Song Information
Title: You Can Have Her
Original Songwriter: Bill Cook
First Popularized by: Roy Hamilton (1961)
Covered by: Waylon Jennings (notably included on his 1976 album Are You Ready for the Country)
Producer (Waylon’s version): Ken Mansfield & Waylon Jennings
Album Release Date: June 1976
Genre: Outlaw Country / Rock-infused Country
Label: RCA Victor
Although originally a rhythm and blues hit made famous by Roy Hamilton, “You Can Have Her” found new life when performed by Waylon Jennings. Waylon infused the song with a grittier, rock-influenced outlaw country sound, bringing new emotional depth and rebellion to the lyrics.
Song Meaning and Storyline
“You Can Have Her” tells the story of a man who has been heartbroken, yet refuses to chase after the woman who left him. The lyrics portray a bitter but strong-willed narrator who was once devoted to a woman that eventually betrayed his love. Rather than pleading or sinking into sorrow, he makes a bold declaration: “You can have her, I don’t want her”—a striking reversal of the typical heartbreak ballad.
Waylon’s delivery is raw, defiant, and laced with both hurt and pride. The verses recount how deeply he loved her, even enduring loneliness while she was away. But in the end, he reaches a breaking point. Her lies, her emotional absence, and possibly her infidelity force him to let go—publicly and unapologetically.
This is not a plea for her return, but a declaration of emotional independence. Waylon doesn’t just walk away; he dares the world to take what he no longer wants. His voice is soaked in country grit, and the musical arrangement gives it a stomping, outlaw soul. It’s a breakup song, but one filled with strength rather than sorrow.
Explaining the Core Message: Why He Let Her Go
The key moment in the song lies in the juxtaposition of devotion versus self-respect. The narrator initially waited for her, cried for her, and probably forgave her more than once. But betrayal—whether through abandonment or cheating—reaches a point where love turns into bitterness, and that bitterness into liberation.
This is where Waylon’s outlaw country persona shines. He rejects the image of the weak, pleading man left behind. Instead, he reclaims his power through detachment. The message is not that he never loved her—it’s that he loved her enough to be destroyed, and now he must love himself enough to survive. The lyric “She’s yours if you want her—you can have her, I don’t want her” is a defense mechanism wrapped in truth.
Many listeners relate to this kind of heartbreak, where pride must replace love for healing to begin. It also reflects Waylon’s artistic stance against the polished, commercial Nashville sound of the time. Like the song, he wanted honesty—gritty, unapologetic, and real. “You Can Have Her” isn’t just about a breakup; it’s about setting emotional boundaries, even if it’s painful.