If you only know Luke Combs from the massive, chart-topping hits like "Beautiful Crazy" or his soulful cover of "Fast Car," you’re missing a huge piece of the puzzle. Long before he was selling out stadiums and cleaning up at the CMAs, Luke was a guy with a gritty voice and a chip on his shoulder about the state of country music. That frustration boiled over into a song called Luke Combs Can I Get an Outlaw, a track that basically served as his manifesto before the world even knew his name.
Honestly, it's a bit of a trip to go back and listen to it now. In 2026, Luke is the undisputed king of the genre, but back in 2014, he was just an independent artist from North Carolina trying to find his footing.
The Story Behind the Song
"Can I Get an Outlaw" wasn’t some polished Nashville studio creation. It was the title track of his second EP, released on July 1, 2014. Luke wrote it with his buddies Josh Phillips and Robert Williford. These guys were just trying to write something that felt real.
At the time, "Bro-Country" was peaking. You know the vibe—trucks, tan lines, and songs that sounded more like pop with a banjo than actual country. Luke wasn't having it. The lyrics are pretty blunt. He name-drops legends like Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Merle Haggard. It wasn't just nostalgia; it was a demand for authenticity.
The song asks a simple question: Where did the rebels go?
What Most People Get Wrong
A common misconception is that "Can I Get an Outlaw" is a "new" song because it frequently pops up in TikTok trends or YouTube reaction videos. People see a clip of him singing it in 2026 and think he’s finally "gone outlaw."
Nope.
He’s been this guy from the start. The track actually has a fascinating second life thanks to a collaboration with Ryan Upchurch. That version leaned into the "country rap" scene and has racked up over 70 million plays. It's wild because the original is a pure, mid-tempo country stomper, but the Upchurch remix gave it a whole new audience that probably never would have found the Can I Get an Outlaw EP.
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Another thing? People think this was just a phase. If you look at his newer stuff, like the snippets he’s been teasing for his upcoming 2026 album (rumored to be titled The Way I Am), that same storytelling DNA is still there. He might be a superstar now, but the guy who wrote "Can I Get an Outlaw" is still steering the ship.
Breaking Down the Lyrics
The song doesn't pull punches.
"We don’t need another pretty boy, singin’ pretty songs. Fake country boys, doin’ country all wrong."
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That line is classic early Luke. It’s aggressive. It’s a bit cocky. But it’s also what made people pay attention. He wasn’t trying to be the guy in the skinny jeans; he was the guy in the PFG shirt with a Solo cup who actually cared about what Waylon would do.
He references "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way," which is a clever nod to the fact that every generation of country singers thinks the previous one was better. It’s a cycle. Luke just happened to be the one to break the cycle of "pretty boys" by being himself.
Why It Still Ranks High for Fans
Even with 15+ number one hits under his belt, "Can I Get an Outlaw" remains a staple in his live sets. Why?
- The Vocals: It shows off that gravelly, powerhouse range that defined his early "Skyline Sessions."
- The Message: Fans love an underdog story. This song represents Luke before the fame.
- The Hook: It’s a "fist-in-the-air" kind of anthem that works perfectly in a rowdy bar or a massive arena.
Actionable Insights for the Bootleggers
If you’re a die-hard Luke Combs fan (a "Bootlegger"), there are a few things you should do to truly appreciate this era of his music:
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- Go back to the EPs: Don't just stick to the albums on Spotify. Find the original Can I Get an Outlaw EP and The Way She Rides. Tracks like "Sheriff You Want To" are essential listening.
- Watch the Acoustic Versions: There are old videos of Luke performing this song in dive bars with just an acoustic guitar. It hits differently when you see how much he meant every word back then.
- Compare the Versions: Listen to the solo version and then the Upchurch remix. It’s a masterclass in how a song’s "vibe" can change while the core message stays the same.
Luke Combs didn't just stumble into success. He walked in through the front door, asked for an outlaw, and when he didn't find one, he decided to become the guy who filled the gap. Whether you're a new fan or you've been there since the North Carolina days, this track is the blueprint for everything that followed.
To stay ahead of his next moves, keep an eye on his "burner" social media accounts where he’s been dropping raw demos lately. The next "Outlaw" might already be hiding in those voice memos.