Listen Betty (I'm Singing Your Song)

Dave Dudley · Truck Drivin Son Of A Gun: The Mercury H [2004]

A friend and I made one shot run to Knoxville one day

We got the apple pie and coffee hungries on the way

We pulled into a little truckstop just outside of town

Pretty soon the waitress came around

She said my name is Betty and I'd know you anywhere

I'd like to have a minute of your time if you don't care

Would you sing a song about me and the waitresses you've met

About the broken promises we get

Now listen Betty I'm singing your song about the drivers

that have done you wrong

All I wanna do is lay the blame where it belongs listen

Betty I'm singing your song

[ piano ]There's a broken heart for every truckstop on the right

There's a lonesome driver for each passing set of lights

Now I can't tell you how to love or tell you how to

live all I can do is tell it like it is

There's a million waitresses all up and down the line



I've seen some that were laughin' and I've seen some that were cryin'

I've left some that were happy and I've left some that were blue

If you're a waitress here's a song for you

Now listen Betty...

[ piano ]The highway is a part of hell that never caught on fire

The driver is the kinda man that devil wouldn't hire

That's what you're sayin' Betty but you can't stand the heat

Quit that job and let those drivers be

Now listen Betty...

Now listen Betty...

About Listen Betty (I'm Singing Your Song)

Dave Dudley's "Listen Betty (I'm Singing Your Song)" stands as a quintessential example of his mastery within the Texas country and honky-tonk traditions. Recorded for the album *Truck Drivin' Son of a Gun: The Mercury H*, the track showcases Dudley's signature ability to blend narrative storytelling with melodic simplicity, a hallmark of his discography from the 1960s. The song reflects the era's focus on personal emotion and the struggles of everyday life, delivered with the warm, resonant vocal style that defined his career. As part of his broader body of work, this recording captures the authentic sound of mid-century American country music, where heartfelt lyrics and acoustic instrumentation took precedence over production complexity. It remains a representative piece of his catalog, illustrating how Dudley crafted songs that resonated deeply with listeners seeking genuine connection through his music.