Will the Wolf Survive
Encyclopedia
Will the Wolf Survive is an album
by Waylon Jennings
, his debut for MCA Records
after a twenty-year stay at RCA
. First released in 1986
, it proved a greater commercial success than the singer's previous several releases, the peak of Jennings' popularity having passed. The well-known title track, originally performed by Los Lobos
, was the album's most successful single, reaching #5 on the country charts. The release's three charting singles all reached the country top ten, the remaining two being "Working Without a Net" and "What You'll Do When I'm Gone", which peaked at #7 and #8, respectively. Steve Earle
's "The Devil's Right Hand", first performed on this album, would go on to be covered once more by Jennings, this time with The Highwaymen
, on 1995
's The Road Goes on Forever. Will the Wolf Survive, produced by Jimmy Bowen
, was Jennings' last #1 album and his next-to-last top ten record, the final one being 1990
's The Eagle
.
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings
Waylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
, his debut for MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
after a twenty-year stay at RCA
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
. First released in 1986
1986 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1986.-January-June:*January 23 – The first induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame takes place...
, it proved a greater commercial success than the singer's previous several releases, the peak of Jennings' popularity having passed. The well-known title track, originally performed by Los Lobos
Los Lobos
Los Lobos are a multiple Grammy Award–winning American Chicano rock band from East Los Angeles, California. Their music is influenced by rock and roll, Tex-Mex, country, folk, R&B, blues, brown-eyed soul, and traditional Spanish and Mexican music such as cumbia, boleros and norteños.-History:The...
, was the album's most successful single, reaching #5 on the country charts. The release's three charting singles all reached the country top ten, the remaining two being "Working Without a Net" and "What You'll Do When I'm Gone", which peaked at #7 and #8, respectively. Steve Earle
Steve Earle
Stephen Fain "Steve" Earle is an American singer-songwriter known for his rock and Texas Country as well as his political views. He is also a producer, author, a political activist, and an actor, and has written and directed a play....
's "The Devil's Right Hand", first performed on this album, would go on to be covered once more by Jennings, this time with The Highwaymen
The Highwaymen (country supergroup)
The Highwaymen were an American supergroup comprising four country music artists well known for, among other things, their involvement and pioneering influence on the outlaw country subgenre: Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson...
, on 1995
1995 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident....
's The Road Goes on Forever. Will the Wolf Survive, produced by Jimmy Bowen
Jimmy Bowen
Jimmy Bowen is an American record producer and former pop music performer.Bowen was born in Santa Rita, New Mexico. He began as a teenage recording star in 1957 with "I'm Stickin' With You," originally the flip side of the hit record "Party Doll" by Buddy Knox, but ultimately a Top 20 recording...
, was Jennings' last #1 album and his next-to-last top ten record, the final one being 1990
1990 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1990.-Events:*January 21 – MTV's Unplugged premieres on cable television with British band Squeeze...
's The Eagle
The Eagle (album)
The Eagle is an album by Waylon Jennings, released on Epic Records in 1990. It was the first of his two solo albums on the label, which he joined after a two-year stay at MCA. The selections themselves are a mixture of fast-paced songs and slower ballads. "Wrong", a humorous track about a...
.
Track listing
- "Will the Wolf SurviveWill the Wolf Survive (song)"Will the Wolf Survive" is a single by American Chicano rock band Los Lobos. Released in 1984, it was the second single from their album How Will the Wolf Survive? The song reached number 26 on the Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart and number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100.-Chart performance:-Waylon...
" (David HidalgoDavid HidalgoDavid Hidalgo is an American singer-songwriter, best known for his work with the band Los Lobos. He is also a member of the supergroup Los Super Seven and of the Latin Playboys, a side project band made up of some of the members of Los Lobos...
, Louie PérezLouie PérezLouie Pérez is an American songwriter, percussionist and guitarist for Los Lobos, and Latin Playboys....
) – 3:29 - "They Ain't Got 'Em All" (John Scott SherrillJohn Scott SherrillJohn Scott Sherrill is an American songwriter whose work is primarily in the field of country music. He has written songs for such artists as John Anderson, Brooks & Dunn, Jimmy Buffett , Johnny Lee, George Strait, Steve Wariner, Patty Loveless, Josh Turner, Waylon Jennings, Alison Krauss, Peter...
) – 2:44 - "Working Without a NetWorking Without a Net"Working Without a Net" is a single by American country music artist Waylon Jennings. Released in 1986, it was the first single from the album Will the Wolf Survive. The song reached #7 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart....
" (Don CookDon CookDon Kirby Cook is an American record producer and songwriter whose work is mainly in the field of country music. Artists who recorded Cook's material include Barbara Mandrell, John Conlee, Mark Collie, Wade Hayes and Brooks & Dunn...
, John Jarvis, Gary Nicholson) – 2:42 - "Where Does Love Go" (Steve Bogard, Rick Giles) – 2:16
- "That Dog Won't Hunt" (Roger MurrahRoger MurrahRoger Murrah is a songwriter and music publisher who has written hits for artists including Waylon Jennings, Alan Jackson, Al Jarreau, and Alabama....
, John Schweers) – 2:55 - "What You'll Do When I'm GoneWhat You'll Do When I'm Gone"What You'll Do When I'm Gone" is a single by American country music artist Waylon Jennings. Released in 1986, it was the third single from the album Will the Wolf Survive. The song reached #8 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart....
" (Larry Butler) – 2:57 - "Suddenly Single" (Troy SealsTroy SealsTroy Seals is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist.He is a member of the prominent Seals family of musicians that includes, Jim Seals and Dan Seals and Brady Seals...
, Max D. BarnesMax D. BarnesMax D. Barnes was a country music singer and songwriter.As a songwriter, Barnes composed many familiar songs of the '80s and '90s, receiving 42 songwriter awards in his career...
) – 2:46 - "The Shadow of Your Distant Friend" (Murrah, Steve Dean) – 4:01
- "I've Got Me a Woman" (Paul KennerleyPaul KennerleyPaul Kennerley is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer working in the American contemporary country music industry. His works include the concept albums, White Mansions and The Legend of Jesse James...
) – 2:44 - "The Devil's Right Hand" (Steve EarleSteve EarleStephen Fain "Steve" Earle is an American singer-songwriter known for his rock and Texas Country as well as his political views. He is also a producer, author, a political activist, and an actor, and has written and directed a play....
) – 3:28
Production
- Produced By Waylon Jennings & Jimmy Bowen
- Production Assistant: Chip Hardy
- Engineers: Bob Bullock, Mark J. Coddington, Russ Martin, Willie Pevear, Robbie Rose & Ron Treat
- Mixing: Bob Bullock
- Digital Editing: Milan Bogdan
- Mastering (Master Tape Preparation): Glenn Meadows
Personnel
- Drums, Percussion: Matt Betton
- Bass: Jerry Bridges
- Piano, DX-7: John Barlow Jarvis
- SynclavierSynclavierThe Synclavier System was an early digital synthesizer, polyphonic digital sampling system, and music workstation, manufactured by New England Digital Corporation, Norwich, VT. The original design and development of the Synclavier prototype occurred at Dartmouth College with the collaboration of...
: Hollis Halford, Matt Morse - Guitars: Waylon Jennings, Gary Scruggs, Billy Joe Walker
- Harmonica: Gary Scruggs
- who played the mandolin on "Will the Wolf Survive?" (song)
Chart performance
| Chart (1986) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums | 1 |