Expert: BethB - 7/14/2009

Question
QUESTION: This is going to be a tough one. There is a song from the outlaws era, or possibly shortly after it, that I can't find on the web. I hear it on the radio on rare occasions (the last time was years ago). The only (partial) line I can think of is the last few words of the last line of (I think) the chorus (or could be a verse?), which goes something like ".........and outlaws like me." There could be a word between the words "and___outlaws...", maybe an adjective, I just can't remember. It has a sort of "Honkytonk Heroes Like Me" flavor. The only thing I know is that it is a group effort sort of like the Highwaymen songs. There are three of four male singers, among them are Tompall Glaser and Waylon, and possible Cash or Willie or Kris--or I don't know who?? I'm completely at a loss, I've been trying to think of more lyrics, or find it on the web for a year or more. It's a song about the music industry, maybe the outlaw movement itself(?), but also the rock area as well, and has a feel similar to "There Ain't No Good Chaingang". It definitely references rock songs and/or rockers from the 60's and/or 70's and places they've performed (or something like that). In that respect it has a rock/outlaw sort of feel and is a little like that song Promised Land by Elvis--tho not as fast--definitely is in the "outlaw country" music style.

ANSWER: Hi!  I have to admit that your question had me stumped for a while...I consider myself a huge outlaws fan (my dog's name is even Waylon!), so it really bothered me that I couldn't come up with an answer for your question!  I think the song you're looking for is "Outlaws Like Us," and it was recorded by Travis Tritt, but it was also performed as a duet by Travis and Waylon, which makes me think that it easily could have been performed by any and all of the Highwaymen at some point.  Hope this helps!
--Beth

Artist: Travis Tritt
Song: Outlaws Like Us
Album: Ten Feet Tall and Bulletproof

I was born a country singer
I love Charlie Pride
Raised on 'He Stopped Loving Her'
Cut my teeth on 'Mama Tried'
Yes, I love Hank Williams
But I still love rock 'n roll
Hank Jr., me and Waylon
We're all cut from the same mold
And they say country's changin'
And we must all adjust
But I still think there's lots of room
For old outlaws like us

I love to jam with the Skynyrd band
'Cause 'Freebird' chills my bones
And I've talked trash with Johnny Cash
And I've sung with George Jones
And I have played on the Opry stage
Where the country legends stood
Where you don't give lies or alibis
'Cause they don't do no good
And Lord, I guess, that I've been blessed
Though I have been kicked and cussed
But it's nothing new to moan the blues
For old outlaws like us

And I wear this country banner
And I'm proud to wave the flag
And you can talk all day 'bout the next Billy Ray
But I'll cast my vote for Hag
And when all those screamin' metal bands
Have corroded into rust
There'll still be a show on Music Row
For old outlaws like us

Now, I don't have a crystal ball
To tell what lies ahead
But I play my way, though some folks say
Country rock is dead
And you may call me old-fashioned
You may think I'm insane
But rhythm and blues is in my blood
And pumping through my veins
And I've still got some loyal fans
That I know I can trust
Who will sell their souls for rock 'n roll
And old outlaws like us

And I wear this country banner
And I'm proud to wave the flag
And you can talk all day 'bout the next Billy Ray
But I'll cast my vote for Hag
And when all those screamin' metal bands
Have corroded into rust
There'll still be a show on Music Row
For old outlaws like us

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: http://www.mp3lyrics.org/d/david-allan-coe/willie/
New Update: Guess what--I found it! But I still don't think I've found the version I was looking for tho. The song is "Willie, Waylon and Me". According to the web it is by David Allen Coe and no other major singers are mentioned as having performed it. I do recognize Coe's voice as probably being one of the voices I remember (his may be the voice I was remembering as Kris Kristopherson), BUT I'm pretty sure I distinctly remember a deeper "Waylon-type voice", whether it was Waylon or not I don't know for sure anymore. I'm pretty sure this deeper voice took over in the last two lines of the verse: "While in Texas the talk turned to Outlaws,
Like Willie and Waylon and me."

The versions I've heard on Youtube don't sound like it. I know that many different versions of songs float around and, where classic country is concerned, it seems that the radio stations get a different version than is available in stores. I know for a fact that many of the songs on the "Greatest Hits" and "Best Of..." albums are not the same version as I've heard on the radio, so that could be the case with the versions I've heard on Youtube. I've only heard the version of this song that appears on radio, I don't know what version that is, and I'm still pretty sure there were more people singing it with Coe. And I'm pretty sure it was studio-not "live" (or if it WAS "live" it was a really clear, high quality recording).  

Answer
I'm so glad you found it!  Not knowing was driving me nuts for you!  haha  I've heard the song before, and like you said, with so many of the "outlaw" songs, once it was written and performed, there are as many versions of a song as there are performers to perform it.  Congrats on finding your song!
--Beth