The Making of ‘Storms Never Last’: A Love Song That Outlived Time
In a world full of fleeting fame and fading romances, few songs — and even fewer love stories — have endured the way “Storms Never Last” has. Written by Jessi Colter and made iconic through her duet with Waylon Jennings, the track isn’t just a country ballad — it’s a living memory of resilience, devotion, and weathering life’s hardest moments together.
A Song Born from Real Love
“Storms Never Last” was penned by Jessi Colter in the mid-1970s, during one of the most chaotic — yet defining — periods of her life. At the time, she was married to Waylon Jennings, the outlaw country legend known as much for his rebellious spirit as his undeniable talent. Their relationship was filled with passion, creativity, and plenty of storms: from Waylon’s struggles with substance abuse to the pressures of fame and an unforgiving industry.
But through it all, Jessi remained his anchor. Her words in “Storms Never Last” were not poetic fiction — they were lived truth. It was her way of reminding herself, and Waylon, that no matter how dark the skies got, love would carry them through.
“Storms never last, do they baby? / Bad times all pass with the wind…”
These lines became more than lyrics — they became a promise.
Turning Vulnerability into Harmony
Waylon Jennings was so moved by the song that he insisted they record it as a duet. At the time, the two had already shared the stage many times, but this felt different. It wasn’t just a collaboration — it was a conversation between two people who had fought for each other and come out stronger.
The recording session was simple, raw, and filled with emotion. Waylon’s gravelly baritone carried the weight of a man who’d lived through hell and back, while Jessi’s gentle, unwavering vocals offered a sense of calm and hope. Together, their voices didn’t just harmonize — they healed.
Their duet was released in 1981 on the album Leather and Lace, and while it wasn’t a chart-topping hit, it quickly became a fan favorite. It resonated not just because of its melody, but because it felt authentic — a window into a real relationship marked by faith, forgiveness, and fierce loyalty.
More Than a Love Song — A Testimony
What makes “Storms Never Last” so powerful is that it isn’t sugar-coated. It doesn’t pretend that love is easy. Instead, it embraces the mess — the late nights, the arguments, the doubts — and reminds listeners that true love is not the absence of storms, but the ability to survive them.
For Waylon and Jessi, the song was deeply personal. Waylon later admitted in interviews that Jessi saved his life — not just emotionally, but physically — during the darkest years of his addiction. Her strength, often quiet and behind the scenes, was the foundation that kept them both grounded.
“I was a mess,” Waylon once said. “But she never gave up on me.”
That strength is etched into every line of the song. It’s not dramatic or overly produced. It’s tender, patient, and real — just like the woman who wrote it.
A Legacy That Lives On
Decades after it was recorded, “Storms Never Last” remains one of the most beloved duets in country music history. It’s been covered by countless artists, quoted in wedding vows, and whispered by couples holding each other through hard times.
And for fans of Waylon and Jessi, it stands as a timeless reminder of their bond — one that transcended music and fame.
Even now, years after Waylon’s passing in 2002, Jessi continues to perform the song during her live shows. Her voice, a little older and a little softer, still carries the same hope — that no matter how hard life gets, storms never last forever.
Final Thoughts
In the grand canon of country love songs, “Storms Never Last” stands alone — not for being flashy, but for being fearless in its honesty. It’s not about fairy-tale romance; it’s about real-life love, the kind that stays when it’s hard, the kind that writes songs instead of walking away.
For Jessi Colter and Waylon Jennings, the storm came and went — but the song remains. And through it, their story still speaks to anyone who’s ever loved through the rain.
