Meaning of "Workin' Cheap" by Waylon Jennings

"Workin' Cheap" reflects on the narrator's journey from a young boy with a passion for music to a struggling musician in a honky tonk bar. The lyrics depict a sense of yearning to make something more of his life, as he acknowledges not having achieved much to brag about back home. The constant reference to his mother's prayers and the challenges of keeping a dance hall woman happy despite his vices like drinking shed light on the struggles and sacrifices he has made to pursue his musical dreams. The contrast between his aspirations and his current reality as just a nightclub singer with a good band adds a layer of melancholy to the narrative. Overall, the song captures the bittersweet essence of chasing one's dreams, facing obstacles, and the uncertainty of whether success will ever come.