About The Song
“I May Be Used (But Baby I Ain’t Used Up)” is a country single recorded by Waylon Jennings and released by RCA in March 1984. The song was written by Bob McDill, whose catalog includes numerous major country hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Jennings included the song on his studio album Waylon’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 2, issued the same year, where it appeared as one of several new tracks added to accompany previously released material.
The recording was produced by Jennings himself along with producer Jerry Bridges, part of the team responsible for much of Jennings’ early- to mid-1980s output. The track was cut in Nashville during the sessions for the 1984 greatest-hits package, which contained a mix of earlier hits and three new recordings prepared specifically for the release. “I May Be Used (But Baby I Ain’t Used Up)” was one of the key new titles intended to support radio promotion.
The single was released by RCA on 7-inch vinyl with “So You Want to Be a Cowboy Singer” on the B-side. Running time varies slightly by pressing but typically falls between 3:00 and 3:10. It followed Jennings’ 1983–84 string of successful singles and was positioned as a continuation of his radio presence during this period, bridging his earlier outlaw sound with the more polished production trends of the 1980s.
In terms of chart performance, “I May Be Used (But Baby I Ain’t Used Up)” reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in 1984. It also charted in Canada, where it appeared on the RPM Country Tracks survey and landed inside the Top 10. These rankings place it among Jennings’ final run of major Top 5 country hits during the RCA years.
Personnel on the track generally reflect the musicians associated with Jennings’ studio sessions in this era, including members of the Waylors and Nashville session players. While complete musician credits for this particular recording vary across releases, Jennings is documented on lead vocals and guitar, with the remaining instrumentation consisting of electric guitars, bass, drums, and keyboards typical of his early-1980s studio configuration.
The song’s appearance on Waylon’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 positioned it alongside earlier well-known tracks such as “Theme from The Dukes of Hazzard (Good Ol’ Boys)” and “Lucille (You Won’t Do Your Daddy’s Will).” Because it was one of the new tracks attached to the compilation, it benefited from the album’s strong sales and remained associated with Jennings’ later RCA period in subsequent reissues.
Later catalog listings, digital releases, and country anthologies continue to include “I May Be Used (But Baby I Ain’t Used Up)” as part of Jennings’ 1980s work. The writing credit to Bob McDill and production details linked to the 1984 sessions are preserved across reissues, and the track remains one of Jennings’ most recognized mid-career singles due to its Top 5 status and continued placement on compilation albums.
Video
Lyric
… Well my baby you’re a looker and I know what you’re looking for
You’ve been looking over, every man at the bar
Honey, I know I’ve got a few years on you
But if you’re shopping around let me tell you a thing or two
… Well I look a little rough and I got a few miles on me
My body needs work and my style ain’t what it used to be
And honey I’ll admit there’s places where I’m wearing thin
But I ain’t broke down, I’m just gettin’ broken in
… Well I may be worn, but baby I ain’t worn out
Let me take you for a ride and I’ll show you what I’m talking about
I guarantee, there’s a lot of me left to love
Well I may be used but baby I ain’t used up
… I’ve been wrecked a few times and honey it shows I guess
There’s been once or twice that you could say that I was repossesed
There’s one little thing that I think ought to be understood
It ain’t how you look, it’s what you got under your hood
… Well I may be worn, but baby I ain’t worn out
Let me take you for a ride and I’ll show you what I’m talking about
I guarantee, there’s a lot of me left to love
Well I may be used but baby I ain’t used up