Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Here Are The Best Jessi Colter Songs, The Most Popular Woman In The Outlaw Movement

Jessi Colter Songs
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

While Jessi Colter songs were often outshined by the music of her husband, Waylon Jennings, we can all agree that she’s one of the key artists in the Outlaw movement. 

Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Colter affiliated herself with outlaw imagery long before the musical movement was born. She had actually taken her stage name from a real outlaw: her great-grandfather Jess Colter, who was a real-life Wild West train robber and counterfeiter in the 1870s.

At the age of 15, she began sneaking out to perform in bars, which eventually led to her five decades-long music career where she would perform solo as well as with collaborators – and end up with successful results. 

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of Jessi Colter‘s greatest hits.

1. I’m Not Lisa

From: I’m Jessi Colter (1975)

This was Colter’s first major hit as a solo artist, where she describes the pain that comes from loving someone who is not over their former lover. “I’m Not Lisa” was sung from the point of view of the man’s present lover named Julie. She mourns the fact that her man has not gotten over Lisa, who was taken away by “His hand” – giving the impression that she may have died.

2. Suspicious Minds

Released as a single (1970)

The song – which sings about a distrusting and dysfunctional relationship – was one of the singles that revived Elvis Presley’s chart success in the United States. “Suspicious Minds” has since become one of his most memorable hits.

Colter recorded the song with her husband Waylon Jennings in 1970 and re-released it six years later. Its new version reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and even earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

3. What’s Happened to Blue Eyes

From: I’m Jessi Colter (1975)

Written by Colter herself, the song tells the story of a woman looking for her lover who goes by the name “blue eyes.” She’s wondering if anyone has seen him at the same time, hoping that he has not yet decided to put their relationship to an end.

The tender ballad became another country hit for Colter, peaking at No. 5 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. It was also a minor hit on the Pop chart.

In 1981, Colter and Jennings recorded the song on their duet album, Leather and Lace.

4. It’s Morning (And I Still Love You)

From: Jessi (1975)

The third among her consecutive hit singles on the country chart – reaching No. 11 on Billboard’s country chart – the song wonders how a couple can still find themselves in love, despite waking up at each other’s side every morning. It goes on explaining how it is lonely when one already sees everything there is to see.

5. Under Your Spell Again 

From: Waylon Jennings’ Ladies Love Outlaws (1972)

This country hit – about a man caught by the spell of his former lover and was hoping to be with her again despite knowing that it’s no longer right – was first made famous by Buck Owens in 1959. Since then, several artists have covered the song, including Colter and Jennings.

6. The Wild Side of Life / It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels 

From: Leather and Lace (1981)

In 1981, Colter and Jennings blended these two songs into one country hit. The duet reached No. 10 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

“The Wild Side of Life” was actually first released by Hank Thompson in 1952, where blamed a bar-hopping wife for wrecking their family. Meanwhile, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” was Kitty Wells’ answer to the country classic hit – challenging the role of a girl in a country song.

7. Storms Never Last

From: I’m Jessi Colter (1975)

Colter closed her sophomore album with a song she wrote inspired by a photo she found in a magazine while she was at her doctor’s office. It was an image of a home totally ruined by a tornado, along with it was a quote from the home’s resident: “Storms never last.” 

In 1980, Jennings also recorded the powerful ballad. Though Colter did not appear in that version, her husband made sure to mention her at the song’s end. The husband-and-wife duo later recorded the song as a duet.

8. I Thought I Heard You Calling My Name

From: Diamond in the Rough (1976)

Though the song was only a minor hit for Colter – peaking at No. 29 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart – it was one that truly stands out in her ten-track studio album that includes a cover of The Beatles’s “Hey Jude.”

More Jessi Colter Songs That Made The Outlaw Movement Even Stronger

Indeed, these songs of Jessi Colter only show how talented and versatile she is. Keep on scrolling below and enjoy more of her best tracks.

  • Maybe You Should’ve Been Listening
  • Without You
  • Holdin’ On
  • Love Me Back to Sleep
  • The Lonesome Road
  • I Think I Cried Long Enough Over You
  • I Ain’t the One
  • Cry Softly
  • You Mean to Say
  • I Don’t Wanna Be a One Night Stand
  • I Belong to Him
  • Bittersweet Love
  • Ain’t Makin’ No Headlines
  • Ridin’ Shotguns
  • I Want to Be With You
  • Rock and Roll Lullaby
  • Through the Maze

So, which among these are your favorite Jessi Colter songs?

Latest Stories

Josh Weathers raises over $337000 in a livestream concert fundraiser to help Texas families devastated by catastrophic floods.

Josh Weathers Raises Over $337000 in Livestream to Help Texas Families Hit by Floods

A guitar in hand and a heart the size of Texas. That’s Josh Weathers right now. While storms swallowed up gigs and highways across Central Texas, this Fort Worth native ...

Lauren Alaina fires back at trolls who mom-shame her for bottle-feeding her newborn, pictured holding baby Beni Doll Arnold.

Lauren Alaina Fires Back at Trolls Who Mom-Shame Her for Bottle-Feeding

A bottle in one hand and zero time for strangers’ opinions in the other. That’s how Lauren Alaina’s rolling and some loudmouths just found out the hard way. If you’ve ...

Kelly Clarkson seen emotional in a past photo, echoing fans’ heartbreak after she canceled her Vegas opening night due to illness.

Fans Are Heartbroken After Kelly Clarkson Cancels Vegas Opening Night Due to Illness

Nothing guts a diehard fan like standing in line for hours only to get hit with the words “Show’s off.” Kelly Clarkson found herself in that brutal spot last weekend ...

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton perform together on stage, teaming up for a new duet that might break country radio charts.

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton Team Up for a Duet That Might Break Country Radio

Sometimes, country music gives you a pairing that is so perfect that you wonder what the hell took so long. Well, here we are. Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton are ...

Dolly Parton smiles in a sparkling gown, proving she’ll always look glamorous on the outside to match how she feels inside.

Dolly Parton Shares Glamorous Photo Says She’ll Always Look How She Feels Inside

Some folks roll out of bed looking like they just survived a bar fight but not Dolly damn Parton. On July 1, the queen of country herself dropped a glamorous ...

Lee Greenwood performs live in a patriotic shirt, years after nearly shelving “God Bless The USA,” now America’s beloved anthem.

Lee Greenwood Almost Didn’t Release “God Bless The USA” as a Single, Now It’s America’s Anthem

Sometimes, the songs that shape a nation nearly get buried on the B side. Back in 1984, Lee Greenwood was on a solid run of hits and living out every ...

Keith Urban smiles on stage in Akron, Ohio, where he made a heartfelt gesture for a blind fan that moved the audience to tears.

Keith Urban’s Sweet Gesture for Blind Fan Leaves Sister Thanking Him for Truly Seeing Her

Some moments at a concert feel bigger than the music. This was one of them. Keith Urban‘s always been one of the good guys in country, but fans at his ...

Gracie McGraw, seen here at a past event, recently left fans laughing on Instagram comparing herself to Jurassic dinosaurs.

Tim McGraw’s Daughter Gracie Leaves Fans in Stitches Comparing Herself to Dinosaurs

Sometimes, you just need a reminder that not every celebrity kid takes themselves too seriously. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s oldest daughter, Gracie McGraw, just gave the internet a masterclass ...

Willie Nelson smiles while performing onstage with his iconic guitar, as rumors swirl about Baylor University banning him.

Did a Texas University Ban Willie Nelson or Was He Just Too Much of an Outlaw to Show Up

Only Willie Nelson could have a “campus ban” rumor stick for 40 years and make him look even more like the cowboy rebel everyone loves. If you’ve ever cracked open ...

Roy Rogers, smiling in his signature cowboy hat and embroidered suit, remembered by fans as the King of the Cowboys in 1998.

On This Day, Fans Remember Roy Rogers, the King of the Cowboys, Who Rode Off in 1998

Sometimes the cowboy who taught America how to ride tall in the saddle and tip a hat with a smile is the one who leaves the biggest boots to fill. ...