About the song
Few songs capture the essence of country music’s storytelling tradition quite like “Good Hearted Woman.” Written by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson in the early 1970s, this enduring classic paints a picture of devotion, resilience, and the kind of love that weathers every storm. While the song first appeared as a solo hit for Jennings in 1972, it found new life in 1985 when performed by The Highwaymen—a supergroup consisting of Jennings, Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson. Their version, part of their debut album Highwayman, transformed the song from an intimate personal reflection into a grand, multi-voiced celebration of country music’s outlaw spirit.
At its core, “Good Hearted Woman” is a testament to the type of steadfast love that defies convention. The song’s lyrics tell the story of a woman who remains loyal to a man with a wild streak—someone who drinks, gambles, and embraces a life outside the boundaries of polite society. Despite his flaws, she loves him unconditionally, choosing to see past his reckless ways in favor of the heart that lies beneath. There is a timelessness to this narrative: the tension between freedom and responsibility, between the pull of adventure and the anchor of home.
Musically, The Highwaymen’s rendition stays true to the song’s country roots, but the added vocal interplay between the four legendary performers elevates it to something even greater. Jennings’ rugged baritone blends seamlessly with Cash’s unmistakable depth, while Nelson’s signature phrasing and Kristofferson’s world-weary delivery add layers of character to the performance. The arrangement is straightforward yet effective—driven by steady percussion, warm acoustic guitars, and the kind of easygoing melody that makes the song feel like an old friend.
Part of what makes “Good Hearted Woman” so enduring is its emotional complexity. On the surface, it might seem like a simple tale of devotion, but there’s an undercurrent of melancholy running through the song. The man in the story knows he is undeserving of the love he receives, yet he also recognizes its value. This awareness adds a depth that keeps the song from being merely a lighthearted anthem of rowdy living. Instead, it becomes a reflection on love’s ability to endure even when tested by human imperfection.
The Highwaymen’s version also benefits from the context in which it was recorded. By 1985, all four members of the group had lived enough life to understand the weight of the song’s lyrics. They weren’t just singing about a reckless man and his loyal partner—they were reflecting on their own journeys, their own triumphs and failures, and the women who had stood by them through it all. That authenticity, that lived experience, is what makes their version resonate so deeply.
More than just a great song, “Good Hearted Woman” is a piece of country music history. Whether heard in Waylon’s original version or as part of The Highwaymen’s collective magic, it remains a tribute to the kind of love that endures against the odds. And in a world where relationships are often fleeting, there’s something deeply comforting about that message.
Video
Lyrics
A long time forgotten
Are dreams that just fell by the way.
And the good life he promised
Ain’t what she’s living today.
But she never complains
Of the bad times or bad things he’s done, Lord.
She just talks about the good times they’ve had
And all the good times to come.She’s a good-hearted woman
In love with a good-timin’ man.
She loves him in spite of his ways
That she don’t understand.
Through teardrops and laughter,
They’ll pass through this world hand in hand,
A good-hearted woman
Lovin’ her good-timin’ man.He likes the night life,
The bright lights, and good-timin’ friends.
When the party’s all over,
She’ll welcome him back home again.
Lord knows she don’t understand him,
But she does the best that she can.
‘Cause she’s a good-hearted woman;
She loves her good-timin’ man.She’s a good-hearted woman
In love with a good-timin’ man.
She loves him in spite of his ways
That she don’t understand.
Through teardrops and laughter,
They’ll pass through this world hand in hand,
A good-hearted woman
Lovin’ her good-timin’ man.
