About The Song
“The Taker” by Waylon Jennings is a masterful reflection of the complexity of human relationships, steeped in the raw honesty and melancholy that made Jennings a cornerstone of country music. Released in 1970 as part of his album Waylon Sings, the song showcases Jennings’ distinctive ability to blend emotive storytelling with his characteristic outlaw spirit. With its subtle, yet poignant lyrics, “The Taker” weaves a tale of love, loss, and the price of living on one’s own terms, a theme that resonates deeply with fans of Waylon Jennings‘s music.
At its heart, “The Taker” is a song about a man who has made his peace with his own flaws, particularly when it comes to matters of the heart. The protagonist is a man who loves deeply but is also consumed by his own selfishness and inability to truly give. In this sense, he embodies the archetype of the flawed, hardened soul—one who takes more than he gives, perhaps out of fear or simple emotional detachment. The beauty of the song lies in the fact that Jennings doesn’t present this character as a villain, but rather as a tragic figure caught in the destructive patterns of his own behavior. There’s an undeniable empathy in the way Jennings sings about the “taker”—it’s a story of self-awareness, guilt, and the human condition.
Musically, the song fits seamlessly into Jennings’ broader catalog of country ballads, with its smooth blend of acoustic guitar, simple percussion, and the occasional flourish of steel guitar that adds a touch of melancholy to the atmosphere. The arrangement is understated, allowing the lyrics to shine and Jennings’ voice to stand front and center. His vocal delivery is as expressive as ever—gravelly, yet rich with emotion, conveying a sense of weary acceptance. There is no bravado in his performance; instead, he delivers the song with a quiet restraint that makes the message even more potent.
“The Taker” also illustrates Jennings’ ability to convey the complicated emotions that come with love and regret. His voice is one of the most recognizably emotive in country music, capable of evoking deep empathy even when delivering a character’s darker side. This song is, in many ways, a study in contrast: the lyricism speaks to the selfishness of the “taker,” yet Jennings’ voice imbues the character with a certain nobility, a tragic quality that makes his emotional distance all the more poignant.
Released at a time when country music was beginning to embrace a more progressive, outlaw narrative, “The Taker” is one of those songs that straddles the line between traditional country and the rebellious spirit of the genre’s evolution. It’s a reflection of the changes occurring within Jennings’ own career as he was beginning to define himself not only as a country singer, but as a voice for those who rejected the polished image of Nashville and instead embraced a more authentic, raw portrayal of life and love.
“The Taker” is an exemplary piece of country storytelling, blending emotive lyrics with Waylon Jennings’ distinctive voice and musical style. It’s a haunting and powerful exploration of love’s darker side, delivered with a depth of feeling that only Jennings could muster. The song remains a powerful reminder of his ability to create music that transcends simple genre boundaries, resonating with listeners long after the song fades. It’s a classic piece of Jennings’ catalog and a perfect example of the outlaw country movement’s unique ability to bring depth and authenticity to the most intimate aspects of the human experience.
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Lyric
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He’s a giver, he’ll give her the kindOf attention that she’s never knownHe’s a helper, he’ll help her to openThe doors that she can’t on her own.He’s a lover and he’ll love her in waysThat she’s never been loved beforeHe’s a getter, he’ll get her by gettin’ herInto the world she’s been hungerin’ for.He’s a charmer, he’ll charm her with moneyAnd manners that I never learnedHe’s a leader, he’ll lead her acrossPretty bridges he’s plannin’ to burn.He’s a talker, he’ll talk her right off of her feetBut he won’t talk for long‘Cause he’s a doer, and he’ll do her the wayThat I’d never, damned if he won’t do her wrong.He’s a taker, he’ll take her to placesAnd make her fly higher than she’s ever dared toHe’ll take his time before takin’ advantageTakin’ her easy and slow.And after he’s taken the body and soulShe gives him he’ll take her for grantedTake off and leave her taken all of herPride when he goes.He’s a taker, he’ll take her to placesAnd make her fly higher than she’s ever dared toHe’ll take his time before takin’ advantageTakin’ her easy and slow