In 2025, the first of the trilogy of posthumous Waylon Jennings albums, Songbird, was released. That album ended up being voted as Holler’s Album of the Year.

The project is being spearheaded by Shooter Jennings, a legendary producer and son of the outlaw, who discovered several multitrack recordings of Waylon, alongside his backing band The Waylors, from between 1971 and 1985. These recordings were intended for release but never quite made it out into the world. With two more albums on the way, our first taste of the 2026 offering comes with the single ‘Diamonds’, and it’s looking very promising.

The surprise drop of the single came through the Official Waylon Jennings social accounts. In June 21, the account posted the lyric video for the track, captioning it with “the first single and title track from the 2026 Waylon Jennings album Diamonds”.

As if this wasn’t exciting enough, the track features Waylon’s own band, The Waylors, along with country legend Glen Campbell on guitar. Although he was one of the most talented country guitar players to have ever lived, Campbell is typically remembered for his own remarkable catalogue rather, than the studio contributions he made to a multitude of songs.

Whilst Songbird was a stunning collection of largely mellowed tracks with some country-blues moments sprinkled in throughout, if ‘Diamonds’ is anything to go by, then it’s looking like the next instalment will sit closer to Waylon’s lively, brash and bold outlaw country classics.

Diamonds is set for a physical release on November 13, before being added to streaming platforms on December 11 - whether this is Shooter taking a page out of the Johnny Blue Skies’ book and going for a physical release only first, like this year’s Mutiny After Midnight, we’re not sure. Perhaps it’s just to fit in with replicating the 80s feel of the original recordings - after all, it’s Waylon; you should hear it on vinyl.

'Diamonds' immediately throws us into the world of Waylon's outlaw country classics, with Campbell's phenomenal guitar solo, a very heavy bassline and the legendary vocals, there's no doubt that the track has been pulled out of the late '70s. The rowdy feel that will hopefully be characterising the album shines through on the track and feels as if it could have been recorded in a smoky barroom.

‘Didn't I give you diamonds? Didn't I give you stars?
Give up my drinkin', fightin' in bars’

We all know that a big part of Jennings’ legendary legacy comes from the tales of his drinking, wild personality and frequent fighting - a true outlaw that wouldn’t conform to the music industry expectations. According to him though, it seems he was willing to change for his love - perhaps this one’s directed to Jessi Colter? The pair married in 1969, were together until Jennings’ death in 2002 and with her help, the outlaw overcame his addiction struggles. Along with a long, love-filled marriage, it sounds like he also gave her everything she could want, from diamonds to stars.

'I have looked for ya' high girl, looked for ya' low
Oh, my lady, where did ya' go?
I have looked for ya' high girl, looked for ya' low
Oh, my lady, where did ya' go?’

Ot sounds like those changes weren’t enough, with Waylon and Jessi being each other's soulmates, she wouldn’t have left him in a time of need. If this is about a pre-Jessi relationship, then it seems like the ‘Drinkin’ and Dreamin’ singer might have lost his lady.

Ernest Angel loves me
Are you rolling?
Yeah, yeah
1, 2, 1, come in when you want to

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Didn't I give you diamonds? Didn't I give you stars?
Give up my drinkin', fightin' in bars

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I have looked for ya' high girl, looked for ya' low
Oh, my lady, where did ya' go?
I have looked for ya' high girl, looked for ya' low
Oh, my lady, where did ya' go?

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Didn't I give you loving? Give it for free
No pushin' or shovin', just to make you love me

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I have looked for ya' high, looked for ya' low
Oh, my lady, I needed ya' so
Oh, my lady, didn't you know

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Didn't I give ya' diamonds? Didn't I give ya' stars?
Give up my drinkin', fightin' in bars

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I have looked for ya' high, looked for ya' low
Oh, my lady, I need ya' so
I have looked for ya' high, looked for ya' low
Oh, my lady, I need ya' so

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Didn't I give ya' lovin' (yeah), give it for free
No pushin' or shovin', just to make ya' love me

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(Yeah) Glen Campbell comes to us, from, courtesy of Capitol Records, (say it), he don't mess around"

Waylon Jennings

Artist

Glen Campbell

Artist