About the song
In the tumultuous late 1960s, the United States was embroiled in the Vietnam War, and the country was divided by protests and counterculture movements. Amidst this backdrop, country music artist Merle Haggard penned a song that would become an anthem for the conservative values of small-town America. “Okie from Muskogee” is a song that has been interpreted in various ways over the years, but its core message remains a powerful reflection of the era’s social and cultural tensions.
Released in September 1969, “Okie from Muskogee” was the title track from Haggard’s album of the same name, and it quickly shot to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, staying there for four weeks. The song’s success was not limited to country music fans, as it also reached number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it a minor pop hit.
The song’s lyrics, co-written by Haggard and drummer Roy Edward Burris, paint a picture of a proud Oklahoman who is proud of his conservative values and way of life. The song’s narrator reflects on the differences between small-town America and the counterculture movement, which he sees as a threat to traditional values. The lyrics are often humorous and lighthearted, but they also contain a underlying message of patriotism and support for the troops.
Haggard has said that he wrote the song to support the troops and to express his own feelings about the Vietnam War protests. He has also stated that he intended the song to be a character study, reflecting his own views and attitudes at the time. Over the years, the song has been covered by numerous artists, including the Grateful Dead, The Beach Boys, and Hank Williams III, often with a tongue-in-cheek approach that acknowledges the song’s satirical elements.
Despite its complex and multifaceted nature, “Okie from Muskogee” remains one of Merle Haggard’s most famous and enduring songs. Its chart-topping success and enduring popularity are a testament to the power of country music to reflect and shape the cultural and social attitudes of its time. In the following article, we will delve deeper into the history and significance of “Okie from Muskogee,” exploring its origins, its impact on the music industry, and its continued relevance today.
Video
Lyrics
We don’t smoke marijuana in Muskogee
We don’t take our trips on LSD
We don’t burn our draft cards down on Main Street
‘Cause we like livin’ right, and bein’ free
We don’t make a party out of lovin’
But we like holdin’ hands and pitchin’ woo
We don’t let our hair grow long and shaggy
Like the hippies out in San Francisco do
And I’m proud to be an Okie from Muskogee
A place where even squares can have a ball
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse
And white lightnin’s still the biggest thrill of all
Leather boots are still in style for manly footwear
Beads and Roman sandals won’t be seen
And football’s still the roughest thing on campus
And the kids here still respect the college dean
And I’m proud to be an Okie from Muskogee
A place where even squares can have a ball
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse
And white lightnin’s still the biggest thrill of all
And white lightnin’s still the biggest thrill of all
In Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA