1978 Outlaw Anthem Was a No. 1 Hit 48 Years Ago Today
1978 Outlaw Anthem Was a No. 1 Hit 48 Years Ago Today
Melinda LorgeThu, March 5, 2026 at 4:44 AM UTC
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48 years ago today, on March 4, 1978, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings celebrated a career milestone with their country outlaw collaboration on “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.” It was on that day that the beloved tune rose to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
Success
Not only did the timeless duet rise to the top of the chart, but it also held that position for four weeks. Success didn’t stop there; the track went on to win a Grammy Award in 1979 for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
Written by Ed and Patsy Bruce, it was Ed, who originally recorded the track in 1975 for his self-titled album, according to American Songwriter. His original recording made it to the No. 15 spot on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
The Lyrics
“Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” delivers a tongue-in-cheek warning to all mothers. The country classic finds the singer telling mommas to be careful when raising their children, as those kids could wind up becoming cowboys, who “ain’t easy to love,” who “like smoky old pool rooms,” and “girls of the night.”
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“Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys / Don't let 'em pick guitars or drive them old trucks / Let ‘em be doctors and lawyers and such / Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys / 'Cause they'll never stay home and they're always alone / Even with someone they love,” the two buddies sing in harmony, showcasing their raw, outlaw energy on the chorus.
Nelson and Jennings’ popular version of “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” appears on their collaborative No. 1 country album aptly titled Waylon & Willie, which dropped via RCA Records in 1978. By the time they had released the project, they had already established a business relationship, having collaborated and toured together, despite being on different record labels.
Waylon & Willie features four more duets, which are: “I Can Get Off on You,” “If You Can Touch Her at All,” “Don’t Cuss the Fiddle,” and “Pick Up the Tempo.”
Related: 1996 Career-Defining Classic Was a No. 1 Hit 30 Years Ago Today
This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
