A Look Back At Okie From Muskogee

The song “Okie from Muskogee”, released in 1969 by Merle Haggard and The Strangers, quickly gained popularity and became a classic country music lyric. The song, written by Haggard and Roy Edward Burris, was a response to the cultural revolution of the 1960s. The focus of the song was to celebrate the life of rural Americans and to offer a stark contrast to the counterculture of the time. The song represented a “traditional” American lifestyle, free from the drugs, free love, and anti-war sentiments of the era.

The song was an instant hit. It rose to #1 on the Billboard Country Chart and #1 on the Canadian Country Chart in 1969. The song was even covered by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings, who released their own version in 1972. It has become a staple of classic country music, with many artists continuing to cover it and perform it in concerts today.

The Meaning of the Lyric

The title of the song, “Okie from Muskogee”, is a reference to the state of Oklahoma and the town of Muskogee, which is located in eastern Oklahoma. The term “Okie” was originally used to refer to people who had migrated from Oklahoma to California during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. In the song, Haggard celebrates the life of rural Americans, proclaiming that they “still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse.” The song also references the lifestyle of those living in small towns, stating that “we don’t smoke marijuana in Muskogee” and “we don’t take no trips on LSD.”

The Controversy Surrounding the Lyric

The song has been met with criticism from some, who argue that it is a reactionary and oversimplified view of the cultural revolution of the 1960s. Some have argued that the song’s celebration of rural American values is out of touch with the times. Others have argued that the song’s lyrics perpetuate negative stereotypes of those living in rural areas. Despite this criticism, the song has become an iconic country music lyric and a staple of classic country music.

The Impact of the Lyric

The song has had a lasting impact on country music and on popular culture as a whole. It has been referenced in numerous films and television shows, including The Simpsons, King of the Hill, and even Austin Powers. The song has also been used as a rallying cry by political activists, including Sarah Palin, who used the phrase “we still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse” to express her support for the troops during the 2008 presidential campaign. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and even punk rock band The Ramones.

Conclusion

The song “Okie from Muskogee” has become an iconic country music lyric and a staple of classic country music. The song has been met with criticism from some, who argue that it is a reactionary and oversimplified view of the cultural revolution of the 1960s. Despite this criticism, the song has had a lasting impact on country music and on popular culture as a whole. It has been referenced in numerous films and television shows and has been used as a rallying cry by political activists. The song is still being covered by numerous artists and continues to be a popular song in the country music genre.