Introduction
“Okie from Muskogee” is a renowned country music song co-written and performed by Merle Haggard and his band, The Strangers. Released in September 1969, it served as the lead single and title track from the album of the same name. The song quickly ascended to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart by November 15, 1969, maintaining the number one position for four consecutive weeks.
The inspiration for “Okie from Muskogee” stemmed from Haggard’s reaction to the Vietnam War protests prevalent during the late 1960s. Having experienced incarceration earlier in his life, Haggard valued personal freedom deeply. He was disheartened by the sight of young Americans protesting the war, feeling that such actions were a slight to the soldiers who were sacrificing their lives overseas. This sentiment is encapsulated in the song’s lyrics, which contrast the conservative values of small-town America with the countercultural movements of the time.
The song’s lyrics celebrate the lifestyle and values of Muskogee, Oklahoma, portraying it as a place where residents uphold traditional American ideals, abstain from drug use, and support their country unwaveringly. Lines such as “We don’t smoke marijuana in Muskogee” and “We don’t burn our draft cards down on Main Street” highlight this perspective. While some listeners interpreted the song as a straightforward endorsement of conservative values, others viewed it as a satirical take on the cultural divide of the era.
“Okie from Muskogee” resonated with many Americans who identified with its themes, leading to its widespread acclaim. The song earned the Country Music Association’s Single of the Year award in 1970 and has since been recognized as one of Haggard’s signature pieces. Its impact was further solidified when it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2016, underscoring its enduring significance in American music history.
Over the years, Haggard’s own interpretation of the song evolved. He acknowledged that “Okie from Muskogee” was a reflection of his feelings at the time and that his views had changed as he gained more life experience. This evolution adds depth to the song’s legacy, illustrating the complexities of cultural and personal identity in a changing America.
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
We like livin’ right, and bein’ free
We don’t make a party out of lovin’
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
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
Football’s still the roughest thing on campus
And the kids here still respect the college dean
WAnd 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.