Jackson Taylor - “Lonely”

Jackson Taylor’s debut label album, Dark Days, was released awhile ago, September 11 to be exact, and the first single off that album, “Lonely,” has been climbing the Texas Music Charts in the time since, making its way up to the thirteenth spot this week.

If you’re curious as to what kind of music it is that Taylor plays, look no further than the “Honky Tonk Hero” tattoo branded along his right forearm, undoubtedly paying homage to a couple of his influences, Billy Joe Shaver and Waylon Jennings.

Addressing a topic all but abandoned by Nashville, Taylor sings about loneliness while dispensing the sort of old school, unorthodox advice you’d likely receive from a time when men were men. “So you think you’re lonely / Well so are we all / Do you think you’re the only one / Who’s number’s never been called?” They’re probably not the words one would want to hear when afflicted with loneliness or depression, but ain’t it the honky tonk truth.

It’s an introspective look at the brooding of the lonely and a subtle (or not) hint at Taylor’s own feelings of life on the road. All is not gloomy, though, as Taylor suggests putting your heart on the line if you don’t wanna be lonely. After all, “Tears of joy and pain both come from the same eye.”

Honky Tonk has been conspicuously absent from radio airwaves, but Jackson Taylor is here to let you know that he’s not going to let it die as long as he’s around. Removing that tattoo might be a little painful, otherwise. This one is going on the “It’s A Keeper” playlist.

Listen: Jackson Taylor - “Lonely”