That might be the strangest headline I’ve ever typed out.
But on the flip side, this might be the funniest display of a Waylon Jennings song I’ve ever heard. It’s comical both because of the strange amalgamation of artists performing it and due to the fact that the performance isn’t half bad. It’s no Waylon… but it is something.
If you’ve ever listened to The Dukes of Hazzard theme song and said, “This is great, but I wonder what this would sound like if Dave Chappelle, John Mayer, and Questlove played it,” it is your lucky day.
The song, originally performed by the legendary Waylon Jennings, sounds a little different in the video below. I will say that the weird grouping of people playing it does make it intriguing at the very least.
Jennings originally released the song in 1980 as a second single from his album Music Man, and most people obviously associate it with the iconic comedy adventure TV series The Dukes of Hazzard.
“Theme from The Dukes of Hazzard (Gool Ol’ Boys)” was a number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country singles chart upon its release – but that was with Waylon singing it. When comedian Dave Chappelle is lead vocals, the song quality takes somewhat of a dip (especially since Chappelle didn’t know all of the words).
But the star power definitely isn’t lacking in this performance. You’ve got one of the best comedians of all time in Chappelle on leading vocals, one of the best drummers of all time in Questlove, and one of the most underrated guitar players of all time in John Mayer. Put those three together (to form the “Dave Chappelle Trio” for Mayer fans out there) and you’ve got yourself a respectable band… I guess.
This cover of The Dukes of Hazzard theme appears to have been recorded when Chappelle, Mayer and Questlove were shooting a skit for the incomparable Chappelle Show. If you’ve never seen it, click here to watch one of the funnier music-adjacent comedy sketches that has ever been released.
During the recording process of the sketch, the trio apparently decided to lay down this rendition of the Waylon Jennings classic, and I’d say it doesn’t disappoint… but I don’t really know how to describe it. Are the mocking it? Probably… but we can have a laugh, eh?
Check it out:
Hilarious.
And if you are looking for Waylon Jennings’ version for reference, we’ve got that right here for you:
