About the song
Waylon Jennings and the Ballad of the Common Man: A Lyrical Look at “Old Five and Dimers Like Me”
In the pantheon of country music legends, Waylon Jennings stands as a towering figure, a man whose voice and persona embodied the very essence of the genre. With a career spanning over five decades, Jennings was a true outlaw, a maverick who defied industry norms and forged his own path, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of American music.
One of Jennings’ most poignant and relatable songs is “Old Five and Dimers Like Me”, a ballad that captures the struggles and aspirations of the working class with a raw honesty and heartfelt sincerity that has resonated with listeners for generations. Released in 1973 as part of his Honky Tonk Heroes album, the song quickly became a country standard, cementing Jennings’ status as a voice for the voiceless.
“Old Five and Dimers Like Me” is a song about the everyday folks, the salt of the earth, those who toil away day in and day out, often for little recognition or reward. It’s a song about the dreams deferred, the sacrifices made, and the quiet dignity of those who keep the world turning. Jennings sings from the perspective of a man who has seen it all, who has experienced the highs and lows of life, and who has come to accept his place in the grand scheme of things.
The song’s lyrics are simple yet profound, painting a vivid picture of the lives of those who live paycheck to paycheck. Jennings sings of the “long hard miles” they travel, the “grease and grime” that cover their hands, and the “calloused hearts” they bear. But amidst the hardship, there is also a sense of pride and resilience, a determination to make the most of what life has to offer.
The chorus of the song is a poignant declaration of self-acceptance, a refusal to be defined by others’ expectations. “I’ve spent a lifetime makin’ up my mind to be / More than the measure of what I thought others could see,” Jennings sings. “Good luck and fast bucks are too far and too few between / Cadillac buyers and old five and dimers like me.”
“Old Five and Dimers Like Me” is a song that speaks to the heart, a reminder that true worth is not measured by material possessions or social status. It’s a song that celebrates the ordinary, the everyday heroes who make the world a better place. And it’s a song that is as relevant today as it was when it was first released, a testament to the enduring power of Jennings’ music.
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Lyrics
“Old Five And Dimers Like Me”
I’ve spent the lifetime making up my mind to be
More than the measure of what I thought others could see
Good luck and fast bucks are too far and too few between
Catalog buyers and old five and dimers like me.She stood beside me letting me know she would be
Something to lean on when everything ran out on me
Fenced yards ain’t hole cards and like is not never will be
Reason for rhymers and old five and dimers like me.It’s taking me so long and now that I know I believe
All that I do or say is all I ever will be
Too far and too high and too deep ain’t too much to be
Too much ain’t enough for old five and dimers like me.Mhm, mhm, an old five and dimer is all I intended to be…