Okie from Muskogee
Encyclopedia
Okie from Muskogee is an album by Merle Haggard and the Strangers, released in 1969. The album won the Academy of Country Music
award for Album of the Year
in 1969. Haggard also won Single of the Year for "Okie from Muskogee
" as well as Top Male Vocalist.
Haggard has stated that the title song on this album is somewhat of a satire. This album was recorded live in Muskogee, Oklahoma
. Originally released in 1969 it was re-released in 1992, 1996, 1997, 2005, and 2006 on other labels.
In the song, Haggard states that Muskogee is a place "where even squares can have a ball."
The song was later parodied by The Youngbloods
as "Hippie From Olema", and by Chinga Chavin
as "Asshole from El Paso
". Kinky Friedman
later covered "Asshole from El Paso
", while the Melvins covered "Okie", on their album The Crybaby
, with Hank Williams III
providing vocals.
In 2010, the Muskogee Chamber of Commerce gave the song new life with a posted on YouTube in celebration of the song's 40th Anniversary. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FB--Qq9ynw
Academy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...
award for Album of the Year
Academy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...
in 1969. Haggard also won Single of the Year for "Okie from Muskogee
Okie from Muskogee (song)
"Okie from Muskogee" is an American country music song performed by its co-writer, Merle Haggard. Released in September 1969, the song became one of the most famous of his career.-Background:...
" as well as Top Male Vocalist.
Haggard has stated that the title song on this album is somewhat of a satire. This album was recorded live in Muskogee, Oklahoma
Muskogee, Oklahoma
Muskogee is a city in Muskogee County, Oklahoma, United States. It is the county seat of Muskogee County, and home to Bacone College. The population was 38,310 at the 2000 census, making it the eleventh-largest city in Oklahoma....
. Originally released in 1969 it was re-released in 1992, 1996, 1997, 2005, and 2006 on other labels.
In the song, Haggard states that Muskogee is a place "where even squares can have a ball."
The song was later parodied by The Youngbloods
The Youngbloods
The Youngbloods was an American folk rock band consisting of Jesse Colin Young , Jerry Corbitt , Lowell Levinger, nicknamed "Banana," , and Joe Bauer . Despite receiving critical acclaim, they never achieved widespread popularity. Their only U.S. Top 40 entry was "Get Together".-Background and...
as "Hippie From Olema", and by Chinga Chavin
Chinga Chavin
Nick "Chinga" Chavin became known in the mid-1970s for his musical album, Country Porn.Perhaps his best-known song is "Asshole From El Paso", which has since been covered by Kinky Friedman. The song was a parody of "Okie From Muskogee" by Merle Haggard....
as "Asshole from El Paso
El Paso
El Paso, a city in the U.S. state of Texas, on the border with Mexico.El Paso may also refer to:-Geography:Colombia:* El Paso, CesarSpain:*El Paso, Santa Cruz de TenerifeUnited States:...
". Kinky Friedman
Kinky Friedman
Richard S. "Kinky" Friedman is an American Texas Country singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, politician and former columnist for Texas Monthly who styles himself in the mold of popular American satirists Will Rogers and Mark Twain. He was one of two independent candidates in the 2006 election...
later covered "Asshole from El Paso
El Paso
El Paso, a city in the U.S. state of Texas, on the border with Mexico.El Paso may also refer to:-Geography:Colombia:* El Paso, CesarSpain:*El Paso, Santa Cruz de TenerifeUnited States:...
", while the Melvins covered "Okie", on their album The Crybaby
The Crybaby
-Personnel:*The Melvins:**King Buzzo - vocals, guitar, bass guitar, noise**Dale Crover - drums, guitar, vocals, noise**Kevin Rutmanis - bass, slide bass, oscillator, harmonica, metronome, vocals, guitar*Tool:**Danny Carey - drums on track 7...
, with Hank Williams III
Hank Williams III
Shelton Hank Williams, known as Hank 3 , is a neotraditional country and punk metal singer, drummer, bassist, and guitarist. In addition to his honky tonk recordings, Williams' style alternates among country, punk and metal...
providing vocals.
In 2010, the Muskogee Chamber of Commerce gave the song new life with a posted on YouTube in celebration of the song's 40th Anniversary. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FB--Qq9ynw
Track listing
All songs by Merle Haggard unless otherwise noted.- "Introduction by Carlton Haney" – :35
- "Mama TriedMama Tried (song)"Mama Tried" is an American country music song written and recorded by Merle Haggard. Released in July 1968, the song became one of the cornerstone songs of his career...
" – 2:25 - "No Hard Times" (Jimmie RodgersJimmie Rodgers (country singer)James Charles Rodgers , known as Jimmie Rodgers, was an American country singer in the early 20th century known most widely for his rhythmic yodeling...
) – 2:20 - "Silver Wings" – 2:39
- "Merle Receives Key to Muskogee" – 1:20
- "Merle's Introduction to Medley" – :23
- "Swinging Doors" – 1:16
- "I'm a Lonesome FugitiveThe Fugitive (song)"The Fugitive is a 1966 single by Merle Haggard which was written by Liz Anderson and Casey Anderson, parents of country star Lynn Anderson. "The Fugitive" was Haggard's sixth release to reach the U.S. country singles chart and his first number one on the chart. The single spent one week at...
" (Liz AndersonLiz AndersonLiz Anderson was anAmerican country music singer/songwriter who was one of a wave of a new generation of female vocalists in the genre during the 1960's to write and record her own songs on a regular basis. Writing in The New York Times Bill Friskics-Warren noted, "Like her contemporary Loretta...
, Casey AndersonCasey AndersonCasey Anderson was an Afro-American blues and folk singer, who from 1960 until 1976 recorded ten albums and seven singles on the Elektra, ATCO, Forum Circle, Urania, Superstar, Edge and Chelsea labels....
) – 1:37 - "Sing Me Back HomeSing Me Back Home (song)"Sing Me Back Home" is a 1967 single written and recorded by Merle Haggard. "Sing Me Back Home" would be Merle Haggard's third number one. The single spent two weeks at number one and a total of seventeen weeks on the country chart...
" – 1:24 - "Branded ManBranded Man (song)"Branded Man" is a 1967 single written and recorded by Merle Haggard. "Branded Man" was Merle Haggard's second number one on the country charts. The single stayed at number one for a single week and spent fifteen weeks on the chart.-Chart performance:...
" – 2:18 - "In the Arms of Love" (Buck OwensBuck OwensAlvis Edgar Owens, Jr. , better known as Buck Owens, was an American singer and guitarist who had 21 No. 1 hits on the Billboard country music charts with his band, the Buckaroos...
, Gene PriceGene PriceGene Price , also credited as Willard Eugene Price and Willard E. Price, is an American songwriter, primarily noted for his songwriting association with Buck Owens.-History:...
) – 2:08 - "Workin' Man Blues" – 2:35
- "Merle's Introduction to "Hobo Bill"" – 1:07
- "Hobo Bill's Last Ride" (Waldo Lafayette O'Neal) – 2:38
- "Billy Overcame His Size" – 3:05
- "If I Had Left It Up to You" – 2:36
- "White Line Fever" – 3:03
- "Blue Rock" (Norman HamletNorm HamletNorm Hamlet is an American steel guitarist best known as a member of Merle Haggard's Stranger's group. In 2005 Hamlet had quadruple heart bypass surgery and recovered well at his home in Bakersfield, California. In April 2006 while on tour with Merle Haggard Hamlet's Dobro was stolen and a reward...
, Roy NicholsRoy NicholsRoy Nichols was an American country music guitarist best known as the lead guitarist for Merle Haggard for more than two decades. He was known for his guitar technique, a mix of fingerpicking and pedal steel-like bends, usually played on a Telecaster.-Biography:Roy Ernest Nichols was born in...
) – 1:09 - "Introduction to Okie from Muskogee" – 1:47
- "Okie from MuskogeeOkie from Muskogee (song)"Okie from Muskogee" is an American country music song performed by its co-writer, Merle Haggard. Released in September 1969, the song became one of the most famous of his career.-Background:...
" (Merle Haggard, Eddie Burris) – 4:05
Personnel
- Merle Haggard – vocals, guitar
- Roy NicholsRoy NicholsRoy Nichols was an American country music guitarist best known as the lead guitarist for Merle Haggard for more than two decades. He was known for his guitar technique, a mix of fingerpicking and pedal steel-like bends, usually played on a Telecaster.-Biography:Roy Ernest Nichols was born in...
– lead guitar - Norman HamletNorm HamletNorm Hamlet is an American steel guitarist best known as a member of Merle Haggard's Stranger's group. In 2005 Hamlet had quadruple heart bypass surgery and recovered well at his home in Bakersfield, California. In April 2006 while on tour with Merle Haggard Hamlet's Dobro was stolen and a reward...
– pedal steel guitar, dobro - Gene PriceGene PriceGene Price , also credited as Willard Eugene Price and Willard E. Price, is an American songwriter, primarily noted for his songwriting association with Buck Owens.-History:...
– bass, background vocals - Eddie Burris – drums
- Bonnie OwensBonnie OwensBonnie Owens , born Bonnie Campbell, was an American country music singer who was married to Buck Owens and later Merle Haggard.-Biography:...
– background vocals
Chart positions
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Billboard Country albums | 1 |
| 1970 | Billboard Pop albums | 46 |