In the "Beyond Nashville" episode of the 2003 documentary Lost Highway, Yoakam admits the elongated opening vocal was an approximation of Buck Owens trademark singing style on songs like "I’ve Got a Tiger By the Tail." "Little Ways" is distinctly an homage to Buck, a signature combination of the drawn-out phrasing and hard-twang guitar that had distinguished so many of his hits.
In the documentary "Beyond Nashville," Yoakam explains that the extended vocal in the "Beyond Nashville" episode was inspired by Buck Owens' distinctive singing style on songs like "I’ve Got a Tiger By the Tail."  The song "Little Ways" is a clear homage to Buck, featuring his signature combination of drawn-out phrasing and hard-twang guitar.