preserve the essence of human experience. From its masterful use of guitar and piano to its evocative lyrics, the track is a shining example of why Jennings remains a towering figure in the world of country music.
The song also serves as a reminder of the timeless appeal of well-crafted storytelling. In a world where trends and technologies come and go, a heartfelt piece of music like “A Long Time Ago” continues to resonate because it speaks to universal truths about love, loss, and the passage of time. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Waylon Jennings or a newcomer to his catalog, this track—and the album What Goes Around Comes Around—deserves a place in your rotation.
For those who love the raw emotion and masterful instrumentation of this song, exploring other works by Jennings and his contemporaries will undoubtedly be a rewarding journey. Whether it’s the twang of a guitar, the subtle elegance of a piano line, or the heartfelt delivery of a well-crafted lyric, country music offers a treasure trove of moments that can transport you to another time and place—a “long time ago,” indeed.