Country music has always had a soft spot for dogs. From Blake Shelton’s “Ol’ Red” to Luke Bryan’s “Little Boys Grow Up and Dogs Get Old,” our furry friends often take center stage in songs that make you laugh, cry, or—more often than not—both. Billy Gilman’s new Bluegrass single “Waylon” is the latest entry into this heart-tugging canon, and it might just be one of the most quietly devastating tracks of the bunch.
Released during May’s Mental Health Awareness Month, “Waylon” isn’t just a dog song—it’s a survival anthem. The titular Waylon isn’t a legendary outlaw singer (though the nod is clearly intentional); he’s a dog, and more importantly, the reason the song’s narrator is still here. That’s the gut-punch at the core of this track: sometimes, when everything else falls apart, it’s a wagging tail and a loyal stare that keep you tethered to life.
Co-written by Gilman, Dan Murph, and Philip Douglas, the lyrics are stark but stunning. “Please leave me Waylon / put anything else you want in that truck / ‘cause if I have to live here without you / that dog will be my reason to wake up,” Gilman sings, and you can practically hear a thousand dog owners whisper “Yep” through their tears. Gilman delivers the song with a vulnerability that feels earned, not performed. He’s not reaching for drama—he’s telling the truth, plain and simple.
When it comes to the musical composition, “Waylon” is a Bluegrass gem. The arrangement is gentle and uncluttered, featuring fiddle, banjo, acoustic guitar, and mandolin. There’s no big climax, no overproduction—just space for the story to breathe. Gilman’s voice, still pristine and expressive after all these years, carries the emotional weight with grace. Martha Christian’s harmony vocals provide just enough warmth to underscore the connection the narrator feels with his dog.
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And let’s talk about those dog songs. Country music has a long-standing tradition of honoring our pets, and “Waylon” joins an illustrious group. You’ve got the aforementioned “Ol’ Red,” a prison-break tale starring a clever bloodhound. There’s John Michael Montgomery’s “Friends,” which includes a dying man bequeathing his loyal pup. Dolly Parton gave us the heartwarming “Cracker Jack,” a tribute to her childhood dog. And more recently, Chris Stapleton’s “Maggie’s Song” tells the story of a beloved family dog from rescue to rainbow bridge in just a few sob-inducing verses.
What sets “Waylon” apart is how it fuses the emotional storytelling of dog songs with an unflinching look at mental health. That’s where this song really shines—it doesn’t just say “dogs are great.” It says, “dogs save lives,” and it means it. The collaboration with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention makes this more than a single; it’s a statement.
“Waylon” is a quiet triumph—a song that sneaks up on you and stays. It’s for anyone who’s ever looked into their pet’s eyes and found a reason to keep going. It’s tender, it’s sad, and ultimately, it’s hopeful. If you’re a country fan, a dog lover, or just a human being with a heart, prepare to be moved. And maybe go hug your pup.
Gwen Waggoner