The One on the Right Is on the Left
Encyclopedia
"The One on the Right Is on the Left" is a country song written by Jack Clement
. It was recorded by Johnny Cash
on November 29, 1965 and included on his album Everybody Loves a Nut
(1966). It was the album's third and most successful single
(see 1966 in music
), reaching number two on the U.S. Billboard Country Singles chart and forty-six on Billboard's Pop Singles
chart.
The song is a humorous criticism of musicians that put their political views into their music. It tells the story of a folk song
group that is "long on musical ability", but ultimately breaks up due to political differences.
At the end of the song, a warning is given not to mix politics with one's music.
The punch line to the joke is that "the guy in the rear", presumably the drummer
, is less easily labeled: he is a Methodist
and he burned his driver's license
(rather than his draft card
), etc. Indeed, the song closes by stating that he got drafted.
The song was covered, with a few lyrics slightly modified, by Canadian punk rock band Youth Youth Youth on their 1982 demo as well as their Repackaged (album) LP released in 1989 on Fringe Records.
Jack Clement
Jack Henderson Clement is an American singer, songwriter, and a record and film producer.Raised and educated in Memphis, Jack Clement was performing at an early age...
. It was recorded by Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
on November 29, 1965 and included on his album Everybody Loves a Nut
Everybody Loves a Nut
Everybody Loves a Nut is the twenty-second album by American country singer Johnny Cash, released by Columbia Records in the United States in 1966...
(1966). It was the album's third and most successful single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
(see 1966 in music
1966 in music
-Events:*January 3 – Hullabaloo shows promotional videos of The Beatles songs "Day Tripper" and "We Can Work it Out".*January 8 – Shindig! airs for the last time on ABC, with musical guests the Kinks and the Who...
), reaching number two on the U.S. Billboard Country Singles chart and forty-six on Billboard's Pop Singles
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart.
The song is a humorous criticism of musicians that put their political views into their music. It tells the story of a folk song
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
group that is "long on musical ability", but ultimately breaks up due to political differences.
At the end of the song, a warning is given not to mix politics with one's music.
The punch line to the joke is that "the guy in the rear", presumably the drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
, is less easily labeled: he is a Methodist
Methodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
and he burned his driver's license
Driver's license
A driver's license/licence , or driving licence is an official document which states that a person may operate a motorized vehicle, such as a motorcycle, car, truck or a bus, on a public roadway. Most U.S...
(rather than his draft card
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
), etc. Indeed, the song closes by stating that he got drafted.
The song was covered, with a few lyrics slightly modified, by Canadian punk rock band Youth Youth Youth on their 1982 demo as well as their Repackaged (album) LP released in 1989 on Fringe Records.
Chart performance
| Chart (1966) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 2 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 46 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 35 |