Love of the Common People
Waylon Jennings · 1967
33 min · 14 tracks · country music
A compelling blend of traditional country storytelling and rock influences, reflecting the struggles of everyday life.
Top tracks — play these first
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Love of the Common People Start here — This track epitomizes Jennings’ narrative strength, telling a poignant story about working-class struggles amidst social challenges. Its enduring appeal is evident through various covers by notable artists.
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Money Cannot Make the Man — The song critiques materialism and emphasizes character over wealth, aligning with Jennings’ authentic voice in country music. Its heartfelt delivery resonates with listeners seeking deeper meaning.
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Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town — This powerful ballad showcases Jennings’ emotional range as he narrates the pain of a love unfulfilled due to war's impact. Its vivid imagery and haunting melody have made it a classic.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong storytelling and a blend of genres, but lacks overall cohesion in its pacing.
What we noticed
- The sequencing includes a notable shift in mood with 'Love of the Common People' positioned as a centerpiece, which highlights its lyrical depth.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- heartfelt storytelling with relatability
- steady pacing for casual listening
- mid-tempo flow for road trips
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced, energetic music
- looking for lengthy epics
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked a significant turning point in Jennings' career.
- Themes
- everyday struggles· working-class heartache· honky-tonk storytelling
- Career context
- Released on August 1, 1967, 'Love of the Common People' was Waylon Jennings' fourth studio album and marked a significant turning point in his career. At this stage, Jennings was transitioning from an established Nashville artist to a prominent figure in the outlaw country movement, embracing a more rebellious and authentic sound that would define his future work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Willie Nelson· Johnny Cash· Merle Haggard
Tracklist
- 1 Money Cannot Make the Man 2:51
- 2 Young Widow Brown 2:10
- 3 You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away 2:21
- 4 Love of the Common People Start here 2:55
- 5 I Tremble for You 2:16
- 6 Destiny’s Child 2:06
- 7 Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town 2:13
- 8 The Road 2:52
- 9 If the Shoe Fits 2:18
- 10 Don’t Waste Your Time 2:17
- 11 Taos, New Mexico 2:22
- 12 Two Streaks of Steel 2:17
- 13 The Chokin’ Kind 2:27
- 14 Walk On Out of My Mind 2:18
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
At Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash
Shares themes of working-class struggles and a raw, authentic sound that resonates with everyday life.
Red Headed Stranger
Willie Nelson
Similar storytelling approach and emotional depth, focusing on heartache and the human experience.
Our Mother the Mountain
Townes Van Zandt
Combines poignant storytelling with a blend of folk and country, reflecting life's hardships authentically.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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